Day Trips & Beyond: January Events Roundup
Texas welcomes 40th historic site, Balmorhea news, and more
By Gerald E. McLeod, 7:00AM, Sat. Dec. 28, 2024
It’s 2025 and time to get your daytrippin’ shoes on for another year of fun on the road.
Sleep with the Harvey Girls. The Texas Historical Commission announced the addition of its 40th State Historic Site – the Slaton Harvey House and Santa Fe Depot. Slaton is 17 miles south of Lubbock, and during the golden era of railroading it had one of 18 Harvey Houses in Texas. The Harvey House was a national chain of restaurants along the Santa Fe Railway that began in 1876 and ended when the last Fred Harvey Restaurant at Union Station in Los Angeles, California, closed in 1967.
Built in 1912, the West Texas outpost of the restaurant chain famous for its Harvey Girls lasted until 1942. Passengers were served a hot meal at a large oval counter with a marble top on the ground floor of the depot while they waited for the train to be refueled. The staff slept in dormitory-style rooms on the second floor of the Mission Revival structure. In 1989 the building was slated for demolition by the railroad, but local citizens came to the rescue. The yellow and orange depot served as a museum, bed-and-breakfast, and event space. THC has upgraded and modernized the facilities and is offering travelers much nicer accommodations than the Harvey Girls ever had.
Harvey House State Historic Site, Slaton, 806/828-5900, www.slatonharveyhouse.com
Room with a view. After nearly an eight-year wait the historic San Solomon Springs Courts at Balmorhea State Park in far West Texas has reopened. Built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps the adobe motel-style rooms with a red tile roof were closed in 2016 for major repairs. Due to underfunding by the state and other problems, the restoration of the 18 rooms proceeded at a snail’s pace. Eventually the rooms were given a major overhaul, and the world’s largest spring-fed pool and RV and tent campground were rehabilitated. The hotel rooms reopened to the public in August with little fanfare.
San Solomon Springs Courts, Toyahvale, 432/375-2370, tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/balmorhea
Travel Notes:
Shrimp cocktail. With the proliferation of imported farm-raised seafood, it’s good to know where you can get local wild-caught seafood. The Texas State Aquarium and Texas Sea Grant at Texas A&M have partnered with Audubon Nature Institute to develop a Texas Restaurant Partnership Program. This partnership is dedicated to promoting local, sustainable seafood harvested from the Gulf of Mexico. The program has published an interactive map of restaurants, suppliers, and seafood markets that buy local.
River gone to bed. It’s a strange sight to see a muddy channel where barges typically carry happy tourists along San Antonio’s River Walk. The city will drain the Main Channel of the San Antonio River from Lexington to Gate 5 at Nueva Street for biannual maintenance Jan. 13-17.
Goodbye Rusty. Do you remember the episode of Seinfeld when Kramer feeds the horse a can of beans and then takes the parents for a carriage ride? Horse-drawn carriage rides that have been an iconic part of the downtown San Antonio landscape at least since 1865 will be discontinued completely by Jan. 1, 2030, according to the San Antonio Report. The city council voted 10-2 to gradually phase out the carriages. The ban is not because of the methane gas, but rather for safety concerns. The industry is now looking to the Texas Legislature to usurp local control of the city streets.
Happy retiree. The Wittliff Collections on the campus of Texas State University in San Marcos announced the retirement of Steve L. Davis, the center’s literary curator, at the end of December. After a 30-year career with the archives, Davis leaves behind a trail of notable achievements. Through his work as an author and editor he has helped us delve deeper into understanding the Texan mystique. One of his most far-reaching accomplishments has been turning the Wittliff Collections into a destination for researchers and amateur history fans. He helped bring the Stevie Ray Vaughan archives to the center along with the papers of other major artists. The center’s Lonesome Dove display is a must-see for anyone who loved the TV series. The rotating exhibits on Texas history are major deeds all to themselves. Hopefully, this is not the last we will hear from this outstanding man of Texas letters.
Documentary art. Wildlife in Focus is expanding its popular photo contest statewide in 2025 and is offering a record $40,000 in prize packages for the winners. The contest has been around for two decades, but in past years it has been limited to select Texas counties. The goal of the competition is to promote wildlife habitat conservation and to create a visual record of the beauty of native Texas land and wildlife. The prize-winning photos are assembled in a coffeetable book and are used in WIF’s educational outreach program. The contest pairs landowners with photographers to document conservation efforts. The registration deadline is Feb. 1. The photo contest window is Feb. 21- May 31, 2025. Working landowners get a professionally created portfolio of photos or video captured on their property at any time during the contest window.
Other January Events:
Jump to a region: | Big Bend | Gulf Coast | Hill Country | Panhandle | Piney Woods | Prairies & Lakes | South Texas
BIG BEND
White Shaman Tours
Located near Seminole Canyon State Park, this two-hour strenuous trek takes you through a landscape filled with Chihuahuan Desert plants and stunning views of the Pecos River where it converges with the Rio Grande. The White Shaman mural, painted thousands of years ago, illustrates the lifeway and belief systems of the now-gone hunter-gatherer society. The guided tours begin at 12:30pm on Saturdays.
Jan. 4-May 31, Comstock, www.wittemuseum.org/white-shaman-preserve
Hancock Hill Guided Tour
Learn about the history of Alpine and Sul Ross and the natural history of Hancock Hill, while taking in stunning views. This hike does not go to the Hancock Hill Desk.
Jan. 11, Alpine, www.sulross.edu/guided-hikes
GULF COAST
Radiant Nature
The Chinese lantern festival returns to celebrate the Lunar New Year in the beautiful Houston Botanic Garden. Advance timed tickets purchased online are highly recommended.
Jan.1-Feb. 23, Houston, www.hbg.org
Battleship Texas Restoration Tours
Repairs and restoration of the last dreadnought continue at the shipyards in Galveston, and these behind-the-scenes tours take visitors through the ship’s superstructure, captain’s cabin, main deck, and more.
Jan. 5, 12, 19, 26, Galveston, battleshiptexas.org
A Barrel Aged Evening at Saint Arnold
Start the year with an exclusive tasting party in the Saint Arnold Barrel Room sampling special aged beers and appetizers. Tickets are $80, but it’s a rare treat.
Jan. 17, Houston, www.saintarnold.com/a-barrel-aged-evening
Yaga’s Chili Quest and Beer Fest
Sample over 100 beers and chili when it’s chilly on Galveston’s famous Strand.
Jan. 18, Galveston, yagaschiliquest.com
Bird Banding
See the migratory and resident birds up close as volunteers collect data on our avian neighbors.
Jan. 18, Lake Jackson, www.gcbo.org
MLK Grande Parade
One of the largest single-day multicultural events in the nation winds its way through Midtown Houston.
Jan. 19, Houston, www.mlkgrandeparade.org
HILL COUNTRY
Freedom Flight Cruises
Created in partnership with the nonprofit Last Chance Forever Bird of Prey Conservancy, step aboard for a one-of-a-kind educational cruise on Lake Buchanan where you’ll witness rehabilitated birds of prey take flight back into the wild.
Jan. 12, Burnet, www.vtrc.com
Discover Austin’s Tom Lea Trail
As a muralist, illustrator, war correspondent, portraitist, landscapist, novelist, and historian, Tom Lea was a true Texas original. Take a walking tour with stops at the Blanton Museum of Art, Harry Ransom Center, and the chancellor’s office to discover UT’s Tom Lea holdings and see treasures generally not available to the public. Sponsored by the Tom Lea Institute of El Paso.
Jan. 14, Austin, www.tomlea.com/events/celebration
Fredericksburg Book Festival
The inaugural edition of the book festival sponsored by the Pioneer Memorial Museum features 12 accomplished writers in adult and youth literature.
Jan. 18, Fredericksburg, www.fredericksburgbookfestival.org
The Art of Blending
A rare behind-the-scenes event where guests can step into the role of winemaker for a day by creating their own blends of wine and enjoy light bites with a keepsake wine glass.
Jan. 18, Stonewall, www.pedernalescellars.com
Hill Country Gem and Mineral Show
Rockhounds come together to show and sell fossils, jewelry, and collectibles. A geologist will be on hand to identify mystery rocks.
Jan. 18-19, Fredericksburg. www.fredericksburgrockhounds.org
Kerrville Renaissance Festival
The popular faire returns for its ninth year, with three weekends of Renaissance-themed entertainment, food, crafts, games, and general merriment at the River Star Arts and Events Park.
Jan. 18-Feb. 2, Kerrville, www.kerrvillerenfest.com
PANHANDLE
Sacred Art: American Traditional
Tattoo artists from around the country show their interpretation of one of the most iconic symbols found in tattooing – the sacred heart. The Kemp Center for the Arts was gifted to the city as a library, and in 2002 it became one of the region’s most influential art and event spaces with a beautiful outdoor sculpture garden and permanent and rotating art exhibits.
Through March 1, Wichita Falls, www.artscouncilwf.org
PINEY WOODS
Faire of Champions
Described as “Renaissance meets Comicon” on 107 acres, each weekend features a different theme with shows and artisans. Camping is available.
Jan.4-Feb. 4, Palestine, www.faireofchampions.com
PRAIRIES & LAKES
Festival of Lights
Step into a world of enchantment at Texas Discovery Gardens to explore over 40 stunning and larger-than-life lantern displays, acrobatic performances, artisan vendors, and delicious food.
Jan. 1-March 23, Dallas, txdg.org
Fort Worth Stock Show and Rodeo
This event is so big they let the schools out to attend the livestock shows, midway, and hundreds of vendors.
Jan. 17-Feb. 8, Fort Worth, www.fwssr.com
Brick Fest Live
Enjoy hands-on family-fun attractions and educational and creative activities using Lego bricks.
Jan. 18-19, Dallas, www.brickfestlive.com
Lunar New Year
Celebrate the Year of the Dragon with special weekend events, food, shopping, entertainment, and daily lion dances.
Jan. 26-Feb. 11, Grand Prairie, www.asiatimessquare.com
Mardi Gras
The spirit of Cajun country comes to town with a parade, costume balls, music, and food.
Jan. 31-Feb. 1, Bastrop, www.bastroptxmardigras.com
Shakespeare in Love
The local theater company brings to the stage a reimagined version of the popular movie.
Jan. 31-Feb. 9, Bastrop, www.bastropoperahouse.org
SOUTH TEXAS
Full STEAM Ahead: Cultures of the Southwest
Join in the fun of exploring the different cultures that make Texas unique.
Jan. 5, San Antonio, www.briscoemuseum.org
Washington’s Birthday Celebration
The border honors the first president with multiple events including parades, air shows, historical pageants, and the Jalapeño Festival.
Jan. 16-Feb. 28, Laredo, www.wbcalaredo.org
MLK March
Join the largest march in the nation in commemoration of the slain Civil Rights leader as the parade winds through downtown.
Jan. 20, San Antonio, www.sa.gov/directory/departments/ce/special-events/mlk
Gerald McLeod has been traveling around Texas and beyond for his "Day Trips" column for more than 25 years. Keep up to date with his journeys on his archive page and follow him on Facebook.
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Gerald E. McLeod, May 22, 2025
Gerald E. McLeod, May 1, 2025
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Day Trips, Balmorhea, Harvey House, Texas Historical Commission, Texas Parks and Wildlife, TPWD, San Solomon Springs Courts, Steve L. Davis, Wittliff Collections, Wildlife in Focus, Kerrville Renaissance Festival
