From bubble tents and forest treehouses to a beehive home and a giraffe manor, these are 20 unique places to stay in Texas!
Texas is chock-full of amazing sights, from rivers and deserts to green hills and beaches — and in every corner of the state there’s equally fascinating places to stay while you explore. No matter what region you find yourself in, it’s guaranteed there’s a unique stay for you to cozy up in and make lasting memories in the Lone Star State!
Stargazers rejoice! Nestled in the beautiful Hill Country west of Austin is this fully-furnished bubble tent with AMAZING floor-to-ceiling panoramic views, not to mention a private hot tub under the stars! This adult-only escape is a dream for nature-lovers who love the open Texas sky but also the comforts of a home away from home.
Read more: Austin Travel Guide: Where To Stay, What To Do + Packing Tips
This fairy tale-inspired home named The Bloomhouse is located in the city of Austin, and has been featured in numerous magazines and websites; the waves and curves of every wall and feature make it seem like something out of a Dr. Seuss book, though its modern furnishings help it feel inviting and livable.
While you’re in the hill country and Austin area, this wine tour and Congress Avenue bat bridge kayak tour is a must-do!
A forest treehouse, in Dallas?! Yes — and it’s WAY cooler than you’d even imagine. Never would you guess that this serene, woodsy forest haven is minutes away from the big city! Notable for its large sunlit windows, spiral staircase to the loft bedroom and cozy wood paneling throughout, this rental is — literally — one for the books.
If you’re looking for something unique to do while you’re in Dallas, try this indoor skydiving experience!
Affectionately named The FlopHouze, this collection of shipping container tiny houses is located in the town of Round Top (halfway between Houston and Austin) and offers six unique “houzes” to choose from, each with an equally funky aesthetic. Be sure to check out their eclectic showroom of curiosities, a kitschy showcase of various recycled materials and items created with found object art!
Read more: Packing Tips Every Traveler Needs To Know
I can’t believe I’m saying this…but there is a place in the heart of central Texas wine country where you can stay in room shared with giraffes — yes, three living, breathing giraffes!
The giraffe suite at Longneck Manor went viral for good reason, and it’s not hard to guess why; after all, where else in the United States do you have this opportunity?! Don’t forget about the rhinos either — it wouldn’t be a complete experience without visiting them as well.
Get the full Texas ranch experience at this Blisswood Bed & Breakfast just outside Houston, complete with horses, deer, bison and and antelope! Romantic cabins, bungalows and suites all suit the setting perfectly. They also host weddings and offer amazing experience packages.
For a unique experience in Houston, try this underground tunnel tour of downtown Houston!
The treehouses at Cypress Valley are not metaphorical — you can live out your childhood dream and stay amongst the cypress trees just 40 minutes outside Austin. There’s numerous houses to choose from, accessible by fun hanging bridges and supplemented by a communal swimming pool at ground level. There’s no questioning that a stay like this brings out the inner child!
Read more: The Perfect Texas Road Trip Itinerary: Must-See Stops + Where To Stay!
A historic beach mansion? Sign me up! The city of Galveston is historic itself, having endured countless hurricanes and storms and yet is still standing strong.
This mansion dates back to the 1800s, offering the same old-world charm the entire friendly beach town embodies. Enjoy the downtown location, walking distance to the seaside and steps from the best boutiques and restaurants (be sure to stop by The Witchery, the coolest metaphysical shop in the south!).
For a unique experience in Galveston, try this dolphin sightseeing tour!
Have you wanted to try out trailer living/camping? If you haven’t hopped on the trailer trend yet, now is the time!
This self-proclaimed “laid back luxury” trailer resort just south of Dallas is a camper’s palace, fully equipped with a gorgeous pool, bar and restaurant, local artisan shop, horses, communal fire pit and — of course — vintage trailers (including Airstreams) furnished to their full midcentury glory.
Live out your Yellowstone dreams at the Wildcatter Ranch, a ranch resort where you can have the full rugged country experience full of horseback riding, shooting rifles and pistols, archery, learning how to brand and even axe throwing. The accommodations — set an hour and a half west of Fort Worth — match the idyllic rustic charm of the ranch, with your choice of cabin suites or more traditional hotel rooms.
When I say Geronimo Creek Retreat has literally nailed elevated glamping, I’m not kidding — aside from their teepees (!), this place eight cabins elevated in the trees overlooking the grounds. Geronimo Creek — just outside San Antonio — has everything you need to make for a perfect glamping experience, complete with hammocks, fire pits, fishing, horseshoes and both a pond and creek for paddle boarding or swimming.
Read more: Must-Know Tips For Taking A Road Trip In The USA
The desert was made for indoor/outdoor living, and this converted mining ruin takes full advantage of that! Terlingua, an old mining town in southwest Texas just minutes from Mexico, is the perfect spot to stay overnight while visiting Big Bend National Park — and offers a unique opportunity to stay in a fully-furnished open-air space!
A wellness retreat might not have been on your radar as a nightly option, but thankfully this tranquil collection of bright, sunny cabins with amazing views of Austin’s Hill Country, arranged around a central yoga and meditation platform. Daily wellness classes are included in your stay, from hikes and yoga to fire circles and meditation sound baths!
If you’re one for a fun, eclectic theme, you likely won’t want to miss this funky beehive-shaped tiny home! Marathon, another great landing spot for those visiting Big Bend, is where this little Airbnb calls home — and while both the town and house are small in size, they’re big on personality! Bonus: shared facilities equals meeting awesome new friends during your travels, and maybe even fun communal meals!
Read more: How To Find Cheap Flights To Anywhere
Found in the heart of Austin is The Driskill — history and luxury wrapped up in one. It’s no wonder this hotel remains as iconic today as it was at its inception in 1866, considering it was Austin’s first-ever hotel and one of the most recognizable in the entire state of Texas — it’s even been added to the National Register of Historic Places!
The elegance alone makes this stay a standout, but enjoying it’s tasteful renovations while learning about the history, architecture and design is sure to make a lasting impression.
Another Marathon stay, this colorful, adobe-style B&B is eco-friendly and sustainably-conscious. Enjoy the on-site gardens, reflection pond/lap pool, covered atrium, fire pit and locally roasted organic coffee! Learn about the unique construction process and materials used (have you ever heard of “papercrete”?), and the local artists whose work is displayed around the property.
Take a getaway to these tiny cabins east of Dallas, entirely pet friendly so you can bring your fur-baby along! Getaway Piney Woods offers a peaceful retreat with modern comforts outside the city. Love your stay? Enjoy it again and again, as there’s two more locations near Houston and Austin/San Antonio!
Read more: Where to Eat in San Antonio – The Best Restaurants in the City
You may not think “beach” when you think of Texas, but South Padre Island is known for being the best beach in the state — and they’ve got the cutest beach bungalow for you to call home while you’re there. Lap up the beautiful, private backyard pool and surf-shack dining area, not to mention its killer location with walking access to the beach!
For a unique experience on South Padre Island, try this parasailing adventure!
If modern, clean lines are your aesthetic, check out this solar-run desert escape — less than 30 minutes from Chinati Hot Springs, this retreat home has “zen” written all over it. The views of the surrounding terrain and wildlife are unmatched, and can actually be hiked with privacy and serenity.
If there’s one thing I haven’t seen anywhere else, it’s luxury cave suites embracing the natural beauty of mountainous desert terrain and transforming it into magical sleeping accommodations.
If you prefer to sleep under the stars you can also opt for a neighboring lotus tent or stargazing dome, but luxe stay in a cave is an unforgettable experience with memories to last a lifetime — not to mention an upscale way to visit Big Bend!
The post Unique Texas Getaways: The 20 COOLEST Places To Stay appeared first on Ordinary Traveler.
From La Jolla to Anza-Borrego, these are the best spots to photograph in San Diego County — hand-picked by local photographers!
Within the last couple of months, Scott and I have started exploring more of this beautiful place that we call home. From east county to downtown, these are a few of the best places to photograph in San Diego.
I usually don’t venture down south to the more crowded areas because I hate traffic, but some of the most spectacular places to take pictures in San Diego are near downtown.
My vision of Coronado used to be just a place for rich people. During our last visit, it looked different to me. It had less of a yuppie feeling and the views are amazing, especially at sunset.
Another one of the best photography spots in San Diego is Point Loma Harbor. As you can see, this spot is great for taking photos of the harbor with the city lights in the background. My intention is to head back there when it’s not overcast.
Read more: 15 Best Things To Do In San Diego
This Alice in Wonderland-esque mall in downtown San Diego is just about the only mall I will visit. Not to buy things, but to marvel at the unique architecture. Keep in mind, they don’t allow tripods in this mall and security guards will get suspicious and ask you to leave if you look too much like a professional photographer.
The beaches in Southern California are always a good backdrop for any photographer. My favorite spots usually include huge cliffs that drop off into the Pacific.
Read more: The Ultimate Guide to California’s Pacific Coast Hwy
Piers are some of the best photo spots in San Diego — especially Scripps Pier in La Jolla. I like to play around with long exposures, especially when there are people walking along the pier. This photo was taken in Oceanside, California.
Sunset Cliffs was named because of its awe-inspiring sunsets and it’s definitely one of the prettiest places in San Diego. It’s also a great place to bring your camera at low tide.
Another photogenic spot at low tide is Swamis in Encinitas. Surfers flock to Swamis when the waves are good, but at low tide, it’s the perfect spot for those who seek out little sea creatures hidden in the rocks.
Blacks is another great surfing destination, but since I don’t like crowded waves, I will usually bring my camera instead of a surfboard. The photo opportunities are endless here. You can capture the hang gliders high above the cliffs or even catch one of them doing a flip.
I like heading to the south end of the beach at low tide and exploring the way the water hits the rocks. There’s also the Ho Chi Minh Trail for those sure-footed photographers.
Windansea is another must-visit beach in La Jolla. In my opinion, it’s the prettiest beach in San Diego!
San Diego’s east county stretches far and wide with unique spots to capture. We haven’t begun to even scratch the surface of these destinations, but here are a few of our favorites so far.
I’m not a big fan of zoos. Even the San Diego Zoo, which is somehow known as one of the best zoos in the States, makes me sick to my stomach. I don’t like when animals are confined to such small spaces. The Wild Animal Park is a different story. The larger animals are given acres of land to roam around on and it makes me feel a little better about visiting and taking photos.
Cedar Creek Falls had to be included on my list because in my opinion, it is the most spectacular waterfall in San Diego. This waterfall and swimming hole quickly became one of San Diego’s hot spots, which brought a lot of kids, alcohol and trash. Sadly, the trails leading to these falls are now closed until further notice after the death of a teen in July 2011.
My hope is that these falls will re-open with a ban on drinking and a strict policy of no dogs allowed. Too many dogs have died on this trail because of careless owners and extreme summer conditions.
Another place that is worthy of making this list, which we have not yet had the privilege to capture, is the magical display of wildflowers in Anza-Borrego Desert State Park.
There are plenty more spots to photograph in San Diego, like the stunning La Jolla Cove, but if you have limited time while visiting and you want to make sure you get some good pictures of San Diego, these places won’t disappoint.
After traveling consistently for over 10 years, we’ve come to trust and rely on a few websites to help us find the best deals on flights and accommodation.
Flights:
Accommodation:
***********
Love to Travel?
Want to know how to travel the world? I’ve put together a page full of useful travel resources with tips and tricks I’ve learned after consistently traveling for over ten years. Learn how to choose the best travel camera, how to get paid to travel the world, how to find the best prices on flights and accommodation, how to save money for travel, how to start a travel blog, and more.
The post BEST Places to Photograph in San Diego 2022 (Local Insider Tips) appeared first on Ordinary Traveler.
