Summer in Texas gets a bad rap. Sure, it can be hot—blistering even—but that’s where we come in. Over the years, inhabitants of this fine state have found numerous and inventive ways to beat the heat, enjoy the majesty of Texas, and take what could be sweaty and sweltering and make it into something refreshing and restorative. Need a guide? Let us show you where to go, what to eat, what to read, and what to do so you can experience Texas summer at its best.
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Summer Survival Guide
Let us help you get through the hottest months of the year.
What to Do
Why We Should Go Back to the Coast
Port Aransas has always been a place for Texans to relax, play, and make lasting memories. Now, after Harvey, it needs us just as much as we need it. Read Story
The Rockport Report: Birding, Fishing, and Coastline Updates
There are some bright spots and signs of hope as the area recovers and rebuilds. The fish and birds are waiting for you. Read Story
“We Need People to Come and Support Us Right Now.”
Dispatches from the restaurant, retail, and lodging owners in Port Aransas. Read Story
10 Best Hotel Pools in Texas
Here’s to last-minute getaways before summer is a distant memory.
Fort Clark Springs Is a True Historic Refuge
With its inviting spring-fed pool and abundant wildlife, the former military base is an oasis in Southwest Texas.
Down by the Water
No summer retreat is complete without a place to swim and cool off (and nice amenities don’t hurt).
Where to Go on a Summer Getaway to Aspen
Clark's owner Larry McGuire offers up his tips on escaping the heat and finding the charm in Aspen.
Dawn Patrol
The exploits of a teenager trying to surf in Galveston.
The Secret Tank
The risks a West Texan will take for a quick dip.
That Old Frio River
Relinquishing oneself to these green waters is a tradition that runs deep in my family.
Something in the Water
Getting wet, getting scared, and getting my family a little closer to Texas at Schlitterbahn.
What to Wear
How to Survive the Texas Summer in Style
We’ve rounded up items from the state and beyond that will make these hot days a little more bearable.
What to Eat
German Potato Salad
Bring some oompah to your summer picnic.
Summertime Salsa
It’s what’s for dinner. And lunch. And breakfast. And snack time.
Barbecued Crabs
They’re not actually barbecued, but one bite and you’ll forgive that.
Cantaloupe Pie
When the pride of Pecos gets overripe, you don’t have to throw it out.
The List: The Top 50 Barbecue Joints in Texas
Welcome to the golden age of Texas barbecue.
Road Map: The Best Pitmaster Pit Stops in Texas
We've mapped out all the great pit stops along (and within ten miles of) the interstates that cross Texas.
What to Drink
The Chilton
West Texas’s claim on this fizzy, lemony cocktail is unprovable? We’ll drink to that. Read Story
Yes Way, Texas Rosé! Our Top Picks for Summer
Here are fourteen of our favorite wines, ranging from blush to bold and shades of pink in between. Read Story
How Not to Cook Like a Texan
One man's adventure in margarita-making turns into a prickly affair. Read Story
Mexican Martini
Neither Mexican nor martini.
La Paloma
Yes, those Ruby Reds are tasty and nutritious. But they can also get you as drunk as a skunk.
Michelada
Add some spice to that next pool party.
Texanist's Tips
The Texanist: Isn’t the Summer Heat Great? Or is That Just Me?
In the midst of a cold, wet winter, an Abilene woman longs for the dog days of August.
The Texanist: If You Can’t Take the Heat…
A Montanan turned Houstonian’s first summer in Texas isn’t going all that well.
The Texanist: Is It Legal to Build a Bonfire on the Beach?
An Amarillo man wants to make sure that his Mustang Island getaway won't go up in smoke.
The Texanist: How Can I Drink on the Comal With the Can Ban in Place?
No disposable containers on the river? No problem.
Summer Scenes
Inside Barton Springs, Austin’s Favorite Watering Hole
Photos and memories from the public pool that brings a city together.
Summer Reading
My Summer of the Shark
When I was nine years old, I struggled to make a super 8 movie as my life unspooled around me.
Adventures Under the Sea
Where is Lloyd Bridges when you really need him?
Pray for Sharks
Cuddling up to a thousand pounds of ravenous hunger.
Summertime Chillin’
The line can be long at your local raspa stand, but that amazing first bite, when the snowy ice is crisp and sweet, makes it so worthwhile.
Big River
A photographic tour of the timeless Rio Grande, from its origins in the mountains of Colorado to the Padre Island dunes at the tip of Texas.
Elizabeth Taylor’s Summer in Marfa
One Texan’s tribute to Liz.