This past spring break, my family and I traveled to Texas, and it turned out to be one of the most fun vacations we’ve taken together. If you’re looking for a domestic destination with great weather, amazing food and plenty of activities and attractions for kids, look no further.
The first stop on our trip was Dallas. We stayed at The Kimpton Pittman Hotel, which offered so many fun amenities, I think we could have had a ball without leaving the hotel. My 10-year-old twins made a beeline for the Micro Kickboard scooters that the hotel loans out to kids. While they scooted around the hotel, mom took advantage of the free wine at happy hour! The beds here were super comfortable and we made the wise decision to get connecting rooms with the twins so that we could keep an eye on them but also have enough space.
After taking a dip in the pool, we ventured out into the Deep Ellum neighborhood where the hotel is conveniently located. This vibrant area has murals, art, live music, great restaurants and a lively buzz.
The best part of traveling with kids is the stuff you don’t plan. We happened upon an outdoor movie in the park (The Princess and the Frog). The twins loved the crowns they gave out and wore them as we continued exploring.
The next stop on our journey was Houston. One of the main reasons we traveled to this city was to stay at the Marriott Marquis Houston, which has a Texas-shaped pool! A lazy river in the shape of the Lone Star State was a big selling point for the twins (ok, and for the grown-ups, too!). This pool was amazing and when my husband took the twins down for a second dip, I could even spot them from the window of our room.
At night, the pool was lit up and transformed into a glittering oasis.
The hotel was right next to Discovery Green, a 12-acre urban park. Though we just missed the pop-up roller rink we had fun exploring the rest of the park.
One of my best tips for traveling with kids is to find local playgrounds! Not only does it let the kids burn off energy, especially if you’ll be sitting for a long time in the car, it’s a great way to get to know a neighborhood.
The next stop was Space Center Houston, a must for all families traveling to Texas. The twins loved going inside the shuttle replica Independence, and checking out the space suits in the astronaut gallery.
By the time we got to San Antonio, we were ready for some serious luxury and Omni La Mansión del Rio delivered! The gorgeous Spanish colonial architecture caught our eyes and the welcoming, friendly staff made us feel right at home.
The hotel had a fantastic pool (we are always all about the pool!) with a tranquil fountain. Located in the courtyard, it was the perfect little oasis for us after taking a tour of the Alamo.
Since Omni La Mansión del Rio is located right on the famous River Walk, we were just steps away from exploring this public park. While you can take a boat ride, we opted to walk and take in the scenery.
Texas turned out to be one of the friendliest, most fun states we’ve visited as a family. By getting out there in the local neighborhoods we visited, we really got a chance to see some of the local culture, enjoy great food and see some amazing sites. But most of all, it was a wonderful opportunity to be together as a family. The smiles say it all — everything is bigger (and better!) in Texas.
Where to stay:
The Kimpton Pittman Hotel, 2551 Elm St., Dallas
Marriott Marquis Houston, 1777 Walker St., Houston
Omni La Mansión del Rio, 112 College St., San Antonio
