Bikinis and martinis

Book a summer vacation at these 10 Dallas hotels with fabulous pools

For Houstonians looking to get away, Dallas has some of the coolest hotel pools in the country — from rooftop infinity pools that surround you with city views to sparkling pools set in the swankiest courtyards you've ever visited. A fabulous pool is as good a reason as any to book a vacation. In fact, this summer, some of Dallas’ best are opening their sun-soaked, bartended decks to the public, so an overnight reservation may not even be required.

Here are 10 top Dallas hotel pools for a summer swim. Some are brand new, and some are favorites for good reasons. Most are available for a daily fee or by RSVP to special events, but, yes, some do require you to be a hotel guest to swim. They're worth it.

The Adolphus
The recently renovated Adolphus hotel also is opening its pool to the public all summer — for free. It’s open to non-hotel guests every Friday night for Sundown on Seven from 8pm-midnight. Take a night swim and have cocktails by the fire pit, all while listening to DJ Souljah. The pool itself is 4 feet deep and has a refreshing limestone waterfall.

Hotel Crescent Court
The pool is exclusively for guests, and the Crescent is worth the overnight stay. After its recent multimillion-dollar renovation, the iconic Uptown hotel has modernized and spruced up its lobby, guest rooms, and spa and fitness center. It is also possible to become a member of the Crescent Club and gain access to pool on the second-floor urban oasis.

The Joule
For breathtaking skyline views, reserve a spot at The Joule any Sunday through September 2. For $50, gain one day of access to the plexiglass-fronted rooftop pool, even if you're not a guest of the hotel. A day pass includes valet, one snack, and one drink from the pool menu. Test your courage by swimming to the edge that hangs off the building by 8 feet or kick back and relax on a chaise lounge.

Le Meredien Stoneleigh
The historic Stoneleigh's pool is open to the public on weekends — for free. You can tread water at one of the pool parties, wade around on floats, and listen to a live DJ. While you're there, you can try the hotel's new French restaurant, Perle on Maple Restaurant & Bar, which serves "bistro classics with a Texas twist."

NYLO Dallas South Side
Located on the rooftop patio of the NYLO, this beautiful pool allows swimming for guests only. The bar is for everyone, and the view of the Dallas skyline from The Cedars is worth the trip. Stop in for a drink before a show at South Side Ballroom or dinner at the Terrace Bistro.

Omni Frisco
Omni Frisco opened last summer at The Star, the popular new entertainment district in Frisco. The Edge pool deck and bar is for guests only, but worth paying for a night after checking out the Dallas Cowboys headquarters or going to a FC Dallas soccer game at Toyota Stadium. The pool overlooks events on the Ford Center next door and includes a bar and grill, cabanas, and fire pits.

Renaissance Dallas at Plano Legacy West
Although you have to be a guest for this one, the new Legacy West hotel in Plano is worth the cost to stay. Take a little staycation 30 minutes outside of Dallas and enjoy the scenic rooftop pool, but stay to dine at OMA (an Asian fusion restaurant) and explore all of the “West of Zen”-themed art displayed throughout the building.

The Statler
Renovated in February and open for business, The Statler is hosting Secret Sundays for non-hotel guests at the hotel pool bar, Waterproof. You must RSVP on Facebook or Prekindle to attend the party, but make sure to get there early as entry is first come-first served. The rooftop pool is immersed between skyscrapers and downtown views; a free ticket includes access to the pool and an opportunity to jam out with DJ Blake Ward.

The W Wet Deck
On Sundays, or "Sundaze," The W hotel opens the Wet Deck on the 16th floor to everyone. Just go to Eventbrite.com and buy a Sundaze pass for $20. Spend Sunday Funday at the downtown hotel, floating across the panoramic rooftop infinity pool and taking in some city views with a drink in hand.

Hotel ZaZa
At Hotel ZaZa, you must be a guest to swim, but the bar is open to all. Grab a drink at the Dragonfly next door, while still enjoying the ambiance of the lap-style pool in the swanky backyard setting. Or, if you absolutely cannot resist the charming little pool, pay for a room and join the cool kids in the water.

Hotel ZaZa's pool is set in an urban oasis.

Photo courtesy of Hotel ZaZa

Hotel ZaZa's pool is set in an urban oasis.

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New Texas museum shines spotlight on Tejano music history

Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum, San Antonio, tejano music

Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Roger Hernandez serves as board president of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum.

For a city that proudly calls itself the capital of Tejano music, San Antonio has long been missing a permanent place to honor the genre’s pioneers and preserve its history. That gap officially closed In December with the opening of the Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum at 1414 Fredericksburg Rd.

The music couldn’t have found a better steward than its founder and board president. Roger Hernandez has had his finger on the pulse of Tejano music for decades. His company, En Caliente Productions, has provided a platform for countless performing artists and songwriters in Tejano, conjunto, and regional Mexican music since 1982.

Hernandez says his wife, who ran a shop at Market Square years ago, would often get questions from visitors about the location of a physical Tejano music museum, a thing that simply did not exist. In 2022, he banded together with friends, family, and other local Tejano music supporters to make the nonprofit Hall of Fame a reality.

“I decided I've been in the music scene for over 40 years, it's time to do a museum,” Hernandez recalls.

Hernandez says a brick-and-mortar Tejano music museum has long been needed to remember musical acts and other individuals who grew the genre across Texas and northern Mexico, especially those who are aging. Recently, the community lost famed Tejano music producer Manny Guerra and Abraham Quintanilla, the renowned Tejano singer/songwriter and father of the late superstar Selena Quintanilla-Perez. Both deaths occurred roughly one week after the Totally Tejano museum opened to the public.

“They're all dying. They're all getting older, and we need to acknowledge all these people,” Hernandez says.

The Totally Tejano Museum — named after Hernandez’s Totally Tejano Television Roku streaming — has 5,000 square feet of space packed with plaques, photos, promotional posters, musical instruments, and other memorabilia honoring the pioneers and stars of the beloved genre. Mannequins wear stage outfits from icons like Laura Canales and Flaco Jimenez, and a wall of photos remembers late greats. Totally Tejano Television plays legendary performances on a loop, bringing the exhibits to life.

The newly opened Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum includes a growing collection of memorabilia. Photo by Edmond Ortiz

Hernandez says the museum will soon welcome permanent and rotating exhibits, including traveling shows, a Hall of Fame section, and an area paying homage to Chicano music crossovers, such as the late Johnny Rodriguez, the South Texas singer-songwriter who blended country with Tex-Mex music. Plans call for the organization to hold its inaugural Hall of Fame induction in February 2026.

Eventually, a 2,000 square feet back room will be converted into additional display space and host industry gatherings, community symposiums, and record and video release parties. The museum also plans to add a gift and record shop and a music learning room where visitors can listen to early Tejano music and browse archival photos. Hernandez is already talking with local school districts about educational field trips.

Much like Tejano itself, the museum is a grassroots production. Hernandez and fellow board members have used their own money to rent, renovate, develop, and maintain the museum space. The board also leads the selection of the Hall of Fame honorees and curates the exhibits.

Hernandez has been heartened by the museum’s reception, both from media outlets and music fans around Texas and beyond.

“We had a radio station come in this morning from Houston to interview us,” he says. “People have come in from Lubbock, Texas. We have had people from Midland, Texas. We have another person who emailed us who’s coming in from New York. People are learning all about us.”

That includes many of the musicians who helped shape the genre. Johnny Hernandez, Sunny Ozuna, Elida Reyna, and Danny Martinez from Danny and The Tejanos are among the luminaries who have already graced the halls.

The Totally Tejano Hall of Fame and Museum is now open 10 am-6 pm, Tuesday-Sunday, and closed Monday. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged. Fans can call 210-314-1310 for more information.

san antonio tejano music museums hall of fame music openings

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New Texas museum shines spotlight on Tejano music history