Nearby Getaways

3 Texas cities rank among America's best summer vacation spots

Houston is one of the best summer vacation spots, along with Dallas and Austin.

Courtesy of Visit Houston

With the hot and humid weather, Texas isn't often thought of as a prime summer vacation destination. But three cities in the Lone Star State rank among the top 12 in the nation where you get the most bang for your travel buck, according to a new survey.

WalletHub compared 80 of the most populated metro areas across six categories, including travel costs and hassles, local costs, the number of attractions, weather, activities, and safety to determine the nation's best vacation spots.

Houston-The Woodland-Sugar Land comes in as the top vacation spot in Texas, ranking No. 7 in the nation, while Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington is next at No. 8. Austin-Round Rock is No. 12.

San Antonio-New Braunfels ranks No. 38, El Paso is No. 40, and McAllen-Edinburg-Mission is No. 42.

Houston and Dallas benefit from low travel costs and hassles, plus a large number of attractions. Even Houston's much-maligned weather ranks a relatively modest 26 out of the 80 areas surveyed.

Austin scores well for activities, as well as the number of attractions and their diversity. The weather there, however, scores worse than Houston, at No. 38.

San Antonio and McAllen rank in the top five for lowest local costs, while McAllen is in the bottom five for fewest attractions and activities.

Las Vegas, Los Angeles, and Orlando rank as the top three metros for wallet-friendly summer fun.

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Wellness wonderland

Country's largest hot springs pool complex plans for Dallas debut

WorldSprings/Facebook

The pools will range from steaming hot to ice cold.

San Antonio has its fair share of spas, but no relaxation beats the novelty of kicking back in a different city. Those willing to take a drive for a luxurious weekend always have the Hill Country and Dallas as options, and soon there will be a new wellness spa-amusement park: WorldSprings, a nine-acre outdoor mineral springs experience, will debut in the latter city in spring 2024.

According to a release, it will be WorldSprings' first location in Texas and the largest experience of its kind in the country.

"With pools inspired by the most famous hot springs from around the world, guests can explore WorldSprings’ 45 outdoor soaking pools including cold-plunge pools, Finnish saunas, and a spa which will include wellness therapies as well as a cafe and bar," says the release.

Specific highlights of the experience will include:

The Family Pool, the Dead Sea Float Pool and South Pacific Region mineral pools for all ages
The Asiatic, European, and Americas region mineral pools for those 18 years old and up
More pools, with temperatures that range from warm to hot and from cool to ice cold
The Spa, with a menu of body treatments and massages
The Sanctuary, offering sound baths and yoga, breathwork, and guided meditation classes
Aqua classes, including Aqua Aerobics, Aqua Sculpt, Aqua Yoga and Aqua Float
Performance-enhancing treatments including cryotherapy, hyperbaric chambers, and compression therapy
WorldSprings Café, from which guests can order food and drinks poolside with their smartphones and pay with a wristband

WorldSprings Grandscape The Colony There'll be adults-only pools and family-friendly pools.Rendering courtesy of WorldSprings

The wellness offerings were created by WorldSprings' in-house functional medicine practitioner, Dr. Sara Gottfried, the release says.

Of course, there are not actual hot springs located beneath Grandscape. Each pool will be "meticulously crafted to mirror the mineral content of legendary springs from around the world," explains WorldSprings.

Memberships and three-hour passes will be available, "priced for all to enjoy as a weekly ritual for well-being," they say, although pricing has not yet been disclosed. A limited number of discounted Founding Memberships will be available starting early next year.

”Our ambition is that WorldSprings will democratize wellness by opening locations throughout the country,” says Rob Kramer, managing partner of WorldSprings' owner Off Road Capital, in the release.

The Dallas-area park follows locations in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, and a similar concept in La Verkin, Utah, near Zion National Park.

Anticipated opening date is March 2024.

WorldSprings Grandscape A spa will offer massages and body treatments.Rendering courtesy of WorldSprings

WorldSprings Grandscape will be at 3240 Plano Pkwy., The Colony, joining the booming 433-acre center that includes not only shopping and dining but an escape room, immersive entertainment venue, amphitheater, and more.

"Bringing WorldSprings to this ideal location is a remarkable milestone,” says Justin Foley, general manager of the upcoming Grandscape location, in the release. “As general manager, I'm honored and excited to be a part of such an amazing community and to unveil an exclusive outdoor mineral springs experience – a first of its kind destination in Texas."

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