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    solar-tastic travel

    10 top last-minute travel packages across Texas for the April 8 eclipse

    Amber Heckler
    Mar 14, 2024 | 9:00 am
    Solar eclipse, April 8 total eclipse

    Don't forget those eclipse sunglasses.

    Photo by Mathew Schwartz on Unsplash

    Where will you be on Monday, April 8? Lots of Texans already have plans to view the solar eclipse of the century, but for those who want to travel out of town, there are still some great last-minute travel packages out there.

    The total eclipse has quickly skyrocketed into the travel event of the year, with an estimated one million out-of-state tourists expected to descend on Texas — one of the best places in the world to see it. Searches for lodging have shot up 1,000 percent for bookings April 4-8, according to Airbnb, and many hotels offering special eclipse packages sold out months ago.

    Here's why: While some areas of Texas will only get a partial eclipse, several cities in Central Texas and the Hill Country — such as Uvalde, Kerrville, Fredericksburg, San Antonio, and Waco — are expected to get the best viewing experience, with the eclipse's path cutting nearly in the center of the cities. (And some, including Bell, Kerr, Travis, and Kendall County, have already issued disaster declarations ahead of the influx of travelers.)

    Parts of Dallas-Fort Worth will also be within the path of totality. According to NASA, the partial eclipse will begin in Dallas at 12:23 pm, and totality (i.e. the phase of the eclipse where the moon is completely hidden by the sun) will last from 1:40-1:44 pm. Then it will turn back into a partial eclipse, which will end at about 3:02 pm. Interactive maps showing the detailed path of the total eclipse can be found on NASA and The Eclipse Store's websites.

    Don't forget to pick up a pair of American Astronomical Society-approved eclipse glasses prior to April 8. The AAS provides a comprehensive list of safe vendors and manufacturers of eclipse glasses, smartphone solar filters, telescopes, binoculars, and camera lenses.

    To assist in any last-minute planning, we've gathered 10 top Texas hotels, campgrounds, and resorts that (somehow!) still have vacancies available less than a month before the eclipse (as of publication time). Most have special watch parties and other eclipse-related perks, but they don't necessarily come cheap.

    In the Hill Country

    Skye Texas Hill Country Resort
    16880 US-87, Fredericksburg
    This brand new, aptly named resort officially opens on Monday, March 18, and is the only RV resort in the greater Fredericksburg area that still has available accommodations, according to the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce. The 250-acre preserve has dozens of full-hookup RV sites, cabins, and futuristic nature glamping pods available for rent. Standard rates for RV sites begin at $200 per night, $450 per night for standard cabins, and $600 a night for nature pods.

    McKenzie Guest House
    910 3rd St, Marble Falls
    Five deluxe apartment suites are still available at McKenzie Guest House, with a minimum three-night stay from April 6-8 with rates beginning at $650 per night. Each recently renovated, boutique suite has its own kitchen, and the Buchanan and Inks suites each have their own washer and dryer in-unit. Eclipse glasses will be provided for guests, and the Guest House is conveniently located within a six-minute walk to the downtown Marble Falls Eclipse Block Party taking place from 11 am to 2 pm at Ms. Lollipop Parties Fun & Gifts. Bookings at McKenzie Guest House for the eclipse will be handled directly by contacting info@mckenzieguesthouse.com.

    In Austin

    The Driskill Hotel
    604 Brazos St, Austin
    The historic Driskill Hotel in downtown Austin has several rooms and suite options available for bookings during the eclipse, with rates beginning at $685 per night. Hotel guests and the public are also welcome to join The Driskill for an eclipse-themed cocktail hour beginning at 1 pm on April 8, with complimentary eclipse glasses and a signature "Driskill Sunrise" tequila cocktail. Tickets for the event are $17 per person, and can be purchased via hyattexperiences.com. Guests can book their stays via hyatt.com.

    The Otis
    1901 San Antonio St, Austin
    The Otis is offering guests a special "Total Solar Eclipse of the Heart" package for stays between April 8-9 with the code "ARN." Guests will receive two specialty cocktails from any on-site bar and two pairs of eclipse glasses to watch the cosmic event unfold. Hotel guests also get free admission to The Otis' eclipse viewing party at Otopia Rooftop from 12-5 pm, which will fundraise for the University of Texas at Austin's Department of Astronomy. Nightly rates with the "Total Solar Eclipse of the Heart" package begin at $562.

    Note: Travis County, which covers Austin and parts of the Hill Country, has provided a list of preparation tips for those staying in the area during the eclipse.

    In Waco

    Hotel Herringbone
    319 S. 4th St, Waco
    Waco's brand new shipping-container hotel has a very limited number of rooms and suites available for two-night minimum stays with a special "Eyes on the Skies" package. The package includes admission for two to the hotel's rooftop eclipse viewing party at Lucky Buck's from 12-2 pm. The afternoon will begin with a sound bath, then complimentary lunch provided by Lucky Buck's, and a rooftop totality toast at 1:30 pm while the eclipse passes through Waco. Single tickets are $60 per person, and Hotel Herringbone room rates with the eclipse package begin at $793 per night.

    In East Texas

    Jellystone Park Tyler
    5583 FM 16 East, Tyler
    For those who didn't know, the upcoming eclipse is the first total eclipse that will be visible in Tyler since the late 19th century. What better way to spend it than by going on a cabin weekend adventure at Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in northeast Texas. The park will host an eclipse party beginning at 1:30 pm on the pool deck with DIY crafts, music performances, games, and more. Room rates begin at $256 per night.

    Across Dallas-Fort Worth

    The Ritz-Carlton, Dallas
    2121 McKinney Ave, Dallas
    The Ritz-Carlton's Solar Eclipse package is a deluxe accompaniment to the once-in-a-lifetime solar spectacle. Guests who book using the code "ES8" for stays between April 3-10 will receive breakfast for two each day through in-room dining or Fearing's Restaurant, overnight valet parking for one car per day, access to a viewing area during the eclipse, and two 50-minute "Solar Package Reflect and Protect" vitamin C facials. Rates begin at $974 per night. The Ritz-Carlton is also hosting a Celestial Soirée from 12-3 pm on April 8, with themed light bites and beverages provided. Tickets for the event ($49 per person) can be purchased via Eventbrite.

    Hôtel Swexan
    2575 McKinnon St, Dallas
    Come for the hotel's prime eclipse viewing experience on the 20th floor rooftop, and stay for an the evening of restorative meditation and self-care. The Hôtel Swexan is offering an exclusive opportunity to experience a joyful sound bath and other self-care rituals during the new moon, in partnership with Breathe Meditation and Wellness, on the evening of April 8. There will also be a selection of planetary films screened to entertain and educate eclipse viewers. Rates at the Hôtel Swexan are priced at $698 per night during the weekend-long events.

    Hotel Drover, Autograph Collection
    200 Mule Alley Dr, Fort Worth
    The Backyard at Hotel Drover is hosting a celebration during the celestial phenomenon, with hotel guests and diners at 97 West Kitchen & Bar getting a premium viewing experience of the eclipse while enjoying live music, and indulging in themed treats and signature cocktails. Hotel Drover-branded eclipse glasses will be handed out to hotel guests and restaurant patrons. There are a select number of rooms available at the hotel, with rates beginning at $699 per night.

    Camp El Tesoro
    7710 Fall Creek Hwy, Granbury
    For those who prefer a camping experience, Camp El Tesoro is hosting an eclipse extravaganza weekend from April 5-8, with limited spaces available for overnight cabin stays and day passes. Get active with one of the fun outdoor activities like kayaking, archery, or sports, or lounge under the stars while enjoying a campfire, s'mores, and camp sing-a-longs. Special activities on eclipse day include a DIY pinhole projector project, eclipse shadow play, an art showcase, and more. Cabin stays begin at $550 for the weekend for up to four people, and day passes cost between $15-$25 per person. More information and registration can be found on camfirefw.org.

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    Far West Texas city recognized as a top travel destination for 2026

    Amber Heckler
    Dec 15, 2025 | 2:30 pm
    El Paso, Texas
    Photo by Raul Miranda on Unsplash
    El Paso was named one of the "Rising Star Destinations" to book for a vacation in 2026.

    A new 2026 Travel Trends Forecast from vacation rental marketplace HomeToGo has unveiled the top U.S. cities that are on travelers' minds for the next year, and one unsuspecting far West Texas city was included on the list: El Paso.

    El Paso was named one of six most sought-after "Rising Star Destinations" in the Southwest and Mountain West regions. Search trends revealed traveler interest in El Paso skyrocketed 191 percent year-over-year, with vacationers pining after "desert landscapes" and "frontier-style towns with modern Western flair."

    To determine where travelers are planning on booking their 2026 vacations, HomeToGo surveyed 1,000 American adults from November 26-28, 2025 to discover which locales offer "both affordability and under-the-radar appeal." Search interest and price insights were based on observed searches executed via HomeToGo's website from August 1-November 15, 2025, with a check-in date during 2026.

    The reports findings show the vacation accommodations in El Paso cost a median $62.21 per night, earning the city a reputation for being more affordable than Texas' major cities like Dallas or Houston. HomeToGo also said travelers are "increasingly turning to smaller [Southwestern] towns" to find accommodations rather than booking a stay at a large resort.

    Additionally, younger travelers like Gen Zers and Millennials are driving the shift toward these hidden gem destinations after collecting inspiration from social media sites like Instagram and TikTok.

    "Western destinations are seeing a rise in interest, fueled by a broader cultural moment that has placed such locations firmly in the spotlight," the report's author wrote. "In 2025, artists such as Beyoncé and Sabrina Carpenter brought fresh takes on the visual language of country music firmly into the mainstream, with this movement further amplified across social media platforms."

    There's plenty to do in the self-proclaimed "Sun City," such as hiking in Franklin Mountains State Park or Guadalupe Mountains National Park, visiting local museums, and much more.

    Other top "Neo-Western Revival" destinations to visit in 2026 include:

    • Marana, Arizona
    • Cañon City, Colorado
    • Yucca Valley, California
    • Queen Creek, Arizona
    • Bisbee, Arizona
    "According to the survey findings, 76 percent of U.S. travelers plan to go on vacation in 2026, with over a quarter (26 percent) actively booking longer and more extravagant breaks," the report said. "Fifty-seven percent plan to spend more on vacations in comparison to 2025, indicating that the appetite for travel is clearly growing."
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