Seasonal Highlights

Summer 2026 #TexasToDos

Longer days and summer adventures await across the Lone Star State, where travelers can discover exciting new attractions, lively festivals and refreshing water adventures. From FIFA World Cup celebrations and live music festivals to river floats and sweet summer treats, Texas offers countless ways to embrace the season..

New and Noteworthy Accommodations

Summer is the perfect time for a getaway, and travelers will find plenty of new reasons to visit Texas this season. From exciting new attractions and nature-inspired stays to refreshed hotels and family-friendly experiences, destinations across the state are welcoming visitors with fresh ways to explore.

Limestone Fields, Jewett: Opened in May, Limestone Fields offers a tranquil lakefront escape on 16 acres near Lake Limestone on the edge of Central and East Texas. The retreat features 10 private cabins surrounded by a working farm, gardens and wide-open countryside. Visitors can unwind with Japanese soaking tubs, fishing, nature trails and shared indoor and outdoor gathering spaces designed to encourage relaxation and connection.

Caravan Court, Arlington: Opened in June, Caravan Court by Valencia Hotel Collection is a redevelopment of one of Arlington's historic motor court properties, reimagined for today's travelers. Located near Arlington's Entertainment District, the 145-room boutique hotel blends retro-inspired design with modern comforts, featuring a central courtyard, outdoor pool, dining at The Vandy and a rooftop bar with views of the area's iconic stadiums.

Universal Kids Resort, Frisco: Set to open July 1, Universal Kids Resort ticket sales and hotel reservation. The first theme park from Universal Destinations & Experiences designed specifically for families with young children will feature themed lands, interactive attractions and character experiences inspired by some of kids' favorite stories and characters. Guests can stay just steps from the action at the 300-room Universal Kids Resort Hotel, featuring family suites, kid-friendly dining and amenities tailored to young travelers. Located within walking distance of the park, the hotel provides a convenient home base for a fun-filled family getaway.

1 Hotel Austin, Austin: Debuting in August, 1 Hotel Austin marks the luxury eco-lifestyle brand's first Texas property. Rising 1,022 feet above downtown Austin, the hotel will become the tallest building in Texas and features 251 guest rooms with panoramic views of Lady Bird Lake, the city skyline and the surrounding Hill Country.

Festivals and Celebrations

Summer in Texas comes alive through festivals and celebrations that showcase the state’s culture, music, food and community spirit. From live music in West Texas and FIFA World Cup 2026™ festivities to wine celebrations and mysterious desert traditions, there’s no shortage of memorable experiences worth planning a trip around.

FIFA World Cup 2026™ Games & Celebrations (June 11 – July 19): Texas will host 16 matches during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, with Arlington and Houston welcoming fans from around the globe for some of the tournament's biggest games. Visitors can also enjoy official fan festivals in Dallas and Houston, along with soccer-themed celebrations across the state and special World Cup programming, including the “Soccer: More Than a Game” exhibition” at the Perot Museum of Nature and Science in Dallas. In Frisco, home to the National Soccer Hall of Fame, fans can explore interactive exhibits celebrating the sport's history and greatest players.

Viva Big Bend (July 22 – 26): Celebrate Texas music in one of the state's most picturesque settings at Viva Big Bend. Returning for its 15th year, the festival will feature more than 65 performances across a dozen venues throughout Alpine, Marfa, Marathon, Terlingua, Presidio and Fort Davis.

Marfa Lights Festival, Marfa (September 4 – 6): For nearly four decades, the Marfa Lights Festival has celebrated the mysterious glowing orbs that have fascinated visitors for generations. The annual event features live music, a parade, food vendors, arts and crafts and nighttime viewing opportunities, inviting travelers to experience one of Texas' most enduring legends.

GrapeFest, Grapevine (September 17 – 20): The largest wine festival in the Southwest, GrapeFest returns for its 40th year in 2026. This four-day annual celebration offers wine tastings, live music, carnival rides and games, arts and crafts, food vendors and shopping.

Summer Sips and Eats

Summer flavors shine bright in Texas, where travelers can cool off with delicious sweet treats, fresh Gulf seafood and crisp cocktails. From peach season in the Hill Country to margarita trails and homemade ice cream, Texas serves up delicious ways to savor the season.

Blue Bell Creameries, Brenham

Visitors can beat the heat with a trip to the birthplace of one of Texas’ most beloved brands. At the Blue Bell Creameries Visitor Center, guests can take a self-guided tour exploring more than 100 years of company history, browse memorabilia and enjoy a scoop, or two, at the on-site ice cream parlor, where ice cream is served for just $1 a scoop.

Margarita Mile, Dallas: The Dallas Margarita Mile invites visitors to sip their way through the city’s vibrant dining scene with a self-guided tour of signature margaritas. Participants can check in at participating restaurants to earn points and prizes while sampling creative takes on Texas’ favorite cocktail, from frozen classics to inventive seasonal flavors. In celebration of the FIFA World Cup 2026™, the Margarita Mile will also debut a special World Cup Edition featuring limited-time, soccer-inspired margaritas at participating venues throughout the city.

Gulf Seafood, Texas Gulf Coast: There's no fresher way to experience the Texas coast than through its seafood. Summer visitors can reel in their own dinner on a fishing charter and enjoy "cook your catch" experiences offered by local restaurants, or savor Gulf shrimp, oysters, red snapper and blue crab while dining waterfront in destinations like Corpus Christi, Galveston, Port Aransas and Rockport-Fulton.

Peach Season, Texas Hill Country

Each summer, roadside stands, orchards and markets across the Texas Hill Country celebrate peach season. Visitors can pick up freshly harvested peaches, enjoy peach-inspired desserts and beverages, and experience seasonal events in communities like Fredericksburg, Stonewall and Johnson City, where the beloved fruit has become a summer tradition.

Find Your Favorite Float

In a Texas summer, there’s no better way to cool off than by getting on the water.  Refreshing adventures come in all forms, from tubing down scenic rivers and taking a dip in spring-fed swimming holes to floating the day away in resort-style lazy rivers. Whether planning a family getaway, weekend road trip with friends or laid-back retreat into nature, Texas offers countless ways to embrace the slower pace of summer travel.

River Tubing

A Texas staple, river tubing is a fun-filled way to beat the heat during the summer months. The Comal River in New Braunfels is one of the easiest and most beloved tube floats in the U.S. The spring-fed water stays cool year-round and the current is gentle, making it ideal for a relaxed float. The San Marcos River is also spring-fed and one of the prettiest lazy floats in the state, offering a mellow current and shaded stretches that make for an easy half- or full-day tubing trip. The Frio River in Concan is known for clear, cold water and a slower pace. There are many outfitters in these destinations that typically include shuttles and offer beginner-friendly stretches.

Spring-Fed Escapes

In the Hill Country, Blue Hole in Wimberley invites visitors to swim beneath towering cypress trees in crystal clear water fed by Cypress Creek. Nearby in Spicewood, Krause Springs combines natural and man-made pools with lush gardens and waterfalls, creating a relaxing retreat for an afternoon swim. For a completely different experience, head west to Balmorhea State Park, home to one of the world's largest spring-fed swimming pools. Filled with crystal-clear water from the San Solomon Springs, the pool is ideal for swimming, snorkeling and spotting fish in an oasis-like setting.

Lazy Rivers

For those who prefer their summer floating with a side of poolside relaxation, Texas is home to several resort-style lazy rivers that make it easy to drift the day away. At the Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa in San Antonio, guests can float along a winding lazy river inspired by natural landscape while enjoying a full lineup of family-friendly resort amenities. Meanwhile, Waco Surf's one-mile lazy river combines a laid-back atmosphere with views of one of the country's premier inland surf destinations, making it the ideal place to unwind between adventures.