where to travel right now
Back-to-school is just around the corner, and there's still time to plan a last-minute summer escape. From a one-day-only flash sale at a popular water park resort, to a purr-fect traveling cat expo in Austin, there are plenty of ways to plan a fun-filled August getaway. San Antonians can "escape" closer to home with a River Walk hotel staycation or by visiting a weekend sidewalk sale at Pearl.
Here are our top picks for summer travel events, hotel deals, and more in August.
Throughout Texas
Great Wolf Lodge, which has resorts in Dallas and Houston, is gearing up for the biggest sale of the year for one day only on Monday, August 4. The annual flash sale offers discounted stays starting at $84 per night for the first two guests, and additional guests will only cost $24 extra per person. The promo code "84DEGREES" will be valid for single- and multi-night stays booked through December 18, 2025. Sale prices include resort fees and unlimited access to the indoor water park.
History buffs who want to immerse themselves in Texas lore will find a home among these six bed and breakfasts. Among the legendary lodgings are Elvis' "home away from home" in Waco, Georgia O’Keeffe’s favorite hangout in the Panhandle, and Ulysses S. Grant’s East Texas escape. Find even more storied stays through the Texas Historical Commission's Historic Overnights program, which helps guests discover details about historic places and experience history in an immersive way.
Elvis became friends with the radio DJ who owned this Waco home in the 1950s. Photo courtesy of The Elvis House
Texas thrill seekers who purchase or renew Six Flags Entertainment Gold ($95) or Prestige Passes ($170) from now until September 1, 2025 will receive unlimited access to every Six Flags park in North America, which includes six Texas properties. Season passes are currently available for purchase for Schlitterbahn Galveston, Schlitterbahn New Braunfels, Six Flags Fiesta Texas in San Antonio, and Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington. Season passes for Hurricane Harbor Arlington and Hurricane Harbor Splashtown go on sale on Monday, August 4.
The Hill Country
Wine trade association Texas Hill Country Wineries (THCW) has partnered with the educators at Wine Folly to develop a free online guide exploring the Hill Country region's many vineyards and tasting rooms. The guide serves as a one-of-a-kind database for the area, with six main topic pages spanning wines, wineries, terroir (growing conditions), history, region, and travel. It also includes overviews of 62 local wineries to help visitors make an itinerary for their next journey to the Hill Country.
Austin
The Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel is celebrating Austin Pride Month with the unveiling of its new Rainbow Room and a "Rainbow Room Experience Package" from August 5-31. The hotel collaborated with local LGBTQIA+ artists Bode Robinson and Hailey Gearo to create themed decor and original artwork for the room. The experience package includes a waived destination fee, two complimentary Pride-themed cocktails, breakfast for two at Café Fuller, and late checkout. The hotel will additionally donate a portion of proceeds from each Rainbow Room booking in August to Central Texas LGBTQIA+ nonprofit Out Youth.
Domesticated cats are taking over Austin's Palmer Event Center from August 16-17. Pop Cats, a touring annual expo for cat-lovers, will feature several cat-themed activities including cat cosplaying, making cat toys, and more. Attendees can bring their own cats, but must follow guidelines to keep everyone safe. Tickets (starting at $25 for adults and $15 for children) are available at popcats.co.
This cat got to experience the expo firsthand…or firstpaw. POP Cats/Facebook
The Downright Austin hotel restaurant Swim Club is helping visitors prepare for back-to-school season with its free Dive-In Movie Series during the first three Thursdays in August. Screenings will include Ferris Bueller’s Day Off (Aug. 7), Fast Times at Ridgemont High (Aug. 14), and Clueless (Aug. 21). Guests can arrive as early as 7 pm and order movie-themed cocktails, and screenings will begin at 8:30 pm.
San Antonio
As the Hill Country continues to recover from the devastating July floods, The Westin Riverwalk Hotel is supporting the community by extending its "Visit San Antonio" discount on standard king and double rooms for anyone affected by the floods or helping with recovery efforts. Guests can use promo code "T4973" to receive 30 percent off stays from now through August 31. Room rates with the discount begin at $132 per night.
Several Pearl retailers will host a "Sidewalk Sale" event from August 14-15 to help visitors prepare for back-to-school season. Participating shops include clothing stores Niche, Adelante, and Dos Carolinas; footwear and accessory shop LeeLee; jewelry and gem store Ruby Road Gems; home goods sellers The Tiny Finch and Rancho Diaz; gift shop Feliz Modern Pop, and The Twig Bookshop. The sale will run from 10 am to 5 pm both days.
Dallas-Fort Worth
Glow or Go, a recently-opened glow-in-the-dark immersive experience in Dallas' Design District, offers visitors the opportunity to bond over several team-based challenges such as obstacle courses, reflex games, and coordination tests, all set in a pulsing, LED-lit environment. Tickets prices depend on your group size, starting at $28 per person for groups of eight, up to $42.80 for groups of three, and are available through the Fever website
Glow or Go in Dallas. Glow or Go
Don't let heat exhaustion ruin an otherwise nice summer day: CultureMap has rounded up several new and unique things to help North Texans beat the heat this month, from a new waterpark attraction to a glacial facial at a lavish spa. There are also affordable ideas on the list, from visiting the UTA Planetarium to cooling off with a "chimney cake"-style ice cream cone at Crispy Cones in North Richland Hills.
Six Flags over Texas in Arlington
Top Texas destinations
Nine beautiful Texas state parks earn acclaim in a new ranking of the the 100 best state parks in the U.S. "for great value stays," and Garner State Park outside San Antonio comes in at No. 8 nationwide.
The 2025 HomeToGo State Park Index ranks 100 state parks to determine "the 100 most affordable options for superb state park stays in the USA," they say.
To come up with the rankings, Homes2Go (a vacation rental marketplace) uses factors such as affordability (based on the lowest median nightly cost per person at a nearby lodging); a "hidden gem" score based on search volume; the overall size, number of trails, and diversity of wildlife of each state park; and a "scenic score" based on the number of photographs taken at each park.
The No. 1 best state park in the U.S. for an affordable getaway is Ohiopyle State Park in Pennsylvania.
Garner State Park, located about 90 miles west of San Antonio in the Hill Country, was the only Texas park to earn a spot among the top 10 nationwide. Garner climbed one place from its 2024 ranking of 9th best.
Garner State Park spans 1,774 acres of land, boasting 16 miles of trails for hiking enthusiasts and 2.9 miles of Frio River access for swimming, tubing, fishing, paddle boarding, and much more. The summer evening dances are popular events that bring in visitors of all ages, according to the park's website.
"Since the 1940s, young folks (and the young at heart) have been gathering at the park’s concession building on summer evenings for a jukebox dance," the site says.
Homes2Go said it costs about $66 per person to book a stay at a vacation rental near Garner State Park. However, budget-conscious visitors can likely save more money by choosing to stay on-site at various campsites and screened shelters for as little as $15 per night. The park also has several cozy cabins with and without fireplaces for $130-$400 per night.
South Llano River State Park was the only other Texas site to earn a spot among the top 50 U.S. state parks, coming in at No. 25. This park is located 120 miles northwest of San Antonio, and also offers numerous opportunities for biking, nature watching, stargazing, and swimming. The park also has nearly 23 miles of hiking trails at varying difficulties to accommodate both beginners and expert hikers.
South Llano State Park has two miles of river frontage.tpwd.texas.gov/
South Llano State Park is also designated as an International Dark Sky Park, meaning the park has "an exceptional or distinguished quality of starry nights and a nocturnal environment that is specifically protected for its scientific, natural, or educational value, its cultural heritage, and/or public enjoyment."
The report says visitors can find accommodations near South Llano River State Park for about $63.77 per night, though the park offers three different types of campsites for visitors: Hike-in primitive campgrounds ($10 nightly), campsites with water ($15 nightly), and campgrounds with electricity ($20 nightly).
"Most campsites have water and electric hookups, and a restroom with showers nearby," the park's website says. "Our six walk-in sites have water and a restroom with showers nearby, while the five primitive hike-in sites have a chemical toilet nearby, but no water."
The remaining state parks that earned spots among the top 100 include:
