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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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    holiday travel news

    Houston's IAH expected to be 15th busiest airport this holiday season

    Amber Heckler
    Nov 25, 2025 | 4:00 pm
    George Bush Intercontinental Airport in Houston
    Photo by David Syphers on Unsplash
    IAH is projected to handle about 4.58 million passengers during the 2025 holiday travel season, the report found.

    Houston travelers should budget extra time if they're flying from George Bush Intercontinental Airport. IAH is expected to see the 15th highest passenger numbers in the country this holiday season, a new report says.

    According to transport services provider Transfeero, IAH is estimated to receive about 4.58 million passengers during the 2025 holiday season, up from 3.19 million on average over the last five years.

    George Bush Intercontinental posted to social media on November 20 that they're expecting about 1.6 million travelers to pass through the airport during the Thanksgiving travel period alone, November 20-December 1. The busiest days are expected to fall on November 26 and 30.

    To come up with its estimates and rankings, Transfeero's experts analyzed 2020-2024 travel data for the months of November and December across 29 major U.S. airports to predict passenger numbers for 2025. The report also calculated the average number of passengers from 2020-2024 during the last two months of each year, combined it with 2025 estimates, and determined the expected growth rate for the upcoming travel season.

    The U.S. Bureau of Transportation Statistics says November and December air travel often spikes by 20 percent or more when compared to the fall months.

    "Every year, the final two months of the calendar bring a storm of travelers packing terminals, queuing for security, and racing to catch flights," the report said. "Between Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Year’s Eve, airports across America transform into organized chaos, moving millions of passengers eager to reunite with loved ones or escape to warmer destinations."

    Projected air travel at other Texas airports
    Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW) ranked No. 2 on the Transfeero's list of the country's busiest airports during the 2025 holiday travel season. From 2020-2024, DFW saw an average 5.68 million passengers during November and December, and the number of passengers this year is expected to increase by 40 percent to nearly 7.98 million travelers.

    The report also expressed that the busy travel season confirms "DFW's role as the central cross-country connector."

    "Serving as American Airlines’ main base, [DFW's] location between coasts makes it an essential layover hub for both domestic and international travelers," the report's author wrote.

    DFW's projected holiday passenger traffic was only outdone by Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) in Atlanta, Georgia. ATL is expected to see about 10.43 million passengers from November-December 2025, compared to a five-year average of about 7.04 million passengers.

    Elsewhere in Texas, Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) ranked at the bottom of the list as the 28th busiest airport, despite passenger traffic expected to soar nearly 56 percent compared to previous years. An average 1.46 million passengers traveled through AUS during the months of November and December from 2020-2024, and the airport is expected to see over 2.27 million passengers during the same two-month period this year.

    "The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) reported in 2024 that Thanksgiving weekend alone saw over 30 million travelers, setting a record," the report said. "With consumer confidence rebounding and international restrictions long lifted, 2025 is shaping up to be another record year."

    The top 10 U.S. airports expected to handle the most passenger traffic during the 2025 holiday season are:

    • No. 1 – Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport
    • No. 2 – Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport
    • No. 3 – Denver International Airport
    • No. 4 – Chicago O'Hare International Airport
    • No. 5 – Los Angeles International Airport
    • No. 6 – John F. Kennedy International Airport
    • No. 7 – Harry Reid International Airport
    • No. 8 – Orlando International Airport
    • No. 9 – Charlotte Douglas International Airport
    • No. 10 – Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport
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