The Hot List

Houston shines among best summer vacation destinations for 2026

Summer is almost upon us.

Photo by © Debora Smail Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

Nearly three quarters of Americans are planning on going on vacation this summer, and Houston is climbing up the national hot list of the best summer destinations of 2026.

The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro ranked as the No. 20 best summer travel destination in WalletHub's annual study, which compared 100 of the largest U.S. metro areas across 41 metrics based on travel costs and hassles, local costs, attractions, weather, and activities and safety.

The U.S. metros that scored the top three spots are Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, Georgia (No. 1); Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida (No. 2); and Texas neighbor Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos (No. 3).

Houston's 2026 ranking is up 15 spots from last year's report when the city was the 35th best summer travel destination.

Here's how H-Town stacked up in the six main categories:

No. 7 – Attractions
No. 13 – Local costs
No. 24 – Activities
No. 50 – Weather
No. 84 – Travel costs and hassles
No. 90 – Safety

Summer activities may draw in more tourists, but that shouldn't stop Houstonians from exploring their own city. From Fourth of July celebrations, to a one-night only hip-hop show , there are plenty of things to do to keep occupied and beat the summer heat in the city. And a trip to the Johnson Space Center, Houston Museum of Natural Science, or the Houston Zoo are always options for locals that want to pretend to be tourists for the day.

Other top Texas summer travel destinations
The Austin metro ranked as the third-best summer travel destination in the U.S., and it's the most conveniently located neighbor from Houston that's less than three hours away.

The study found air travel to Austin — though not entirely cheap — has plenty of short nonstop flights from other major cities, making it an easily reachable destination compared to most other U.S. cities. Austin's reputation as foodie city and its outdoor recreational activities also bring in a lot of summer tourism.

"One reason why Austin is a great destination is that it’s really easy to find affordable restaurants that are rated at least 4.5 stars out of 5 on Yelp," the report's author wrote. "Austin offers a mix of culture and outdoor fun, boasting a high number of attractions including the Bullock Texas State History Museum as well as shopping centers, music venues, food festivals and hiking trails."

The suburbs also attract tourists looking for fun things to do that aren't just in central or downtown Austin, like checking out new restaurants in Round Rock and Georgetown.

Visitors taking an extended trip to Texas can also visit San Antonio-New Braunfels and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, which also ranked among the top 25 and landed in the No. 11 and No. 21 spots, respectively.

The top 10 best summer travel destinations in 2026 are:

No. 1 – Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, Georgia
No. 2 – Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida
No. 3 – Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, Texas
No. 4 – Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-Virginia-Maryland-West Virginia
No. 5 – Urban Honolulu, Hawaii
No. 6 – Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida
No. 7 – Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware-Maryland
No. 8 – Salt Lake City, Utah
No. 9 – Cincinnati, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana
No. 10 – Richmond, Virginia

wallethub reports summer vacation travel

Here's your shot

Dude Perfect teams up with Omni Dallas hotel for new tricked-out suite

Dude Perfect Suite, Omni PGA Frisco Resort

Photo courtesy of Omni PGA Frisco Resort

The Omni PGA Frisco Resort now has a Dude Perfect-branded suite.

Dude Perfect fans now have their shot to live like the sports-comedy group sensation: The Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa has partnered with Frisco-based Dude Perfect to debut a themed hotel suite packed with sports games, branded décor, and interactive activities overlooking the Fields Ranch golf course.

According to a release, the new Dude Perfect Suite is now open at the resort and available for bookings, but only for a limited time.

Located on the third floor, the suite includes a balcony overlooking the 10th hole at Fields Ranch East and is designed to accommodate six to eight guests. The setup, designed for families, includes one king bed, four twin bunk beds, and a pull-out sofa, with separate spaces geared toward both kids and adults.

Omni PGA Frisco Resort, Dude Perfect Suite So much fun in one room.Photo courtesy of Omni PGA Frisco Resort

The room leans heavily into the Dude Perfect "brand" - yes, there are spots for trick-shots. Sporty features include:

AstroTurf accents in the living room and bunk bedroom
A PlayStation gaming setup with leather gaming chairs
Mini basketball hoops and magnetic dart boards
Sports challenge games and soft-launch toys inspired by Dude Perfect stunts
A flexible game table for family activities
Sneaker-themed wallpaper in the bunk room
Selfie backdrops and oversized wall graphics
Dude Perfect-branded décor including throw pillows, towels, water bottles, and logo installations
In-room merchandise available for purchase, including hats, books, games, and water bottles

“This partnership gave us the opportunity to create an experience that feels larger than life for kids without compromising the level of comfort and quality parents expect from Omni PGA Frisco Resort,” say Jeff Smith, vice president and managing director at Omni PGA Frisco Resort & Spa, in the release. ”Collaborating with Dude Perfect, a brand that shares our roots in sports and community, allows us to reimagine the family getaway in a bold and memorable way.”

Omni PGA Frisco Resort, Dude Perfect Suite The suite has Astroturf, bunk beds, and overlooks the Fields Ranch golf course.Photo courtesy of Omni PGA Frisco Resort

Dude Perfect, founded in 2009 by five college friends (Tyler Toney, Cory Cotton, Coby Cotton, Garrett Hilbert, and Cody Jones) who built a following through trick-shot videos and sports content, has grown into one of the largest sports entertainment brands in the world. Their YouTube channel has become the biggest sports account on YouTube, with 62 million subscribers, and the group has garnered more than 18 billion views across platforms, with featured celebrities and athletes like Steph Curry, Serena Williams, Luka Doncic, Caitlin Clark, and CeeDee Lamb.

They've since expanded into a diversified media company encompassing video content, popular simulcasts for professional sports (like the NFL on Amazon), a best-selling toy in Walmart, and live tours. They also recently helped develop a construction-themed theme park in Grapevine.

"Partnering with Omni gives us the opportunity to bring the Dude Perfect version of sports, play, and competition for families to enjoy in the real world," says Andrew Yaffe, CEO of Dude Perfect. "Omni shares our belief that the best entertainment is interactive, epic, and built for families. Together, we’re creating something that brings the Dude Perfect experience to fans in a new way."

The Dude Perfect Suite package is available through December 2027 and includes breakfast and a resort credit for registered guests. The shot to live like a Dude won't come cheap for most folks: According to the website, rates start around $1,200 per night.

celebrity dude perfect dude perfect partnership omni pga frisco suite hotels

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