We're With the Band

This festive season burns orange as a new tradition arrives at UT Austin

Why only celebrate the holidays when you can also celebrate Texas?

Move over, red and green. This holiday season, Austin will be decking out the streets with white and orange. In a new display of school spirit, The University of Texas at Austin just announced a new holiday tradition: a dazzling light show called the Longhorn Lights.

This light spectacle, which is free and open to the public, begins on Wednesday, November 29, at a kick-off event with UT President Jay Hartzell, the Longhorn Band, UT Pom and Cheer Squads, and live mascot Bevo.

24 heritage oak trees on the strip known as “The Drag” — along Guadalupe between 21st and 24th Streets — will be dressed up with dancing lights featuring the signature burnt orange and white colors of the university.

This new installation joins many across Austin, bringing lights with their own themes: the traditional Trail of Lights at Zilker Park, the crafty display and market at Community First Village, and a futuristic, immersive holiday-scape, to name a few. By dressing up the campus, UT hopes to bring some fun festive cheer to the Longhorn Nation and Austinites alike.

“Our University is proud to support and engage with Austin and our extended community in many ways,” said Hartzell in a release. “This new magical display will connect individuals and families to our campus and we hope this is the start of a joyful, entertaining tradition. Beyond the value for our community, this is also especially important for the health and wellbeing of our students as we give them a reason and place to take a break from studying for finals.”

Each night drivers and passersby can enjoy the light show synchronized to popular songs as performed by the Longhorn Band such as “The Eyes of Texas,” “Wabash Cannonball,” “Texas Fight,” “March Grandioso,” “Deep in the Heart of Texas” and “The Yellow Rose of Texas.”

Longhorn Lights will run every night from 5-10 pm until January 1. For more information visit utexas.edu.

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Take A Dip

Soak up the 11 best water parks and attractions near Austin

Photo from Schlitterbahn New Braunfels Facebook page

Schlitterbahn in New Braunfels has been voted best waterpark in the world, decades in a row.

Summer may not officially begin until the end of June, but let's be honest: here in Austin, it already is summer. Most Austinites already know how to cool off in various swimming holes or pools nearby, but what about those who want a little something extra? Whether it's a dose more adrenaline or something much more relaxing, there are plenty of options.

Here are the top 10 area water parks and water attractions Austinites can visit for a day.

Waterparks

Schlitterbahn Waterpark New Braunfels
400 N. Liberty Ave., New Braunfels
Schlitterbahn has long been the "hottest, coolest time in Texas," and has even been voted the best water park in the worldfor decades in a row. Luckily for Austinites, this magical park with rides, slides, and swimming areas fed by the nearby Comal River is just an hour drive away. Tickets are $44 and up (free for children under two). Summer hours are weekdays from 11 am to 7 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 8 pm, and Sundays from 11 am to 8 pm.

Kalahari Indoor Water Park
3001 Kalahari Blvd., Round Rock
Kalahari is a great option for families who want to stay out of the blazing summer heat, as this water park is fully indoors. Just because it's indoors doesn't mean this is a small park with a few slides; it's an astonishing 350,000 square feet. The resort also includes hotel rooms, a day spa, award-winning dining options, and a non-aquatic adventure park. On weekdays, tickets are $45 after 5 pm and $70 for a day pass; on weekends they're $55 after 5 pm and $90 for a day pass. Summer hours are 10 am to 7 pm.

Kalahari Indoor Water Park in Round Rock. Photo by Kalahari Resorts via Tripadvisor.

Typhoon Texas Waterpark Austin
18500 TX-130 Service Rd., Pflugerville
This 23-acre water park is just a quick drive from Austin, in Pflugerville. It has a wave pool and lazy river, plus tons of slide towers. This is a good option for those looking for something a little more manageable than a full day-trip to Schlitterbahn. Summer hours are typically 11 am to about 8 pm, but they vary so widely from day to day and month to month, we recommend checking the calendar before visiting. Tickets are $40 online for GA, $44 at the gate, and $39 at the gate only for those under 48 inches tall.

Jellystone Park Canyon Lake
12915 FM 306, Canyon Lake
A little more than an hour south of Austin is Canyon Lake, where apparently Yogi Bear lives at Jellystone Park. This campground features places for tents, RVs, and cabins, and is a good option for those looking to make their water park visit a full-on camping trip. The park includes swimming pools, splash pads, and slides. Summer hours are a bit complicated and depend on what activity you're looking to do, so we advise checking hours here. Admission starts at $138 per night for tent camping.

Volente Beach Resort & Waterpark
16107 Farm to Market Rd, 2769 Suite D, Leander
Volente Beach is located right on the edge of Lake Travis, which depending on the lake's water levels, may or may not make for a beautiful backdrop. Currently, lake levels are low enough that Volente Beach's actual beach is closed, but guests can still access the water park, which includes four big slides, several pools, and a restaurant. Diners can access the restaurant even without buying a water park pass. Tickets are available on-site only for $20. Summer hours are Tuesdays through Thursdays from 11 am to 6 pm, Fridays from 11 am to 7 pm, Saturdays from 11 am to 8 pm, and Sundays from 11 am to 6 pm.

Swim up bar at Six Flags waterpark The waterpark at Six Flags includes tons of slides, as well as pools and swim up bars for those needing some R&R.Photo by Kodi R via Tripadvisor

Six Flags Hurricane Harbor San Antonio
17000 IH-10 West, San Antonio
Because Six Flags has so many amazing roller coasters, it's easy to forget the chain also has a pretty sizeable water park. Hurricane Harbor features racing slides, tube slides, super-fast slides with "trap-door-style launching capsules" (because it's Six Flags), and tons of options for swimming. The water park is a must for those willing to brave the Texas summer heat at an amusement park. Tickets start at $35. Summer hours are typically noon to 7 pm weekdays and noon to 8 pm weekends, but check the calendar as these vary by month.

Rock 'N River Water Park
3300 E. Palm Valley Blvd., Round Rock
Rock 'N River is no Schlitterbahn; in fact, it's a city-run public pool in Round Rock. But we wanted to include it for North Austinites looking for a simple, no fuss option for the family. Attractions include three big slides, a rock wall, a dive platform, and a "drop slide" (only for kids over 48 inches tall). Tickets are $6 for guests two and under, $12 for youths, $14 for adults, and $12 for anyone over 50. After 5 pm, tickets are all half off. Summer hours are noon to 7 pm.

San Marcos River tubing Tubing the river in San Marcos is another (non-swimming pool) way to beat the heat. Photo from visitsanmarcos.com

Waco Surf
5347 Old Mexia Rd., Waco
Waco Surf is best-known for its world-famous wave pool, which allow surfers of all levels to practice in the inland Texas city rather than traveling to a coast. But it's not just for sporty travelers. The on-site water park has slides that launch riders into the air, a lazy river, a relaxing beach with snacks and cocktail vendors. A smaller pool for young kids is also outfitted with smaller versions of the launching slides. Hours are noon to 6 pm on weekdays and 11 am to 7 pm on weekends and public holidays. Surfers will have to book a time online.

Other Nearby Water Attractions

Ottine Mineral Springs
2033 FM 1586, Gonzales
On June 1, Ottine is opening several mineral-rich pools of varying temperatures, including some refreshingly cool summer pools. Guests can also enjoy spa services and delicious, healthy meals, and bask in the shade of a palmetto or oak tree on this sprawling property. This is a relaxing option — especially for parents — after all those waterpark visits. Day passes are $65 for weekdays and $75 for weekends. Hours are 9 am to 8 pm Sundays, Tuesday, Wednesdays, and Thursdays, and from 9 am to 10 pm Fridays and Saturdays. The springs are closed Mondays.

Austin Splash Pads
Multiple locations
Splash pads are a great option for Austinites looking to stay in the city, make it a short and sweet trip, or bring smaller kids who can't quite handle a water park yet. The City of Austin's splash pads are free, and available in pretty much every corner of the city. Some top locations, though, include the Pease Park splash pad surrounded by a lush park, playground, trails, and woods; the Liz Carpenter splash pad with stunning views of the city; and the Rosewood splash pad in East Austin, which also has a pool. Hours vary, and admission is free. Check the City of Austin website for more.

Tubing the River in San Marcos
Multiple locations
Grabbing a cooler of drinks and some snacks, and planting your butt in a tube to float the day away in the river is an age-old Central Texas tradition. There are multiple locations that offer tube rentals, and in fact, multiple rivers throughout Central Texas you can tube; but San Marcos is an easy day trip from Austin. San Marcos Riverfront parks' hours are typically 6 am to 11 pm, and admission varies depending on which company you go with. A heads up: River floats can be a party scene. Be sure to be safe while there, and have a safe way to get there and back. (Also, bring a reef-safe sunscreen. Lots of sunscreen.)

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