After moving back to Texas after twelve years of living in the Phoenix area, I have had a blast showing my younger kids my favorite local Texas spots! This is by no means a comprehensive list, but I know that many people are moving to Texas and I’d love to share with them what I love showing off here in the Lone Star State! 

When we would visit Texas during the holidays, we usually stayed around the Houston area. My parents live in The Woodlands and my grandmother lives in Houston.

North Houston area

• The George Mitchell Preserve is my favorite place for a long walk. The kids, my parents, and the dogs do great on this trail. It is a well maintained loop. Be sure to take your camera for some of the most beautiful pine tree views!
• The Fountains at Waterway Square is a wonderful way to spend a peaceful evening. I like to take the kids down to walk on the waterway, then grab some ice cream at sunset. After dark, the fountains come alive and dance to music and lights.
• Old Town Spring is my favorite place to wander with my mom and aunts. Delicious food, adorable shops, and holiday events make this little town fun every time we stop. There is a store named ‘Thad’s’ that I love to wander in every time we visit. I always find a gift or something perfect for my home.
• Chuy’s is my favorite TexMex restaurant in the this area. You can find them all over Texas. Their Deluxe Chicken Enchiladas and their jalapeno ranch dip are something you have to try!

Being back in DFW has given me a chance to explore the places I remember from growing up in Plano, living in Frisco when Nate was born, and moving to Denton shortly after.

North DFW area

• There is something absolutely magical about the Fort Worth Water Gardens. You can see it all in an hour or bring a picnic and linger for a day. My parents brought me when I was young and I just had to take the kids when we moved back to Texas. I was a little nervous that it wouldn’t hold up to the memories I had, but all the kids loved it. It is a peaceful area with a fascinating history!
• Denton, Texas. If you’ve been around the blog for long, you know that I have a very soft spot for the place we lived when Julia and Nate were young. There is this hometown kindness that fills my soul. If you have a love for wandering a really great bookstore, Recycled Books has to be on your list.
• After you find the perfect book, you have to head over to Beth Marie’s Old Fashioned Ice Cream. I was giddy to find out it was still there and the kids loved it – cones, shakes, sundaes, and plenty of flavors to choose from is the best way to celebrate any event.
• La Hacienda Ranch is my favorite TexMex restaurant of all time. If you let me order for you, I’ll order you steak fajitas and queso. You’d probably take one bite and ask me where on earth this had been all your life. I’d just smile a knowing smile and tell you, ‘welcome home.’
• Texas Tulips. I had no idea that Texas was the home to a beautiful tulip farm! I will be making this a yearly event!

Over the next few years, I will be adding to this list, so that I can share it with visitors easily!

And Texans, if you are moving to Arizona, I made you a list, too! You can click here.

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Texans Movers care of everything, including:

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