The Texas Travel Awards shine a spotlight on the most exciting, innovative, and inviting places around the state. The 2023 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 for the second year in a row!

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 stay tuned for the 2023 Texas Travel Awards magazine coming soon.

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Destination of the Year

South Padre Island

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BY POPULATION

Art Festival or Event

Small Market

Sandcastle Days (South Padre Island)

Big Market

The Woodlands Waterway Arts Festival (The Woodlands)

Bar

Mid Market

Magnum (Grapevine)

Big Market

Sidecar at Prince Solms Inn (New Braunfels)

Community Event

Small Market

Alpine Christmas Stroll (Alpine)

Mid Market

Juneteenth Celebration of Freedom (Baytown)

Big Market

First Friday (Bryan)

Destination Marketing Campaign

Mid Market

The Temple Ticket (Temple)

Big Market

Our Bottlenecks Are Better Than Theirs (San Angelo)

Destination Social Media Account

Small Market

Hill Country Mile (Boerne)

Big Market

Destination Bryan (Bryan)

Food Festival or Event

Small Market

Spirits of the West Wine & Beef Festival (Alpine)

Big Market

#SaveTheTacos (Arlington)

Hotel

Small Market

The Kendall (Boerne)

Mid Market

Hotel Vin, Autograph Collection (Grapevine)

Big Market

Hotel Viata (Austin)

Instagrammable Spot

Small Market

“Wild Bill” Hickok Sculpture (Boerne)

Mid Market

“Love Your Vibe” Mural (Mansfield)

Big Market

Reunion Tower (Dallas)

Live Music Venue

Small Market

Clayton’s Beach Bar and Grill (South Padre Island)

Mid Market

Third Rail (Grapevine)

Big Market

Gruene Hall (New Braunfels)

Museum

Small Market

Museum of the Big Bend (Alpine)

Big Market

New Braunfels Conservation Society (New Braunfels)

Music Festival or Event

Small Market

Viva Big Bend (Alpine, Fort Davis, Marfa, Marathon, Terlingua)

Mid Market

Music Alley (Mansfield)

Big Market

Wild West Fest (San Angelo)

Outdoor Activity

Small Market

Parasailing (South Padre Island)

Mid Market

Glow Kayak Tours (San Marcos)

Big Market

Natural Bridge Caverns (New Braunfels)

Restaurant

Small Market

Ninety Six West (Brenham)

Mid Market

Black Sugar Caffe (Cedar Park)

Big Market

Ronin Farm & Restaurant (Bryan)

Sports Venue

Big Market

Legends Event Center (Bryan)

Under the Radar Activity

Small Market

Mineral Wells Fossil Park (Mineral Wells)

Mid Market

Birding Boat Tour (Baytown)

Big Market

San Angelo Revolution Film Festival (San Angelo)

Unique Lodging

Small Market

Holistic & Historical 1882 Grote Ranch (Castell)

Big Market

Cotton Court (Lubbock)

Visitor Center

Small Market

Mineral Wells Visitor Center

Mid Market

Baytown Visitor Information Center

Big Market

New Braunfels Visitor Center

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STATEWIDE

Agritourism

Dry Comal Creek Vineyards (New Braunfels)

Beach

South Padre Island Beaches (South Padre Island)

Brewery

Guadalupe Brewing Company (New Braunfels)

Golf Course

Landa Park Golf Course (New Braunfels)

Hiking/Biking Trail

Panther Canyon Trail (New Braunfels)

Historic Site

El Paso’s Historic Mission Trail (El Paso)

Iconic Tourist Attraction

Blue Bell Creameries (Brenham)

Lake

Boerne City Lake Park (Boerne)

Park

Kingsbury Commons at Pease Park (Austin)

Place to Dance

Gruene Hall (New Braunfels)

Public Art

Pop Art Museum (San Angelo)

Resort

Camp Fimfo Texas Hill Country (New Braunfels)

Revitalization

Mineral Wells Downtown (Mineral Wells)

Shopping District

Market Street (The Woodlands)

Swimming Spot

Landa Park (New Braunfels)

Views

Sunrise at the Jetties (South Padre Island)

Winery

William Chris Vineyards (Hye)