Leave the road, take the trails.

Leave the road between Dallas and Houston and take the trails of Deep East Texas to find the local gems hidden in the heart of the piney woods in Lufkin, TX. Are you ready to #LoveLufkin? Plan your perfect trip down our Sip, Snack, and See Trail featuring our favorite Spring must do’s.

Spring Sip, Snack, and See Trail

Taste of Lufkin – When you head downtown into the heart of Lufkin, you can expect a beautifully historic stroll through locally owned shops, artisan hot spots, artfully crafted murals, and an exceptional culinary experience that will have you planning your next trip to Lufkin before you ever leave. Take your first bite on Lufkin Avenue at Lia’s Kitchen or grab a seat at Lufkin’s newest brewery for a dining experience unlike any other. Lia’s Kitchen has been recognized for its modern interpretation of classic Asian dishes, outstanding Sushi cuisine, high quality fresh ingredients, excellent service and friendly staff. If you’re looking for a unique experience, enjoy Rusty Axe Brewing Co, an American Bistro & Brew Pub, Lufkin’s finest & only brewery featuring a wide variety of delicious, locally made craft beers & aged beers. Sit on the porch and watch the sights of Downtown Lufkin while you enjoy a menu full of casual & upscale dining options and brick oven pizzas.

See the Sights – Our city has many stories to tell. But, which one will you hear? Take a walk in historic downtown Lufkin and explore trendy boutiques, one of a kind antique finds, and art galleries filled with local treasures. Don’t miss the four beautiful murals by Lance Hunter throughout the downtown area, each depicting historic businesses or tales of Lufkin. Interact with Art at the Pines Theater alleyway wall and take it to the ‘gram by putting the “I” in Lufkin with the city’s fun interactive “LUFK N” sculpture. Art lovers flock to the streets of historic downtown Lufkin where local artist art galleries can be found within a few blocks of one another. If you’re on the hunt for more history, visit one our museums for an interactive stroll through art and history like you’ve never experienced. The Naranjo Museum of Natural History is the result of a lifetime of collecting by Dr. Naranjo and a commitment to the education of inquisitive minds in East Texas. The Naranjo Museum of Natural History collects and cares for specimens and artifacts that document the history of life on Earth. It was founded to create an educational experience that fosters family learning and nurtures interaction between children and our shared history. Its goal is to cultivate the curiosity of children and families in an intellectual environment through hands-on and minds-on activities. The Museum of East Texas is a non-profit organization whose primary mission is education through exhibitions of art and history featuring local and noteworthy artisans from all over the world. Visit the only museum of its kind in Texas features exhibits that include a paper mill room; sawmill town exhibit, logging locomotive and depot, forest fire lookout tower, modern management practices, and the Urban Wildscape Trail when you take an interactive stroll through the Texas Forestry Museum.

Springfest- For the best way to experience Spring in Lufkin, spend the day downtown and enjoy arts, crafts, food vendors, and more as vendors line the streets along with a variety of children’s activities and all-day entertainment making SpringFest an event for the entire family.

If the taste and sights of Lufkin aren’t enough to keep you coming back for more, the experience and local hidden gems you’ll find will be. Visit our site at www.visitlufkin.com to see all Lufkin has to offer.

The post Destination Lufkin, Texas appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

Three Michelin Star restaurants. Six Michelin Guide restaurants. When contemplating where this deliciously decadent destination is, you might think of a secluded city in Napa Valley, or one of the New York boroughs…but you’d be wrong. We’re talking about Costa Mesa, a surprising culinary gem in Orange County, California.

About 40 miles south of Los Angeles, Costa Mesa is the cultural center of Orange County, with the trademark City of the Arts®. At the center of it is Segerstrom Center for the Arts, OC’s stunning performing arts and theater complex and home to Broadway shows, the world’s leading dance companies, concerts and more. The campus is also the home to the new Orange County Museum of Art, which opened in October 2022. Visual arts abound in the city, including public sculptures by Joan Miro, Richard Serra, and Jean Dubuffet, an outdoor sculpture garden by Isamu Noguchi and Orange County’s largest mural by Shepard Fairey. The city offers a free Costa Mesa Art Walk audio tour available on mobile phones at travelcostamesa.com/artwalk.

As the only city in Orange County with MichelinStar restaurants—and, in fact, boasting three of them—Costa Mesa’s wide range of dining offerings has made this city a traveling foodie’s perfect spot for an Eatcation®. Most recently, Knife Pleat earned a Michelin Star in 2021, serving French-inspired cuisine inside South Coast Plaza.

Innovative shopping and dining centers like SOCO Collection & The OC Mix, The CAMP, and The LAB Anti-Mall are home to hidden gems and internationally recognized culinary talent. Chef Atsushi Yokoyama of Hana re Sushi is a previous Michelin Star awardee, and Taco María’s chef, Carlos Salgado, is a multiple-time finalist for a James Beard Award—the two hotspots making up Costa Mesa’s other Michelin Star restaurants.

Costa Mesa prides itself on culinary innovation as well. The new Orange County Museum of Art just debuted Verdant, offering a plant-forward menu that rotates weekly, highlighting local, seasonal produce in Southern California. Arc at The OC Mix has been heralded as one of the first restaurants in the U.S. to reject modern cooking technologies—even an oven. Arc cooks everything over live fire—either grilled over orange wood, or over almond in the brick hearth.

Collage Culinary Experience is a two-story global dining collective of nine different dining experiences, all within an artfully designed space, including the only U.S. location for the renowned Singaporean eatery Paradise Dynasty. Ramen Row, Mitsuwa Japanese Market, and the Costa Mesa staple, Anjin, bring a vibrant and diverse cultural experience to the destination.

In addition to Costa Mesa’s celebration of performing, visual and culinary arts, you can also find the West Coast’s biggest shopping destination, South Coast Plaza. With more than 250 boutiques, this luxury shopping center has one of the largest concentrations of high-fashion retailers in the world and the highest concentration of design and fashion retail in the U.S.

Mere minutes from Orange County’s world-famous beaches, Costa Mesa offers a surprising and alluring destination to the discerning traveler. It’s truly the epicenter of great food, arts and culture in Southern California. Visit travelcostamesa.com for more information.

The post Costa Mesa: Where Food, Arts and Culture Collide appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.

Known for its picturesque beauty, Lakeville, Minnesota, has long been a destination for enjoying an abundance of outdoor activities. With fall’s tapestry of brilliantly changing colors dotted with scenic lakes and parks, it is an outdoor adventurer’s dream come true.   

Whether hitting the links, peddling around the lakes, casting a line, or simply enjoying the sights and sounds of the open air, Lakeville presents opportunities for every nature-lover.  

Adventures Await   https://visitlakeville.org/blog/

Family adventurers and sports enthusiasts enjoy loads of recreational activities on the lakes and swimming beaches, parks and picnic areas, as well as greenways and trails. For a truly adventurous outing, try hurling axes or challenge your friends to a paintball fight.  

Home to 120 paved miles of bike and pedestrian trails, there are unlimited possibilities for your next outdoor adventure. Whether cruising for cardio or out for a relaxing ride, you can experience Lakeville on their extensive trail system. For the thrill-seekers, the West Lake Marion Park Mountain Bike Trail offers five miles of off-road awesomeness. Biking enthusiasts helped design the trail’s multiple switchbacks, berms and rollers. If meandering is more your style, enjoy the six-mile loop in Ritter Farm Park’s 340 acres of natural prairie grasses and woodlands, or stroll Juno Trail walkway for panoramic views of Lake Marion. Fido can roam free on five acres of doggy goodness at Ritter Farm’s Dog Park.  

The grass is always greener in Lakeville. With a dozen options, there’s no shortage of beautiful public golf courses!  Whether you consider yourself a champion player, an occasional golfer, or a mini-golf fan, you’ll find hundreds of fairways within a 15-mile radius. 

Families love fall’s memorable experiences here in Lakeville. Harvest season activities include apple picking, trips to pumpkin patches, hayrides and corn mazes. In addition, attend the farmers markets and orchards to pick up honey, jams, maple syrup, caramel apples and yummy baked goods.

Festival Goers   https://visitlakeville.org/things-to-do/

Lakeville will soon be alive with festivals. Held in late August, the Taste of Lakeville is a celebration of the senses. This annual event offers adults the opportunity to sample, taste, sip and devour local culinary treats, wine and spirits while enjoying live entertainment.   

Are the arts and culture more your thing? Scheduled for the third weekend of September, the annual Lakeville Arts Festival boasts 100 juried artists showcasing paintings, jewelry, ceramics, glass, sculpture and photography. Located on the park-like grounds of the Lakeville Area Arts Center, attendees enjoy fine art, food, drink, live music, demonstrations and the ArtWalk.

Palate Pleasers    https://visitlakeville.org/eat-drink/

Home to 90 area restaurants, 30 independently owned, you will find plenty of delectable food choices to satisfy every palate. So, what sounds good – a juicy burger, fresh farm-to-table entree, gourmet steak, savory seafood, or spicy ethnic cuisine?  For your insatiable sweet tooth try an ice cream bubble waffle cone creation, gluten-free goody or gourmet cupcake. With so many eateries around town, there is a place to fill all your foodie cravings. 

With a blend of the small-town atmosphere and modern-day amenities, Lakeville’s walkable historic downtown is bustling with unique businesses, breweries, entertainment, arts, and outdoor patio eateries to enjoy the crisp Autumn air! If nightlife is more your scene, attend a foot-tapping outdoor gathering or intimate indoor music event that occur nearly every weekend.  

Getting Here  

As the southern gateway to the Twin Cities, Lakeville is conveniently located at Interstate 35, just 13 miles south of the world-famous Mall of America and MSP International Airport. With six hotels and an abundance of activities, Lakeville offers more vacation for your money!     

VisitLakeville.org to start planning your next adventure. 

The post Fall for Lakeville Minnesota   appeared first on Food and Travel Magazine.