Hit the Road

Where to eat, play, and stay in the restaurant haven of Addison

Mouthwatering, high-flying, and prost-worthy, Addison is a lively town just north of Dallas that boasts some of the biggest and best festivals in the Lone Star State.

From iconic food and music festivals to authentic Oktoberfest celebrations reminiscent of Munich, there's plenty to explore within Addison's compact, 4.4 square miles.

Make your plans to visit this unique gem that fuses the energy of city living with the charm of a tight-knit community, where more than 200 restaurants, 22 hotels, and endless entertainment options await. As the center of North Texas dining, events, and theater, Addison invites you to make memories of a lifetime.

Here's your quick guide to eating, staying, and playing in Addison:

Where to eat
Dining in Addison is an adventure unto itself, a culinary journey that spans the globe without ever leaving town.

With more restaurants per capita than any city in the U.S., there's something for every palate along Belt Line Road, from sushi to steakhouses, Italian to Indian, Asian to American, and Tex-Mex to Thai.

Check out this constantly updated list of restaurants, where new eateries are continuously joining the culinary scene and ensuring that each visit to Addison is the ultimate foodie adventure.

Taco Come hungry, and then stay for dessert.Photo courtesy of Visit Addison

Where to play
Experience Addison through its most iconic park, Addison Circle Park, which serve as the hub for the town’s most cherished annual festivities: Taste Addison, Kaboom Town!, and Oktoberfest.

Taste Addison is a three-day festival from May 31-June 2, 2024, that engages all the senses and offers something for everyone with eats, beats, and artistic treats.

Dozens of restaurants will be sharing their tastiest bites at this year’s festival in the Chow Hall, the Tasty Truck Stop, WorldEats Street Global Village, and at pop-ups throughout the park. A natural complement to those eats are the ever-popular drinks. Make sure you reserve your spot in the new Corkyard and Speakeasy in advance because spaces are limited.

Taste Addison also offers a beat for every listener with headliners like Sugar Ray, Toadies, and Hunter Hayes. Finally, the visual arts are bringing a whole new vibe to this year’s event with a Sip and Stroll ArtWalk, the Hall of Art, and the event’s first immersive art experience. Hotel packages include admission and Chow Hall food cards. Find more information and purchase tickets at TasteAddisonTexas.com.

Kaboom Town! on July 3 is one of the most impressive fireworks displays and dynamic airshows in the country, drawing literally thousands of patriotic fans to the area for this town-wide day of celebration.

Make sure to secure your spot early – this event sells out every year. A stay in an Addison hotel, though, is a sure-fire way to make sure you don’t miss the festivities. Learn more at AddisonKaboomTown.com

Addison Oktoberfest mixes the fun and traditions of Munich with a little Texas flare. Make plans to join this Bavarian festival that's complete with stein-hoisting competitions, dachshund races, plenty of brats and beer, and live polka bands.

This year's fest is scheduled for September 19-22, 2024 . Before you buy your tickets, remember that a hotel package includes admission, steins, and much more. Get the details at AddisonOktoberfest.com.

Addisom Kaboom Town Kaboom Town! is one of the best fireworks displays in the country.Photo courtesy of Visit Addison

Where to stay
Take your pick from 22 hotels that fit a range of budgets and preferences, ensuring a perfect accommodation for every traveler.

From the luxurious elegance of the Renaissance Dallas Addison to the contemporary comforts of the Marriott Dallas Addison Quorum, premier hotels promise a stay filled with top-notch amenities and impeccable service.

Additionally, there are several options for extended stays that cater to those seeking a home away from home during their visit to Addison. Whether you're in town for business or leisure, rest assured that Addison's diverse hotel offerings provide the ideal sanctuary for relaxation and rejuvenation after a day of exploration.

Hotel Drop your bags and stay a while.Photo courtesy of Visit Addison

Photo courtesy of Visit Addison

Get a Taste of Addison this summer.

Experience the extraordinary – head here to plan your visit to Addison today.

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The Hot List

Houston shines among best summer vacation destinations for 2026

Photo by © Debora Smail Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

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Nearly three quarters of Americans are planning on going on vacation this summer, and Houston is climbing up the national hot list of the best summer destinations of 2026.

The Houston-The Woodlands-Sugar Land metro ranked as the No. 20 best summer travel destination in WalletHub's annual study, which compared 100 of the largest U.S. metro areas across 41 metrics based on travel costs and hassles, local costs, attractions, weather, and activities and safety.

The U.S. metros that scored the top three spots are Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, Georgia (No. 1); Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida (No. 2); and Texas neighbor Austin-Round Rock-San Marcos (No. 3).

Houston's 2026 ranking is up 15 spots from last year's report when the city was the 35th best summer travel destination.

Here's how H-Town stacked up in the six main categories:

No. 7 – Attractions
No. 13 – Local costs
No. 24 – Activities
No. 50 – Weather
No. 84 – Travel costs and hassles
No. 90 – Safety

Summer activities may draw in more tourists, but that shouldn't stop Houstonians from exploring their own city. From Fourth of July celebrations, to a one-night only hip-hop show , there are plenty of things to do to keep occupied and beat the summer heat in the city. And a trip to the Johnson Space Center, Houston Museum of Natural Science, or the Houston Zoo are always options for locals that want to pretend to be tourists for the day.

Other top Texas summer travel destinations
The Austin metro ranked as the third-best summer travel destination in the U.S., and it's the most conveniently located neighbor from Houston that's less than three hours away.

The study found air travel to Austin — though not entirely cheap — has plenty of short nonstop flights from other major cities, making it an easily reachable destination compared to most other U.S. cities. Austin's reputation as foodie city and its outdoor recreational activities also bring in a lot of summer tourism.

"One reason why Austin is a great destination is that it’s really easy to find affordable restaurants that are rated at least 4.5 stars out of 5 on Yelp," the report's author wrote. "Austin offers a mix of culture and outdoor fun, boasting a high number of attractions including the Bullock Texas State History Museum as well as shopping centers, music venues, food festivals and hiking trails."

The suburbs also attract tourists looking for fun things to do that aren't just in central or downtown Austin, like checking out new restaurants in Round Rock and Georgetown.

Visitors taking an extended trip to Texas can also visit San Antonio-New Braunfels and Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, which also ranked among the top 25 and landed in the No. 11 and No. 21 spots, respectively.

The top 10 best summer travel destinations in 2026 are:

No. 1 – Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Alpharetta, Georgia
No. 2 – Orlando-Kissimmee-Sanford, Florida
No. 3 – Austin-Round Rock-Georgetown, Texas
No. 4 – Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-Virginia-Maryland-West Virginia
No. 5 – Urban Honolulu, Hawaii
No. 6 – Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Florida
No. 7 – Philadelphia-Camden-Wilmington, Pennsylvania-New Jersey-Delaware-Maryland
No. 8 – Salt Lake City, Utah
No. 9 – Cincinnati, Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana
No. 10 – Richmond, Virginia

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The Hot List

Houston shines among best summer vacation destinations for 2026