where to travel for v day

10 Texas hotel and spa deals for a romantic getaway in February

Cinnamon Shore in Port Aransas Valentine's Day discounts

Everyone knows the beach is a top-tier romantic paradise.

Photo courtesy of Cinnamon Shore

February is a month for celebrating love, and there's nothing more romantic than surprising your partner with a much-needed spa day, an exciting weekend vacation, or a relaxing staycation. Dallasites looking for ideas on where to celebrate the most amorous month of the year can find them here, in our big monthly roundup of top travel tips around the state.

Throughout Texas

There's still plenty of time to plan the perfect dinner date for Valentine's Day, and CultureMap has rounded up all the swoon-worthy restaurants to indulge in a sumptuous meal for two in Dallas, Fort Worth, San Antonio, Austin, and Houston.

All Hotel ZaZa locations in Dallas, Houston, and Austin have planned an intimate "Bed, Breakfast and Blooms" package that provides an overnight stay in a luxurious room or suite, and breakfast in bed for two accompanied by the delivery of a dozen red roses. The hotel will also have a special Valentine's menu featuring charming dishes like strawberry bruschetta, lobster and mushroom risotto, and cherry vanilla tiramisu. Rates for the package begin at $490.

In the Hill Country

Romantic getaways are practically synonymous with Hill Country escapes, and Horseshoe Bay Resort has Valentine's Day weekend covered with its luxurious "Romance" package that includes a welcome bottle of bubbly paired with delicious chocolates, daily breakfast, nightly valet service, and late check-out. Nightly rates at the resort begin at $359 for February.

Valentine's Day doesn't have to be just a one-day or weekend affair. The Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk Hotel has love on the brain all month long with its "Lust and Leisure" package that offers a $200 spa credit, a $100 breakfast credit, a secret romantic welcome amenity, and complimentary early check-in and late check-out. Nightly rates with the package begin at $638 in February.

The Skyline Suite at the Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk features a beautiful soaking tub.Thompson San Antonio - Riverwalk

The award-winning La Cantera Resort and Spa has lined up a special hotel package perfect for exploring the Hill Country. Two-night stays booked with the "You, Me + Hill Country" package will feature a 60-minute Hill Country Texan Spa Treatment, and three-night stays will add on an exclusive Texas Hill Country Wine Experience at the prestigious William Chris Vineyards. Plus, the Loma de Vida Spa + Wellness' seasonal "Romantic Renewal" package, available through the end of February, features a 60-minute "Sugar Kiss" body scrub and a 60-minute custom massage with a glass of bubbly for $400.

Along the Gulf Coast

Port Aransas-based master planned community Cinnamon Shore is celebrating the season of love with a special discount on multi-night stays throughout February. The community offers a variety of vacation rentals, such as cottages, townhomes, condos, and pet-friendly accommodations. Guests who use the promo code "VAL2025" will get a complimentary bottle of wine and save 10 percent on two-night stays. Guests booking three-night stays can use the code "VALENTINE2025" to enjoy a 25 percent discount, late check-out, a complimentary bottle of wine, a couple's heart-shaped bonfire, and a set of beach chairs.

In Austin

The Loren Hotel Austin has prepared an indulgent retreat for couples who want to relax along the city's beautiful downtown skyline while sipping on some bubbly. The hotel's "A Taste of Romance" package, valid for stays from February 13-16, includes a complimentary bottle of sparkling wine and macaroons, a daily couple's breakfast at Nido, and one complimentary couple's dinner from Nido. Room rates for the package begin at $570 per night.

Rather than just treating your partner to a comforting massage, why not treat yourself, too? The ultimate spa day awaits at Austin's Hiatus Day Spa + Med Spa, where couples can book a 90-minute Love Birds massage that also includes a hot stone shoulder massage and sugar foot soak. The spa will also provide a complimentary glass of bubbles and EarlyBird full spectrum CBD gummies for the utmost relaxation. The spa's Love Birds package is $399 per couple.

A couples massage sounds like a great way to relax together.Photo courtesy of Hiatus Day Spa + Med Spa

The esteemed Commodore Perry Estate is offering couples a dreamy getaway from February 12-16 with promo code "ROMANCE." Guests will receive a $100 dining credit to Lutie's Garden restaurant, a chilled half bottle of champagne, and rose petals for turndown. The resort is also offering several intimate experiences throughout the holiday weekend, like a tea party, floral arrangement workshop, and more. Room rates begin at $907 per night.

Around Dallas-Fort Worth

Take the heat up a notch by planning a super sweet staycation at The Joule with the "Heart's Desire" package available throughout February. The package includes a Valentine's Day-themed flower arrangement, a custom sweet treat and bottle of bubbly, a bath concierge service, a $50 in-room breakfast in bed dining credit, two complimentary drink tickets that can be redeemed at any on-property dining establishment, and a $200 hotel spa credit. Stays must be booked 48 hours in advance, and nightly rates begin at $929.

texas travel vacations staycation valentine's day

New Parks

Texas to open massive new state park in the Hill Country

Photo from property listing by Icon Global

Silver Lake Ranch adds 54,000 acres to Texas' public lands.

Texans will soon have a massive new state park to explore, second only to Big Bend Ranch State Park in size. Silver Lake Ranch, the 54,000-acre plot of land spanning Edwards and Kinney counties, was owned by the Moody Foundation, and now, largely thanks to a major philanthropic gift, it's headed into public hands.

The Moody Foundation gifted its 87.5 percent ownership interest in the ranch to the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD), with TPWD purchasing the remaining interest for $11.85 million. The funds come from the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund and Sporting Goods Sales Tax — both approved by Texas voters.

“The Moody Foundation is proud to help preserve this remarkable stretch of Texas Hill Country and make it accessible for generations to come,” said Ross Moody in a press release. “Silver Lake Ranch represents the natural beauty, history, and spirit of our state, and we are honored to make this gift to Texas Parks and Wildlife to ensure it remains protected and enjoyed by all Texans for years ahead.”

The property will officially become Silver Lake State Park, named for the spring-fed 30-acre lake at its heart. Nestled between Rocksprings and Uvalde, the land is home to some beautiful Hill Country wildlife and nature, about two hours from San Antonio.

Currently the park is in its most rugged and undeveloped form: steep limestone canyons drop into rolling hills lined with live oaks and juniper trees, with miles of river frontage tracing the West Nueces River. Several creeks wind through the property, including Sycamore Creek, Lost Creek, and North Spring Creek, along with Blue Waterhole and Dutch Waterhole.

Caves and other landmarks dot the landscape, and wildlife includes white-tailed deer, turkey, javelina, and dove. Portions of the property have even been identified as a potential habitat for the endangered golden-cheeked warbler.

According to the press release, this land, previously used for sheep and cattle ranching, will be developed in phases over the next several years, also using the Centennial Parks Conservation Fund. Initially, access to the park might look like guided tours and limited day-use opportunities while planning and infrastructure are underway. Later, trails and basic visitor facilities will be added, and ultimately, the park will include expanded recreational amenities like camping and paddling access.

Now that the acquisition is complete, TPWD staff and private contractors plan to gather feedback from the public and surrounding communities to help map out recreational opportunities. This may take "many months to complete," says the press release. TPWD will communicate any upcoming milestones, including a potential opening date, at TexasStateParks.org

"This is an exciting addition to our state park system, and we are grateful to our partners at the Moody Foundation for their philanthropy and for bringing this slice of the hill country to the people of Texas," TPWD Executive Director David Yoskowitz says in the press release.

And as folks are pointing out on TPDW's reel announcing the new park: it's "Better than any subdivision."

silver lake ranch state parks parks nature wildlife animals

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New Parks

Texas to open massive new state park in the Hill Country