Twist and Shout

Renaissance Hotel Legacy West unveils spring events with a twist

Locals, listen up: Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy Westisn’t just a hot spot for travelers — this spring, it's also your new go-to for fun as the hotel rolls out Evenings with a Twist.

Think live jams, boozy cocktail classes (yes, you get to drink your homework), pop-up shops with local vendors, and plenty of chances to vibe with Dallasites and out-of-towners alike. It's basically like a house party — if your friend’s house was a super-chic hotel that knows how to throw down.

The Evenings with a Twist series will run throughout the spring and summer, and here's a peek at what's in store:

Live music performances on Saturday nights on the Whiskey Moon Patio
Nothing brings people together like good music, and Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West is cranking up the volume. It's hosting a lineup of live performances featuring local legends and up-and-comers who know how to turn a night into a whole vibe.

Expect killer sounds, cool crowds, and plenty of chances to discover your next favorite band — all without fighting downtown traffic.

Hotel guests get a front-row seat to the local scene without leaving the lobby, and locals? You just scored a new go-to spot for live music (and maybe a cocktail or two while you're at it). Come for the tunes, stay for the energy.

Cocktail classes every 2nd Thursday of the month
If you like your drinks with a side of bragging rights, Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West has you covered. Its expert mixologists are spilling all the secrets at hands-on cocktail classes so you can finally say you do know the difference between a shake and a stir.

Become a cocktail expert.Photo courtesy of Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West

Photo courtesy of Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West

Kick back on the third-floor deck at Zen Pool + Bar.

Each session dives into a new theme, from remixed classics to seasonal sips starring local ingredients. You’ll pick up real mixology tricks (pro tip: muddling is an art), sip your creations, and maybe even make a few new drinking buddies along the way

Sunset Cabana Experience
After you’ve mastered your cocktail craft, snag a spot for the Sunset Cabana Experience. Kick back on the third-floor deck at Zen Pool + Bar, soak in the golden-hour glow, sip on something delicious, and pretend you’re on vacation — even if you’re just a few miles from home. Bring your friends, your favorite person, or just your best self. Either way, the vibes (and views) are top-tier.

Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West's Evenings With A Twist programming offers a unique opportunity to explore, connect, and celebrate. You won't want to miss it.

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Catch a Wave

Best Dallas waterparks to keep you cool during summer 2025

Fireside Surf

If anything is guaranteed in Dallas, it's that summer will be hot. Maybe that's why waterparks and other splashy entertainment venues are so massively popular here. Just say the word water, and step aside for the throngs.

Fortunately, Dallas has it all: from glitzy indoor waterparks to wave machines to municipal parks adding slides and other amenities to get in on the fun, there are plenty of options for those looking to splash around — some of which are opening for the season this Memorial Day weekend.

Here's out list of the great waterpark options available in Dallas during the summer of 2025.

Epic Waters Indoor Waterpark
Not only does Epic Waters in Grand Prairie offer some of the best waterpark options in the area, it's also one of the few indoor venues, allowing visitors to stay out of the sun while having fun. It boasts a bunch of slides that offer a range of thrills, a large lazy river, a FlowRider surf machine, an outdoor wave pool, and more. And unlike outdoor waterparks, it is open year-round, letting visitors splash around whenever they want. Open daily at 10 am; closing time varies by day. Tickets range from $34-$54; annual passes available for $199.

Get Your Surf On
While Epic Waters offers a version of surfing, two other venues offer the opportunity to get on an actual surfboard and tackle waves as high as six feet: Both Goodsurf Beach Club in Deep Ellum and Fireside Surf in The Colony have a Citywave surf machine that allows visitors to show off their surfing skills on a never-ending wave. Both offer surfing lessons for the inexperienced. If you'd rather watch, both have cabanas, bars, and restaurants to sit back and watch others either hang ten or wipe out. Goodsurf Beach Club is open 10 am-10 pm on Sunday and Tuesday-Thursday, 8 am-midnight on Friday and Saturday. Surfing starts at $45 per person. Fireside Surf opens for the season on June 1. It will be open 11 am-7 pm daily. Prices TBD.

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor
The biggest waterpark in Dallas-Fort Worth, located in Arlington, features 12 thrill rides, most notably Der Stuka, a free fall slide that's not for the faint of heart. New for the 2025 season is Splash Island, a multi-level interactive play structure with a 1,000-gallon tipping bucket, colorful water slides, cabanas, and more for families to enjoy. With a lazy river, Surf Lagoon, multiple other slides for less adventurous people, and more, there are plenty of options to keep visitors busy all day long. Opens for the season on May 24; season runs through September 1. Open daily at 11 am; closing time varies by day. $20 and up for daily passes when purchased online; season passes start at $65.

WorldSprings
Not a waterpark in the regular definition, WorldSprings at Grandscape in The Colony features more than 40 mineral hot springs with temperatures ranging from the mid 80s to the low 100s, as well as cold plunges at 55 degrees. One is called Dead Sea, a hypersaline pool that allows guests to float effortlessly. Visitors can also enjoy saunas, fire pits, a cafe and bar, and poolside drink service. Most of the areas are for adults only, but those under 18 are welcome at the Globe Pool in the South Pacific Region. Open 10 am-9 pm Sunday-Thursday, 9 am-10 pm Friday and Saturday. $49-$85 for adults, $24-$29 for kids under 18.

Hawaiian Waters
While not as big as Hurricane Harbor, the two Hawaiian Waters locations in Garland and The Colony offer plenty of amenities that make them great waterparks. They each feature thrill rides like Waikiki Wipeout & The Flyin' Hawaiian, the Oahu Bay wave pool, the family-friendly Keiki Kove, the Kona Kooler lazy river, and more. Open daily from May 24-August 9, Saturday and Sunday only August 16-September 27 (September 20 in Garland). Opens 10:30 am most days; closing time varies by day. $24.99 and up for daily pass; $39.99 for season pass.

Great Wolf Lodge Water Park
More indoor waterpark fun can be found in Grapevine at Great Wolf Lodge. And their version tries to offer a little bit of everything, with options including thrill rides like Coyote Cannon and Howlin' Tornado, family-friendly areas like Fort Mackenzie and the Crooked Creek lazy river, an outdoor lagoon, and two hot springs - one for adults and one for families. Open 10 am-8 pm Monday-Friday, 9 am-8 pm Saturday and Sunday. $35 and up for day pass; $29.75 and up for half-day pass.

The Cove at the Lakefront
What, yet another inside waterpark? Little Elm gets in on the action with The Cove at The Lakefront. Though not as big as the other versions on this list, it still features the Tower Slides that take visitors on a twisty ride in and out of the facility, another slide above the lazy river, a FlowRider, The Dock play pool and Spray Ground for the younger set, and even rock climbing. Open 4-8 pm on Monday, Thursday, and Friday; 10 am-6 pm on Saturday; and 12-6 pm on Sunday. $11-$18 for day passes.

City waterparks
In addition to the standard swimming pools at city recreation centers, many cities in area have smaller waterpark options that include slides, lazy rivers, splash areas, and more. Among the options are Bahama Beach in Dallas, Jack Carter Pool in Plano, Frisco Water Park, West Irving Aquatic Center, and Rowlett Wet Zone.

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