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Dallas' swankiest hotel pool makes splash as TikTok's 3rd most popular U.S. swim spot

There’s no better cure for the unbearable summer heat than a dip into the chilly waters of some of Dallas' best pools. And you can’t forget to snap a cute photo for your TikTok and Instagram feeds. The place to be this summer? The pool at The Joule.

The distinctive cantilevered pool, which sits on the 10th-floor of the hotel overlooking downtown Dallas, is the third most popular U.S. pool on TikTok, according to a new report.

The study by BonusFinder.com analyzed data from TikTok, Instagram, and YouTube to find the most mentioned, photographed, and viewed pools from around America. The Joule finished 14th in the overall rankings for "most picturesque U.S. pool," which included pools from across the country, earning a score of 8.82 out of 10.

But it came in third among TikTok users alone, garnering over 122 million views.

First place went to Mirage Pool at the Mirage, Las Vegas (over 754 million TikTok views), and second place went to the historic Neptune Pool at the Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California (over 350 million TikTok views). Right behind the Joule, two Vegas pools, The Backyard at the Red Rock Casino and the pool at Resorts World, rounded out TikTok's top 5.

"The Joule's unique 8-foot cantilevered pool provides guests the sensation of swimming out beyond the hotel's edge - equally voyeuristic for those swimming or those standing on the street below," touts the Joule's website. "With 360 degree views of historic Downtown Dallas, The Joule gives 'hanging out by the pool' a whole new meaning."

Lucky for Dallasites, you don't have to be a hotel guest to visit the pool. Limited day passes can be booked, Sundays through Thursdays.

When it comes to over rankings for "most picturesque," a popular Austin swimming hole made a splash. Austin's Barton Springs was named fourth most picturesque overall, and was actually the most Instagrammed pool in the U.S., the study says.

The study revealed that videos of Barton Springs had been viewed over 28.5 million times on TikTok and hashtagged over 15,000 times on Instagram.

In total, Las Vegas hosts six of the top 10 most photogenic pools on BonusFinder’s list. Mandalay Bay Beach and The Mirage in Las Vegas were deemed the No. 1 and No. 2 most photogenic pools, and just above Barton Springs in the third place rank was The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California. Other pools on the list were found in Glenwood Springs, Colorado (No. 6) and Atlantic City, New Jersey (No. 10).

The top 10 most photogenic pools in the United States are:

No. 1 – Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas
No. 2 – The Mirage in Las Vegas
No. 3 – The Neptune Pool at Hearst Castle in San Simeon, California
No. 4 – Barton Springs in Austin
No. 5 – The Tank at Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas
No. 6 – Glenwood Hot Springs in Glenwood Springs, Colorado
No. 7 – The Backyard at Red Rock Casino in Las Vegas
No. 8 – Stadium Swim at Circa Resort and Casino in Las Vegas
No. 9 – Encore Beach Club at Wynn Las Vegas
No. 10 – The Water Club at Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey

One other Texas pool earned ranks outside the top 10: the Marriott Marquis Houston (No. 18).

Fintan Costello, the managing director at BonusFinder.com, said Americans are “turning their attention to where they can kick back and enjoy catching some rays by the poolside” with their spring break and upcoming summer holidays.

“Luckily, the study shows that the U.S. is blessed with some of the best and most picturesque pools in the world and there are plenty of idyllic escapes that can be found across America, without ever having to leave the country,” he explained in a statement.

The full study can be found on bonusfinder.com.

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Stephanie Allmon Merry contributed to this report.

Photo courtesy of The Joule

The Joule's pool is cantilevered out over downtown.

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Texas traditions

5 essential tips for tubing on Texas Hill Country rivers this summer

Floating the Guadalupe River is a quintessential Texas summertime activity.

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Tubing is one of the ultimate summer activities in Texas. Floating down the Guadalupe or Comal rivers while enjoying the scenery and the cool water is a perfect way to spend a hot afternoon. Thousands of people travel to New Braunfels, San Marcos, and the San Antonio area every year to tube, but it's not without dangers, rules, and guidelines that should be observed by regular tubers and newcomers alike. Here are five essential tips to heed before you set off down the river this summer.

Disposable food and beverage containers are illegal
The image of a Texan bobbing down the river with a six-pack of beer in a floating cooler might be emblematic of the state, but it's also no longer legal in New Braunfels. The city's Disposable Container Ordinance is in full effect, and those who break it risk a $500 fine. The ban includes aluminum cans, plastic water bottles, fast food containers, napkins, and anything designed to be thrown away after a single use. Instead, tubers should use insulated bottles, reusable food containers with snap-on lids, and canteens. Keeping the rivers clean from trash is how future generations will get to enjoy tubing.

A reminder: beer bongs do not count as reusable drinking devices.

Do not bridge jump
Yes, we know Steve-O jumped off a River Walk bridge in 2014 and was more or less physically fine, but he was very lucky. The rivers are only a few feet deep in some places, and may have sharp rocks lurking just below the surface. It's illegal to bridge jump, and it can cost another $500 fine if you do it. Steve-o faced several criminal charges for his stunt. Only enter the river at safe docking points.

Consider a professional tubing company
Legally, you can tube down any river and launch from all public access points. That said, tubing can be dangerous for weak swimmers or the inebriated. The best way to ensure your safety is in numbers and with good equipment provided by professional tubing companies. Several are around Central Texas rivers, including Texas Tubes, 444 Tubing Company, and Texas State Tubes. Better yet, they offer shuttles to get you back to your car after the tubing is done.

Make sure sunscreen's waterproof
River water is colder than a Winter Olympic judge's heart, but that doesn't mean the sun is not still something you need to be wary of. Climate change means hotter summers and brighter days in Texas, and the American Academy of Dermatology (AAD) reports sunburn and other sun damage to skin is on the rise, particularly in younger populations. Unprotected skin and eyes can result in painful burns and even skin cancer. Make sure you bring sunglasses, hats, and waterproof sunscreen.

Waterproof your electronics
It's an age of social media clout, and what looks better on Instagram than an idyllic float down a river? Capturing that perfect video is not worth losing your devices and polluting the river. Invest in floating, waterproof cases, and get a lanyard so they can tube on down the river themselves if you drop them. Just as many theme park accidents happen when guests wander into dangerous areas looking for dropped items, splashing after a device in a panic is a good way to make potentially deadly mistakes. Plan ahead, and a trip on the river can be much safer and more fun.

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