The Daytripper Finds Comfort Food and Natural Wonders in McGregor
April 12, 2024 | By
Just 18 miles west of Waco lies McGregor, a slow-paced suburb with a charming downtown area.
Daytripper
The Daytripper Gets Rejuvenated in Mineral Wells
March 13, 2024 | By Chet Garner
The year 1880 was a momentous one for the town of Mineral Wells. It had been settled only three years prior, and early residents were already fed up with hauling water from the Brazos River 4 miles away.
The Daytripper Goes Thrifting at the ‘World’s Largest Flea Market’ in Canton
January 19, 2024 | By Chet Garner
To properly enjoy Canton, an East Texas town of 4,200 near Tyler, you should show up with two things: an empty car trunk and an empty belly.
The Daytripper Visits the Oldest Town in Texas
November 21, 2023 | By Chet Garner
You’d be hard-pressed to find a city more steeped in our state’s lore than Nacogdoches, a sleepy college town of 32,000 nestled deep in the Piney Woods of East Texas.
The Daytripper Finds Small Town Charm at the Metro’s Edge
October 24, 2023 | By Chet Garner
The town of Liberty Hill, population 8,700, has embraced the Hill Country’s rapid growth without losing its down-home vibe.
The Daytripper Explores Waco’s Mammoths and Magnolia Market
September 19, 2023 | By Chet Garner
The first column I ever wrote for Texas Highways, way back in November 2010, was about Waco.
The Daytripper Visits Centerville, the Land of Beef and Blackberries
August 22, 2023 | By Chet Garner
This East Texas hamlet of 905 residents is located on Interstate 45, almost exactly between Dallas and Houston, which led to the popular assumption that the town got its name due to its place between the two metropolitan giants.
The Daytripper Digs Into Gardens and Grub in Goldthwaite
July 25, 2023 | By Chet Garner
Two hours northwest of Austin, you’ll find a town that has served as a Texas crossroads since 1885.
The Daytripper’s Picks for a West Austin Adventure
June 27, 2023 | By Chet Garner
The city of Austin is a crossroads—a place where hippies and cowboys commingle, where blackland prairie meets limestone hills, and where the eastern and western halves of the state collide.
The Daytripper Gets His Yee-Haw on at the ‘Rodeo Capital of Texas’
May 30, 2023 | By Chet Garner
It’s hard to believe that just 14 miles east of one of the busiest and bougiest downtowns in the state is our laid-back and unassuming “Rodeo Capital of Texas.” Until recently, this modest town was hidden in plain sight on the east side of Dallas-Fort Worth.
The Daytripper Visits Big Spring’s Namesake Attraction
May 2, 2023 | By Chet Garner
Tracing the ancient roads established by the Comanche tribe led travelers to this West Texas town and its namesake spring.
McLean Is an Underappreciated Route 66 Getaway
March 28, 2023 | By Chet Garner
Texans have loved a good road trip at least as far back as the creation of the most iconic road in the U.S.—Route 66.
Driftwood Offers World-Class Barbecue and Classic Boot Scootin’
February 28, 2023 | By Chet Garner
If you’re traveling through the Hill Country just southwest of Austin, chances are you’ll drive right past this unincorporated town unless you’re really looking for it.
The Daytripper Finds the Color of Texas in Gruene
January 24, 2023 | By Chet Garner
Tucked along the winding Guadalupe River in the Hill Country is a town that’s much bigger in legend than in size.
The Daytripper Chet Garner Explores Multifaceted Fort Worth
December 29, 2022 | By Chet Garner
Fort Worth earned its primary nickname, “Cowtown,” during the glory days of cowboys and cattle drives.
It’s Fruitcake Season All Year Long in Corsicana
November 23, 2022 | By Chet Garner
Corsicana boasts 25 blocks of historical structures, but you’ll fly past town on Interstate 45 and miss it all if you’re not careful.
Paint Rock’s Prehistoric Pictographs Take The Daytripper Back in Time
October 27, 2022 | By Chet Garner
Not every Texas town is full of obvious tourist destinations. Sometimes, you’ve got to flip a couple rocks to find the good spots hidden out of sight.
The Daytripper Visits North Dallas’ Eclectic Food Scene and First-Class Museums
September 29, 2022 | By Chet Garner
The biggest challenge of visiting Dallas is that it’s big. There’s enough in this bustling metropolis to fill dozens of daytrips, so my advice is to pick a section and explore its many nooks and crannies.
The Daytripper Visits Waxahachie’s Munster Mansion
August 25, 2022 | By Chet Garner
Keep your “wax” for your candles and surfboards; the name of this town 30 miles south of Dallas is pronounced “walks-a-hatch-ee.” Dubbed “Hachie” by locals, this 40,000-person town—nicknamed the Gingerbread City for its delicately designed gingerbread-style architecture—shows its sweetness at every restaurant and small business in town.
The Daytripper Explores Lake Jackson, the ‘City of Enchantment’
June 30, 2022 | By Chet Garner
The Daytripper Meets the Goat Mayor of Lajitas
May 26, 2022 | By Chet Garner
If you head west and keep going, you’ll end up in one of the roughest parts of Texas.
The Daytripper Kicks it Into High Gear in Kilgore
February 24, 2022 | By Chet Garner
Kilgore is an authentic Piney Woods town boasting the “World’s Richest Acre,” a collection of oil derricks just off Main Street that memorializes the town’s oil industry.
The Daytripper Uncovers Hidden Gems in the Sprawling Houston Suburb of Spring
January 27, 2022 | By Chet Garner
About 20 miles north of downtown Houston, Spring is a charming suburban area with a remarkable history and culture.
The Daytripper Explores Asian Culture in Houston’s Chinatown
October 28, 2021 | By Chet Garner
Houston is known as the city that sent humans to the moon, but it should also be known as the place that brings the entire earth together.
North Padre Island Offers a Quieter Gulf Coast Adventure
September 23, 2021 | By Chet Garner
South Padre Island is famous for its beachside resorts and coastal tourist attractions, but the other end of the island offers a very different experience.
The Daytripper Visits the Inspiration for ‘Lonesome Dove’ in Graham
August 26, 2021 | By Chet Garner
Most travelers are familiar with the Hill Country located west of Austin, but many don’t know about the second, hidden hill country that lies west of Fort Worth.
The Daytripper Gets Back to the Basics in Luckenbach
July 29, 2021 | By Chet Garner
If you’re looking to simply kick back under an old oak tree while knocking back a cold one, then you need to join Waylon, Willie, and the boys in this Hill Country honky-tonk town 10 miles southeast of Fredericksburg.
The Daytripper Checks Out the Heart of Czech Country
June 24, 2021 | By Chet Garner
In the rolling hills and prairies between Austin and Houston, you’ll find the heart of Texas Czech country.
The Daytripper Enjoys “Mexicajun” Eats and Gulf Coast History in Port Arthur
May 27, 2021 | By Chet Garner
There’s a part of Texas where the freshwater of the Sabine River mixes with the salt of the Gulf of Mexico.
The Daytripper Journeys to the Heart of Texas
April 29, 2021 | By
Brady, a small Hill Country town smack dab in the middle of the state, claims to be the genuine “Heart of Texas.” I can believe it; Brady is exactly what you’d want our collective heart to be—full of friendly folks, country music, piles of barbecue, and plenty of stars at night.
The Daytripper Climbs Texas’ Tallest Peak
March 25, 2021 | By Chet Garner
In all of Texas’ 268,597 square miles, there are only two outdoorsy national parks: Big Bend, known far and wide for its rugged border landscape; and Guadalupe Mountains, which features Texas’ tallest peak.
The Daytripper Checks out the World’s Largest Spur in Lampasas
February 25, 2021 | By Chet Garner
Lampasas lies in the region of Texas where the Hill Country transitions into the Great Plains.
The Daytripper Explores Salado’s Historic Lodging and Handmade Goods
January 28, 2021 | By Chet Garner
If you’re just driving by on Interstate 35, you might blink and miss Salado. But this is not a town you want to skip past.
The Daytripper Heads Out West to Terlingua
December 24, 2020 | By
Each fall, thousands of chili superfans from far and wide descend on this West Texas town for the famed Terlingua International Chili Championship.
The Daytripper Seizes the Bay in Palacios
October 29, 2020 | By Chet Garner
It takes tenacity to live on the Texas coast, and perhaps nobody knows that more than the people of Palacios (pronounced Puh-lash-iss).
The Daytripper Visits the Top Three Barbecue Joints in Taylor
September 24, 2020 | By Chet Garner
The Daytripper Explores Houston’s Museum District
August 27, 2020 | By Chet Garner
“Tripping” in Houston may seem overwhelming because, well, it’s the fourth most populated city in the U.S.
The Daytripper Travels Back to the Time of Dinosaurs in Glen Rose
June 25, 2020 | By Chet Garner
A trip to Glen Rose feels like a trip back in time—and not just because its historic square is reminiscent of the pioneer days of Texas.
The Daytripper: Port Isabel’s Lighthouse Is a Beacon for Travelers
May 28, 2020 | By Chet Garner
The Daytripper’s Top 5 in the Davis Mountains
October 31, 2019 | By Chet Garner
When it’s time to ditch the phone, the Netflix queue, and civilization in general, then it’s time to head west to the Davis Mountains. One of Texas’ three sky islands, this majestic range rises from the desert floor, creating a postcard-worthy panorama in every direction.
The Daytripper’s Top 5 in Brownsville
September 30, 2019 | By Chet Garner
Down at the Southern tip of our state, Tex-Mex is more than just a food group—it’s an entire way of life. And here in one of our most vibrant border cities, the cultures of two countries blend together into one incredible day trip. (And yes, I’m considering Texas a country.) This town started with a “bang” and continues to excite everyone who visits.
The Daytripper’s Top 5 in Rockwall
July 24, 2019 | By Chet Garner
As the season winds down, you may feel like you’ve hit a wall on summertime travel. But maybe a “wall” is just what you need…
a Rockwall. With its vast lake, tasty food, and even a Texas-size mystery, this Dallas suburb is one wall you won’t mind running into.
The Daytripper’s Top 5 in Bandera
June 30, 2019 | By Chet Garner
We’ve all been there, when an out-of-stater asks us if we all wear 10-gallon hats and ride horses to work. For most of us, the answer is no. But for the folks in the Cowboy Capital of the World, it’s a part of daily life. This Hill Country town is filled with all the boot-scootin’, cattle-ropin’ fun your Texan heart can handle. Here are five ways to wrangle the most adventure out of your day.
The Daytripper’s Top 5 in Port Aransas
May 30, 2019 | By Chet Garner
When the Texas summer starts cooking, my favorite form of relief is to dive into the largest body of water I can find, which is often the Gulf of Mexico. This is where Port A comes in—with its near-endless beaches, historic appeal, and laid-back attitude. Port Aransas is one of my favorite places to hit the Texas coast, and with its ongoing recovery from Hurricane Harvey, it’s got more Texas grit and personality than ever.
The Daytripper’s Top 5 in Colorado Bend State Park
April 28, 2019 | By Chet Garner
No need to travel “just around the bend” when the bend itself is the main attraction. From the tops of its panoramic vistas to the bottom of its darkened caves, Colorado Bend State Park offers more than 5,000 acres of pure Hill Country heaven to explore.
The Daytripper’s Top 5 in Belton
March 19, 2019 | By Chet Garner
When cruising I-35, far too many folks fly right past this historic Central Texas town. But with a scenic lake, iconic courthouse, and charm to spare, it won’t be long before this little burg follows in the footsteps of Waco and becomes a go-to destination. Here are my top picks to get you exploring.
Chet Garner’s 10 Favorite Daytripper Destinations
March 13, 2019 | By TH Staff
With a daytrip to Sweetwater, the March 2019 issue marks Chet Garner’s 100th column in Texas Highways. Garner, who’s hosted his Lone Star Emmy Award-winning travel show The Daytripper on PBS since 2009, started writing for the magazine in 2010 after then-editor-in-chief Charles Lohrman offered him a gig.
The Daytripper’s Top 5 in Sweetwater
February 27, 2019 | By Chet Garner
Texas is already known for being big. But in our beloved “Big Country,” things are taken to another level. When visiting Sweetwater, the history seems a little richer, the stories a little grander, and the snakes a little longer. If you find yourself in this Big Country town, don’t miss these spots.
The Daytripper’s Top 5 on Route 66
December 19, 2018 | By Chet Garner
The top stops in Texas on the ‘Mother Road of America’
The Daytripper’s Top 5 Things to Do in Pflugerville
November 30, 2018 | By Chet Garner
Known for being stuck between a rock and a weird place (Round Rock and Austin), Pflugerville may seem like just another suburb. But hidden among the urban sprawl is a small town full of budding entrepreneurs working to make this pfunnily named community a deluxe daytripper destination.
The Daytripper Visits the Antiquing Outpost of Round Top for Texas Antiques Week
September 25, 2018 | By
It may be one of the smallest incorporated towns in Texas (official population: 90), but don’t let that fool you—the little town of Round Top makes for some big trippin’. Visit during the biannual Texas Antiques Week and you’ll find thousands of “junkers” filling every available cow pasture with vintage collectibles. But even on a normal day, this hamlet has plenty of charm.
The Daytripper Explores Nocona’s Leatherworking Roots
August 27, 2018 | By Chet Garner
I don’t go trippin’ to North Texas as much as I’d like to, so in the hopes of finding a new adventure I hopped on the highway and drove as far north as it would take me (without landing in Oklahoma). And what I found was Nocona, a fascinating town with a storied leatherworking tradition.
3 Reasons Why the Daytripper Is in Love with Lake Travis In The Summer
July 26, 2018 | By Chet Garner
Texas summers are so hot, the only choice a daytripper has is to head straight to the nearest body of water and stay submerged for as long as possible. On just that sort of sweltering day, I took a drive to visit one of the Hill Country’s most popular lakes, Lake Travis, just 20 miles outside of Austin. I found plenty of ways to get wet, and a whole lot more.
Explore the Historic Town of Victoria with Daytripper Chet Garner
June 28, 2018 | By Chet Garner
Sitting in the middle of the Coastal Bend is a town that’s been around since before Texas was Texas. Visitors to Victoria, established in 1824, can explore the rich history of the town’s past mixed with new experiences that make it well worth the trip.
The Daytripper Ventures to the Wilder and Quieter North Padre Island
May 30, 2018 | By Chet Garner
Few know that the longest stretch of undeveloped barrier island in the world is just beyond Corpus Christi. And while its southern counterpart may get more attention, North Padre Island provides the perfect mix of fun and middle-of-nowhere abandon. I followed the sun in search of a little bit of both.
Here’s Why You’ll Go Nuts—like Our Daytripper—for San Saba
April 26, 2018 | By
Nestled in the northern reaches of the Texas Hill Country is the laid-back town of San Saba, also known as the “Pecan Capital of the World.”
The Daytripper Explores Caves, Drinks Local Brews, and Peruses the “Hauptstrasse” in Boerne
March 20, 2018 | By
The German heritage of the Hill Country is well-known when it comes to towns like Fredericksburg and New Braunfels. But sprinkled throughout the rolling hills are a number of smaller burgs that carry a similar and just-as-interesting cultural history. Take Boerne, northwest of San Antonio, for example, which makes for an excellent day trip destination. Just don’t pronounce it “Bo-Urn.”
The Daytripper Finds Spacecraft, Hidden Waterfalls, and Delicious Grub in Palestine
February 13, 2018 | By Chet Garner
If you arrange to travel to “Pal-e-styne,” you’ll end up in the Middle East. However, if you set your course to “Pal-e-steen,” you’ll end up somewhere very different—in the middle of East Texas.
The Daytripper Goes to Big Bend National Park
January 12, 2018 | By Chet Garner
It’s a near-mythical destination where distances stretch and time slows down, a place that can be as dry as a scorching desert or as wet as a raging river. Those who seek great adventures need look no farther than Big Bend National Park.
Sushi, Phonographs, and Biking Await in Mount Pleasant
December 14, 2017 | By Chet Garner
Mount Pleasant, in the northeast corner of Texas, combines history, unexpected cuisine, and beautiful scenery that go together just like iced tea, sugar, and lemon.
How to Spend the Perfect Day in Laredo
November 9, 2017 | By Chet Garner
Finding the boundary between Texas and Mexico isn’t as simple as locating the Rio Grande. As I discovered on my trip to Laredo, the border between these lands is more of a gradual blending, where the best parts of Texan and Mexican traditions mix and fill the area with history, food, and pride that’s truly unique.
Satisfy Your Sweet Tooth in Hico
October 15, 2017 | By Chet Garner
This little town southwest of the Metroplex may be small but it’s not lacking when it comes to Texas-size tripping.
Daytripper: Conroe’s a blast!
September 19, 2017 | By Chet Garner
While Houston’s sprawl may be knocking on Conroe’s door, don’t make the mistake of lumping this town in with the masses.
Daytripper: San Antonio
August 8, 2017 | By Chet Garner
If you follow my travels you know that I spend most of my time off the beaten path.
Daytripper: Hillsboro
July 17, 2017 | By
When burning up the highway between Dallas and Austin, it’s easy to pass through Hillsboro and see nothing more than modern gas stations and frontage-road shopping.
Daytripper: 12 Hours in Dallas
June 15, 2017 | By Chet Garner
I love trippin’ small towns, but sometimes a traveler has to go big. That’s exactly what I did on a recent trip to Dallas, better known as Big D.
Daytripper: New Braunfels
May 12, 2017 | By Chet Garner
Natives and visitors love New Braunfels for its crystal-clear rivers and the thrilling slides of Schlitterbahn.
Daytripper: Richmond
April 18, 2017 | By Chet Garner
On the far southwest side of Houston is a city on the Brazos River that’s much smaller than its big-city neighbor but predates it by more than a decade.
Daytripper: East Austin
March 20, 2017 | By Chet Garner
Austin is no stranger to DAY-trippin’. But while travelers in the past may have stopped their explorations west of Interstate 35, over the last few years Austin’s East Side has become a popular destination in its own right.
Daytripper: Sulphur Springs
February 9, 2017 | By Chet Garner
Back in the day, folks traveled from near and far to this Northeast Texas town to take a dip in the sulphur springs for their rumored healing powers.
Daytripper: Turkey
January 12, 2017 | By Chet Garner
Tucked away in the Texas Panhandle is a town that exists on its own time. It’s a place where bison herds still roam freely, ancient canyons feel untouched by human hands, and “urbanization” is just a fancy word in the dictionary with no application to real life.
Daytripper: Tomball
December 16, 2016 | By Chet Garner
Just north of Houston sits a town that’s hidden in the shadows of its mega-metropolis neighbor.
Daytripper: Grapevine
November 14, 2016 | By Chet Garner
Twas the day trip before Christmas and all through the state, the towns were decked out, and Chet could not wait.” We always say, “Everything’s bigger in Texas,” and the phrase definitely applies to the way we celebrate Christmas, especially in Grapevine, the “Christmas Capital of Texas.” Donning my best reindeer sweater and Santa hat, I pranced to the metroplex to catch the holiday spirit.
Daytripper: San Angelo
October 14, 2016 | By Chet Garner
On a map, San Angelo sits somewhere between the Hill Country and West Texas. But what the map doesn’t show is that this town also lies between its epic past and a bright future.
Daytripper: Alpine
September 16, 2016 | By Chet Garner
While Texas may not have any alpine skiing or alpine snowshoeing, it has alpine trippin’, Texas-style.
Daytripper: Blanco
August 1, 2016 | By Chet Garner
The Texas Hill Country is full of small towns that motorists can either zoom through in five minutes or choose to explore all day.
Daytripper: Granbury
July 18, 2016 | By Hogaboom Road, Inc.
As summer nears its end, you may be searching for one last adventure, which is what I set out to find in the North Texas Hill Country.
Daytripper: Athens
June 20, 2016 | By Chet Garner
Many travelers will spend thousands of dollars for a ticket to the Mediterranean to discover historic architecture, splash in blue waters, dine on amazing food, and gaze upon heart-stopping views.
Daytripper: Balmorhea
May 11, 2016 | By Chet Garner
Amid the prickly-pear cacti and rocky hills of West Texas lies a literal oasis in the desert.
Daytripper: Round Rock
April 15, 2016 | By Chet Garner
When visiting Texas’ capital city, some may be tempted to spend all of their time exploring within the confines of the famous Austin city limits.
Daytripper: Devils River
March 21, 2016 | By Chet Garner
In the remote reaches of West Texas lies one of the most pristine rivers in the Southwest United States.
Daytripper: Kingsville
February 10, 2016 | By Chet Garner
Typically, a kingdom can be measured in its vast stashes of gold and millions of faithful subjects.
Daytripper: Schulenburg
January 12, 2016 | By Chet Garner
In the 1800s, European settlers flocked to Texas, with many Germans and Czechs putting down roots in the vast expanse between Houston and San Antonio.
Daytripper: Monahans
December 16, 2015 | By Chet Garner
There are times when the highways of West Texas seem to go on forever. Small towns and rest stops flash by with seemingly little to differentiate one from another.
Daytripper: Doubling the Fun in Rockport-Fulton
November 10, 2015 | By Chet Garner
While the bayfront community of Rockport-Fulton is actually two separate towns, it packs a coastal-combo punch unlike any other.
Daytripper: Baytown
October 13, 2015 | By Chet Garner
Just east of Houston, where sandy soil meets swampy waters, there’s a town that thrives in the humid breezes of Southeast Texas.
Daytripper: Port O’Connor
September 15, 2015 | By Chet Garner
The vastness of Texas is no secret, but many don’t realize that within its “hugeness” lies more than 360 miles of coast and an astonishing 3,300 miles of tidal shoreline.
Daytripper: Lufkin
August 12, 2015 | By
Texas may be known as the land of wide-open skies and endless horizons, but not to those who travel east. Here, towering trees overtake sprawling prairies, and visitors spend much more time looking up rather than out.
Pie-High in Marble Falls
July 20, 2015 | By Chet Garner
The legendary “marble falls” may have been submerged in 1951 when Lake Marble Falls was formed, but the namesake town still flows with history, adrenaline-pumping adventure, and pie as high as the Texas sky.
Daytripper: Port Lavaca
May 13, 2015 | By
Port Lavaca lies on a stretch of the Texas coast between Galveston and Corpus Christi that often gets overlooked by travelers seeking refuge in the salty sea breezes.
Daytripper: Lubbock
April 10, 2015 | By Chet Garner
Lubbock earned its nickname as the “Hub City” by being the center of activity for generations of Texans living in and passing through the Panhandle.
Daytripper: Johnson City
March 10, 2015 | By Chet Garner
Texas is synonymous with big, partly because of its land mass, but also because of its big personalities.
