The 2022 Winners of the Texas Travel Awards

The Texas Travel Awards shine a spotlight on the most exciting, innovative, and inviting places around the state. The 2022 winners represent uniquely Texas places and experiences worthy of any traveler’s itinerary.

South Padre Island took home the top award for Destination of the Year, as well as five other awards, including the People’s Choice for Best Destination for Families. New this year, we asked the public to help decide four categories: the best destinations for Arts & Culture, Families, Foodies, and Outdoor Adventures. Sixty other categories split into two sections with statewide winners and winners by three population breakdowns were scored by our elite panel of judges that included travel industry professionals, travel journalists, and a touring musician. See them all below and click to learn more about each winner, or read the 2022 Texas Travel Awards magazine here.

Destination of the Year

South Padre Island

Agritourism

Dry Comal Creek Vineyards (New Braunfels)

Art Festival or Event

Small Market

Alpine’s Artwalk

Bar

Small Market

Floyd’s Wine Lounge (Brenham)

Mid Market

Magnum (Grapevine)

Big Market

Zanzibar (Austin)

Brewery

The Padre Island Brewing Company (South Padre Island)

Community Event

Small Market

Dickens on Main (Boerne)

Mid Market

First Friday (Bryan)

Big Market

Dia de los Muertos (New Braunfels)

Destination Marketing Campaign

Small Market

Christmas in Marble Falls

Mid Market

Bryan, TX Legends

Big Market

Arli and the World of Wonderful (Arlington)

Destination Social Media Account

Mid Market

Visit Brenham Social Media

Big Market

Play in New Braunfels

Distillery

Giant Texas Distillers (Houston)

Golf Course

Landa Park Golf Course (New Braunfels)

Hiking/Biking Trail

Hancock Hill Trails (The Desk) (Alpine)

Historic Site

Fort Chadbourne Historic Site (Bronte)

Hotel

Mid Market

The Stella Hotel (Bryan)

Big Market

Commodore Perry Estate, Auberge Resorts Collection (Austin)

Iconic Tourist Attraction

Gruene Hall (New Braunfels)

Instagrammable Spot

Small Market

SPI Beach Chairs

Big Market

Lutie’s Garden Restaurant (Austin)

Lake

Lake Conroe

Live Music Venue

Small Market

LongBoard Bar & Grill (South Padre Island)

Mid Market

Third Rail (Grapevine)

Big Market

Gruene Hall (New Braunfels)

Museum

Small Market

Museum of the Big Bend (Alpine)

Mid Market

The Wittliff Collections at Texas State University (San Marcos)

Big Market

Sophienburg Museum and Archives (New Braunfels)

Music Festival or Event

Small Market

Viva Big Bend

Big Market

Gruene Music & Wine Fest

Outdoor Activity

Small Market

Surfing (South Padre Island)

Big Market

Natural Bridge Caverns (New Braunfels)

Park

Johnson Park (Marble Falls)

Place to Dance

Gruene Hall (New Braunfels)

Public Art

Art al Fresco (Boerne)

Resort

La Cantera Resort & Spa (San Antonio)

Restaurant

Small Market

Blake’s Kitchen and Kocktailz (Columbus)

Mid Market

Ronin Farm & Restaurant (Bryan)

Big Market

Lutie’s Garden Restaurant (Austin)

Revitalization

Hotel Paso del Norte, Autograph Collection (El Paso)

Shopping District

Hill Country Mile (Boerne)

Sports Venue

Small Market

Kokernot Field (Alpine)

Big Market

Globe Life Field (Arlington)

Swimming Spot

Spring Fed Pool (New Braunfels)

Tourism-Related Community/Philanthropic Efforts

Small Market

Visit Granbury Winter Guest – Goosebump Jump 2022

Big Market

Sleep Like Us by Valencia Hotel Group (San Antonio)

Travel/Destination Podcast

Alpine TX: Heart of the Big Bend Podcast

Under the Radar Activity

Small Market

Historic Alpine Ghost Tours

Mid Market

Bryan Taco Trail

Big Market

Stars and Stripes Drive-In (New Braunfels)

Unique Lodging

Small Market

Johnny Yurts (Johnson City)

Big Market

Schlitterbahn Treehouses (New Braunfels)

Views

Reunion Tower (Dallas)

Visitor Center

Small Market

Visit Granbury Visitor Center

Mid Market

Brenham/Washington County Visitor Center

Big Market

Visit Plano Visitor Center

Winery

William Chris Vineyards (Hye)

Zoo/Aquarium

San Antonio Zoo


People’s Choice

Best Destination for Arts & Culture

El Paso

Best Destination for Families

South Padre Island

Best Destination for Foodies

Houston

Best Destination for Outdoor Adventures

Big Bend