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.

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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.

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Downtown News

Dallas convention center re-do will shut down DART stop for 3 years

Courtesy photo

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Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) is about to shut down its stop at the Convention Center Station for the next three years.

The agency is being forced to close the station to accommodate the city of Dallas' construction and redevelopment of the Kay Bailey Hutchinson Convention Center. As part of the project, the station will be closed for the duration of construction, which is currently estimated at three years.

The Convention Center Station is a stop on both the Red and Blue lines, and the shutdown will affect anyone traveling to or from southwest Dallas. North Dallas, Plano, Rowlett, and Carrollton will thankfully be spared.

Rail detours
Riders who previously used the Convention Center Station will be directed to nearby alternative stations at Cedars or EBJ Union. DART has prepared clear signage, rider alerts, and bus connections to support customers and make navigating the closure as easy as possible.

Bus detours
Routes 28 and 106 will maintain regular service outside of downtown. Within downtown, instead of taking Lamar to the Convention Center, the bus will turn left on Young Street, right on Akard Street, right on Marilla Street where the Akard and Marilla bus stop is located (stop number 20685).

Outbound, routes 28 and 106 will turn left on Young Street, right on Lamar Street and then proceed on their regular route.

Layover at Akard and Marilla: Passengers deboard at Cedars Station and take the special South Dallas GoLink to bus stops at Akard and Marilla or to EBJ Union Station.

Route 224 will operate a detour going inbound. Inbound trips will come downtown via Elm and continue to Houston, turn left on Commerce and continue to Harwood. It will then turn left to go to the East Transfer Center where it will layover. Outbound trips will originate from the East Transfer Center and operate a regular route out of downtown.

Layover at East Transfer Center

Passengers arriving by train can deboard at Convention Center Station to board route 224.
Another option for passengers is to deboard at Akard Station, then board 224 at Elm and Akard.

Route 383 East Transfer Center is your final stop. 383 will not continue past this station. This route will be discontinued on February 02, 2026.

DART will implement a new GoLink Zone for Convention Center Station customers that will only provide service for trips originating at EBJ Union Station, Cedars Station, or the substitute bus layover location on Akard and Marilla and terminating at one of those locations.

The service will operate 7 days a week, from 5 am to midnight. Customers using this GoLink Zone may only travel between these three designated points.

All changes will be reflected online and in the GoPass app for the duration of construction.

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