solar-tastic travel

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

April 2024 total solar eclipse is drawing near.

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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Traveling around Texas

Historic Texas town charms visitors with antiques, museums, and seafood

Courtesy of The Pink Door on Main

The Pink Door On Main is perfectly-curated by interior designer Lauren Ross.

A historic town between Houston and San Antonio is dusting off its boots and tossing its hat into the ring as a vacation hidden-gem — historic Burton, Texas.

Mostly known for its annual Cotton Gin Festival and Cotton Gin Museum, Burton is an impressively-walkable town on the Texas Historical Commission’s “Texas Independence Trail.” Located near the antiques mecca of Round Rock, Burton itself is teeming with antique shops, cafes, a coffee house, an old tavern, and even a local wild peacock named “Percy."

Burton is about 210 miles south of Dallas, in Washington County, close to the Blue Bell and bluebonnet capital, Brenham.

We recently visited Burton during the 37th annual Cotton Gin Festival. Taking place on the third Saturday of each April, the festival draws 3,500-5,000 visitors to enjoy a parade, take tours, watch demonstrations, eat all sorts of fun festival fare, check out antique and vintage cars, have their faces painted, and watch locals compete in a very competitive tractor pull. Those interested in heavy machinery will enjoy the antique engine and tractor display put on by The Sharecroppers’ Antique Farm & Engine Club.

The Burton Farmers Gin has been widely recognized as the best operational example remaining in the nation of an early, fully-automated systems gin still in its original historic setting. Built in 1914, it stands as a testament to the era of King Cotton. Guided by the Smithsonian, the National Trust for Historic Preservation, and other advisors, dedicated volunteers restored the 1925 Bessemer twin-type IV oil engine that still powers the gin. The gin has been designated a National Historic Engineering Landmark by the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (1994), is a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark (1988), and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places (1991). Other historic buildings on the museum campus include the historic Wehring Shoe Shop and the Burton Farmers Gin Cotton Warehouse.

With only two paid staff members and a handful of volunteers, the museum is able to squeak by without receiving state or federal funding, which is why the festival and a couple other events are so important to the town.

“It was started as a way to fundraise annually, save the buildings, preserve the buildings, and ultimately turn it into a museum,” explains Steph Jarvis, the museum’s director. “It would take 13 years from when all of that started, and then in 1999 we became a museum. We continue to do the festival as a way to fundraise, but really, more of it is about education, celebration, and getting people out to see the gin.”

Another fun stop for history enthusiasts is the Burton Railroad Depot. This museum is a time capsule like none other — think antique train cars, ticket counters, the original post office door and so much more. They even have authentic antique trunks and luggage in the old luggage hold in the depot. They have thought of everything.

Where to shop

Burton participates in seasonal antiques festivals by having pop-up shops and other events, but its local businesses shine year round — especially for antiques. The antiques mall, hilariously named Junk in Yer Trunk, is a collection of vintage and antiques dealers who truly appreciate the craft. Unlike some cooperatives, this place really is only vintage and antiques dealers — no random crafts or knock-off, imported slop to be found within these walls. Visitors take note, the building will soon be renamed the decidedly more grown-up “The Old 1900 Antiques & Mercantile,” but will otherwise remain the same.

It doesn’t take long to see a trend that takes shape as more of the town is explored. A group of retired Texans are, essentially, living their dreams in Burton. Take, for example, Lauren Ross and her husband, formerly of West University, who moved to Burton from Austin in 2022 and immediately bought and restored a 1905 farmhouse, complete with a pink door. Being known around town as “the lady with the pink door,” Ross decided to lean into her new moniker by restoring yet another Burton property — a former gas station, turned food pantry, built in 1928.

The Pink Door On Main opened March 13th, 2026 and is, in itself, worth the drive to Burton. This home decor store is curated with things that Ross would put in her own home. The main room with the restored pine floors has more of an English vibe with the floral cabbage rose wallpapers, seagrass rugs, mix of patterns, bedding, antiques, etc. The back room has more of a French vibe with bath, garden, and kitchen products, painted antiques, and faded floral papers.

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“I have had a design business for over 20 years, but always dreamed of having a store where I could share my love of pretty textiles, antiques, and home decor,” Ross tells CultureMap. “I want customers to walk in and feel like they've entered someone's well lived home and to feel at peace and be inspired. My goal was to create a cozy and inviting space where people want to visit and feel welcomed to Burton. Creating a sense of community is important to me and this is my way of giving back to the little town I've decided to call home.”

Ross carries a variety of lines, including California-based custom bedding company Linen Salvage. Visitors are invited to call ahead to make an appointment with Ross if they want any assistance designing something special from the company. Impressively, the sofa pillows, lavender sachets, tablecloths, etc. are all designed by Ross with fabrics primarily sourced from England. The store also stocks baby gifts, gardening tools, hats by Haute Hippy, aprons by Porter Lane Home, chocolates, and so much more.

At Bluebonnet Boutique, award-winning jeweler Barbie Gonzales showcases her sterling silver pieces and handcrafted handbags in this adorable clothing store. While it’s smaller than the other shops on the list, there is a lot to see!

Where to Eat

Burton Seafood & Steakhouse is the do-not-miss spot on the list. Family-owned and operated, this spot serves top quality seafood paired with friendly service. The decor pays homage to Percy, Burton’s local peacock, and the back of the restaurant serves as a bit of a de facto visitor’s center, with brochures, pamphlets, and local magazines to look through while dining or take on the road. Do not miss the snapper or the hush puppies.

Find burgers and other casual fare at Burton Short Stop or Tex-Mex at Los Patrones. The very cute Neon Moon Coffee is also worth a visit. If something with a little more of a kick is calling, The White Horse Tavern is very cool — and be sure to snap a photo with the gigantic white horse sculpture out front.

Where to stay

While Burton is only about an hour west of Houston, more than a couple libations on the porch at the tavern may have folks seeing two white horses. Not to fear. Just around the corner from the tavern is Pigs Fly & Co. Guesthouse & Mercantile. Formerly Henry’s Grocery Store, the 1920s building is full of charm and character.

Another nice spot for an overnight stay is The Coop at Flown the Coop. This former boutique and workshop space currently offers one rental and is working on a second space. Keep an eye out for their resident chicken and be sure to take a photo with an amazing pink vintage truck.

Courtesy of The Pink Door on Main

The Pink Door On Main is perfectly-curated by interior designer Lauren Ross.

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