where to travel right now

Tiny cabins, locals-only hotel deals + 7 more Texas travel tips in June

Getaway Piney Woods boasts 40 tiny cabins spread across 99 acres of remote, beautiful Texas land.

Photo courtesy of Getaway Piney Woods

Oh, summer. The days are long, the nights short, and the heat unforgiving. Sometimes, it's just not enough to hang around at home on the weekends when you could be spending time exploring a different city or small town. 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 June.

Around Texas

All Hotel ZaZa locations in Texas are offering a $100 credit for hotel spa services, room service, poolside snacks or drinks, and more during stays from now until Monday, September 2 with the promo code "ROADTRIP." The hotel chain is also partnering with Austin-based hot sauce brand Yellowbird to spice up their food and beverage menu with the addition of summer corn fritters and two new cocktails: Little Birdie and Spicy Sundown.

A Downtown Staycation

Rusk House Serviced Apartments, a brand new accommodation for long-term stays in Houston, opened in mid-May in the heart of downtown. Guests can book weeklong stays in luxurious and furnished one or two-bedroom apartments that come with fully equipped kitchens, bathroom amenities, wifi, and more. Each apartment combines the best of both worlds by offering the comfort and convenience of home with hotel-style amenities like housekeeping, coffee, same day dry cleaning, and on-site dining options. Opening rates begin at $199 per night, with special rates based on the length of a guest's stay.

In Round Top

Going on vacation doesn't have to mean getting on a plane or going on a long drive. In fact, Houstonians can escape the city bustle with a short (1.5 hour) drive to Round Top for a small town getaway. For visitors who can't get enough of Round Top's charming atmosphere, several boutique hotels are offering up to 25 percent off weeknight stays from Sunday through Thursday with the promo code "SUMMER25." Hotels participating in the summer special include Red Antler Luxury Bungalows, Hotel Lulu, Wander Inn, Round Top Inn, Round Top Motel, and Kobza Haus. The Frenchie will offer the special for August-only stays. Travelers can book their stays by calling their hotel of choice, or visiting their websites.

In the Hill Country

ICYMI: The highly anticipated Camp Landa RV Resort recently opened in downtown New Braunfels just in time for the city's popular summer vacation season. The resort brings classic 1960s "Great American Getaway" vibes throughout its RV sites and Cozy Cabins, offering fun outdoor amenities like a heated pool with a swim-up bar, a dog park, pickleball courts, and more. Rates for back-in RV sites begin at $62.86 in June, and Cozy Cabins are available starting at $174 per night.

Texas wine-lovers who want to spend more time in Johnson City will appreciate Carter Creek Winery Resort and Spa's new "A Taste of Hill Country" curated experience. The package provides overnight accommodations in one of the resort's deluxe villas, lavish resort spa amenities, and three premium wine tastings at Carter Creek Winery, William Chris Vineyards, and Lost Draw Cellars. Starting rates for the "A Taste of Hill Country" package begin at $139 per night. Reservations can be booked via Carter Creek's website or by calling 1-855-386-0052.

In East Texas

Travelers looking to enjoy the beauty of Texas nature can head to Larue and disconnect at Getaway Piney Woods, a collection of 40 tiny cabins sprawled across 99 acres of land located 180 miles north of Houston. Each cabin comes with all the relaxing amenities you need to unplug from city life – including a cellphone lockbox – so you can plug into a rejuvenating stay without distraction. Bring a book, a guitar, or a portable speaker and reconnect with what makes you happy. Rates at Getaway Piney Woods begin at $139 per night in June. Read more about the experience in this story.

Across North Texas

Texican Court in Irving is offering an exclusive Six Flags Over Texas In Arlington package for thrill-seeking dynamic duos looking to get away for the weekend during the summer. In addition to overnight accommodations for two at the hotel, the special will offer guests two tickets to Six Flags (a short 20-30 minute drive away), complimentary breakfast at Two Mules Cantina, and free hotel parking. Nightly rates for the Six Flags package begin at $252.

Back by popular demand: Backyard Unplugged nights at the Hotel Drover in Fort Worth are returning every Friday and Saturday night from 7-10 pm, all summer long. Hotel guests and visitors are invited to this free public event, which features special themed events every month, live music, and exclusive cocktails. June's lineup of musicians include Cory Michael (June 7), Scotty Issacs (June 8), Michael Lisenby (June 14), Sarah Schafer (June 15), and more.

In Austin

European-inspired resort Commodore Perry Estate is launching a locals-only offer this summer, but for all Texans: A 30 percent discount on the best available rate, and a $100 dining credit for Lutie's, the estate's on-site farm-to-table restaurant. But for those coming in from out of town, "The Austin Escape" package alternatively offers a $150 resort credit and an on-property Mercedez Benz for the duration of the stay. Last, but not least, "The Suite Escape" will provide a 15 percent discount on any suite booking, a $150 resort credit, daily breakfast, and an exclusive San Saba amenity. Nightly rates begin at $449 for a room, and $961 for a suite, and can be booked online via aubergeresorts.com.

texas vacations summer summer vacation travel austin fort worth houston dallas san antonio new braunfels

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.

san antonio tejano music museums hall of fame music openings