Stay a Spell

America's best city for a staycation is right in your own Texas backyard

Skim the treetops at Go Ape.

Photo courtesy of Visit Plano

The personal finance site WalletHub just named Plano as the best city in the country for a staycation, and it's not hard to see why. The North Dallas suburb is packed with family-friendly activities and attractions, plus plenty of outdoor space for those looking to get some R&R in the fresh air.

And with COVID-19 putting the breaks on big vacations, Plano looks even more enticing to Texans. For San Antonio residents, driving just a couple hours north puts you in the middle of everything, from delicious restaurants to specialty shopping to fun outings.

Where to stay
Take your pick from big names and boutique hotels, with outposts of Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West, the Dallas/Plano Marriott at Legacy Town Center, Hilton Dallas/Plano Granite Park, and the NYLO Dallas/Plano Hotel.

Where to eat
Take your pick from more than a thousand restaurants spanning all cuisine types, reflecting Plano's diverse culture. A must-visit is Legacy Hall, the dining mecca that brings everything from brisket to wine under one roof. Dining is also available at all walkable attractions, including Legacy West, The Shops at Legacy, The Boardwalk, The Shops at Willow Bend, and the Downtown Plano Arts District.

Where to be outside
With 84 award-winning parks and nature preserves, it's easy to enjoy the great outdoors in Plano. Whether you're walking, running, biking, or blading, there are trails to explore at Oak Point Park and Nature Preserve and Arbor Hills Nature Preserve. Or go above ground at Go Ape!, where zip lines and rope ladders await amid the treetops.

What to do
Discover a world of interactive color at the Crayola Experience or take a dip in the famous Texas Pool. Bowl a strike at Pinstack or learn about the area's history at the Heritage Farmstead Museum and Interurban Railway Museum. Need more ideas? There's no shortage of them here.

Due to COVID-19 restrictions and reopenings, please check the business' open status, restrictions, and hours before going.

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Turkey Day news

San Antonio eats up top-10 rank on list of best cities for Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving pumpkin pie at Kona Grill in San Antonio

Photo courtesy of Kona Grill

San Antonio is one of the best place to celebrate Thanksgiving in Texas in 2024.

San Antonio is sitting at the head of the table as one of the best places in the country to celebrate Thanksgiving this year, a new study has revealed.

San Antonio ranked No. 7 out of 100 of the largest U.S. cities in WalletHub's annual "Best Places to Go for Thanksgiving" report, published November 12. The city made a big leap over its 2023 ranking as No. 14, and remains the second highest-ranked city in Texas.

The study analyzed each city based on 18 metrics to determine the best places for Thanksgiving, such as the number of pumpkin patches per capita, the average cost of a Thanksgiving dinner, the number of volunteer opportunities, the average weather forecast, and more. The metrics were then organized into five overall categories to determine the rankings.

The categories that San Antonio ranked the highest in were the average weather forecast during the holiday period (No. 2), and affordability (No. 11), while the lowest-ranked category was for safety and accessibility (No. 90). Other categories that determined San Antonio's overall ranking were the number of celebrations and traditions (No. 14), and a "giving thanks" rank (No. 75).

"The best cities for celebrating Thanksgiving all have an abundance of high-quality restaurants and places to buy festive decorations, and their residents get very excited for the holiday based on their Google search history," said WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo.

By Thanksgiving on November 28, San Antonio will be fully decked for the December holidays. San Antonians who will have extended family in town during Thanksgiving weekend can take in of all the marvelous Christmas lights brightening the city. The home of the Alamo certainly goes all out for the most wonderful time of year.

Elsewhere in Texas, Dallas ranked two spots above San Antonio as the fifth best city for Thanksgiving. Houston ranked No. 23, while Austin only came in at No. 39.

San Diego, California (No. 1) topped the overall list of best places to go for Thanksgiving this year, followed by its Golden State neighbors San Francisco (No. 3) and San Jose (No. 4). Atlanta, Georgia (No. 2) rounds out the top five.

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