Clayton Gardner performs “Buy You A Drink” at Lakeside Icehouse in Bryan.
This Weekend on The Texas Bucket List – Hotels, Hamburgers and Hauntings
This week we’re visiting some places that will send chills up your spin and leave your taste buds curious as to what just happen.
Oh if walls could talk! The stories the Hotel Galvez in Galveston would be able to tell at our first stop would be absolutely amazing. Don’t worry though, because we found the next best thing, Mr. Hilton. Bobby Hilton is capable of telling great stories about Hollywood stars and legendary ghosts, and that’s just what he does during our first stop in this episode.
In our burger of the week segment things get a little bananas with the Hannah Banana burger at The Shack in Cypress. Bananas and banana chips and tai peanut sauce on a burger, oh my!
Next we find ourselves in a three story mansion in Gonzales, or at least that’s what Sandra, our tour guide, thought it was when she was just a girl. Really we visit the Gonzales Jail, a place seeping with rich history and a ghostly feeling.
With legendary flavors for your taste buds, ghost stories for your imagination, and Texas history for the Lone-Star State lover in all of us, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.
This Weekend On The Texas Bucket List – East Texas Candy, a Brotherly Burger and the Border Patrol Museum
This week on The Texas Bucket List we let our sweet tooth lead the way to a Texas candy factor that got its start in the Great Depression and is still rolling out some of our favorite candies, find double the trouble at a burger joint in Carrizo Springs, and patrol the history of those who protect our border.
Our first stop is sure to excite every sweet tooth in the Lone Star State. At Atkinson’s Candy Company in Lufkin, we explore sweets that have been tantalizing candy lovers since 1932 and find out what it takes to make these delectable pieces of sugary heaven.
Next we find ourselves getting into trouble (better make that double) in Carrizo Springs with our burger of the week from Double Trouble. This burger joint that’s located in an RV park may have an unconventional location, but the burgers made here with twin brotherly love are worth the trouble it takes to find it.
We close this week on the Texas Mexico border where we learn about the history of the U.S. Border Patrol. Border patrol security may be a hot topic in politics right now, but that’s not what we’re here to learn about. While at the U.S. Border Patrol Museum we learn about supped up cars, see some unique seized items, and hear about just how harrowing protecting the northern and southern border of America can be.
This Weekend on The Texas Bucket List – La Lomita Chapel, Top of the Hill, Broadcasting Museum
This week on The Texas Bucket List we’re checking in with our friends from the Museum of Broadcasting and Communication in a new segment we call Checking it Twice, climbing to the top of a hill for a super burger, and getting in touch with some religious Texas history at La Lomita Park.
We start this week’s episode with a new segment and old friends. In Kilgore we learn about the new location of the Museum of Broadcasting and Communication and see the lenses that brought Texas history into our homes for many years.
Next we find ourselves in Benchley at a burger joint called Top of the Hill. Here we discover our kryptonite, a burger known as the Superman. This huge greasy burger is my taste bud’s new hero.
We close this week in Mission, where we are blessed with the opportunity to learn about some religious Lone-Star State history. This powerful Texas presence helped build the border region while establishing a message of peace and Texas friendship.
So, don’t go kickin’ the bucket, because we’ve got a lot to see, do, and experience this week on The Texas Bucket List.
The Texas Bucket List Christmas Edition – Brazos Valley Chorale sings “Away in a Manger”
A wonderful rendition of Away in the Manger sung by the Brazos Valley Chorale.
The Texas Bucket List Christmas Edition – Texas Cowboys’ Christmas Ball in Anson
ANSON, Texas – When it comes to holiday traditions here in the Lone-Star State, it’s not all about who’s got the largest display of lights. Over in Anson, things are much simpler. They like to cut a rug when it comes to Christmas.
Every December, the town of Anson gets together for a big ol’ bash. First, the locals prepare a traditional barbeque Christmas dinner with all the holiday favorites. As you peer into this Texas town during this time of year, you start to notice more than the extremely popular deviled eggs and the out of this world bread pudding. People here dress a bit differently. But as soon as you enter the Pioneer Hall, it all makes sense. This is a celebration of the Texas Cowboy’s Christmas Ball. As one regular at this event put it, “This is as Texas as it gets.”
This annual Anson tradition has been the special gift locals and people from all over the country look forward to each Christmas.
Clay Deatherage was born and raised in Anson and he’s been raising Christmas spirit at the ball since he was a boy. But the very first Christmas ball here took place in an entirely different century.
“The original Christmas Ball was held in 1885 in the Morning Star Hotel in Anson,” Clay said. “The hotel owner held a party Christmas Eve night to celebrate a wedding, and also probably to draw people to his hotel.”
One of those in attendance was Larry Chittenden. He was so impressed with the party that he wrote a poem dedicated to the one night soiree. That poem inspired two school teachers, Leonora Barrett and Hybernia Grace to re-enact the Christmas ball. It hasn’t stopped being a local Christmas favorite since. There are some ground rules that have stood the test of time here and will keep you on the nice list this Christmas.
“Gentlemen do not dance with a hat on, and that, that is just an old Texas dance hall tradition,” Clay informed us. “It’s out of respect for the lady your dancing with. Ladies are still required to wear a dress or skirt on the dance floor.”
Since 1993, one performer has been a staple of this celebration, Texas legend Michael Martin Murphey. Murphey was also inspired by Chittenden’s poem and wrote a song dedicated to the ball before he even knew it was still going on.
“I come to this ball because this is the heart of real Texas music,” Murphey said. “This hearts back to the original Texas music, cowboy music, it was invented here.”
Murphey and his band play an assortment of songs that are perfect for this sort of soiree.
“We emphasize a wide range of songs, but we emphasize cowboy music and some of the traditional cowboy songs for people to dance to, and uh so it’s a mixture of that and Christmas music,” Murphey said.
He also partakes in the old-time dancing and even he abides by the rules.
“It’s all about the heart and soul of the culture,” Murphey says. “This is sort of like if you are a New Yorker not going to Times Square on New Years Eve. You know what I mean?”
Buck Carter is another local who’s attended many Christmas Balls.
“It’s something to be proud of,” Buck says. “They have been doing it forever and a day, so.”
While the Texas Cowboys Christmas Ball is a celebration of the season, it’s also a connection to the way of life in this part of the Lone-Star State. It’s a chance to toast the true cowboys who help cut the cloth of culture and Christmas.
“You meet the real old timers here, and that’s really an important thing to me,” Murphey says. “This is the oldest most venerable tradition in Texas that was started in Texas.”
So, if you happen to be in the Big Country during the Christmas season, swing on by the Texas Cowboy’s Christmas Ball for a holiday experience with true Texas roots that’s well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List.
“If you want to key into the culture here and really learn who we are this is the place to start,” Murphey says.
The Texas Bucket List Christmas Edition – The Tamale Burger at Hubcap Grill in Houston
HOUSTON, Texas – Back in 2015, we honored Hubcap with our burger of the season award thanks to a little number called the Philly cheese steak burger.
That burger was so good we wanted more. That’s why we went to see the man as cool as Conway Twitty and the owner of Hubcap Grill, Ricky Craig.
“Around the holidays we like to do off the menu specials and burgers, and we have an awesome burger for you,” Ricky shared. “We want you to try it. It’s the tamale burger. Everybody loves tamales. It’s traditional during Christmas time. It’s one of my favorite foods. Of course, you know, I like my favorite foods but on a burger”
Once we scooted back in Santa’s workshop, better known as the kitchen, Ricky got things started on a burger that’s more like a Texan’s Christmas feast.
Rickey got things started with a patty made of beef chuck seasoned with a special Hubcap seasoning better known in these parts as burger dust. With a slab of butter sizzling on the grill, Rickey added threw the patty on to start cooking. Once the patty was cooked to buttery perfection, it was placed on a bun and topped with tamales. Red enchilada sauce was poured over the top, and cilantro, avocado, queso fresco, and mole sauce completed the tamale burger treat.
As Ricky says, “That’s Texas right there. The tamale burger, Hubcap style.”
When we sat down with our burger, we felt as though we had an entire Christmas dinner between two buns. Once it hit our mouths, our taste buds were hit with an incredible combination of flavors fitting for a Lone-Star State Christmas.
While the experience of eating this burger left us quite cheerful, we couldn’t help asking how someone could come up with this idea for a burger.
“My philosophy with everything on the burgers, if I like it, it’s going on a burger,” Rickey informed us.
Chances are, when Santa comes down the chimney, he’d rather have a tamale burger than cookies; at least, if Santa enjoys Texas cuisine.
“A lot of people say, ‘Oh, those are novelty burgers,’” Rickey said. “I’m like, ‘They’re not novelty.’ They just actually work. All the flavors blend in together.”
It’s definitely safe to say the tamale burger will spice up your holidays and is well worth a stop on The Texas Bucket List, Christmas edition.
The Texas Bucket List Christmas Edition – Moody Gardens in Galveston
GALVESTON, Texas – Along the shores of the Gulf coast you’ll find a few peculiar pyramids that are home to all sorts of interesting animals.
During the most wonderful time of year, these grounds in Galveston get transformed to celebrate the most wonderful time of the year.
Ashley Tompkins took us on a tour of the Festival of Lights and the infamous Iceland at Moody Gardens.
“It’s a really big undertaking to get ready for our holiday season,” Ashley said. “I love the Christmas season. For me, it really is the best time here at Moody Gardens.”
With more than a million lights on display over the mile-long trail of lights, every Christmas theme you can imagine is on display.
“Putting the Festival of Lights together is a lot of work, so it’s thrilling to know that we’re one of the top ones in the state,” Ashley shared. “Especially for our guests, we want to give them something fun to enjoy when they come down for the holiday season.”
But for the real frosty fun, a chilling adventure known as Iceland will really get to your bones.
“It’s about a 28 square foot tent,” Ashley said. “We have to keep it at nine degrees the entire holiday season, because we need to keep that two million pounds of ice frozen.”
“It is just a little chilly, nine degrees in here,” Ashley informed us. “It’s carved completely out of ice. We have lights along the vines of these pyramids like you would see in an actual rainforest pyramid. It kind of shows you what you’re going to see has you walk through. A lot of the plants and animals that you see here inside of Iceland, you would actually see inside a rainforest pyramid as well.”
Everything in the pyramid is carved by professional ice carvers from two million pounds of ice.
“All of the ice came as three hundred pound blocks,” Ashley explained. “It’s either clear or colored. So, that’s how everything starts. They use the chainsaw. They cut it to the size they need, and use the icepicks and drills and create everything that you see in here. So it really is very much a part of this when you look at everything that’s created.”
Each giant piece of ice features details carved freeform by hand. The experience of walking through the pyramid is breathtaking, not only for the chilling temperature, but also for the beauty and artistic ability that is on display in the sculptures.
“It really is amazing to see the detail,” Ashley said. “As they’re taking those blocks, they start transforming them into snakes, into our leaf cutter ants that are your hosts throughout the journey, into frogs. You’ll see some monkeys. You’ll see some sloths and some butterflies as well. So, they really had full artistic reign.”
What would and Iceland be without a massive ice slide? We can say from personal experience that the slide is great fun, but our butts have never been as cold as they were after we went down the giant ice slide.
If you’re not into sliding, you can always throw down in the local watering hole, Shiver’s Ice Bar.
“It is the frostiest place to get an adult beverage here on the island,” Ashley informed us.
In this part of Iceland, you never know what you’ll run into, but one thing we know for sure. It will get you into the Christmas spirit.
So come experience this chilly Christmas stop but be sure to bring something to bundle up in.
“It really is a great way to enjoy the holidays with your family,” Ashley said. “You can make lasting memories here and make it a tradition.”
Eight Quintessential Christmas Stops on The Texas Bucket List
Oh there’s no place like home for the holidays, especially when home is in the Lone-Star State! With world famous holiday themed eats, festivals, light displays, and hotels unique to Texas, there’s a little something to get everyone in the yuletide spirit. The places, experiences, and treats featured in this list will have you saying merry Texas Christmas in no time!
Wassailfest – New Braunfels, Texas
The lights in downtown New Braunfels shine like a beacon for Santa on the first Thursday of December, but the real treat here is the old world wonder boiled up by the folks in this part of the Lone-Star State at Wassailfest. Downtown New Braunfuls has been the place to taste this Christmas tradition since 1992. Some wassails are more spirited than others at this event featuring good food, award winning wassails, and family fun.
Watch now: New Braunfels Wassailfest
German Christmas Market – Tomball, Texas
During the second week in December, you’ve got to mossy on to Tomball. Here, you’ll find a huge Christmas market that’s been bringing together Christmas cheer and the German tradition of Oktoberfest since the 90s. Festivities kick off with a huge parade in which an official Christmas keg tapping is the grand finally. This Christmas celebration is also a cultural celebration; a chance to raise a glass to one of the many nationalities that has made Texas what it is today.
Watch now: Tomball German Christmas Market
Trail of Lights – Austin, Texas
This trail of lights has been burning bright since 1965 in the capital of the Lone-Star State. The Lights that line Lou Neff Road become a beacon of Christmas spirit in the live music capital of the world each December. With 2 million lights and 41 displays dedicated to the season, you’ll find some story time favorites, Texas themed treasures, religious displays showing the true meaning of Christmas, and far out favorites that represent what Austin is all about. However, the crown jewel of this trail just might surprise you.
Watch now: Austin Trail of Lights
Gaylord Texan Resort – Grapevine, Texas
Nobody celebrates Christmas quite like the Gaylord Texan Resort in the Christmas capital of the Lone-Star State. Over half a million visitors visit the Gaylord during the seven weeks that make up the holiday season to experience their take on a Lone-Star Christmas. No corner of the 125 acre Christmas themed paradise is untouched by the holiday spirit thanks to a talented group of artists who hand make each and every piece of decor. A snow slide, 14,000 foot ice exhibit kept at a wintry nine degrees, and a life size nativity scene made out of ice prove that everything really is bigger in Texas, even Christmas.
Watch now: Gaylord Texan Resort
Collin Street Bakery – Corsicana, Texas
Oh what fun it is to ride to the Collin Street Bakery for some holiday delights. This little bakery in Corsicana, Texas works year round baking up a Christmas treat that’s not just a tradition in the Lone-Star State, but all over the world. Since 1896, the bakery has been getting a rise out of customers with their world famous fruitcakes. A product of the fall harvest, the one million fruitcakes sold by the Collin Street Bakery each year feature pecans, pineapple, cherries, and raisins.
Watch now: Collin Street Bakery
Riverwalk Christmas – San Antonio, Texas
When the lights come on along the San Antonio Riverwalk, Christmas has officially begun. This light display, that is truly unique to Texas, has been spreading the joy of the season since the late 60s when the Riverwalk was built. Lights start being hung strategically during the first week in September on more than 180 trees. The grand total of strands in this display is 1,687, that’s over 21 miles of illumination. The Mexican tradition of luminárias, lit candles in sand filled bags intended to light the way for the Holy family, add to the magic.
Watch now: Riverwalk Christmas
Dickens on the Strand – Galveston, Texas
For more than 40 years, Dickens on the Strand has provided a unique Christmas experience to Texans and world travelers alike. Thousands of Charels Dickens fans make their way to Galveston to experience Christmas as it appears in the famous English author’s work. Costumes, historical buildings, and activities all fit the time in which Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” would have taken place. Galveston’s design, which parallels London during the Victorian period, makes it the perfect place to pay homage to a beloved author and his classic Christmas tale.
Watch now: Dickens on the Strand
Santa’s Wonderland – College Station, Texas
Each December hundreds of people voyage to south College Station to visit a Texas Christmas village known as Santa’s Wonderland. Millions of twinkling lights highlight what it’s like to celebrate Christmas with a Lone-Star State twist. Sprawling across 37 acres, this park has it’s own town, Santa’s Town, dedicated to the season. Sweet treats, savory eats, holiday gift shops, live music, Marshal Frostbite, a petting zoo, fine wine, fires to warm up with and cook s’mores on, and Texas Santa himself can all be found in Santa’s Town each and every night. It’s a true Texas Christmas experience.
Watch now: Santa’s Wonderland
This Weekend on The Texas Bucket List – 2017 Christmas Special
On this special Christmas episode of the Texas Bucket List, we’re exploring and icy wonderland in Galveston, eating a burger fit for a true Texan Christmas, and getting in touch with our country music roots at the Texas Cowboy’s Christmas Ball.
First, we head to Galveston Island to explore an icy wonderland in Moody Gardens. Here we find more than two million pounds of hand carved ice, an chilly ice slide, and a bar serving up the coldest drinks on the island.
Next we visit an old friend in Houston combine a traditional tamale Christmas dinner with a Hubcap burger. This meaty Tex-Mex treat will get your taste buds in the yuletide spirit in just one bite.
We end our Christmas travels in Anson, at the Texas Cowboy’s Christmas Ball. While at the ball we see representations of Christmas Texas history, meet some of Texas music’s living legends, and experience a Texas Christmas ball that has been inspiring Texans since 1885.
So, bundle up, bring a Lone-Star State sized appetite, and get ready to dance to toe-tapping Texas country music. This is an episode you and your Christmas spirit don’t want to miss.
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