Summer season is drawing to a detailed, however there’s nonetheless time to squeeze in a September getaway earlier than the season adjustments.
Many San Antonians are conversant in Fright Fest at Six Flags Fiesta Texas, however there’s a lot to discover this month. Vacationers can e-book a keep at a brand new downtown Austin lodge housed within the state’s tallest tower, journey to Dallas for the State Honest of Texas, or take pleasure in a tropical escape at a luxe resort in The Woodlands.
That is every thing you could know to plan a spontaneous September trip.
Houston
The Woodlands Resort is retaining the summer season spirit alive with a one-night-only tropical group occasion referred to as Island Escape on September 25 from 5-7 pm. The night will function a conventional luau, performances from Polynesian hula maidens, male warriors, stay music, and extra. Attendees can even feast from a Hawaiian-inspired buffet at Harrison’s, take hula hoop and limbo classes, make their very own leis, take pleasure in snow cones, and take images with hula dancers. Normal admission is free, and the buffet is $75 per grownup and $45 per baby (purchasable on-site). VIP tables are $375.32 and might accommodate as much as 4 friends. Tickets could be reserved through Eventbrite.
Austin is perhaps Bat Metropolis, but it surely would not have something on Houston’s annual Bat Fest, a conservation and awareness-focused competition celebrating these misunderstood — and endangered — mammals. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Heart will host the 2026 festivities on Saturday, September 26. The family-friendly occasion may have bat-themed actions and crafts for youngsters from 10 am to 2 pm, and Gulf Coast Regional Blood Heart shall be on-site for a blood drive till 2:30 pm. Bat Fest is free to the general public, and blood drive members can register to donate through commitforlife.org.
Alongside the Texas Coast
The 2026 Texas Meals Championship will overtake Water’s Edge Park in Corpus Christi for 3 days of culinary showdowns from September 25-27. Over 150 cooks, pitmasters, and residential cooks will compete for bragging rights and prize cash throughout 10 completely different culinary contests — from barbecue to stay fireplace cooking to junior chef competitions. Attendees are inspired to return hungry to pattern the dishes and watch the competitions unfold, with stay music and craft drinks including to the extravaganza. Weekend, single-day, and specialty passes vary from $15-$495. Admission is free for youths aged 17 and below.
Austin
A brand new downtown Austin lodge is lastly able to make its debut in Texas’ tallest tower. The 1 Lodge Austin is formally opening within the new Waterline constructing at 96 Crimson River St. on September 3, although reservations have been open since Could. The 252-room lodge additionally boasts a extremely regarded restaurant from Denver, referred to as Alteño Austin, the place Chef Johnny Curiel showcases Mexican delicacies from the Highlands of Jalisco. Room charges start at $412 per night time.
The biannual Pecan Avenue Competition, Austin’s longstanding artisan vendor market, will host its 51st occasion on the Hill Nation Galleria in Bee Cave from September 12-13. The free competition has too many distributors to listing, however its full musical schedule will embrace Austin rap duo Blackillac and jazz ensemble Jon Deas and DaHomies as headliners. Guests will discover something from positive artwork, giftable house items, and clothes to fried truthful meals and extra. The complete music lineup is accessible on the competition’s web site.
At house in San Antonio
After a profitable trial interval of extending its working hours in the course of the summer season, San Antonio’s fun-filled kids’s museum The DoSeum is retaining its expanded hours into the autumn. This can deliver further applications and actions in the course of the morning hours so youngsters can study and play all day lengthy. Museum members additionally get the perk of a members-only hour as a part of their expertise from 11 am to midday on Sundays. Admission is $18 per individual, and free for youngsters below one yr outdated.
Fright Fest at Six Flags Fiesta Texas is returning greater and scarier than ever with new fear-inducing adventures and experiences on choose nights from September 11 by November 1. Scream-worthy nightmares added to this yr’s lineup embrace a reimagined The Conjuring Universe maze and two scare zones: a sinister clown carnival-themed “Cirkus Bezerkus: Massive High Terror” and a zombified “Alley of the Useless.” Park admission varies, and Haunted Points of interest passes are a further $30 per individual.
The Hill Nation surrounds the Loma de Vida Spa. Photograph by Mark Knight
Signia by Hilton La Cantera Resort & Spa is celebrating 10 years for the reason that debut of its signature Loma de Vida Spa with 10 days of offers from September 21-29. Visitors can obtain a ten % low cost on choose providers and coverings, similar to osmosis facials, customized massages, manicures and pedicures, hair providers, physique remedies, and extra. The offers will culminate with the spa’s particular anniversary occasion, “Glow: Radiance After Darkish,” on September 30 beginning at 7 pm. Companies could be booked on-line, and tickets for the anniversary occasion are $125 per individual.
Dallas-Fort Value
The State Honest of Texas is true across the nook, and this yr brings cheaper ticket costs for attendees of all ages. This yr’s festivities will run from September 25 by October 18 at Honest Park in Dallas. CultureMap has readers lined with all the most recent additions and updates — from free concert events to meals awards — in our particular editorial collection. And, along with lowered admission and parking costs, the truthful can be reducing the value of video games and rides on the Halfway to make sure higher affordability for all.
A brand new “eatertainment” venue is taking McKinney by storm: The Cipher Lounge, which opened in mid-August, is an escape room, restaurant, and bar blended into one cohesive area. Whereas the escape room holds probably the most intrigue for puzzle solvers, guests can even cease by for only a chunk and a drink within the lounge. There are two one-hour escape experiences to enter, one set inside a haunted historic lodge (“Ghosted”) and the opposite in a futuristic area station (“Airlock”). Escape experiences are $52 per individual and could be booked on-line.
