Get In the Vacation Game

Score big this summer at Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe

The world's biggest soccer tournament is kicking off in Houston, but watching the action from a crowded sports bar isn't the only option.

This summer, Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe is inviting fans to swap traffic, packed venues, and living-room couches for poolside views, tropical drinks, and a lakeside escape with a front-row seat to every match. Welcome to Swim-Up Soccer Summer.

Photo courtesy of Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe

Raise a glass to your favorite team.

Imagine floating in the water with a margarita in hand while the world's best teams battle it out on a giant digital screen. At the resort's popular 5 o'Clock Somewhere Pool, fans can catch every goal, save, and celebration on a massive 6-by-10-foot screen while soaking up the Texas sunshine. The atmosphere is part watch party, part vacation, and all fun.

There's no better way to watch a match.Photo courtesy of Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe

Throughout the tournament, guests can enjoy themed events, live music, island-inspired food and drinks, and plenty of opportunities to celebrate with fellow soccer fans. Whether cheering for a favorite team or simply soaking in the excitement, the resort delivers all the energy of game day without sacrificing relaxation.

Houston hosted a match on June 14 and will host again June 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, and July 4, making this summer one of the most exciting times to visit the region. Margaritaville Lake Resort offers a convenient home base close enough to experience the action, yet far enough away to escape the crowds once the final whistle blows.

Getting to Houston is also surprisingly easy. The resort is located near the City of Conroe's Park and Ride service, providing a hassle-free way to reach match-day festivities and the Houston Fan Festival before returning to the comfort of the lake.

After a day spent celebrating the beautiful game, guests can unwind with waterfront views, resort amenities, and a laid-back atmosphere that feels worlds away from the city's hustle and bustle.

For soccer fans looking to make the most of tournament season, Swim-Up Soccer Summer offers a winning combination of excitement, convenience, and island-style relaxation.

Plan your getaway now. Because game day is always better with a pool float and a margarita.

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lets go camping

Texas llama ranch roams onto America's 50 favorite camping spots

Courtesy of Hipcamp

Camp where the llamas roam.

A family-owned, llama roaming ranch in North Texas was just declared one of America's 50 favorite camping spots in 2026.

The field guide was compiled by online marketplace Hipcamp following a review of campsite ratings from users, regional trends, cultural relevance, and a "spirited debate" of Hipcamp experts. Campgrounds were chosen from 35 different states and organized into seven regions: the Pacific Northwest; California and Hawaii; the Southwest; the Mountain West; the Great Plains and Midwest; the Northeast; and the Southeast.

Llama Land Ranch in Tool, Texas — about 3.5 hours from Houston — was one of nine total campgrounds featured in the Southwest region. The ranch is the perfect place for families to go on core memory-making excursions like meeting the free roaming llamas or watching out for other wildlife like wild boars. The ranch spans 101 acres, and a 50-foot deep creek also flows along the property lines for fishing and swimming.

"The llamas will come to greet you and so will many more things in this wonderful place," the ranch's listing says. "We are conveniently located in a secluded area, but just a short drive from many local conveniences."

The listing also specifies that the pastures are only mowed three times a year and some of the property is on rough terrain, so campers are welcome to bring their own machetes if they want to explore the area thoroughly.

There are 14 sites available for guests to set up camp, with a mix of tent-only, RV/tent, and RV-only sites. The ranch is also very affordable; sites can be booked for as little as $15 per night.

Many reviewers enjoy getting out into the country to reconnect with nature, and many also praise the ranch's owner, Judy, who says the ranch has been in her family since 1987.

"I went with a group of women for an overnight camp at the pond," one reviewer wrote. "It was so beautiful and a much needed break from city life. The host was wonderful and kind. She was also very accommodating to our group."

A second Dallas-Fort Worth-area campground tucked away in Texas' newest state park was also highlighted in the report. Warbler Ridge Campground, located in Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, was the only other Texas representative on the list.

The pet-friendly campground's listing doesn't offer many details, but it says there are 22 RV and tent campsites for visitors, as well as showers, toilets, potable water, and picnic tables. There are activities galore for visitors, including a 68-acre lake for swimming, fishing, and boating, and over 16 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says campsites at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park start at $13 per night (plus a daily entrance fee) for hike-in primitive sites. Walk-in campsites with water are $15 per night and campsites with electricity are $30 per night.

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