Austin, Texas

For the love of Austin — and Willie for President, it felt so good to be back in Austin! My first visit was years ago to see my friend Kelly, and ever since, this city has held a special place in my heart. So when it came time to plan our new annual girls' trip, we chose Austin—this time to visit Kelly’s daughter, who now calls it home.

We stayed at the effortlessly cool Hotel Saint Cecilia, where the vibe is pure Austin charm. We even spotted actress Holland Taylor, who’s in town filming a movie with none other than Matthew McConaughey and Woody Harrelson.

Our days were spent walking the city in search of its iconic murals and savoring incredible meals at some of Austin’s best spots: Tex-Mex at Joann’s Fine Food, shrimp and grits for breakfast at Josephine House, unforgettable sushi at Uchiba Austin, and a beautiful Mother’s Day brunch at June’s All Day.

And yes—I finally made it to the legendary Barton Springs. The Lone Star State truly shines brightest in Austin.