Seasonal Highlights
Spring 2025 #TexasToDos
As wildflowers bloom and sunny days stretch longer, Texas invites travelers to experience a season of fresh offerings. From buzzy restaurant openings and immersive new attractions to beloved festivals and wide-open parks, spring in the Lone Star State is a time to explore, taste and celebrate all things Texas.
Accommodations
New boutique accommodations in Austin and Fort Worth offer fresh stays that blend style, comfort, and a sense of place—perfect for a weekend escape or a longer retreat.
Tucked just off Austin's iconic South Congress Avenue, the recently opened Frame Hotel SoCo offers a peaceful hideaway designed for modern minimalists. The 39-room property blends sleek architecture with serene natural elements like a koi pond, native gardens and warm wood finishes. Private patios, spa-like bathrooms, and custom oak furnishings create a retreat-like atmosphere that feels like a secret sanctuary.
Now accepting reservations for May 1 and beyond, The Nobleman brings boutique luxury to the Near Southside neighborhood of Fort Worth, offering modern accommodations and on-site dining at Duchess, where chef Casey Thompson of Top Chef fame crafts New American cuisine with a Texas twist. Part of Hilton’s Tapestry collection, the hotel features 153 guest rooms and suites, including 32 extended-stay options with kitchenettes.
Family Fun
Texas is the perfect destination for a family getaway filled with fun, imagination and meaningful experiences. These new attractions offer memorable ways for families to connect, learn and play together.
In Arlington, the National Medal of Honor Museum opens March 25 as the country’s premier destination honoring the stories and sacrifices of America’s bravest heroes. The 25,000-square-foot museum features immersive galleries, an education center, and event space—inviting visitors of all ages to reflect, learn, and be inspired by the legacy of Medal of Honor recipients.
Now open in North Richland Hills, Peppa Pig Theme Park is a whimsical destination designed for preschoolers and young families. As only the second park of its kind in North America, it features five kid-friendly rides, themed playscapes, the beloved Muddy Puddles Splash Pad and interactive live shows that bring Peppa’s world to life.
CAMP Houston (courtesy of CAMP)
In Houston, the new CAMP location at The Galleria offers a fresh take on family fun with its blend of retail, play and performance. The 7,500-square-foot experience includes a Bluey x CAMP adventure where kids can step into the world of Bluey and her family through storytelling, pretend play and hands-on exploration.
Culinary Experiences
In honor of Earth Day, the spotlight is on Texas restaurants that exemplify both culinary excellence and sustainability. Two Austin establishments, Dai Due and Emmer & Rye, earned the prestigious Green Star in the inaugural MICHELIN Guide Texas, which recognizes restaurants leading the industry in eco-conscious practices, while around the state, chefs are embracing reimagining their kitchens with the environment in mind.
At Dai Due, nearly all ingredients are sourced from within Texas, with menus shaped by the seasons and a strong emphasis on preservation techniques such as fermenting, smoking, and pickling. Chef Jesse Griffiths focuses on regional bounty, crafting dishes from wild game and native produce that reflect a deep respect for tradition and the land.
Emmer & Rye takes a forward-thinking approach rooted in regenerative farming and whole-animal butchery. The restaurant works closely with a no-till, organically fertilized farm and minimizes waste throughout its operations. Even the cocktail program follows suit, featuring house-made vinegars, preserved fruits, and bitters made from local ingredients.
Fox Hill Restaurant & Gardens (credit Justin Goode)
Across the state, other restaurants are championing the true meaning of farm-to-table dining. In Wichita Falls, Fox Hill Restaurant & Gardens sources ingredients directly from its on-site organic gardens, pairing global culinary techniques with seasonal Texas produce. In Bryan, Ronin draws from its own farm just seven miles away, crafting a hyperlocal menu that changes daily and hosting community events like Full Moon Dinners and gardening classes. Over in Hooks, Sullifarm and Kitchen integrates regenerative agriculture into every part of its operation, inviting guests to experience sustainable farming firsthand through tours and private, pasture-to-plate dining events.
Festivals and Celebrations
Texas hosts a vibrant calendar of spring events, honoring everything from fine spirits to cultural heritage and coastal creativity.
The Texas Whiskey Festival on April 12 invites enthusiasts to meet the distillers and master blenders behind the state’s top whiskeys. Guests can sample a wide range of Texas-made spirits, enjoy cigar pairings, shop local vendors and take in live music during this lively, one-day celebration.
Corpus Christi hosts The Birdiest Festival from April 23–27, during peak spring migration along the Central Flyway. Curated by the South Texas Botanical Gardens and Nature Center, the event offers expert-led field trips, workshops and exclusive access to coastal birding hotspots not typically open to the public.
Fiesta San Antonio returns April 24–May 4, marking more than a century of tradition. What began in 1891 as a small parade has evolved into an 11-day, colorful citywide celebration of local heritage, culture and community, featuring vibrant parades, concerts and charitable events.
Texas SandFest (courtesy of Port Aransas Tourism Bureau)
Texas SandFest takes over Port Aransas from April 25–27. As the largest native-sand sculpture competition in the U.S., the event draws internationally acclaimed sculptors and tens of thousands of visitors each year. Over three days, intricate sand creations rise along the beach, accompanied by food, music and family-friendly fun.
Wildflower Season
No spring update about Texas would be complete without mentioning wildflower season. From late March through May, highways, hillsides and parks across the state transform into vibrant canvases of bluebonnets, Indian paintbrushes, and countless other native blooms. Scenic drives offer some of the most iconic views, while state parks and nature preserves from the Piney Woods to West Texas provide peaceful spots for wildflower walks and photo ops. Many communities also celebrate with local wildflower festivals, adding live music, food, and local flare to the bloom experience.
