aquabanas are back!

Texas' largest crystal lagoon dives into Memorial Day weekend with floating cabanas and more

Set sail on the crystal lagoon.

Photo courtesy of Lagoonfest Texas

Dallasites ready to dive into Memorial Day weekend with a refreshing road trip can aim their cars toward Houston, for Texas’ largest Crystal Lagoons amenity. Lagoonfest Texas returns for its third year with crystal-blue water, white beaches, and the favorite aquabanas — the floating cabanas.

Lagoonfest Texas’ comeback launches Memorial Day weekend, May 27-29 and runs through Labor Day at 13900 Crystal View Blvd. in the Houston suburb of Texas City.

Visitors can expect cabanas on the beach and on the water, the largest inflatable obstacle course in the nation located on a crystal lagoon; and ride bumper boats, kayaks, sailboats, stand-up paddleboards, and aqua trikes.

More weekend fun features a catapult swing; the five-story Titan Slide; water jousting; and a game lawn with corn hole, spike ball, volleyball, a giant Jenga, Spider Pong, and Banzai Ball, per a press release.

Ticket options include day pass for $22 and introductory Lagoon Passes, which offer unlimited admission through the end of October for $69. A $99 Xtreme Pass guarantees unlimited admission through the end of October, an unlimited aquaplay activity pass, and discounts on food, beverages, and rentals.

The aquaplay activity pass includes access to the largest inflatable obstacle course on a lagoon, slides, and watercraft such as bumper boats.

“This is your entertainment-packed resort vacation that you can enjoy again and again — without the hassle of airline travel,” said Uri Man, CEO of The Lagoon Development Company, the festival’s parent company, in a statement. “Our white-sand beaches and turquoise waters rival any that you might find at a tropical oasis. Add in all the things to do, and you have an ultimate beach vacation right here. Why go to ugly brown beaches when you can enjoy crystal clear water?”

The 12-acre lagoon, opened in 2020, is the signature feature of a 100-acre mixed-use entertainment district being built at the entrance to the Lago Mar master-planned community. The destination saw more than 8,000 visitors last year.

---

Lagoonfest Texas’s grand opening runs Memorial Day weekend, May 27-29. Hours are 10 am to 8 pm Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays. Tickets start at $22; children aged 2 and under free. For tickets and more information, visit www.lagoonfesttexas.com.

kids holidays vacation festivals families

Checking in

Longtime Arlington hotel will be demolished to make way for sleek new one

Courtesy rendering

Americana by Loews Hotels, coming to Arlington.

It will be out with Sheraton and in with Americana in Arlington's Entertainment District when a new $500 million hotel called Americana by Loews Hotels – Arlington, TX, breaks ground in summer 2026.

The transition from old to new will involve a bit of a blast.

"A 'ground-shaking' event, where the existing [Sheraton Arlington] hotel will be demolished, is planned for early June, marking the official start of construction on the new Americana by Loews Hotel this summer," says a release.

This will mark the third hotel in Arlington (and 28th property overall) for Loews Hotels & Co, "reinforcing the company’s long-term belief in the destination and its continued growth as a premier meetings, events, and entertainment hub," says the release.

The name "Americana" pays homage to the iconic Americana Hotel in Bal Harbour, Florida — a Loews landmark that opened in 1956, the company says.

"This new, contemporary addition to the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex is designed to honor the past, embrace the present, and shape the future: celebrating Loews’ rich heritage in refined hospitality, joining two existing world-class properties in Arlington’s Sports and Entertainment District today, and creating a best-in-class destination for tomorrow’s travelers," company officials say in the release.

The two existing Loews hotels in Arlington are the Live! by Loews - Arlington and Loews Arlington Hotel.

The new Americana hotel will feature 507 guest rooms, including 39 suites. There will also be more than 83,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting and event space, including a 10,000-square-foot Event Barn, two ballrooms, an event lawn, pool terrace, and three-meal terrace.

In total, Loews Hotels & Co campus in Arlington will have a total of 1,695 guest rooms and more than 374,000 square feet of meeting space, they say.

All the hotels are a quick walk from entertainment hot spots including AT&T Stadium, Globe Life Field, Choctaw Stadium, Live! by Loews, the National Medal of Honor Museum, Arlington Museum of Art, and more.

“This project reflects our strong belief in Arlington as a dynamic destination and our confidence in its continued growth,” says Alex Tisch, President and Chief Executive Officer of Loews Hotels & Co.

The hotel is targeting 2029 for an opening date.

arlington hotels