october excursions

Texas' largest crystal lagoon makes waves with new events for fall getaways

Fans of the popular lagoon can chill out this October.

Photo courtesy of Crystal Lagoons

The crisp fall weather has motivated Texans to search for the ideal outdoor experience. With that in mind, Texas’ largest crystal lagoon has unveiled a new weekend Oktober Lagoonfest, an event that adds a fall-themed splash to the water activities at the popular water and beach feature.

Lago Mar Crystal Lagoon's Oktober Lagoonfest will be open at 3240 Lago Mar Blvd. in Texas City from 11 am to sunset Fridays and 10 am to sunset Saturdays and Sundays, now through November 1.

Guests at the new Oktober Lagoonfest can dive into activities including an inflatable obstacle course, kayaking, sailing, electric jetboards, and stand-up paddleboards. Fitness-minded guests can look forward to free yoga and HIIT cardio classes, which will be held Fridays at 11:30 am, 12:30 pm, and 1:30 pm.

Those looking to kick back with a brew can enjoy craft beers, cocktails, and frozen drinks. For bites, nosh on fare from food trucks including True Dog gourmet hot dogs, Kurbside Eatz Asian Fusion, Pit King BBQ, Mr. Sizzles gourmet burgers, and Gelü Artisan Italian Ice.

The 12-acre Lago Mar lagoon offers a mile of shoreline and holds 24 million gallons of water. Fun fact: The lagoon’s liner system is large enough to cover 14 NFL football fields. The lagoon is the signature feature of a future 100-acre mixed-use entertainment district being built at the entrance to Lago Mar.

Future phases of development around the lagoon will include hotels, condos, retail, dining, entertainment, as well as a separate pay-for-access beach club with multiple beaches for the general public, according to a press release.

Tickets for Oktober Lagoonfest start at $10 for children under age 13 and $15 for those ages 13 and older. Discounted tickets are available on Fridays; advance tickets can be purchased online.

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Airport News

Low-cost Avelo Air begins flights out of Dallas-Fort Worth Airport

Avelo Airlines

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A new airline is launching service at Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport: Avelo Airlines, a low-priced carrier based in Houston, will begin direct flights between DFW and Tweed-New Haven Airport in Connecticut.

According to a release, the service will run twice a week, on Mondays and Fridays. They'll be nonstop flights, with ticket prices starting at $89. Service will begin on March 7.

“This service makes visiting Southern Connecticut, and everything the greater New England and New York regions have to offer, easier than ever. We also look forward to making DFW’s thriving culinary scene, sports mecca and vibrant nightlife a fast and seamless journey for Connecticut travelers,” says Avelo founder and CEO Andrew Levy in a statement.

The new service is one of five that the airline will add in 2025 to beef up its presence in Connecticut, which includes four new nonstop routes from Southern Connecticut’s Tweed-New Haven Airport (HVN) and a third international destination from Hartford’s Bradley International Airport (BDL).

In addition to DFW Airport, other nonstop service from HVN will go to Jacksonville, Florida, Detroit, and Portland, Maine. The addition of these five new destinations will bring Avelo to 39 routes from Connecticut — 31 routes from HVN and 8 routes from BDL. Low introductory one-way fares start at $39.

Avelo was founded in 2018 and began flying in 2021. They currently fly to 54 cities in 24 states and Puerto Rico, as well as three international destinations to Jamaica, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. They focus on flying unserved routes between under-served communities, primarily out of smaller airports. Although DFW Airport is by no means a smaller airport.

They made their service debut in Texas in spring 2024 with flights out of Houston's Hobby Airport.

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