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    solar-tastic travel

    10 top Texas lodgings where you can still find a room for the eclipse

    Amber Heckler
    Mar 14, 2024 | 3:58 pm
    Solar eclipse, April 8 total eclipse

    April 2024 total solar eclipse is drawing near.

    Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash

    Where will you be on Monday, April 8? Lots of North Texans already have plans to view the solar eclipse of the century, but for those who want to travel out of town, there are still some great last-minute travel options out there.

    The total eclipse has quickly skyrocketed into the travel event of the year, with an estimated one million out-of-state tourists expected to descend on Texas - one of the best places in the world to see it. Searches for lodging have shot up 1,000 percent for bookings April 4-8, according to Airbnb, and many hotels offering special eclipse packages sold out months ago.

    According to NASA, the partial eclipse will begin in Dallas at 12:23 pm, and totality (i.e. the phase of the eclipse where the moon is completely hidden by the sun) will last from 1:40-1:44 pm. Then it will turn back into a partial eclipse, which will end at about 3:02 pm. Interactive maps showing the detailed path of the total eclipse can be found on NASA and The Eclipse Store's websites.

    Don't forget to pick up a pair of American Astronomical Society-approved eclipse glasses prior to April 8. The AAS provides a comprehensive list of safe vendors and manufacturers of eclipse glasses, smartphone solar filters, telescopes, binoculars, and camera lenses.

    To assist in any last-minute trips, we've gathered 10 Texas hotels, campgrounds, and resorts that (somehow!) still have vacancies available less than a month before the eclipse (as of publication time). Most have special watch parties and other eclipse-related perks, but they don't necessarily come cheap.

    In the Hill Country

    Skye Texas Hill Country Resort
    16880 US-87, Fredericksburg
    This brand new, aptly named resort officially opens on Monday, March 18, and is the only RV resort in the greater Fredericksburg area that still has available accommodations, according to the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce. The 250-acre preserve has dozens of full-hookup RV sites, cabins, and futuristic nature glamping pods available for rent. Standard rates for RV sites begin at $200 per night, $450 per night for standard cabins, and $600 a night for nature pods.

    McKenzie Guest House
    910 3rd St, Marble Falls
    There are five deluxe apartment suites still available at McKenzie Guest House, with a minimum three-night stay from April 6-8 with rates beginning at $650 per night. Each recently renovated, boutique suite has its own kitchen, and the Buchanan and Inks suites each have their own washer and dryer in-unit. Eclipse glasses will be provided for guests, and the Guest House is conveniently located within a six-minute walk to the downtown Marble Falls Eclipse Block Party taking place from 11 am to 2 pm at Ms. Lollipop Parties Fun & Gifts. Bookings at McKenzie Guest House for the eclipse will be handled directly by contacting info@mckenzieguesthouse.com.

    In Austin

    The Driskill Hotel
    604 Brazos St, Austin
    The historic Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin has several rooms and suite options available for bookings during the eclipse, with rates beginning at $685 a night. Hotel guests and the public are also welcome to join The Driskill for an eclipse-themed cocktail hour beginning at 1 pm on April 8, with complimentary eclipse glasses and a signature "Driskill Sunrise" tequila cocktail. Tickets for the event are $17 per person, and can be purchased via hyattexperiences.com. Guests can book their stays via hyatt.com.

    The Otis
    1901 San Antonio St, Austin
    The Otis is offering guests a special "Total Solar Eclipse of the Heart" package for stays between April 8-9 with the code "ARN." Guests will receive two specialty cocktails from any on-site bar, and two pairs of eclipse glasses to watch the cosmic event unfold. Hotel guests also get free admission to The Otis' eclipse viewing party at Otopia Rooftop from 12-5 pm, which will fundraise for the University of Texas at Austin's Department of Astronomy. Nightly rates with the "Total Solar Eclipse of the Heart" package begin at $562.

    Note: Travis County, which covers Austin and parts of the Hill Country, has provided a list of preparation tips for those staying in the area during the eclipse.

    In Waco

    Hotel Herringbone
    319 S. 4th St, Waco
    Waco's brand new shipping-container hotel has a very limited number of rooms and suites available for two-night minimum stays with a special "Eyes on the Skies" package. The package includes admission for two to the hotel's rooftop eclipse viewing party at Lucky Buck's from 12-2 pm. The afternoon will begin with a sound bath, then complimentary lunch provided by Lucky Buck's, and a rooftop totality toast at 1:30 pm while the eclipse passes through Waco. Single tickets are $60 per person, and Hotel Herringbone room rates with the eclipse package begin at $793 per night.

    In East Texas

    Jellystone Park Tyler
    5583 FM 16 East, Tyler
    For those who didn't know, the upcoming eclipse is the first total eclipse that will be visible in Tyler since the late 19th century. What better way to spend it than by going on a cabin weekend adventure at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in northeast Texas. The park will host an eclipse party beginning at 1:30 pm on the pool deck with DIY crafts, music performances, games, and more. Room rates begin at $256 per night.

    Across Dallas-Fort Worth

    The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
    2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas
    The Ritz-Carlton's Solar Eclipse package is a deluxe accompaniment to the once-in-a-lifetime solar spectacle. Guests who book using the code "ES8" for stays between April 3-10 will receive breakfast for two each day through in-room dining or Fearing's Restaurant, overnight valet parking for one car per day, access to a viewing area during the eclipse, and two 50-minute "Solar Package Reflect and Protect" vitamin C facials. Rates begin at $974 per night. The Ritz-Carlton is also hosting a Celestial Soirée from 12-3 pm on April 8, with themed light bites and beverages provided. Tickets for the event ($49 per person) can be purchased via Eventbrite.

    Hôtel Swexan
    2575 McKinnon St, Dallas
    Come for the hotel's prime eclipse viewing experience on the 20th floor rooftop, and stay for an the evening of restorative meditation and self-care. The Hôtel Swexan is offering an exclusive opportunity to experience a joyful sound bath and other self-care rituals during the new moon, in partnership with Breathe Meditation and Wellness, on the evening of April 8. There will also be a selection of planetary films screened to entertain and educate eclipse viewers. Rates at the Hôtel Swexan are priced at $698 per night during the weekend-long events.

    Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection
    200 Mule Alley Dr, Fort Worth
    The Backyard at Hotel Drover is hosting a celebration during the celestial phenomenon, with hotel guests and diners at 97 West Kitchen & Bar getting a premium viewing experience of the eclipse while enjoying live music, and indulging in themed treats and signature cocktails. Hotel Drover-branded eclipse glasses will be handed out to hotel guests and restaurant patrons. There are a select number of rooms available at the hotel, with rates beginning at $699 per night.

    Camp El Tesoro
    7710 Fall Creek Hwy, Granbury
    For those who prefer a camping experience, Camp El Tesoro is hosting an eclipse extravaganza weekend from April 5-8, with limited spaces available for overnight cabin stays and day passes. Get active with one of the fun outdoor activities like kayaking, archery, or sports, or lounge under the stars while enjoying a campfire, s'mores, and camp sing-a-longs. Special activities on eclipse day include a DIY pinhole projector project, eclipse shadow play, an art showcase, and more. Cabin stays begin at $550 for the weekend for up to four people, and day passes cost between $15-$25 per person. More information and registration can be found on camfirefw.org.

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    where to travel right now

    Texas waterparks make a splash + more top travel ideas for May

    Amber Heckler
    May 1, 2026 | 11:23 am
    Hawaiian Falls in Mansfield
    Photo courtesy of Hawaiian Falls
    Hawaiian Falls in Mansfield and Roanoake will open for the season on May 9, 2026.

    Hopefully all of the recent April showers will bring us May flowers, and maybe a chance to explore more of Texas. Dallasites on the hunt for a springtime adventure outside of North Texas can visit one of three Austin-area art festivals or vendor markets, visit a rustic cowboy wine castle in the Hill Country, or head down to the coast for a music-filled weekend in Galveston.

    Ahead of Mother's Day, we've also tossed in a relaxing experience catered toward the mothers in our lives at an indoor waterpark near Houston.

    Here are CultureMap's top picks for a May vacation around Texas.

    Around Texas

    The Underground Donut Tour has launched — you guessed it — doughnut tours in Austin, San Antonio, and Dallas for pastry and sweet treat enthusiasts. The tours pair food with history and iconic local sights during a two-hour guided experience of each city. The Austin tour encompasses South Congress, the San Antonio tour is along the River Walk, and the Dallas tour runs through the Lowest Greenville neighborhood. Tickets are $65 for adults and $55 for children 10 and under, and can be booked online.

    Three Texas Hawaiian Falls waterparks in Roanoke, Mansfield, and Waco will open to the public for the 2026 season on Saturday, May 9, unveiling some snazzy upgrades like new amenities, enhanced food and beverage offerings, and special events. Hawaiian Falls will additionally celebrate America’s 250th birthday with a season‑long patriotic theme, including interactive photo opportunities, surprise giveaways, and more. 2026 Season Passes are on sale starting at hfalls.com.

    In the Hill Country

    Houston-based bootmaker Republic Boot Company is opening its new Republic Wine Castle in Johnson City on Friday, May 1, combining a classic cowboy atmosphere with delicious Hill Country wines. The 12-acre estate has been extensively renovated and boasts ranch-chic furniture, big buck mounts, and plenty of regal personality. In celebration of the castle's grand opening weekend, Republic will unveil its new Texas wine made with fruit grown right in Johnson City. The celebration will also include live music and custom boot fittings.

    The long-running Pecan Street Festival is heading back to the Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave from May 9-10, marking the second year since its relocation from downtown Austin. The sprawling festival takes a state fair-like form, with rides and activities for kids, as well as long rows of vendors, including plenty of packaged and fried foods to eat along the way. Live music will fill the afternoons into the evenings starting at 12 pm both days. Admission is free, and festival hours are Saturday from 11 am to 9 pm and Sunday from 11 am to 8 pm.

    Pecan Street Festival clothing vendor Visitors shop for clothing, jewelry, home goods, and more at the festival every year. Photo courtesy of the Pecan Street Festival

    Austin

    Austin's iconic artisan vendor market, Blue Genie Art Bazaar, is hosting its annual May Market from May 1-31 featuring over 200 regional artists and their handmade artworks, jewelry, home decor, clothing, pottery, and other art pieces. Free maker activities will be offered each weekend in May, and there will be a special make-your-own-bouquet bar of dried flowers in celebration of Mother's Day on May 10. Admission is free.

    Over 55 local, national, and international galleries will gather at the Palmer Events Center from May 14-17 for the third annual Affordable Art Fair, a contemporary art extravaganza created by emerging and established living artists. Attendees can pick up some new paintings, prints, sculptures, and photography with works ranging from $100-$12,000. This year's event will also feature four artists who will be live painting each evening, and visitors who donate to the fair’s charity partner (Dell Children’s Hospital) will be entered to win one of the live-painted artworks. General admission starts at $24.22 after taxes and fees, and tickets can be purchased on Eventbrite.

    Houston

    Great Wolf Lodge Webster is rolling out the red carpet for moms on Sunday, May 10 with a special Mother's Day Morning Oasis Experience package offering a relaxing morning float on the lazy river, a private cabana with an elevated brunch, and a private chair massage. The experience offers mothers a chance to enjoy the water park before it opens to the public, and they can float the river with a drink in hand from the build-your-own mimosa bar. Cabana rentals are $500, have an eight guest maximum occupancy, and can be reserved by calling 888-981-9653.

    Mother's Day Morning Oasis Experience at Great Wolf Lodge Webster Let Mom relax while floating the daisy-filled lazy river with a mimosa in hand.Photo courtesy of Great Wolf Lodge

    Along the Gulf Coast

    Hotel Lucine in Galveston recently revealed the lineup for its third annual Sunset & Sounds summer rooftop music series. The live music events will run every Friday and Saturday night from May 31 through Labor Day weekend, and showcase talent from Texas musicians like Mobley, Aruba, Tyson Webb's Outlaw Boogie, The Point, and more. All events are free and open to the public, and seating is first come, first served. Reserved seating for specific performances can be booked for $42.42-$59.75 after taxes and fees via Eventbrite.

    Dallas-Fort Worth

    The African American Museum, Dallas is expected to reopen on Friday, May 1 after a temporary closure for renovations. The museum will debut a new special exhibition, "People Who Make the World Go ‘Round: The Legacy of Sepia Magazine," showcasing historic photos of the most influential Black icons from the 20th century, such as Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, Maya Angelou, and many more. Museum admission is free, and operating hours are Tuesdays through Fridays from 11 am-5 pm, and Saturdays from 10 am-5 pm.

    A fan-favorite park in Glen Rose, Dinosaur Valley State Park, has recently earned national acclaim as one of the five best places to camp with kids in 2026, according to camping website The Dyrt. The park offers many activities for families to enjoy, such as exploring the dinosaur tracks in the Paluxy River bed, and 20 miles of trails for hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding tours. There are various campsites for visitors to book, and nightly rates for camping trips range from $16-$60, plus the $8 daily entrance fee.

    Hawaiian Falls in Mansfield
    Photo courtesy of Hawaiian Falls
    Hawaiian Falls in Mansfield and Roanoake will open for the season on May 9, 2026.
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