Once we got our things unpacked at the cabin, we were feeling peckish and went in search of something to eat. Zavala’s Barbeque was an easy decision, as it made the Texas Monthly Top 50 BBQ places in 2021, and was recently featured in Meat Church’s show, Pitt Stops. The kids opted for the pulled pork, while my husband and I shared the brisket, and a couple of jalapeno cheese sausages. Spicy coleslaw and Pop’s beans rounded out our meal. The portions were generous and everything was incredibly flavorful.
With our bellies full, we made our way to Ripley’s Believe It Or Not! The kids loved all the weird and wonderful unique oddities, and wax figures of some of their favorite celebrities. We finished our visit with a stop at the 7D Moving Theater experience, where you move along with every twist and turn in the motion simulator for an immersive film-viewing experience.
After our visit through Ripley's, we took our time wandering around Main Street for a bit, popping in and out of the various shops. When our feet became tired and our bellies once again hungry, we went in search of something for dinner.
Firehouse Gastro Park was calling our name. Their sprawling space features indoor and outdoor dining, a full service bar, family-friendly green-space, a coffee shop, and a smokehouse. They offer a range of yummy treats including Nashville hot chicken, artisan burgers, and LA’s own Mama's Medicine cocktails. The kids went with burgers, which were massive and grilled to perfection, while my husband and I enjoyed their chicken offerings – wings for him and the Nashville bird for me. As good as the entrees were, the sides were amazing—cajun fries, onion rings, and fried zucchini! We washed everything down with a round of root beer floats. Back at the cabin, it didn’t take long for the kids to fall asleep. My husband and I sat on the porch, and just talked; not about work, or who was doing what errand or pick-up…we just talked. It’s easy to forget to do that back at home, which really gives these small getaways a big impact.