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Where to travel around Texas: Go glow-in-the-dark kayaking + 9 more tips for May

There's more to Corpus Christi than just tanning along the beach, like glow-in-the-dark kayaking.

Photo courtesy of Visit Corpus Christi

Texas is on the cusp of summer, and there are plenty of trip ideas waiting to be booked throughout the state's top spots or hidden-gem destinations. Need help deciding where to take a quick vacation, road trip, or staycation? Here are 10 events and happenings to help plan a fun-filled getaway in May.

All around Texas

Planning a rejuvenating spa weekend or an easy bachelorette trip with your closest gal pals? Make sure to read up on CultureMap's ultimate guide to the hottest new hotel spas across the state. Chic luxury hotels have been opening at a dizzying pace in Texas' biggest cities in the last year, and take a look at the swankiest new ones that have opened (or reopened) in about the last 18 months, ready to pop the cork for girlfriend groups in celebration mode.

In Waco

Surf season is back and better than ever in ... Waco? Yep, don't let the land-locked geography fool you, all of the best surfing is happening at Waco Surf's Water Park, which will reopen for the 2024 summer season on Saturday, May 11. To help celebrate the opening of the park, they're hosting weekly live music sessions on select Sundays throughout the summer, from 2-3 pm. Additionally, the park is now offering Summer Stay and Surf sessions for guests who want to surf all day long and enjoy a booked stay at the Waco Surf Hotel. Waco Surf sessions start at $149, and Stay and Surf inquires can be made by emailing stayandsurf@wacosurf.com.

The highly anticipated Hotel Herringbone in downtown Waco is now open, offering 21 boutique rooms all made from converted shipping containers. Visitors can dine or drink at four on-site restaurant concepts: Mediterranean restaurant Red Herring, Lucky Buck's rooftop sports bar, wine and charcuterie bar Songbird, and Nightlight Donuts and Coffee. Nightly rates begin at $233.

The Hotel Herringbone in Waco takes inspiration from Art Deco and mid-century modern design styles.Photo by Shelby Sorrel

In the Hill Country

Here's a new family daytrip idea for the month: Take a drive down to New Braunfels to visit Schlitterbahn's new Storybrook Park, and the park's first-ever children's water coaster. The Storybrook Park was the most anticipated new Schlitterbahn attraction in more than a decade when it opened at the end of April, according to a release. In addition to the Bow Wow Blaster water coaster, the park debuted three new "mini-lands" for children to play: Schatze's Paw'nd, the Fur-Bidden Forest, and the Fairy Tail Trail. Schlitterbahn New Braunfels admission starts at $39.99.

The highly praised Hotel Emma in San Antonio has done it again. The esteemed lodging was named in the May 2024 print issue of Travel + Leisure's "Readers' 500 Favorite Hotels and Resorts in the World." The annual list is determined by readers who vote for the highest quality luxury hotels and resorts with consistently outstanding service and amenities. Rates at Hotel Emma begin at $463 per night.

If you've never been to the darling town of Round Top, now's your chance. Boutique luxury retreat Hotel Lulu is offering guests 50 percent off on weeknight stays all summer long from May 28 through August 31 with the code "SUMMER50." The hotel boasts 14 comfortable rooms across six restored bungalows. When guests are ready to relax after a full day of exploring the town, they can enjoy a swim at the pool, dine at Lulu's restaurant, or enjoy a drink at the hotel bar Il Cuculo.

Along the Gulf Coast

Idyllic seaside escapes are becoming more tempting with each passing day as the summer approaches. There's plenty to do to satisfy those yearnings in Corpus Christi, where visitors can enjoy colorful bicycle nighttime tours, or similar glow-in-the-dark kayaking excursions, or private fishing adventures. Retro – the city's newest restaurant, bar, and arcade concept – is a must-see for 21-plus adults who want to enjoy live music, all-you-can-play arcade games, and check out the the largest glass floor in Texas.

In-the-know travelers who want to avoid crowded seashores this month will be heading to Matagorda Bay Nature Park to spend time kayaking, fishing, exploring a guided adventure tour, or enjoying a round of mini-golf. At night, campers in the remote beach destination can relax in one of the on-site cozy beach bungalows, Airstream campers, or RV campsites. Vacation rentals start at $247.50 for a two-night minimum, or $49.50 per night for an RV full hookup.

Matagorda Bay Nature Park, LCRA Parks, Airstream camper Airstream camping along the coast? Count us in.Photo courtesy of LCRA Parks

Across North Texas

Theater buffs won't want to miss out on the 13 best local shows happening throughout Dallas-Fort Worth in May. From productions that explore the founding of America or the Civil Rights movement, to performances that ponder about the dystopian future that might lay ahead, there's something for all type of audiences to enjoy this month.

In Austin

With the return of Texas' warm weather, plenty of locals and visitors will be flocking to Lake Austin or Lake Travis to get the most out of a sunny weekend. For travelers looking for a stress free and unique experience during their next boat day, online rental service GetMyBoat offers unique captained yacht charters throughout the Austin area. Lake lovers can rent eccentric boats such as a double decker tiki pontoon, the "Floatin' Saloon Pontoon," or even a personal pirate ship. Hourly rental prices start at $100 an hour.

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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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