Fossil Rim Wildlife Center in Glen Rose, Texas
Fossil Rim Wildlife Center is an amazing place to spend time with your family while enjoying a scenic drive in an African-like setting with wild animals galore. They are an endangered species research and conservation center in Glen Rose, Texas with over 1000 animals from 50 different species.
Fossil Rim
You have the choices of exploring on your own, taking a guided tour or even spending the night on site. They have a lodge that operates as a bed & breakfast and tent cabins for more rustic camping.
The guided tours available consist of behind-the-scenes tours, adventure tours, family tours, after dark tours, accompany the feeders tour & bike tours. These usually need to be booked in advance.
Fossil Rim
Giraffes, wildebeests, zebras, five kinds of deer & rhinos are among many of the unique animals on site. You can buy a bag of food to feed the animals for $7.95. Imagine the photo opportunities of animals coming right up to your car!
Fossil Rim
Fossil Rim is located about one hour southwest of Fort Worth, and around an hour and a half from Dallas. Wednesdays are discounted, and they have different off-seasons and peak-season pricing.
My 7-year-old received a trip here as a gift for his birthday from his grandparents. He hasn’t stopped talking about it since!
Photos curtesy of Carlock Family
Moody Gardens in Galveston, Texas
Moody Gardens is a huge tourist attraction in Galveston, Texas with three main features: The Aquarium Pyramid, The Rainforest Pyramid & The Discovery Pyramid.
Moody Gardens
The Aquarium Pyramid currently features a shark exhibit & offers an opportunity to meet a live penguin. In addition to these new attractions, they also have eels, sea turtles, and thousands of tropical fish in the Caribbean exhibit. The Antarctic South Atlantic Exhibit has at least five different kinds of penguins. The North Pacific Exhibit focuses on seals and sea lions, while the South Pacific Exhibit takes you into the world of the Great Barrier Reef and tide pools.
Penguins
The Rainforest Pyramid is ten stories tall with over 1000 species of exotic plants from all over the world. Amid the lush flora you will find beautiful macaws, an anaconda, turtles and fish. The Asian, African and American Rainforests are all considered the most complete reproduction of actual rainforest available.
Macaws
The Discovery Pyramid allows visitors to explore the world of science. Currently they are hosting a bones exhibit called Bones: An Exhibit Inside of You, where you can learn how modern technology helps us keep our bones healthy, as well as how bones have found their way into art, music and literature. Other traveling exhibits from around the world provide interactive ways to learn and have fun learning more about the world around us.
Bones
Moody Gardens also has a golf course, a 4D theater, an IMAX theater, Ridefilm, Palm Beach and a bayou paddle wheel boat tour. It’s open 365 days a year and is one of those places that you need to spend several days exploring.
Photos curtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Kerrville Folk Festival in Kerrville, Texas
The Kerrville Folk Festival is from May21st through June 7th this year in Kerrville, Texas on Quiet Valley Ranch. It’s the longest continuously-running music festival in North America as it has been held yearly since 1972.
Texas Hill Country
Over 100 artists will perform with daily evening concerts and there is on-site camping and arts & crafts booths. You can also expect to find song writing, blues guitar and harmonica workshops as well as programs for music teachers and kids.
Kerrville Folk Festival
The Kerrville Folk Festival is known as a mecca for singer songwriters.
Tickets are from $20 & up, with a $3 daily parking fee.
I grew up in Kerrville, Texas, on a ranch nearby…and every year around this time, we could hear the music drifting over the hills from this festival. The Texas Hill Country is a beautiful and peaceful place to go for music and fun.
Tallest, Fastest, Longest: Top 10 Roller Coasters in America
by Linda (minnemom) of Travels with Children
Kingda Ka. Photo by Dusso Janladde.
Faster than a car. Longer than a mile. Higher than the Statue of Liberty. Check out these extreme roller coasters from the United States that make a trip to the amusement park exciting!
Top Steel Roller Coasters
Kingda Ka
Six Flags Great Adventure
Jackson Township, New Jersey
Kingda Ka at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Township, NJ. Photo by nthdesign.
With a height of 456 feet, a drop of 418 feet, and a speed of 128 mph, this mighty beast is the tallest and fastest in the United States.
Top Thrill Dragster
Cedar Point
Sandusky, Ohio
Top Thrill Dragster, Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH. Photo by adpowers.
Just behind Kingda Ka is this thrill ride, which boasts a height of 420 feet, drop of 400 feet, and amazing 120 mph speed.
Millennium Force
Cedar Point
Sandusky, Ohio
Millennium Force at Cedar Point, Sandusky, OH. Photo by soundfromwayout.
Also at Cedar Point, Millennium Force ranks on the list for longest as well as fastest, tallest, and tallest drop. It has stats of 310 feet in height, a 300-foot drop, is 6595 feet long, and runs at 93 miles per hour. It’s a force to be reckoned with.
Goliath
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Valencia, California
Goliath at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA. Photo by respres.
With a speed of 85 miles per hour, height of 235 feet, and spot on the record list for vertical drop as well, Goliath lives up to its name.
Superman: The Escape
Six Flags Magic Mountain
Valencia, California
Superman: The Escape at Six Flags Magic Mountain, Valencia, CA. Photo by Mike Kazarnowicz.
Goliath’s neighbor at Six Flags Magic Mountain may not hold as many records, but with a drop of 328 feet and speed of 100 mph, it’s a superhero in the world of roller coasters.
Top Wooden Roller Coasters
Son of Beast
Kings Island
Mason, Ohio
Son of Beast, Kings Island, Mason, Ohio. Photo by Brandon Cirillo.
With a height of 218 feet, drop of 214 feet, and speed of 78.4 mph, Son of the Beast is the current world-record holder for height, drop, and speed.
El Toro
Six Flags Great Adventure
Jackson Township, New Jersey
El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure, Jackson Township, NJ. Photo by tenioman.
Six Flags Great Adventure isn’t just great for a steel-coaster ride. The wooden El Toro ranks on the tallest, fastest, and biggest drops lists with a height of 181 feet, drop of 176 feet, and speed of 70 mph.
The Voyage
Holiday World & Splashin’ Safari
Santa Claus, IN
The Voyage at Holiday World, Santa Claus, IN. Photo by Neuski.
This voyage is one of the longest in the world on a wooden roller coaster at 6442 feet. It also ranks on the lists for tallest (173 feet), tallest drop (154 feet), and fastest (67.4 mph).
Mean Streak
Cedar Point
Sandusky, Ohio
Mean Streak at Cedar Point, Sandusky, Ohio. Photo by nealpatrick61.
This is one mean wooden coaster, with a length of 5427 feet, a height of 161 feet, and a drop of 155 feet.
The Boss
Six Flags St. Louis
Eureka, Missouri
The Boss at Six Flags Over St. Louis, Eureka, MO. Photo by HAM guy.
The Boss is no slouch, with a speed of 66.3 miles per hour, a length of 5051 feet, and a drop of 150 feet.
Do you have a favorite roller coaster or amuseument park?
Information credit: Wikipedia
Ezekiel Airship in Pittsburg, Texas
Pittsburg, Texas is home of the Ezekiel Airship, something I had never heard of before in my life.
What is it?
I’ll tell you.
It’s an airship supposedly built in 1902 by a Baptist minister who believed a passage in the Book of Ezekiel in the Bible contained the secret of flying.
Ezekiel Airship
Admit it, you’re intrigued.
The story goes that this minister, Rev. Burrell Cannon, got neighbors to contribute money and had it built.
Ezekiel Airship Document
And then someone decided to try and fly it.
Supposedly it made it into the air…maybe 15 feet, for about 50 yards.
No eye witness accounts…no proof of this flight…no evidence left…
so what’s remarkable about this?
If it DID occur, it happened one year before the Wright Brothers did their thing in 1903.
So, whether this story is full of hot air or not…a full-sized replica of this unique contraption hangs in Pittsburg, Texas in their Northeast Texas Rural Heritage Depot and Museum.
Ezekiel Plaque
Check it out, y’all.
photos curtesy of Roadside America
The Forbidden Gardens in Katy, Texas
Where the heck is Katy, Texas and why does it have Forbidden Gardens?
Good Question!
Katy, Texas is just outside Houston, Texas, and the spot where Hong Kong real estate mogul Ira P.H. Poon built a slightly smaller-sized replica of the ancient Chinese attraction. He wanted to share his country’s history and culture here in the United States.
The United States’ Forbidden Gardens cover over 40 acres, cost around $20 million, and covers 2000 years of Chinese history.
The 6,000 figure terra-cotta army is 1/3 the size of the originals in China.
Terra Cotta Army
The ones in China were originally unearthed in 1974 with the first emperor of China, Quin Shihauangdi’s tomb.
Emperor Quin became a ruler of China at age 13, although not assuming total power until age 21. During his reign, he united all the warring states of China into one nation. He standardized laws and currency, bringing together a divided country. He built roadways and a canal system. He also started the Great Wall of China.
Also on site are a shaded courtyard, a koi fish pond, incense and Chinese music coming from hidden speakers.
Guided tours are mandatory and included in the price of admission, which is $10 for adults, $5 for students and seniors, and $3 for children under 5. The attraction is open only on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, from 10am to 5pm.
Want a little glimpse of China without traveling across the world?
Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center in Austin, Texas
Founded in 1982, the Ladybird Johnson Wildflower Center is home to public gardens, woodlands and meadows display and provide research for native Texas plants in their natural setting.
LadyBird Johnson, one of our former First Ladies, came up with the idea to introduce people to the beauty and diversity of wildflowers and other native plants.
Lady Bird Johnson
The Center’s Mission is to:
Increase the sustainable use and conservation of native flowers, plants and landscapes.
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
The Wildflower Center has an online database gallery with over 23,700 plant images.
Conservation and Education are the impetus for several big programs and projects at the Center. Landscape restoration and a consulting operation to builders are important ecological missions actively pursued.
Lady Bird Johnson Aquaduct
It’s a great place to explore, take photos or rent out for a wedding reception or other event!
I’ve seen beautiful bridal portraits taken there.
And they have an online shop with unique gifts to celebrate Native Texas plants and flowers.
The Texas Union in Austin, Texas
The Texas Union opened in 1933 on the University of Texas campus.
Texas Union in 1933
Although primarily a place for University of Texas students, alumni & faculty, anyone can use the many benefits this building has to offer.
There are, of course, plenty of lounges, meetings rooms & student organization offices, as well as a large offering of vendors for food and beverages.
You can rent ballrooms and other large rooms as well as use the Texas Union Catering Service.
The Cactus Cafe is a full bar and live music venue inside the Texas Union with a national reputation. Billboard mMgazine listed the Cactus as one of fifteen “solidly respected, savvy clubs” nationwide “from which careers can be cut, that work with proven names and new faces.”
The only way to tour the infamous UT Tower is through reservations at the Texas Union.
Our favorite spot in the Texas Union, besides the beautiful outdoor courtyards, is The Ungerground, where you can play billiards, glow-in-the-dark bowling, use your computer at the laptop longe, play fooseball or air hockey, and enjoy many games and big screen TVs.
We’ve rented out space in the bowling area for several children’s birthday parties.
The Texan Union is more than just a building. It’s a part of the University’s history, and an important resource for students and all who live in Austin.
Texas Union
Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo
Every year in March, Austin hosts the Star of Texas Fair and Rodeo.
Live Action.
Live Music.
Live Stock.
This year’s dates are March 13th through the 28th at the Travis County Exposition Center.
There’s so much to do at the rodeo…like rides at the carnival fair, cook offs entertainment and shows inside and out. All kinds of competitions can be found along with pony rides and souvenirs to buy.
But, the biggest treat, in my opinion, is the actual rodeo itself.
There’s bareback riding.
Rodeo Bareback Riding
Steer Wrestling.
Rodeo Steer Wrestling
Mutton Busting.
Rodeo Mutton Busting
Team Roping.
Rodeo Team Roping
Saddle Bronc Riding.
Rodeo Saddle Bronc Riding
Tiedown Roping.
Rodeo Tiedown Roping
Barrel Racing.
Rodeo Barrel Racing
and Bull Riding.
Rodeo Bull Riding
And don’t forget the rodeo clowns!
Rodeo Clown
Photos curtesy of Rodeo Austin
Zilker Park in Austin, Texas
Zilker Park is Austin, Texas’ most loved park.
Definitely the most visited…with the most things to do.
Zilker Park
Zilker Metropolitan Park is 351 acres in the middle of Austin.
It has sports tournaments, kite festivals and musical festivals…
Barton Springs pool
Barton Springs in Austin, Texas
botanical gardens, the Zilker Zephyr miniature train,
Zilker Zephyr in Austin, Texas
canoe rentals for Ladybird Lake, hike & bike trails, full-service picnik areas, the Austin Nature & Science Center, Umlauf Sculpture Gardens, Austin Sunshine Campe, the Zilker Hillside Theater, a large fun playground, and much, much more.
Photos curtesy of bdwaydive1, jslander & .imelda at Flickr Creative Commons