Amanda Ogle

Who Needs Venice When There Are Gondolas in Irving?

March 8, 2024

Gliding across Lake Carolyn in Irving, I sip a flute of sparkling cider while watching suburbia unfold around me.

Find Your Place in the Sun at These Total Solar Eclipse Events

February 23, 2024

10 Must-See Holiday Light Displays in Texas

November 28, 2023

‘Tis the Season for Hunting Seashells

November 21, 2023

Get All the Scary Details About Texas’ Haunted History on These Ghost Tours

October 5, 2023

As we creep into spooky season, and haunted houses and general scary-ment are in full swing, it’s time for us to reflect on all the real hauntings that have happened across our vast state.

Prehistoric Rock Art Tells Cryptic Tales of Texas’ Past

July 25, 2023

Why Doesn’t Texas Have an Ice Cream Capital?

July 21, 2023

Across Texas, you’ll find festivals, celebrations, special cocktails and menu items, and general merriment over things we’ve designated as capitals: mermaids, strawberries, peaches, kolaches, wildflowers, peanuts, horned lizards, and even walking, just to name a few.

What the Well? Why It Took Mineral Wells So Long to Become the Official Wellness Capital of Texas

July 14, 2023

Located about an hour west of Fort Worth, Mineral Wells is a small town built on the idea of wellness, as people flocked to the area starting in the late 1800s to drink the local well water that became famous for its healing properties.

Celebrate Spring Wildflowers in Texas at These Festivals and Trails

March 15, 2023

Pop Culture and History Converge on Fort Worth’s Stars of the Stockyards Tour

March 6, 2023

When drovers headed cattle north up the Chisholm Trail in the late 19th century, Fort Worth was the last stop for supplies before crossing the Red River and entering Native American territories.

Where To Get Your King Cake and Beignet Fix in Texas This Mardi Gras Season

February 17, 2023

You’ve seen them at the grocery store every Mardi Gras season: rings of king cake topped with icing and purple, gold, and green sprinkles and sugar crystals.

Decatur’s LBJ Grasslands Are a Paradise for Nature Lovers

December 29, 2022

Meandering down a dirt path surrounded by native prairie all around, I feel calm as leaves crunch under my feet and grassland unfolds in front of me.

The Stories Behind Texas’ Quirkiest Town Names

July 28, 2022

Ripe from the Vine: Slate Theory Winery Shakes Up the Texas Wine Scene

June 28, 2022

San Antonio Chef Steve McHugh Digs Into His New Orleans Roots for Mardi Gras

February 15, 2022

Everything Is Peachy With the Return of the Parker County Peach Festival

July 8, 2021

Stroll through Weatherford’s downtown square on the second weekend in July, and you’ll notice things are quite peachy.

Experience Frida Kahlo’s Casa Azul Without Leaving Texas

May 11, 2021

Known for her self-portraits, vibrant use of color, paintings that blended realism with a touch of fantasy, and that iconic unibrow, Frida Kahlo is considered one of Mexico’s greatest artists.

Fredericksburg’s 175th Anniversary: 4 Things to Check Out This Weekend

May 6, 2021

Where to Celebrate Cinco de Mayo Across Texas

May 4, 2021

While it’s not a major holiday in Mexico, Cinco de Mayo has become a widely celebrated occasion across the United States, especially in Texas.

Craft Barbecue is Taking Over Texas’ Suburbs

April 29, 2021

Funky Town Fridge Is Helping Fort Worth Fight Food Insecurity

December 15, 2020

In Fort Worth’s Southside neighborhood sits a refrigerator painted with an image of a smiling woman holding a bowl of fruit. This refrigerator and an adjacent pantry are stocked with produce, canned goods, water, and other items free for the taking. The resource is part of Funky Town Fridge, a community fridge that was set up in late September by Fort Worth resident Kendra Richardson. 

Rock Art Trail in Grapevine Brings Solace During Pandemic

December 10, 2020

Thousands of colorful rocks dot a half-mile nature trail at Parr Park in Grapevine, creating a utopia of creativity for parkgoers to explore.

Learn How to Make This Mulled Wine Brought Over by 19th-Century German Immigrants

November 26, 2020

Small-Town Business Spotlight: Weatherford’s Doss Heritage and Culture Center Takes History Online

July 23, 2020

My Favorite Texas Trip: To Grandmother’s House We Go

July 22, 2020

Seeing that orange “W” logo about a mile before the Colorado River not only meant that we were eating at Whataburger for lunch, but that my grandma was there to meet us and drive me on to South Texas. I looked forward to spending time with my grandma every summer, as our laughs usually started when we got in her truck for the second leg of my trip.

Weatherford Shifts Annual Parker County Peach Festival to Parker County Peach Week

July 3, 2020

This year’s festival was canceled due to COVID-19 concerns, but that doesn’t mean the city will stop celebrating its summer bounty. Instead of a one-day affair, Weatherford is hosting an entire week of smaller celebrations from July 11 to 18.

“Plogging” Might Be the Next Outdoorsy Trend in Texas

June 5, 2020

“Plogging” has been gaining popularity in the U.S. within the last few years. The term comes from the Swedish word plocka upp, meaning “pick up,” and “jogging.” Plogging isn’t limited to jogging—people can plog while walking, hiking, cycling, and kayaking. Cities such as Galveston, Dallas, Austin, and Houston have already seen organized plogging events over the last couple of years.

COVID-19 Makes it Harder to Track Kemp’s Ridley Sea Turtles on Padre Island

May 18, 2020

Every day, from April through mid-July, the Division of Sea Turtle Science and Recovery at the Padre Island National Seashore combs 80 miles of Padre Island’s beaches in search of Kemp’s ridley sea turtles–the most critically endangered sea turtle in the world­–coming ashore. It’s nesting season, but things are a bit unusual this year due to COVID-19.

Small-Town Dispatches: Bulverde Residents Lean on Each Other for Food and Support During COVID-19

April 29, 2020

5 Ways to Watch Texas Zoo Animals at Home

April 15, 2020

While Texans remain at home, zoos, aquariums, and wildlife sanctuaries are creating and sharing educational videos and virtual entertainment. Many also offer remote learning opportunities for teachers and parents to use with their students, akin to taking a field trip from the couch.

Step Up Your Kitchen Game with These Texas Cookbooks

April 8, 2020

While it’s more important than ever to support local restaurants, this is also an opportune time to improve your skills in the kitchen. These five cookbooks are by Texans, for Texans, and explore a wide range of cuisine, from barbecue to Tex-Mex to Southern. Not only do these books break down the recipes, they include tips, techniques, and suggested tools, so even beginners can create culinary masterpieces.