Tell Your Story. Reach New Customers. Become a Destination.
Highland Lakes Hot Spots is a local discovery platform dedicated to showcasing the businesses, experiences, events, and hidden gems that make the Texas Highland Lakes region special.
Our Goal is Simple
Connect locals and visitors with great places worth exploring while helping small businesses tell their stories through authentic content, photography, video, and community-driven promotion.
When a business is featured, it becomes part of a growing collection of destinations that people use to discover where to eat, shop, stay, and experience the Highland Lakes.
What's Included in a Feature
Two Promotional Videos
Professionally edited short-form videos designed for Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and YouTube Shorts.
One Carousel Post
A photo-based social media feature that encourages engagement and highlights your business, products, services, or experience.
One Featured Article
A dedicated article on the Highland Lakes Hot Spots website sharing your story, experience, and what makes your business unique.
Live Instagram Story Coverage
Real-time behind-the-scenes coverage during our visit, helping drive immediate awareness and engagement.
Professional Photography
A collection of edited images captured during the feature that may be used across promotional content.
Highland Lakes Hot Spot Recognition
Featured businesses receive an official Highland Lakes Hot Spot window decal to display at their location.
Businesses may also choose an official Highland Lakes Hot Spot plaque to display inside their business as a recognition piece for customers and visitors.
Local Finds
Some of the best places in the Highland Lakes don't need a full marketing campaign. Local Finds are short-form recommendations featured throughout our website and Explore pages, highlighting places we've personally visited and believe our audience would enjoy.
Includes:
✓ Website recommendation
✓ Explore page placement
✓ Hot Spot sticker
✓ Consideration for future guides
More Than a Marketing Platform
Highland Lakes Hot Spots is designed to help businesses gain visibility, but trust with our audience is equally important.
Every feature is based on a real visit and real experience.
We only feature businesses, events, and destinations that we believe provide value to locals and visitors. Our content is experience-based, story-driven, and created from firsthand interactions with the people and places we showcase.
Businesses may invite us to visit, attend an event, or experience their offerings, but inclusion is never guaranteed simply because a request is submitted.
This commitment allows us to maintain credibility with our audience while continuing to support the local businesses that make our communities special.
Feature Opportunities
We work with a variety of businesses and experiences, including…
Restaurants & Cafés
Wineries, Breweries & Distilleries
Shops & Boutiques
Hotels & Bed & Breakfasts
Attractions & Activities
Event Venues
Fitness & Wellness Businesses
Farms & Ranches
Family Experiences
Seasonal Events & Festivals
Community Events
Hidden Gems Across the Highland Lakes
Not sure if you're a fit? Reach out. We love discovering unique places and experiences.
What the Sticker Means
The Highland Lakes Hot Spot sticker is more than a decal.
It tells visitors they have found a business that opened its doors, shared its story, and became part of the Highland Lakes Hot Spots community.
It represents places worth discovering, supporting, and sharing with others.
When customers see the sticker, they know they've found a true Highland Lakes destination.
Ready to Be Featured?
Whether you're launching something new, hosting an event, promoting a seasonal experience, or simply want more people to discover your business, we'd love to hear your story.
Submit a feature request below and tell us what makes your business a Highland Lakes Hot Spot.