Austin, Texas has many claims to fame. It’s the liberal hotbed of conservative Texas, the live music capitol of the world (or at least the country), and it’s proudly “weird”. It’s also been criticized for skyrocketing costs of living in recent years and an LA-like obsession with status and trendiness. Both the criticism and the most well-known characteristics, however, fail to touch on one of the things that makes Austin so attractive to residents and visitors alike: its natural beauty and the ample opportunities to enjoy it for little or no money.

McKinney Falls State Park sits on the southeast corner of the city and can be enjoyed every day for just $5 per person. The park offers shaded campgrounds for tents and RVs, as well as plenty of outdoor recreation for the day visitor. Biking and bouldering are among the most popular – and will burn the health conscious the most calories – but long walks and fishing can keep the laid back crowd in touch with Mother Nature.

As the name suggests, McKinney Falls State Park is also home to some photogenic scenery, including the upper and lower waterfalls. While small, the falls are beautiful and give kids a chance to get up close and personal with the rushing water as the rocks that form the falls can actually be traversed by foot. For over night trips like this one, you may want to consider staying at mountain lodges or cabins to capture the true experience instead of staying at hotels.

Austin’s weather makes McKinney and other local parks enjoyable all year long, but the extreme heat of the summer does call for safety precautions like ample water and shade breaks. The mild winters are perfect for throwing out a sweatshirt and getting out into the sunshine.

Photos: Britt Reints

Stonehenge, the monument and popular tourist destination in England, is comprised of large rocks standing on edge in a circular formation.  Its exact origins are unknown, lending to its mystique, and scholars study the stones to try to figure out their significance.

If a trip to England isn’t on your list, maybe you can drive to one of these United States Stonehenge replicas.  Sure, they lack the historical significance of the original Stonehenge, but they’re tourist destinations nonetheless, and road trip stops you’ll definitely remember.

Carhenge, Alliance, Nebraska

Northwestern Nebraska has some interesting places to visit, including archaeological sites, military forts, and geographic wonders, but it’s also the home to Carhenge.  Found outside Alliance, Nebraska, this Stonehenge replica consists of vehicles painted silver and stood on end to copy England’s ancient Stonehenge.  A historical icon? No. But it’s a fun place to visit, and just like Stonehenge, visitors travel from all over to see it.

Carhenge

Foamhenge, Natural Bridge, Virginia

One mile north of Natural Bridge, Virginia, artist Mark Cline is responsible for Foamhenge, a full-scale replica of Stonehenge.  The only difference is that the “stones” are made of foam.  It’s a good place to get a feeling for the scale of Stonehenge without flying across the Atlantic.

Foamhenge

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The Alamo, San Antonio, Texas

When planning your trip to San Antonio, Texas there are certain things that naturally end up on your itinerary: the Alamo, the Riverwalk, shopping at El Mercado and dining at Mi Tierra are fine examples, and not to be overlooked.

During a recent family break we stayed at the JW Marriott Hill Country Resort and Spa (which was fabulousness itself) and had three experiences that, in my mind, should not be missed while in San Antonio. Read More »

Wondering what to do this weekend? Need to get a little more art in your life? How about camping out with artists? Then check out the 6th Annual Art Outside festival in Rockdale, Texas!

The small city of Rockdale, about an hour Northeast of Austin, is the unlikely site for the 6th Annual Art Outside festival, a three-day extravaganza featuring everything that makes Central Texas such a unique center for art. Happening the weekend of October 22 – 24, this festival celebrates creative art in all its forms, bringing it out of the galleries and into a forest setting where its different manifestations can intermingle and be enjoyed by all.

Interactive art installations!

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