7 Waterfront Resorts That Prove Rivers, Lakes, And Bays Are Just As Good As The Beach
The 'waterfront' descriptor may be synonymous with beach access and hotels with ocean views, but it's not limited to seaside properties. You'll get all the same benefits—the gentle breezes, the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and a generally relaxed atmosphere—when staying somewhere that overlooks a river, bay, lake, creek, or any other non-ocean waterway. No, there are no rhythmic waves to watch, but the light reflecting off the water, the passing boats, and the occasional wildlife sighting are just as appealing.
While we all wait for the highly anticipated opening of The Cooper on the eponymous river in Charleston later this year, there are several other waterfront resorts and hotels that aren't by a beach to check out—and we rounded up seven of our favorites below.
Austin, Texas
While Austin is technically landlocked, the Texan city has no shortage of bodies of water to enjoy—from Barton Creek to Lake Austin. The adults-only Lake Austin Spa Resort takes full advantage of its position on the water reservoir, created by a dam on the Colorado River. Spend your days wakeboarding, kayaking, or trying your hand at paddleboard yoga. And if you want to take it a little easier? The sunset cocktail cruise or a private wine cruise should suit you just fine.
lakeaustin.com; 1705 S Quinlan Park Rd, Austin, TX 78732
Georgetown, South Carolina
Recently featured in The South's Best, The George Hotel has quickly gained notoriety for its creative design, culinary offerings, and its location on the Sampit River, just a 2-minute walk to the Harborwalk Marina. After an afternoon strolling through Historic Georgetown, come back to the hotel for a quick change and a pre-dinner drink at Eliza's, the relaxed, open-air waterfront bar at the back of the property. Pro tip: Book one of the water-view rooms or a suite with a private balcony for even more magical views.
thegeorgehotelsc.com; 615 Front St, Georgetown, SC 29440
Bluffton, South Carolina
Montage Palmetto Bluff has a reputation that precedes itself. It's luxurious, family-friendly, and its lineup of amenities and activities is nearly unrivaled; there's sporting clays, horseback riding, golf, complimentary bicycles, and all sorts of water-based activities that revolve around the property's position along the May River. Take a kayak or canoe out right before sunset, fly fish in the salt marsh flats, learn more about the local wildlife on a Dolphin Discovery Cruise, or join a naturalist on a guided paddleboarding tour.
montage.com/palmettobluff/; 477 Mt Pelia Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910
West Palm Beach, Florida
You stay on Palm Beach for the beach access, but West Palm Beach's views of the Lake Worth Lagoon, filled with luxury yachts, aren't ones to scoff at. Head up to the outdoor pool or the rooftop bar and restaurant at The Ben, Autograph Collection to soak up the Florida sunshine without having to worry about any of the sand or not-so-pleasant wind you'd experience while at a beachfront property. Select rooms look out onto the Palm Harbor Marina, so you can continue your boat-watching from bed.
thebenwestpalm.com; 251 N Narcissus Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401
Johns Island, South Carolina
The Dunlin, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, opened its doors to guests in the summer of 2024 and immediately became one of the top places to stay in the greater Charleston area. Located on Johns Island, the 72-key resort overlooks the meandering Kiawah River and its spartina grass, marsh flats, and neighboring oak trees. Guests can take to the waterway via a sea kayak, paddleboard, or canoe, getting a closer look at the birds, fish, and bottlenose dolphins that call the river home. There's also the option to embark on a river safari, or go fishing and crabbing along the tidal creeks with local anglers.
aubergeresorts.com/the-dunlin; 6000 Kiawah River Dr, Johns Island, SC 29455
Lake Toxaway, North Carolina
The Greystone Inn is everything a lake retreat should be: cozy, intimate, and filled with places where you can sit and stare out onto the water. The Western North Carolina gem is a year-round getaway for those escaping to Lake Toxaway, but the fresh mountain waters are particularly inviting in the summertime. Guests can access canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards to navigate the largest private lake in the state, or rent a motorized boat from the Lake Toxaway Marina for a few rounds of tubing or waterskiing.
greystoneinn.com; 220 Greystone Ln, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747
Robbinsville, North Carolina
As you can probably tell from its name, the Historic Tapaco Lodge has been around for a while—since 1930, to be exact. Tucked into the Great Smoky Mountains in Robbinsville, North Carolina, the property covers about 120 acres along the Cheoah River, a tributary of the Little Tennessee River. The sound of the rushing water, the cabin-like rooms, the riverfront restaurant, and the nightly bonfires work together to create a guest experience that's equally nostalgic as it is comforting.
tapoco.com; 14981 Tapoco Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771
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4 days ago
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7 Waterfront Resorts That Prove Rivers, Lakes, And Bays Are Just As Good As The Beach
The 'waterfront' descriptor may be synonymous with beach access and hotels with ocean views, but it's not limited to seaside properties. You'll get all the same benefits—the gentle breezes, the breathtaking sunrises and sunsets, and a generally relaxed atmosphere—when staying somewhere that overlooks a river, bay, lake, creek, or any other non-ocean waterway. No, there are no rhythmic waves to watch, but the light reflecting off the water, the passing boats, and the occasional wildlife sighting are just as appealing. While we all wait for the highly anticipated opening of The Cooper on the eponymous river in Charleston later this year, there are several other waterfront resorts and hotels that aren't by a beach to check out—and we rounded up seven of our favorites below. Austin, Texas While Austin is technically landlocked, the Texan city has no shortage of bodies of water to enjoy—from Barton Creek to Lake Austin. The adults-only Lake Austin Spa Resort takes full advantage of its position on the water reservoir, created by a dam on the Colorado River. Spend your days wakeboarding, kayaking, or trying your hand at paddleboard yoga. And if you want to take it a little easier? The sunset cocktail cruise or a private wine cruise should suit you just fine. 1705 S Quinlan Park Rd, Austin, TX 78732 Georgetown, South Carolina Recently featured in The South's Best, The George Hotel has quickly gained notoriety for its creative design, culinary offerings, and its location on the Sampit River, just a 2-minute walk to the Harborwalk Marina. After an afternoon strolling through Historic Georgetown, come back to the hotel for a quick change and a pre-dinner drink at Eliza's, the relaxed, open-air waterfront bar at the back of the property. Pro tip: Book one of the water-view rooms or a suite with a private balcony for even more magical views. 615 Front St, Georgetown, SC 29440 Bluffton, South Carolina Montage Palmetto Bluff has a reputation that precedes itself. It's luxurious, family-friendly, and its lineup of amenities and activities is nearly unrivaled; there's sporting clays, horseback riding, golf, complimentary bicycles, and all sorts of water-based activities that revolve around the property's position along the May River. Take a kayak or canoe out right before sunset, fly fish in the salt marsh flats, learn more about the local wildlife on a Dolphin Discovery Cruise, or join a naturalist on a guided paddleboarding tour. 477 Mt Pelia Rd, Bluffton, SC 29910 West Palm Beach, Florida You stay on Palm Beach for the beach access, but West Palm Beach's views of the Lake Worth Lagoon, filled with luxury yachts, aren't ones to scoff at. Head up to the outdoor pool or the rooftop bar and restaurant at The Ben, Autograph Collection to soak up the Florida sunshine without having to worry about any of the sand or not-so-pleasant wind you'd experience while at a beachfront property. Select rooms look out onto the Palm Harbor Marina, so you can continue your boat-watching from bed. 251 N Narcissus Ave, West Palm Beach, FL 33401 Johns Island, South Carolina The Dunlin, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, opened its doors to guests in the summer of 2024 and immediately became one of the top places to stay in the greater Charleston area. Located on Johns Island, the 72-key resort overlooks the meandering Kiawah River and its spartina grass, marsh flats, and neighboring oak trees. Guests can take to the waterway via a sea kayak, paddleboard, or canoe, getting a closer look at the birds, fish, and bottlenose dolphins that call the river home. There's also the option to embark on a river safari, or go fishing and crabbing along the tidal creeks with local anglers. 6000 Kiawah River Dr, Johns Island, SC 29455 Lake Toxaway, North Carolina The Greystone Inn is everything a lake retreat should be: cozy, intimate, and filled with places where you can sit and stare out onto the water. The Western North Carolina gem is a year-round getaway for those escaping to Lake Toxaway, but the fresh mountain waters are particularly inviting in the summertime. Guests can access canoes, kayaks, and paddleboards to navigate the largest private lake in the state, or rent a motorized boat from the Lake Toxaway Marina for a few rounds of tubing or waterskiing. 220 Greystone Ln, Lake Toxaway, NC 28747 Robbinsville, North Carolina As you can probably tell from its name, the Historic Tapaco Lodge has been around for a while—since 1930, to be exact. Tucked into the Great Smoky Mountains in Robbinsville, North Carolina, the property covers about 120 acres along the Cheoah River, a tributary of the Little Tennessee River. The sound of the rushing water, the cabin-like rooms, the riverfront restaurant, and the nightly bonfires work together to create a guest experience that's equally nostalgic as it is comforting. 14981 Tapoco Rd, Robbinsville, NC 28771 Read the original article on Southern Living
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Texas-Oklahoma Rail Line Serving Thousands Could Be Scrapped
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23-05-2025
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These 10 historic Texas restaurants that have stood the test of time
If you're new to Texas or a native to the state, there are restaurants that have been serving Texans for a long time that you might want to consider visiting. This list, compiled with suggestions from various restaurant reviews, details some of the oldest restaurants in Texas. Some of them date back as late as 1911. Check out these 10 classic restaurants throughout Texas. The Driskill Grill, located within the historic Driskill Hotel in Austin, is a renowned fine-dining establishment known for its refined American cuisine and exceptional service. The Driskill Hotel itself opened in 1886, making it one of the oldest operating hotels in Texas. Over the years, the Grill has hosted many notable events, including the first date of President Lyndon B. Johnson and Lady Bird Johnson. With its elegant atmosphere and rich history, The Driskill Grill continues to offer a distinctive Austin dining experience. Sonny Bryan's Smokehouse is famous for its authentic Texas barbecue, featuring slow-smoked meats prepared with the lean side down — a technique passed down since Elias Bryan began the tradition in 1910. The restaurant is also distinguished by its commitment to quality, using post oak wood and a closely guarded barbecue sauce recipe to enhance its signature flavors. Gaido's Seafood, a Galveston institution since 1911, is renowned for its fresh Gulf seafood and rich culinary traditions. Founded by San Giacinto Gaido, the restaurant has upheld its commitment to quality for over a century, offering hand-prepared shrimp, oysters, and fish alongside house-made sauces and seasonings. Schilo's Delicatessen has been a beloved San Antonio institution since its founding in 1917. First operating as a saloon in Beeville, Texas, it moved to San Antonio in the early 1900s. Famous for its German-Texan cuisine, Schilo's has preserved its unique blend of flavors for generations. Christie's Seafood & Steaks, a Houston establishment since 1917, is celebrated for its fresh Gulf seafood and classic steak offerings. Initially founded by Greek immigrant Theodore Christie as a small stand in Galveston, the restaurant quickly gained popularity and expanded to Houston in 1934. According to WFAA, El Fenix was established in Dallas in 1918 by Miguel Martinez and carried on by his family. It has grown into a North Texas staple with multiple locations, including its second opening in the 1940s. Prior to founding El Fenix, Miguel launched Martinez Cafe in 1916 at the corner of Griffin Street and McKinney Avenue. Paris Coffee Shop, a beloved Fort Worth institution since 1926, serves up classic breakfast and lunch favorites with a contemporary flair. Joe T. Garcia's is a legendary Mexican restaurant in Fort Worth, known for its vibrant atmosphere, iconic patio, and strong margaritas. Established in 1935 by Joe T. Garcia and his wife, Mamasuez, the restaurant started as a small, family-run operation and has since grown to cover an entire block on Commerce Street. Today, it remains under the stewardship of their grandchildren, continuing the tradition of serving authentic Mexican cuisine in a lively, welcoming setting. Over the decades, Joe T. Garcia's has become a must-visit destination, attracting both locals and celebrities alike. Matt's El Rancho has been a cherished part of Austin's dining scene since 1952. Initially opening with just ten tables on East First Street, this iconic Tex-Mex restaurant now thrives on South Lamar Boulevard. Founded by Matt Martinez, Sr. and his wife Janie, it has built a lasting reputation for scratch-made Tex-Mex dishes that have delighted generations of locals and visitors alike. The Big Texan Steak Ranch opened in 1960 in Amarillo and draws visitors with its famous 72-oz steak challenge. Located in a dedicated restaurant area for public viewing, participants who can consume the entire steak and sides within one hour receive a complimentary meal. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: 10 of the oldest restaurants in Texas that are still open
