Working Life
January 23, 2024
A Texas Dinosaur Sculptor Talks About Her Jurassic Dream Job
'Everyone wants a T. Rex,’ says Casandra Sowards, lead sculptor at Allen's Billings Productions, a leading maker of animatronic dinosaurs.
Amusement Parks
Business
July 6, 2023
You May All Go to Hell, and I Will Go to the TexasLand Theme Park
“You don’t even need Disney or Universal. Texas itself is its own brand,” says Lizzy McGee, who is working to bring a Lone Star–centric amusement park to Houston.
Style & Design
October 7, 2022
How the Scare Actors at a Texas Haunted House Get Ready (and Bloody) for Work
We followed the actors of haunted house Purgatory Scream Park near Houston as they prepped for a day at work.
Style & Design
September 27, 2022
A Legendary 100-Year-Old Carousel Will Spin Again in Austin
The ride greeted families at Playland Park in San Antonio before it was disbanded and sold. Now an Austin entrepreneur is putting it back together again.
Texas History
April 21, 2022
The Wet, Wild History of Aqua Thrill Way, Austin’s 1970s Water Park
It may not have been safe, but it sure was fun.
Texas History
June 24, 2021
The Strange, Soggy Saga of Glurpo, San Marcos’s Underwater Clown
Apparently, children did not find him creepy in the 1950s.
Music
February 15, 2019
Travis Scott May Manifest His ‘Astroworld’ Dreams Into an Actual Amusement Park
Houston mayor Sylvester Turner appeared onstage at the Toyota Center to present the rapper with the key to the city—and teased the promise of roller coasters.
The Daily Post
April 2, 2015
Look at the New Rides Coming to Texas Six Flags Locations This Summer
Coaster nerds, get ready.
The Daily Post
June 24, 2014
A Fella From Rockwall Is Trying to Crowdfund to Rent An Amusement Park For a Day
Riding rollercoasters all day long with just 7,000 of his closest friends.
The Culture
August 5, 2012
The Rattler, 1992-2012
The Six Flags Fiesta Texas thrill ride, which at one time was the tallest, steepest, fastest wooden rollercoaster in the country, shut down operations Sunday.
Arts & Entertainment
July 31, 1999
aaaaaaiiiiieeeee!
From Poltergeist to the Steel Eel, Texas has five of the nation’s best new roller coasters. And they’re all a scream.
Critters
July 31, 1997
Pig Out
A swimming swine’s squeally big show comes to an end.
Travel & Outdoors
May 31, 1992
Judge Roy Scream vs. The Texas Cyclone
How to beat the heat, find the food, and master the coasters at Texas’ four big theme parks.
Travel & Outdoors
April 1, 1992
Aquarena Mermaids
Water acts may ebb and flow, but since 1950 the polyester-clad mermaids at San Marcos’ Aquarena Springs have barely had time to keep their heads above water. Their subaquatic dances are a tribute to the popularity of such swimming celebrities as Esther Williams and Johnny Weissmuller, a testament to
News & Politics
February 1, 1992
Selling Space
Space Center Houston will wow crowds with Disney gimmicks.
Business
November 1, 1981
The Truth About Carnivals
A carny’s life is an endless ramble from one small town to the next—and that’s why he likes it.
Being Texan
August 1, 1981
Play (It One Last Time With Feeling) Land
Before Six Flags, before Astroworld, there was Playland.