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On the Road

From concerts to canals, Irving offers one-of-a-kind ways to relax

CultureMap Create
Aug 29, 2022 | 12:00 pm
Woman in spa
The Well & Being Spa at the Four Seasons Resort and Club at Las Colinas is calling your name.
Photo courtesy of Visit Irving

Pining for a relaxing stay-cay with a unique, entertainment-fueled vibe — and a solid pool scene, stat?

Irving may be right in North Texas' backyard, but you’ll feel worlds away when you make a weekend of it in this city, which is nestled between Dallas and Fort Worth.

Here are just a few ways Irving makes a splash:

Escape to Venice — sort of
Inspired by Venice, the Mandalay Canals are an alluring part of Irving’s Las Colinas Urban Center. Connecting with Lake Carolyn, the canals wind through restaurants, shops, hotels, and residences, offering scenic views of waterfalls, vine-covered bridges, and more.

You can take in all the Old World charm on a European-style gondola with Gondola Adventures of Las Colinas, which offers a variety of lunch, dinner, and entertainment cruises that can accommodate a romantic twosome — or groups as big as 12.

Go paddle boarding
More water fun on Lake Carolyn can be had via paddle boarding and kayaking, and even on water trikes and swan pedalboats. You can rent them all (and get a lesson or two, too) at SUP North Texas.

See the Mustangs of Las Colinas
The largest equestrian sculpture in the world, Mustangs of Las Colinas features nine bronze mustangs that recently underwent a $7.8 million upgrade.

Turn it up loud
Toyota Music Factory is one of the most expansive and comprehensive entertainment venues in the country, with an indoor-outdoor amphitheater, event plaza, and two indoor theaters.

You can expect to see the best national and international touring music acts, from indie and classic rock to blues, jazz, and soul. And of course there’s an incredible array of bars and restaurants, too, for prime fueling before and after the show.

Cabana and chill
Without a doubt, Omni Las Colinas is the epitome of an immersive urban retreat, sitting along the shores of Lake Carolyn and the Mandalay Canals with tree-lined, cobblestone walkways and lush greenery.

It’s also the ultimate day-cay destination because you can get in on the cool poolscape without booking a room. A day pass is your ticket straight into the chic, resort-style setting.

Get your glamp on
The Americana spirit comes alive at the retro-mod Texican Court, which is nestled into acres of courtyards with twinkle lights, fire pits, lawn games, and a small but sexy pool that’s perfect for hip swimsters — and hotel guests only.

You can make a whole weekend of it with their “glamping package” that includes a s’mores kit, Two Mules Cantina drinks and apps, and a hot flapjack breakfast. Live music comes with the territory, too.

Have a spa day
The Four Seasons Spa and Salon is definitely calling your name. And whether you pop in for some post-sun pampering or general R&R, you’ll be surrounded by a beautifully landscaped, oasis-style resort that you may never want to leave.

For more inspiration for your next day-cay or stay-cay in Irving — and all the latest deals — visit IrvingTexas.com/deals.

The Four Seasons Spa and Salon is definitely calling your name.

Woman in spa
Photo courtesy of Visit Irving
The Four Seasons Spa and Salon is definitely calling your name.
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schedule your pto

'Hidden gem' Texas city soars onto 2026 top travel destinations list

Amber Heckler
Dec 23, 2025 | 3:57 pm
Downtown El Paso, Texas
Photo by Grace Estrada on Unsplash
El Paso was named one of the "Rising Star Destinations" to book for a vacation in 2026.

A new 2026 Travel Trends Forecast from vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo has unveiled the top U.S. cities that are on travelers' minds for the next year, and one unsuspecting far West Texas city was included on the list: El Paso.

El Paso was named one of six most sought-after "Rising Star Destinations" in the Southwest and Mountain West regions. Search trends revealed traveler interest in El Paso skyrocketed 191 percent year-over-year, with vacationers pining after "desert landscapes" and "frontier-style towns with modern Western flair."

To determine where travelers are planning on booking their 2026 vacations, HomeToGo surveyed 1,000 American adults from November 26-28, 2025 to discover which locales offer "both affordability and under-the-radar appeal." Search interest and price insights were based on observed searches executed via HomeToGo's website from August 1-November 15, 2025, with a check-in date during 2026.

The reports findings show the vacation accommodations in El Paso cost a median $62.21 per night, earning the city a reputation for being more affordable than Texas' major cities like Dallas or Houston. HomeToGo also said travelers are "increasingly turning to smaller [Southwestern] towns" to find accommodations rather than booking a stay at a large resort.

Additionally, younger travelers like Gen Zers and Millennials are driving the shift toward these hidden gem destinations after collecting inspiration from social media sites like Instagram and TikTok.

"Western destinations are seeing a rise in interest, fueled by a broader cultural moment that has placed such locations firmly in the spotlight," the report's author wrote. "In 2025, artists such as Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter brought fresh takes on the visual language of country music firmly into the mainstream, with this movement further amplified across social media platforms."

There's plenty to do in the self-proclaimed "Sun City," such as hiking in Franklin Mountains State Park or Guadalupe Mountains National Park, visiting local museums, and much more.

Other top "Neo-Western Revival" destinations to visit in 2026 include:

  • Marana, Arizona
  • Cañon City, Colorado
  • Yucca Valley, California
  • Queen Creek, Arizona
  • Bisbee, Arizona
"According to the survey findings, 76 percent of U.S. travelers plan to go on vacation in 2026, with over a quarter (26 percent) actively booking longer and more extravagant breaks," the report said. "Fifty-seven percent plan to spend more on vacations in comparison to 2025, indicating that the appetite for travel is clearly growing."
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