What’s New
From family-friendly attractions and outdoor adventure to an array of cultural experiences and unforgettable dining, Texas offers something for everyone. ‘What’s New In Texas’ highlights a handful of new places and activities to add to your #TexasToDo list.
Looking for even more Texas trip inspiration? Visit www.TravelTexas.com and follow Travel Texas on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Visitors who share about their experiences on social media from across the Lone Star State can use #TexasToDo to inspire others!
#TexasToDo Spring 2019
Newly opened hotels, big attractions and warmer weather make the perfect combination to visit the Lone Star State this season!
Big Attractions
MOTOGP™ Grand Prix of the Americas, the pinnacle of all motorcycle world championships, continues to dominate the roster of racing events at the Circuit of The Americas in Austin. This three-day series will take place April 12-14, at the purpose-built Grand Prix venue, making Austin the first city to host both two-and four-wheeled world championship events in the same year.
The Margarita Mile in Dallas is a multi-neighborhood trail of the city's best margaritas including the reigning “Best Margarita” by D Magazine from El Fenix, a fuchsia prickly pear option from Matt’s Rancho Martinez and multi-award-winning La Margarita at Desperados. This trail pays homage to the frozen margarita since the frozen margarita machine was invented in the city!
SEA LIFE Aquarium, the world’s biggest aquarium brand is opening a new location at the San Antonio Shops at Rivercenter in May. SEA LIFE San Antonio will feature a tropical ocean tank with a walk-through underwater tunnel, taking visitors on a seamless journey under the sea.
Spring Event Highlights
- Chalk Art Festival – Brownsville, TX (April 6)
- 36th Annual Bluebonnet Festival – Burnet, TX (April 12-14)
- Art Car Parade – Houston, TX (April 13)
- Fiesta San Antonio – San Antonio, TX (April 18-28)
- Birdiest Festival in America – Corpus Christi (April 24-28)
- Texas SandFest – Port Aransas, TX (April 26-28)
- Denton Arts & Jazz Festival – Denton, TX (April 26-28)
- Butterfly Festival – Wimberley, TX (April 27)
- Plano Arts Fest – Plano, TX (April 27-28)
- Red Dirt BBQ Festival – Tyler, TX (May 4)
- East Texas Folk Festival – Huntsville, TX (May 17-19)
- Main Street Classic Car Show and Festival -- Jacksboro, TX (May 18)
- Kerrville Folk Festival – Kerrville, TX (May 23- June 9)
- Hot Luck Festival – Austin, TX (May 23-26)
- Neon Desert Music Festival – El Paso, TX (May 25-26)
New Eats and Drinks
Flower Child, known for its plentiful healthy options, opened its newest location in March in The Woodlands, a neighboring city to Houston. You can expect an ultra-chic, well-lit and beautifully decorated interior matched with well-thought out ordering process to reduce wait times.
Chef Philip Speer’s newest downtown Austin endeavor, Comedor, will be serving modern Mexican starting in April. Everything from the cuisine, architecture, art and hospitality for this establishment is inspired by Mexico City.
Benny Franks recently opened in east El Paso focusing on southern fusion food and cocktails. The stylish new grill and bar opened in late February in an innovative shopping center, Quart Court, which is made of freight containers.
New Hotels
ARRIVE East Austin, is welcoming neighbors and visitors alike beginning this May in Austin. The modern hotel will consist of 83 rooms, two restaurants under the monikers Vixen’s Wedding and Lefty’s Brick Bar, and a coffee shop. Austin is the latest location for the ARRIVE hotel brand - which currently has locations in Palm Springs, Wilmington, Phoenix and Memphis.
Located in downtown Fort Worth, The Sinclair is a newly restored boutique hotel that is opening its doors in May, featuring a refined western style with a sophisticated, casual atmosphere. This urban chic 1930s hotel is surrounded by a vibrant city scene with nightly outdoor entertainment, shopping and modern dining.
AC Hotel is opening this April in Frisco, a suburb of Dallas, near Frisco Station and The Star, Frisco’s premiere live-stay-play-work neighborhood. The boutique hotel’s design mixes Spanish roots and European soul and includes both the AC Kitchen offering tarts, cured meats and espresso beverages, and the AC Lounge for craft beers, signature cocktails, wines and tapas.
New Flights
New flights are regularly added to Texas on all major airlines, making it an easily accessible trip destination! Alaska Airlines began daily nonstop service from both Seattle-Tacoma International Airport and San Diego International Airport in late February to El Paso, Texas. Additionally, Sun County Airlines announced it is launching flights from Gulfport-Biloxi International Airport to Austin, Texas beginning July 19.