Seasonal Highlights
Summer 2024 #TexasToDos
Summer in Texas is a season of endless adventure and refreshing escapes. From epic waterparks and vibrant food trails to island hopping and classic road trips, the Lone Star State offers a diverse array of experiences to keep you cool and entertained all summer long.
Wild and Wonderful Texas Waterparks
Looking for the perfect way to cool off this summer? Texas is home to epic waterparks offering thrilling rides, relaxing pools and family-friendly attractions. Whether splashing down a spiraling slide or floating along a lazy river, these parks provide a refreshing escape from the heat and a fun-filled experience for all ages.
Typhoon Texas Waterpark, with locations in Katy and Pflugerville, is brimming with fun and water with Lone Star State flair. Park goers can free-fall seven stories on the Duelin’ Daltons body slides or twist and turn on The Snake Pit, which consists of four heart-stopping slides. Those looking to relax can spend the day floating the Lazy T River. The park also features a wave pool, a kids splash area, cabanas for rent and a variety of dining options.
Schlitterbahn Waterpark should be on every summer bucket list. With locations in New Braunfels and Galveston, the waterpark offers a variety of adventures from river rides and tube shoots to waterslides and wave pools. The Master Blaster combines the up and down thrills of a roller coaster with the experience of being propelled by water jets, while the Faust -und Furious thrusts riders down two 300-foot speed slides for the ultimate downhill race. Schlitterbahn New Braunfels also offers on-site lodging for easy access to the park.
Located in Grand Prairie, Epic Waters is the largest indoor waterpark in North Texas, featuring 80,000 square feet of splashing, sliding, floating, surfing and dining. Highlights include the newly opened Locura body slide with a 40-foot first drop and 360 degree horizontal loop, the Yellow Jacket Drop which spins riders through a bowl before a splashy exit and the Texas Twist, the longest slide at the park. Visitors can also boogie board or stand-up surf on the Flowrider or relax on gentle waves at the Epic Waves outdoor wave pool.
Conquer These Texas Food Trails
Texas is renowned for its gastronomic offerings, with each region boasting its own distinct flavor. Food and beverage trails across the state are one of the most immersive ways to experience the tastes of Texas.
Garland, a suburb northeast of Dallas, boasts the 14th largest Vietnamese population in the United States, just between New York and Seattle. The city’s Pho Real Trail features 18 authentic family-owned restaurants that offer delicious pho in both northern and southern styles.
Spice up any trip to Texas on Beaumont’s newly revamped Cajun Trail. Located near the border between Texas and Louisiana, Beaumont’s cuisine is heavily influenced by rich Cajun flavors. Savor a number of dishes including gumbo, etouffee, crawfish, and BBQ crab, winning prizes along the way.
It’s no surprise that Texas is home to phenomenal tacos, but a hot tip is to eat your way through the Bryan Taco Trail. With a whopping 44 stops on the trail, visitors experience everything from authentic taquerias and Mexican restaurants to a few non-traditional and fusion taco offerings.
Texas Island Hopping
Craving an island-hopping getaway with miles of sand, sparkling ocean waters and towering sandcastles? Add Texas to your itinerary! The state's unexpected coastal landscape includes several barrier islands waiting for you to explore.
Explore the iconic Pleasure Pier, a nostalgic amusement park with a timeless ferris wheel and family-friendly rides, all nestled on a historic pier overlooking the Gulf. For a serene experience, venture to the island’s picturesque pocket parks and drive directly onto the beach for oceanfront views.
Dive into the Gulf waters and embark on an aquatic adventure such as paddleboarding, sailing, kayaking or fishing – or get up close with sea turtles and dolphins on one of the island’s wildlife excursions. Back on land, sit back and relax with lavish spa experiences, be a sandcastle festival spectator, go horseback riding or check out the diverse culinary scene.
With more than 18 miles of coastline, Mustang Island is a popular family destination, offering swimming, surfing, hiking and biking. Visitors can also camp on the shore, marvel at abundant wildlife and kayak down one of 20 paddling trails at Mustang Island State Park.
Classic Texas Road Trips
Route 66
Travelers can experience a blend of nostalgic American and modern attractions on an iconic road trip along Route 66, which will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2026. Start the journey in Shamrock, home to the historic U-Drop Inn, an Art Deco gem and a perfect spot for a retro photo op. As you head west, make a stop in McLean to visit the Texas Route 66 Museum, showcasing the rich history of this famed highway. No Route 66 road trip is complete without a stop at the quirky Cadillac Ranch in Amarillo followed by a hearty meal at Big Texan Steak Ranch. Conclude the adventure in Adrian, the midpoint of Route 66, where you can stand exactly 1,139 miles from both Chicago and Los Angeles and enjoy a slice of pie at the MidPoint Café.
Big Bend
Home to one of the largest urban wilderness parks in the world, El Paso is a great place to start a trip through the rugged and enchanting landscapes of the Big Bend region. Traverse scenic West Texas to the town of Marfa, where enchanting art installations pair with a laid-back vibe. Add a stop in Terlingua, the ghost town famous for its annual chili cookoff. And of course, save plenty of time to immerse yourself in the vast wilderness of Big Bend Ranch State Park and Big Bend National Park where you can enjoy some of the best stargazing in the nation.
Texas Hill Country
Austin, the state’s capital city, nestled in the rolling hills of the Texas Hill Country is a wonderful place to start on a drive throughout one of Texas’ most scenic areas. A scenic route through the neighboring Driftwood leads to the home of the original Salt Lick, known for world-class barbecue cooked over an open flame. Continue west to enjoy Enchanted Rock State Natural Area, which while not an easy hike, serves as one of the best views of the Texas Hill Country when at the top of the rock. Before heading into Fredericksburg, a small historic German town known as the wine epicenter of Texas, drive the 15-mile Willow City Loop and enjoy views of cattle grazing alongside the road, possibly even strolling across the road.