At the center of the kitchen is a custom-built wood-burning grill that delivers deep, smoky flavor to Porters signature steaks and seafood. Cuts of premium beef, including USDA Prime and locally raised Wagyu, are seared to perfection over mesquite and oak. Fresh seafood, house-made sides, and farm-fresh vegetables round out a menu that is both comforting and sophisticated. The culinary team balances bold Texas flavors with seasonal ingredients, offering a menu that is dynamic while still rooted in tradition.

The restaurant’s interior is thoughtfully designed, blending rustic charm with modern elegance. Rich wood accents, leather seating, and soft ambient lighting create an inviting space that’s perfect for everything from intimate dinners to corporate events. Whether guests are stopping by for a casual meal or a special celebration, the atmosphere is both relaxed and refined. Hand-crafted cocktails and an award-winning wine list enhance the experience, offering a diverse selection of pairings to complement every dish on the menu.

Porters is more than just a dining room—it’s an experience. The restaurant features two private dining rooms for special occasions or business meetings, as well as the Butcher Room, an exclusive space perfect for hosting unforgettable events. These options make Porters a favorite for celebrations, Aggie Ring Days, and private gatherings of all kinds.

Whether you’re visiting for a weekend brunch, a business lunch, or a celebratory dinner, Porters Dining + Bar offers an unmatched combination of flavor, ambiance, and service. It’s where classic Texas hospitality meets culinary innovation—right in the heart of Aggieland.

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TEXAS HOLIDAY PARADES

     Kick off the holidays with parades across the state. Dubbed the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade of Texas, the HEB Holiday Parade in Houston features hot air balloons, marching bands, cheerleaders and costumed characters. Further west, El Paso’s “uniquely Texan” Thanksgiving Day parade, the FirstLight Federal Credit Union Sun Bowl Parade will celebrate “80 Years Around the World” for its 80th annual celebration.

Too busy cranking out that turkey? Join over 150,000 spectators the day after Thanksgiving for the Holiday River Parade & Lighting Ceremony along the River Walk in San Antonio. Enjoy the Christmas music concert, the lighting of the River Walk and wave at Santa as his sleigh floats by.

Texas-sized Holiday Light Displays

     For those looking for bright lights, small towns and big cities alike, host multiple holiday light spectaculars that almost outshine Texas’ big and bright stars. Most hail the name “trail of lights,” including the 52nd annual Austin Trail of Lights. Grab family and friends to sit by a traditional Yule Log, ride the Ferris Wheel, write a letter to Santa and more!

Just a few hours south in Houston, stroll through the Houston Zoo Lights for magical lights and musical entertainment from carolers and local musical groups. While most zoo creatures will be fast asleep, you can visit animals in the Reptile House, Kipp Aquarium, Bug House or Carruth National Encounters.

     Outside of Houston, take a hay ride through the trail of lights at the biggest Christmas attraction in the state, Santa’s Wonderland in College Station, TX. Get the full experience with a visit with Santa in Santa’s Town, a nostalgic Texas Christmas Village. Capture the experience for your Instagram under the “God Bless Texas” light arch, next to the giant Texas flag light display or in the “Giant Texas Sized Snow Globe.”    

     If you’d rather stay within the warm comforts of your car, you can experience it all from the passenger seat while driving through the Gift of Lights at Texas Motor Speedway in Fort Worth, Texas or the San Antonio Christmas Lights Fest.

ONE-OF-A-KIND CELEBRATIONS

     The Lone Star State is also home to some unique celebrations. No stranger to beautiful displays, the Dallas Arboretum fills twelve Victorian gazebos with costumed characters, whimsical animals and winter scenes to bring The 12 Days of Christmas to life!

     The Trains at NorthPark also call the Big D home. Experience all the trimmings of holiday train travel in more than 4,000 square feet of train themed environments. Nearby in Grapevine, adults can hop aboard the Christmas Wine Train and embrace the holiday spirit with festive treats and of course, wine! For a Western cowboy holiday, visit Christmas in the Stockyards in Fort Worth, TX. The one-day event takes place on December 2 and has western heritage activities for the entire family.

TEXAS HOLIDAY AT THE BEACH

     Feeling more like a holiday beach bum than cowboy? Spend the holidays on the beaches of Galveston, Texas and be amazed by incredible ice sculptures at A Caribbean Christmas at Moody Gardens. The resort brings in a team of master ice carvers to sculpt two million pounds of ice into an undersea journey of tropical fish, eagle rays, turtles dolphins and more!

     Also in Galveston, “Surf with Santa” at Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston Island’s Holiday Splash! Open weekends and select weekdays from November 25 to December 31. The holiday extravaganza also features a Snow Globe Float, Bahn Borealis Light Show, Ornament Factory, holiday characters and reindeer games!

MEXICAN CHRISTMAS FIESTAS

     Luminarias, traditional Mexican Christmas lanterns, light the San Antonio River Walk for the Ford Fiesta De Las Luminarias. The century’s old tradition begins at dusk Friday, Saturday and Sunday from December 2-18.  Further north and along the border in El Paso, revel the Annual Posadas Celebration and Luminaria Lighting Festival. Posada, the Spanish for “inn” or “shelter,” is a traditional celebration recreating Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay in Bethlehem. The presentation is followed by live music, the traditional Christmas Piñata ceremony, cultural dance presentations and the lighting of over 5,000 luminarias.

TEXAS NEW YEAR HOEDOWNS

     Once you’ve made all your holiday stops, it’s time to ring in the new year, and what better place than the largest honky tonk in the world, Billy Bob’s in Fort Worth? This year the dance hall will feature two Texas-born acts, Eli Young Band and Green River Ordinance for New Year’s Eve at Billy Bob’s Texas.

    If you’re looking to celebrate riverside, you can enjoy live music, carnival games and rides and festival food at the annual Celebrate San Antonio New Year’s Eve celebration. The event takes place downtown and ends the night with a fireworks extravaganza.

     For the families, kids are welcome (more like encouraged) at the Children’s Museum of Houston annual Rockin’ New Year’s Noon Bash. Watch the New Year’s Eve Daytime Ball Drop after the countdown to noon after the New Year’s Noon Parade.

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Drawing from the area’s rich history and Texas A&M tradition, the Cavalry Court motor court concept by Valencia Group combines the timeless retro military design from the 50s and 60s with modern luxury amenities. Scrupulous detail was undertaken to create a place that inspires a sense of tradition and camaraderie with unique indoor and outdoor gathering spaces and comfortable and relaxed décor.

A throwback to a time when travel was an adventure, Cavalry Court provides a home away from home for even the most discerning traveler. The carefully curated blend of colors, fabrics, textures, sights, and sounds was developed by one of the country’s most innovative designers, Rottet Studio.
Perfect Getaway

Whether it’s a quiet evening, birthday fête, or celebrating an Aggie victory, The Canteen at Cavalry Court serves up authentic Texan cuisine alongside hand-shaken cocktails. Stepping into the bar and grill, a bygone era has been recreated with its family style tables and décor. Or if a quick bite or a coffee is on the menu, saddle up to College Station’s first food truck, the custom converted horse trailer, The Tack Shack.

Both The Barracks (deluxe) and The Quarters (standard) offer unique outdoor views of the lavish courtyard, while The Barracks provides the added touch of patio rocking chairs. Luxury amenities include custom bedding with leather headboards and Egyptian cotton sheets; executive workstations; military inspired armoires; seating areas; and an authentic Smeg refrigerator filled with favorite Texas snacks and drinks among other thoughtful touches.

Live Music, Meeting Space

Cavalry Court imbues relaxation and fun and that extends to its outdoor courtyard and swimming pool with fully furnished poolside cabanas that take on the silhouettes of military camp tents. Adding to the exquisite charm, the courtyard and event space will often feature live music from the area’s hottest acts.

Impeccable group accommodations and meeting spaces are offered at Cavalry Court. A combined 6,000+ square feet of indoor and outdoor state of the art event space is available for meetings, weddings and receptions. The Saddle Room offers the perfect setting for board meetings; The Stables, a rustic indoor ballroom; the Parade Green, a unique outdoor meeting space ideally suited for weddings, receptions, and the like.

For more information or to make a reservation, visit www.cavalrycourt.com or call 844-313-7337.

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Starting in the jewel of the Lone Star State, get whisked away to San Antonio and venture on the world-famous San Antonio River Walk or the family-friendly San Antonio Zoo for their special holiday events.

Can’t go to Texas and not visit Moody Gardens in Galveston. Their new ICELand exhibit is a showstopper.

As you leave Texas, there are a myriad of things happening all over the United States and beyond. From the incredible offerings in San Francisco, California to the gorgeous hotels in Vancouver, BC, the holidays are the perfect time to enjoy these cities.

With wellness travel being a multi-billion dollar industry, we felt it was imperative we started offering our readers an updated approach to that segment. We are pleased to announce our partnership with IDLife – a health and wellness initiative that can help travelers stay healthy. Be looking for our Wellness Section to expand as we target new opportunities for your benefit.

For great story ideas or to be a part of our “Experiences” section, send me a personal e-mail by clicking here. Looking for great hotel deals? Remember that you can book all of your travel from our website or by simply clicking here.

Happy Holidays!

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