Travel Texas ~ Spring, Texas

 

One might not think of Spring, Texas as a destination in itself, but Old Town Spring is a great stop to make when you're down south near Houston. We happened to have a couple of days to visit with our oldest, and I found a perfectly located bed and breakfast in Old Town Spring.

The August Inn is conveniently located right at the edge of the winding roads of Old Town Spring. With easy direct booking and being walking distance from all the shops and dining, August Inn is your perfect choice for overnight accommodations. They currently offer four rooms, all downstairs, with open space for guests to relax with a book or do a little work while visiting. Breakfast is typically served at 9:30 a.m., which depending on your schedule can work out well or seem a little late, the majority of the shops don't open until 11 a.m. or later. If you're having a casual vacation and not on a work schedule, breakfast that late might work out just fine. Our room was a lovely king room with a walk-in shower and lovely shades of blue throughout. The inn is located right next to the railroad tracks, so if you're a light sleeper, they provide earplugs to help with noise reduction. Little touches like that make each visit special.

Old Town Spring is a little village filled with everything from tiny buildings to old historic ones. Restaurants, bars, shops, and candy stores line the streets, the only thing missing seemed to be a bookshop. Quite a few of the buildings looked like they had been there for years, while others looked like outbuildings built to fit the space. Since it's summer and hot, the reprieve of walking into an air-conditioned space was lovely.

Dinner our first night was at a tapas bar, Mesón Sommelier, with amazing food and wine. I feel like we ate their entire menu, but thankfully we did not. Good food and conversation flowed well all evening; the highlights were the Cod Croquettes and the Tarta de Chocolate. Nothing went unfinished, and we even had to ask for more bread to help soak up all the amazing sauces. The interior of the restaurant looked like an airplane, with seating by old plane doors, a raised dais, and lounge-style furniture. Customers can also sit and enjoy drinks at the bar. If you only eat once while in Old Town Spring, make this your place to stop.

We did not stay in Spring the entire time we were visiting our oldest. We also ventured over to St. Arnold Brewery. She prefers cider to beer and has enjoyed St. Arnold's ciders before, so when she found out about their operation located in Houston, she knew we'd want to visit. What a fantastic stop it was; our visit here did not disappoint. They have grown and adapted over the years and have expanded their tasting room. Once inside the main brewery, you'll find St. Arnold's has since created a porch-like atmosphere, with a large covered area filled with picnic tables and additional seating. When you visit, you can enjoy beer and cider along with a great brewery menu. We happened to be there at the right time to grab a quick tour after our meal. The tour was the perfect touch to end our evening at the brewery. It should be on your travel list if you're ever in the Houston area. The food was wonderful, and our tastings were delightful as well.

Even though we did not visit NASA or travel as far south as Galveston, we really enjoyed our trip south.  Between the small-town charm of Old Town Spring and a short drive into Houston for a stop at St. Arnold, this trip ended up being the perfect mix of slow mornings and good exploring. It's an easy weekend getaway, whether you're visiting family in the area or just looking for a low-key escape with great food, good drinks, and plenty of character. We're already looking forward to our next visit. 

Around Town ~ Vino Lounge

 

For all of our wine lovers out there, have you tried Vino Lounge, located at 223 Main Street in Sulphur Springs? It's quickly become one of our favorite stops downtown. And if wine isn't your thing, no need to worry, they also pour craft beer, with several great options on tap or by the bottle.  Their hours of operation have changed and are now Wednesday & Thursday: 3–9 p.m. and Friday & Saturday: 3–10 p.m.

Owner Windi has built a wine list that stands apart from anything else in Sulphur Springs.  Bold reds from Argentina, crisp whites from California, and sparkling options that go beyond the standard champagne pour, including fruit-enhanced bottles perfect for celebrating something big or nothing at all. “I wanted to share wine that I enjoy with all of our customers, so many of our reds are drier but with a bold flavor,” Windi explained.

Glasses run $12-15, flights are $20-25 and bottles start around $24 each, reasonably priced for the quality you're getting in the glass. Our Espresso Martini flight was customized to our taste and started at $25.  The perfect amount of each drink to share with a friend, in order to sample and discover the one you love the best. 

Vino Lounge doubles as an event space, for showers, meetings, birthdays, or just a reason to gather people you like. They provide the space and the drinks; you bring the guest list. Give them a call 903-413-7929 to reserve your spot, to help plan your exciting next event or meeting. 

Live music from local musicians is coming soon, and you're welcome to order in from any downtown restaurant to pair with your glass while you're there.  Be sure to check out their social media pages for upcoming events, drink specials and more. 

For something quieter, ask for the Red Room. Bottles line the walls floor to ceiling, the lighting dims just enough, and it's the kind of space built for a slow evening with someone you like. Order a charcuterie board, split a bottle, and let the night take its time.

Loved what you tasted? Bottles are available to buy on the spot, whether you finished a glass in-house or just want to grab one on your way out. Windi is also hoping to plan a wine club, with a curated selection picked up monthly, so you always have something new to try at home.

We tried the red wine flight alongside the espresso martini flight, and they couldn't have been more different. Each one earthy and structured, the other rich, a little sweet, and served in glasses too cute to leave on the shelf. Both were the kind of thing you want to linger over, not rush through.

Grab your friends, grab someone special, and head to Vino Lounge this week. Whatever you order, it's worth the trip.

Around Town ~ Everything Unique

 

For over 25 years Everything Unique has been a downtown Sulphur Springs staple. Ready to help you with all your home decor needs, and now so much more. At The Oaks Bed and Breakfast, Everything Unique helped us fill our shelves with beautiful items in our great room for guests to enjoy or purchase. As with life, Everything Unique has seen change over the years and has adapted to welcome in new products and services to help serve their customers.

 

Located at 124 Main Street in downtown Sulphur Springs, you can visit and shop six days a week, or 24/7 shop online at www.everything-unique.com. Steve and Carrie Nuckolls have owned Everything Unique for the last ten years and have been the driving force behind the changes made in store as shopping and dining habits of their customers have adapted over time.

 

With the addition of apparel in 2020, and the wine bar in 2023 Everything Unique offers customers a chance to shop for gifts, personal items, wine, and apparel in one location. You cannot forget their signature self-proclaimed tag line, The Christmas Store. One of my favorite pastimes is going in to see what each year’s theme will be and what their nutcracker selection will look like each year. Some of my favorite holiday pieces have come from Everything Unique over the years.

 

Bring your group of friends, men and women alike for a fun shopping trip to downtown Sulphur Springs to find the perfect item for yourself, a loved one or to enjoy a great glass of wine while browsing. Some of their best-selling items are related to the wine bar. The beautiful charcuterie boards, spicy bacon jam or cocktail mixers are crowd favorites. Do you want to up your charcuterie game, grab one of amazing cookbooks to better enhance your guest experience at your next dinner party.

 

Do you need a gift that will be loved at your next bunco or party night, look no further than their hilarious kitchen towels or devotional book selection. While upon first inspection the store might seem to cater more to women, there are great options for men in store as well. Especially if he loves to cook!

 

Everything Unique has many different opportunities for you or your group. Plan your next girl’s night out, or just because it’s Tuesday event. Their redesigned wine bar area is perfect for groups to get together and enjoy an evening of fellowship. With wine, beer, and charcuterie options available your group will be welcomed at Everything Unique.

 

Rediscover what downtown and Everything Unique has to offer the next time you are in Sulphur Springs. Shop their store in person, online or have a group event, and find out why it’s called Everything Unique.