Paradise is Calling

Spend Memorial Day weekend at Margaritaville Lake Resort, close to home and big on fun

Kick off summer with a splash at Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe | Houston. From May 22 through May 25, guests are invited to enjoy a fun lineup of activities, live entertainment, and tropical relaxation perfect for families, couples, and friends alike.

Easy to reach from all major Texas metros, Margaritaville Lake Resort is a convenient getaway for families, couples, and groups.

Located just an hour north of Houston and within a few hours of Austin, Dallas, and San Antonio, the resort offers a true vacation experience without the hassle of air travel. Guests can hop in the car and arrive ready to relax lakeside, making Memorial Day weekend the perfect time for a carefree, close-to-home escape.

Throughout the holiday weekend, enjoy a dynamic mix of entertainment and experiences for kids, families, and couples alike. Live music will set the tone for laid-back afternoons and evening activities, including Le Grand Show presented by Lone Star Circus, a family-friendly circus production that blends music, movement, and immersive storytelling under the Big Top.

Prepare to be dazzled as world-class performers assemble under a real circus tent, presenting a spectacular fusion of classic circus tradition and modern theatrical flair. From gravity defying aerialists and daring acrobats to mesmerizing jugglers and hilarious clowns, Le Grand Show delivers nonstop wonder for audiences young and old.

Cool off at Jolly Mon, the resort’s 3.5-acre waterpark, featuring five pools, a lazy river, and waterslides. If adventure is calling, take advantage of boat and watercraft rentals to cruise around Lake Conroe. Or unwind aboard a scenic sunset cruise.

Take in a round of golf at the resort’s 18-hole golf course or enjoy a friendly game of tennis or pickleball.

Love to golf? Spend Memorial Day at Margaritaville. Photo courtesy of Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe | Houston

Photo courtesy of Margaritaville Lake Resort Lake Conroe | Houston

Dive into paradise.

While there, dine on Margaritaville-inspired dishes at six onsite restaurants. Treat yourself and be pampered at St. Somewhere Spa, the resort’s onsite wellness retreats.

At the end of the day, relax in one of the resort’s all-suite accommodations, complete with a private, furnished balcony ideal for savoring morning coffee or sipping evening cocktails while overlooking picturesque Lake Conroe.

For more details and to book your Memorial Day escape, head here.

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The Hot List

Houston shines among best summer vacation destinations for 2026

Photo by © Debora Smail Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

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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

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Paradise is Calling

Spend Memorial Day weekend at Margaritaville Lake Resort, close to home and big on fun

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Houston shines among best summer vacation destinations for 2026

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