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CultureMap Houston shares 9 post-eclipse Texas travel tips for April

Whinny's is the new poolside restaurant at Fort Worth's luxe Bowie House hotel.

Photo courtesy of Bowie House

Now that Texas is finally past all of the solar eclipse hullabaloo, what else are Texans going to do in April? From Hill Country retreats to escapes along the Gulf Coast, there are plenty of ways to fill an itinerary in all of Texas' hot spots. Need help deciding where to take a quick vacation, road trip, or staycation? Here are nine events and happenings to help plan a fun-filled getaway in April.

Along the Gulf Coast

The Bryan Museum in Galveston is showcasing two groundbreaking exhibitions that honor the legacy of Tejano leaders in Lone Star State history. The first, "Tejanos of Revolutionary Texas," explores the legacies of three Tejano men and their families as they experience The Mexican Wars of Independence and the Texas Revolution. "Common Ground," the second exhibit, is a selection of interactive multimedia doors that explain the commonalities Americans share through immigration. The exhibitions are on view until July 7. Museum admission is $14 for adults, with discounts for seniors, military, and students. Admission for children under 6 is free, and $5 for children aged 6-12.

Pack those swimsuits and crawfish bibs and get ready for the ultimate crawfish extravaganza on Saturday, April 13 at the South Padre Island Convention Center. The inaugural South Padre Island Crawfish Festival is bringing together enthusiasts and talented chefs to dine on the spiny little crustaceans while enjoying live entertainment from Brian Kelly, one half of musical duo Florida Georgia Line. The festival kicks off at 5 pm, and general admission tickets are $65 per person, and $1,000 for VIP tables for 10 people. Tickets can be purchased via Eventbrite.

Now is the perfect time for a beachside escape, before the weather gets too warm come summertime. In Corpus Christi, there's plenty of attractions to keep travelers and families busy and entertained all month long. The city was recently dubbed a "Music Friendly Texas Certified Community" thanks to its array of live entertainment venues, like the House of Rock and the award-winning Brewster Street Ice House. The city is also home to the Selena Museum, dedicated to the late Queen of Tejano music Selena Quintanilla-Pérez.

In the Hill Country

A new retreat has arrived in the historic town of Gruene: Camp Hideaway is now open at 360 Millies Lane in New Braunfels. Guests can take their pick between The Historic Cabin, The Pharmacy, or one of the large Farmhouses that can accommodate large groups or families. For travelers looking for a cozy retreat, the single nook Roam Tiny House is the perfect fit for two to three guests. The grounds also boast a resort-style pool, poolside cabanas, walking trails, and more. Nightly rates begin at $160 in April, and can be booked at camphideaway.com.

Camp Hideaway, Gruene, New Braunfels Camp Hideaway is now open in the historic town of Gruene.Photo courtesy of Matt Rand

In Central Texas

Georgetown's darling Red Poppy Festival returns for its milestone 25th anniversary, April 26-28, offering three fun-filled, family-friendly days of parades, live music, artisan vendors, and more. The classic car show will take place from 11 am-3 pm on Saturday, April 27, and live music performances throughout the weekend will include Easton Corbin, Dysfunkshun Junkshun, Matthew Ryan Band, and many more. This event is free, and more information is available online at poppy.georgetown.org.

Red Poppy Festival It's Poppy Festival time in Georgetown. Photo courtesy of City of Georgetown

Located in the heart of Austin, the Stephen F. Austin Royal Sonesta Hotel is celebrating its 100th anniversary with special programming throughout the month. The hotel's restaurant, Stephen F's Bar and Terrace, is bringing back its famed "The Austin" Pop Up on April 11 (sold out) and April 25 from 4-7 pm. The event will feature dishes from the restaurant's original menu, with some modern twists. Live jazz music will be provided by the Jeff Lofton Jazz Group. The hotel will also highlight its 100-year legacy with a historic case in the lobby, which is decorated with images, fun facts, and memorabilia from the hotel's century of operation. RSVP for the April 25 event via Eventbrite.

The Loren at Lady Bird Lake in Austin has finished restoring the beloved Paggi House historic landmark, and the site is now open as a new art venue and events space. Its first appointment-only exhibition, "Explorers," will will feature artworks by Matthew Ritchie, Rodney McMillian, Xylor Jane, and more. Local philanthropic organizations will also be able to use the space for meetings and events for free until 2025. Appointments to visit Paggi House can be booked by emailing pennyaaron.theloren@gmail.com.

Across North Texas

The new Bowie House in Fort Worth, part of the Auberge Resorts Collection, has opened its second on-site restaurant, a poolside spot called Whinny's. Led by executive chef Antonio Votta, Whinny's specializes in poolside treats, snacks, and beverages: wagyu sirloin steak, crispy halloumi, a baklava sundae, frozen cocktails, and more. Located on the west side of the tree-lined terrace pool, the restaurant is open to hotel guests only, 11 am-7 pm.

For a limited time during spring wildflower season, Canyon Ranch Fort Worth Wellness Club and Spa is offering new spa treatments that incorporate Texas wildflowers. These deluxe services include a 50- or 80-minute Texas Wildflower massage, a manicure and pedicure, a 50-minute salt scrub, and more. When selecting their service, guests can pick which wildflower they would like custom-blended into their treatment. Featured wildflowers include rock rose, autumn sage, chocolate daisy, fire wheel, pink prairie primrose, and the Texas star hibiscus. For pricing, more information, and to book services, call the spa at 682-786-4650. The spa is open to hotel guests and non-guests alike.

travel vacations hill country austin fort worth dallas houston san antonio

Now hear this

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.

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