2008 Woodie Awards
When Spring Break isn't enough
Just because you're given a mere week to enjoy the spring doesn't mean vacation can't come more often.
Lauren Weiner
Issue date: 2/19/08 Section: Features
|
Galveston
The beach is only an hour away from Houston, and while Galveston Island might not boast the most beautiful beaches, the trip is still worthwhile. Riding the Bolivar Ferry is a great cheap thrill. Drive your car onto the boat, park and step outside to enjoy the ride over to Bolivar Island. Patrons are permitted to feed seagulls and, occasionally, are lucky enough to see porpoises swimming at the front of the boat. Shopping on the Strand is a favorite pastime for many, and savvy shoppers can find incredible treasures in the many antique shops. If you do not want to swim in the questionable brown Galveston water, Schlitterbahn Waterpark now has a location in Galveston, and admission is $38.96 for a day.
Brenham
The little town of Brenham is probably best known as the home of the Blue Bell Ice Cream factory. For $3, visitors can tour the creamery and enjoy a serving of fresh Blue Bell ice cream. The only downside is that tours are not available on weekends or holidays, making it difficult for a college student. After your childhood craving is satisfied, consider indulging your more grown-up appetites at the Pleasant Hill Winery. This tour teaches patrons about the process of wine-making and also ends in delicious free samples. The drive to Brenham is only a little longer than an hour, and the abundance of samples are well worth it.
Shiner
For beer fans, the two-hour trip to Shiner to visit the Spoetzl Brewery is a rewarding excursion. Visitors are invited to tour the brewery and enjoy free samples of a variety of Shiner brews. Shiner is located approximately halfway between Houston and San Antonio and is about an hour-and-a-half away from Austin, making it a great location to meet up with friends from other locales. Other points of interest in Shiner include the Saints Cyril and Methodius Catholic Church and the Wolters Memorial Museum, which contains antique weapons, dinosaur bones and various other relics.
Schulenburg
While it is known as being "halfway to everywhere," Schulenburg actually marks the halfway point between Houston and San Antonio. This city is home to several of the Painted Churches of Texas, buildings dating back to the early 1900s. While they look like average churches from the outside, nearly every surface of the interiors are covered with colorful art. Tours are available and must be scheduled in advance. Schulenburg also has a quaint downtown area with local businesses and is also home to Frank's Restaurant, a popular and delicious stop for Southern home-cooking and fresh-made pies.
San Marcos
For those who prefer outdoor activities, tubing down the San Marcos River is an enticing option when the weather turns warmer. Tube rentals cost $6-14 for the hour-and-a-half float trip. Another San Marcos attraction is Wonder World Park, which includes a tour of the Balcones fault line cave, a wildlife petting zoo and an anti-gravity house. The entire package costs $18.95, but individual excursions can also be purchased. Finally, for the less adventurous, San Marcos boasts two popular outlet malls and was ranked the third best place to shop in the world on "The View."
TAKE SPRING BREAK HOME
There are plenty of road trip-themed flicks to choose from, including:
Borat
A foreign journalist travels America in order to film a documentary, but becomes distracted when he decides to journey to California in search of Pamela Anderson.
Thelma and Louise
Two middle-aged BFFs take a trip to run from their problematic home lives and end up running from the cops, bedding Brad Pitt along the way.
Y Tu Mamá También
Two teenage boys take a trip in search of a beach they made up in order to impress an older woman they meet at a wedding in this seductive coming of age story.