Great escapes: the kids are almost out of school, the weather is warm, and you're getting restless. So what are you waiting for? Now is the time to research destinations, review attractions, and reserve your space at the campground, hotel, resort, or beach cottage of your choice.
Publication:
Texas Monthly
Publication Date: 01-MAY-04 |
Format: Online - approximately 4454 words
Delivery: Immediate Online Access |
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Full Article Title: Great escapes: the kids are almost out of school, the weather is warm, and you're getting restless. So what are you waiting for? Now is the time to research destinations, review attractions, and reserve your space at the campground, hotel, resort, or beach cottage of your choice.(vacations)(Advertisement) |
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Article Excerpt
Texas-Size Attractions
Access to the Arts
Texas Commission on the Arts
800-252-9415
artonart.com
The Texas Commission on the Arts (TCA) works to promote cultural tourism--combining historical, cultural, and natural attractions to showcase distinctive features of a community. To help vacationers zero in on a cultural event, the TCA has introduced the "Art on Art" Web site, the most comprehensive arts calendar in the Lone Star state. Surf the site to find arts festivals, gallery openings, music or dance performances, heritage celebrations, and much more. It's easy to use, searchable by region or city, by topic or type, or by a specific date. Plus, you'll find helpful links to travel resources as well.
Park It in Texas
Texas Parks and Wildlife
800-792-1112
tpwd.state.tx.us
One of the best vacations your family could ever take is to one of the 120 state parks and historic sites right here in Texas. To discover which one is right for you, take a look at the Texas Parks and Wildlife's new Texas State Park Guide, available free through the Web site, or at any state park headquarters. This 104-page color booklet gives an overview of each of the parks. A tent or pop-up camper might be your lodging of choice, but several locations have fancier digs. Try the Indian Lodge at Fort Davis or the Lantana Lodge at Ray Roberts Lake.
In and around Houston
A Private Escape
Biosilk Spa
713-439-1477
biosilkspa.com
When the stresses of daily life reach that critical level, take a break and head for the Galleria in Houston. There you'll find Biosilk Spa, a soothing escape from your hectic schedule. Amid serene music and surroundings, you can choose from a variety of tantalizing treatments. Hydrotherapy uses gentle water jets to relax your muscles, and the Anti-Aging Oxygen Facial gives your skin a youthful glow. Gentlemen can choose from Biosilk's "Men at the Spa" menu, which includes a back treatment or a Deep Tissue Sports Massage. Full- and half-day packages are available, or for starters try the 25-minute Lunchtime Massage.
Retreat to a Forest
The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center
800-433-2924
woodlaandresort.com
Just a few minutes north of Houston is the master-planned community of The Woodlands, and within that community is The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center. Long a preferred destination for meetings and conferences, the resort increasingly is becoming a popular getaway for vacationing families as well. Built around 36 holes of championship golf. The Woodlands Resort and Conference Center also offers five, swimming pools, 21 tennis courts, two fitness centers, and a spa. The most recent addition, the Forest Oasis Waterscape features the 30-foot Forest Tower with a double-helix waterslide for the kids and peaceful alcoves near a landscape waterfall for adults.
A Little Something Extra
Beaumont Convention and Visitors Bureau
800-392-4401
beaumontcvb.com
Close to the Louisiana border but still Texas through and through, Beaumont offers what the Cajuns call lagniappe, a little something extra. Besides museums and attractions that focus de Beaumont's rich heritage as an oil boomtown, much of the downtown area has been revitalized to showcase the city's booming spirit. Crockett Street now boasts a variety of restaurants and nightlife, the 1920s Jefferson Theatre has been restored, and the Ford Park complex features concerts and professional ice hockey. Beaumont is also the gateway to Big Thicket National Preserve, an environmental showplace where visitors can hike, camp, canoe, and birdwatch.
Cruising in Style
Royal Caribbean International
800-398-9819
royalcaribbean.com
Now sailing out of Galveston, Royal Caribbean International offers two luxury liners, Rhapsody of the Seas and Splendour of the Seas, for four- to seven-night vacations. Both ships are in the company's Vision family, meaning they are spacious, elegant, and have plenty of windows to bring the sun, sea, and sky indoors. On board you'll find a fitness center and day spa, rock-climbing walls, beautiful dining rooms, a casino, and Broadway-style shows. The Adventure Ocean Youth Program will keep the kids busy with supervised games and sports, movies, and dance parties while parents relax in the adults only...
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