Some TEXAS MONTHLY Stories on Leisure
Natural Beauties »
Dozens of roses—and not just yellow ones—have flourished in Texas for more than a century, planted by immigrants who cherished them as sentimental reminders of home. Here are a few of our favorites.
Text by Molly Glentzer [May 2008]
Happiness Is a Warm Gun »
In the state with the nation’s most celebrated concealed carry law, is it any wonder that the annual convention of pistol packers, peddlers, and promoters was number one with a bullet?
by Michael Hall [June 2005]
Safe at Home »
Yes, I am one of those parents, the sort who takes his perfectly contented ten-year-old out of a relaxed neighborhood softball league and propels her into the hypercompetitive world of youth tournament sports. But you know what? It’s what Maisie wanted.
by S. C. Gwynne [April 2005]
Little Las Vegas »
Gambling, in case you were wondering, is still illegal in Texas. But for the past decade, elusive entrepreneurs from around the country have been slipping into towns like Kingsville and quietly setting up small-time casinos that combine the slots of Atlantic City with the decor of an OfficeMax and the convenience of a Circle K. Try your luck?
by Felix Gillette [February 2005]
Your J-J Looked Good Until a 5-6-7 Turned Up on the Flop, a 3 Walked Down Fourth Street, And a 4 Came Down the River. »
An idiot’s guide to Texas Hold ’Em.
by Rich Malley [January 2005]
Some Like It Picante »
Actually, most of us do, which is why we’ve visited Mexican restaurants and taquerías all over the state in search of the best enchiladas, guacamole, cabrito, and other classic dishes; pilfered three great restaurant recipes for you to make in your own cocina; answered every frequently asked question we could think of; collected expert tips and techniques; and compiled a glossary of terms you’re likely to find on a menu. Sound like the last Mexican food story you’ll ever need to read?
by Patricia Sharpe [December 2004]
¡Fuego! Sixteen Popular Peppers »
by [December 2004]
Diccionario »
From achiote to zarzamora.
[December 2004]
Instrucciones »
How to...
by [December 2004]
Coasting »
Since I was a kid growing up on polluted Galveston Bay, I’ve held a grudge against the watery edge of Texas—but no more. Protected wetlands! Pelicans and turtles! Historic buildings! Edible oysters! And that’s not the half shell of it.
by Suzy Banks [June 2004]
State Bar »
If Texas politics is your thing and you live in Austin, sometimes you want to go where every lobbyist knows your name. And they're always glad you came.
by John Spong [July 2003]
A Peach of a Story »
Writer-at-large Suzy Banks talks about fuzz, a parade, and where to find the best Texas peaches.
Interview by Patricia Busa McConnico [June 2003]
Digging It »
Three South Padre Island artists work on the beach, but don't call them bums.
by Patrick Michels [June 2003]
Amarillo Slim's Top Ten Keys to Poker Success »
Read an excerpt from Amarillo Slim's Top Ten Keys to Poker Success.
[May 2003]
Pit Stops »
Where are the best places to eat barbecue in Texas? Six years ago we published a highly subjective—and hotly debated— list of our fifty favorite joints, and now we’ve gone back for seconds. Ten intrepid souls drove more than 21,000 miles in search of 2003’s worthiest ‘cue. Here’s what they came back with: the top 5 and the next 45, plus honorable mentions, great chains, and meat by mail.
by Paul Burka, Jane Dure, Michael Hall, Christopher Keyes, John Morthland, Joe Nick Patoski, Eileen Schwartz, Patricia Sharpe, John Spong and Katy Vine [May 2003]
Flying High »
There's nothing quite like being airborne in the cockpit of a plane—a warplane—to get your adrenaline going.
by Cynthia Seaman [May 2003]
Ride On »
To the long list of reasons to visit Fort Worth these days, add this: outstanding bike trails.
by Charlie Llewellin [April 2003]
Head for the Hills »
A friendly bar in Johnson City, a grand old opry in Mason, a cabin with a view of the Sabinal Canyon, and 22 other things I love about the Hill Country.
by Suzy Banks [April 2003]
Staying Power »
Not sure where to stay when you go to the Hill Country? Don't worry. I've found the best places, from a historic hotel to a caboose.
by Suzy Banks [April 2003]
Man About Town »
Senior editor Pamela Colloff talks about George W. Bush and this month's cover story, "Meanwhile, Back at the Ranch."
[November 2002]
Boys Will Be Boys »
Why has it taken so long for my sons to get married? Is it the wet towels mildewing on their apartment floors? The pocket change accumulating on every flat surface? Or is it that I've given them a skewed idea of what women expect?
by Prudence Mackintosh [October 2002]
Hi, Society! »
How did a girl from Harlingen become Houston's hostess with the mostest? Sweetie, Becca Cason Thrash has always been the life of the party.
by Skip Hollandsworth [September 2002]
Welcome to the Neighborhoods »
We wanted to see what the real lives of real people looked like, so we knocked on doors at random from Pasadena to Sharpstown. We said, "Please." They said, "Cheese." Here's what we came back with.
[September 2002]
Cityscape »
Art director Scott Dadich and photographer Artie Limmer drove all over town, took photos of residents, and created a snapshot of Houston.
[September 2002]
Mission Possible »
Senior executive editor Paul Burka talks about this month's special issue on Houston.
[September 2002]
Our Town »
Lauren Anderson, Robert Mosbacher, Sr., and other local celebrities share what they love about Houston.
Interview by Lindsey Stanberry [September 2002]
My Kind of Town »
The Bank of America Center and 24 other things I love about Houston.
by Suzy Banks [September 2002]
Family Circus »
Children of all ages! Step right up and get to know a South Texas clan whose nomadic way of life is a link to the past.
by Katy Vine [August 2002]
Drive, We said »
A special issue celebrating the call of the open road.
[May 2002]
Beaumont to Texarkana on U.S. 69, FM 1013, Texas Highways 87 and 21, and U.S. 59 »
Cypress swamps, Tex Ritter memorabilia—and a spot that spooked Spielberg.
by Eileen Schwartz [May 2002]
Brownsville to Laredo on U.S. 83 and Mexico Highway 2 »
Vintage jukeboxes, puffed tacos, a deserted village—and a vision of Tom Landry.
by Kathryn Jones [May 2002]
San Antonio to Loving on Texas Highway 16 »
Huge apple pies, a Japanese submarine, handmade soaps—and a dressed flea.
by Patricia Sharpe [May 2002]
Austin to Caddo Lake on Interstate 35, U.S. 79, and Texas Highway 43 »
African Masks, two old steam locomotives, Lady Bird's childhood home-and miniature donkeys.
by Michael Hall [May 2002]
Galveston to Corpus on FM 521, Texas Highway 35, and other roads »
Snow geese, the Big Tree, sandy beaches— and one gigantic chemical plant.
by Patricia Busa McConnico [May 2002]
Fredericksburg to Amarillo on U.S. 87 »
Black-chinned hummingbirds, rusting tractors, chuckwagon breakfasts— and a restored brothel.
by Charlie Llewellin [May 2002]
Route 66 »
Grain elevators, road coffee, the "town " of Amarillo—and a cowboy named bronc.
by Dan Winters [May 2002]
My Favorite Road Trip »
Dennis Quaid, Kay Bailey Hutchison, Dick DeGuerin, and other big wheels tell all.
Interview by Peter Sanders [May 2002]
My Short, Unhappy Life as a Rodeo Clown »
Once upon a time I thought I wanted to be a bullfighter (and not the kind that wears sequined tights). A legendary cowboy named Leon Coffee—and an animal named Pretty Boy—changed my mind.
by John Spong [January 2002]
Grand Royal »
Director Wes Anderson's new movie, The Royal Tenenbaums, deals with death, despair, and other dark subjects. And—what do you know—it's hysterically funny.
by Pamela Colloff [January 2002]
Play Rite »
How can I prove that Houston has the best children's museum in the state? Let me enter a few exhibits into evidence.
by Eileen Schwartz [December 2001]
Guad Is Great »
Forget about the Rocky Mountains. For first-class kayaking, fishing, and bird-watching, head to the Lower Guadalupe after Labor Day, when the drunken armada of tubers retreats to shore and nature returns in full strength.
by Joe Nick Patoski [December 2001]
The Shops Around the Corner »
In these big-city neighborhoods, at these offbeat stores, you'll find the perfect presents—from lava lamps to vintage kimonos—for everyone on your list.
by Suzy Banks [December 2001]
Screen Gems »
Mexican movies were muy caliente in the middle of the past century, and Harlingen's Rogelio Agrasanchez, Jr. has the posters to prove it.
by Katy Vine [October 2001]
My Three Sons »
Prudence Mackintosh's sons.
by Evan Smith [September 2001]
Nice Guys Finish Second »
Is Survivor’s Colby Donaldson for real? Over lunch, the last old-fashioned Texas man talks about why he threw the game and what he’ll do next.
by Mimi Swartz [August 2001]
A Star-Spangled Spread »
This Fourth of July, forget the fried chicken and potato salad. Our potluck picnic, cooked up by six top Austin
chefs, is full of culinary fireworks. Plus... extra web-only recipes!
by Patricia Sharpe [July 2001]
On the Water Front »
Summer’s blast furnace is firing up. Luckily, Texas is a paradise of spring-fed pools, sparkling beaches, and more. Here are our picks for the best places to chill out, get wet, and go off the deep end. Plus extra web-only information!
by Suzy Banks, Charlie Llewellin, Kit McConnico, Patricia Busa McConnico, Jennifer Olsen, Joe Nick Patoski, Eileen Schwartz and Katy Vine [June 2001]
Texas Celebrity Cookbook »
Texas Celebrity Cookbook
by Patricia Busa McConnico [April 2001]
Happy Trails »
Where to eat, what to do, where to shop: a great weekend in Houston.
by Ginny Henricks [April 2001]
Tennison, Anyone? »
Chalee Tennison wants to reclaim old-time country music.
by John Morthland [April 2001]
45 Years (Sat Nov 22 at 5:28 PM)
Can You Spare Some Change I Can Believe In? (Sat Nov 22 at 4:10 PM)
Even Worse, They're Cutting Back on Monocles (Fri Nov 21 at 8:39 AM)
