Texas travel

Texas' largest crystal lagoon makes waves as cool new summer vacation spot

This new Crystal Lagoon boasts a mile of shoreline.

Photo courtesy of Crystal Lagoons

Texans looking to make a splash — but with a healthy distance from others — will have a chance to dive into a massive island-style getaway this summer. A 12-acre lagoon will open to the public during the limited-capacity Summer Lagoonfest at Lago Mar in Texas City (in the Houston area) from July 15 through September 13.

The new “Crystal Clear Lagoon” retreat comes courtesy of Crystal Lagoons and is the largest amenity the group offers in Texas, according to a press release. Besides the white-sand beaches, entertainment includes an inflatable obstacle course, kayaks, and sailboats.

Visitors should expect to see COVID-19 precautions, including operating at under 50 percent capacity to allow for proper social distancing and wearing face masks to enter and in designated, high-traffic areas. Staff will be required to wear face masks and undergo temperature checks and health screenings; beach and lawn furniture, restrooms, and other high traffic areas will be sanitized frequently. Tickets start at $10 for admission.

The beachy lagoon boasts a mile of shoreline — more than any other Crystal Lagoons amenity in the nation. The numbers are impressive: According to Crystal Lagoons data, the lagoon holds 24 million gallons of water. Its liner system is large enough to cover 14 NFL football fields. The surface is equivalent to approximately 1,350 home swimming pools.

The water feature is the centerpiece of a 100-acre mixed-use entertainment district being built at the entrance to Lago Mar. Plans for the development include hotels, condo buildings, retail, dining, and entertainment.

A separate, pay-for-access beach club with multiple public beaches will offer a cabana pool, a two-story swim-up bar on an island, a kid’s beach with water features, a floating obstacle course, and a world-class watersports facility including kayaks, paddleboards, and small sailboats.

Also planned is an event center with a beachfront event lawn for corporate events, weddings, and concerts.

Tickets for Summer Lagoonfest start at $10 for children under age 13 and $15 for those ages 13 and older. Children age 2 and under get in for free. COVID-19 guidelines will be enforced. Advance tickets can be purchased at www.summerlagoonfest.com. (Tickets purchased at the box office on-site day of entry will be sold at the highest price levels.)

For more information on Lago Mar, visit the official site.

city-news-roundup vacation families

coming in 2027

Texas hotel near NASA to get a Margaritaville makeover with lazy river

Rendering courtesy of Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Nassau Bay

Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Nassau Bay will open in late 2027.

One of the signature hotels of the Houston Bay Area is undergoing a massive transformation. When it opens in late 2027, the new Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Nassau Bay will bring a boutique-style experience to one of the most popular vacation destinations in the state.

Located roughly 250 miles, about four hours, from Dallas in the former Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake (3000 E NASA Parkway), the Compass Hotel by Margaritaville Nassau Bay will feature a comprehensive set of upgrades. Launched in 2020, Compass Hotels carry on the brand’s vibes in smaller markets and without the full resort price point.

Plans call for four Margaritaville-themed restaurants, a lazy river, conference and meeting spaces, and “fully reimagined guestrooms,” according to press materials. Once complete, the 229-room property will also offer marina access, boat parking, and a store.

“We are excited to introduce Compass Hotel Nassau Bay and bring this new destination to the Clear Lake community, just minutes from NASA/Space Center Houston,” Nassau Bay Resorts LLC CEO Kam Miramadi said in a statement. “We look forward to transforming this property into a welcoming hotel and recreational experience that reflects the character of the surrounding area while providing guests with a comfortable place to stay and explore.”

Nassau Bay Resorts LLC acquired the property in 2025. In June, it filed a notice with the Texas Workforce Commission that it would lay off all of its employees on July 31 to facilitate the renovations.

Margaritaville, named after the Jimmy Buffett hit, has expanded the singer’s easygoing vibes into a global empire. The company is also working on a $250 million, 334-room property on Galveston Island.

hotels bay area galveston margaritaville openings