Hurricane Harbor got a major improvement in 2025 with the new family-friendly Splash Island and my family thoroughly enjoyed it. We saw babies and toddlers in the splash area and bigger kids riding the slides in the multi-level play structure. Even adults were waiting on the 1,000 gallon bucket to fill and dump (be ware that the water is COLD). There are chairs and loungers all around this area. The map doesn't show that most of the chairs around the area have a partial fabric covering. However, toward the end of the day when the sun is lower in the sky, the covers are pretty useless for most chairs or loungers, but a lot of families tend to leave the park midday freeing up sections of chairs.
Splash Island has a row of 6 colorful, mini slides which have both minimum height and maximum height requirements (teens and adults can't ride). As you can see in this photo, children empty right out to the splash pad area for good parental visibility. My only complaint was the queue to get on the slides is not well marked and could be confusing for younger children - they need to go all the way around the orange slide toward the back and up a set of stairs carrying a large float. The platform connects all the slide entry points. Restrooms are located at the very back of this area (right next to the lazy river entry points) which is a bit of a walk from the splash area. There are also showers there and a first aid office. I highly recommend wearing shoes or flipflops into the restrooms especially toward the end of the day.
Families can also enjoy the lazy river which goes all around Surf Lagoon (right in the center of the park) with entry and exit points along the way. On the other side of the park, in the Tornado area, there is a fun pirate-themed area called Hook's Lagoon with a treehouse (Hook's Lagoon Slides has a min height of 42" but the Lagoon Crossing is good for young kids 36" up to 54").
There are plenty of slides for thrill-seekers such as Der Stuka, Dive Bomber, Geronimo, Tornado, Tsunami Surge, and Typhoon Twister all with a minimum height of 48".
The park is open the next few weekends from 11am until 6pm or 7pm - August 23-24, August 30-31 and September 1. Daily Tickets are dynamically priced and for the next two weekend range from $35 to $25 depending on the day. Sometimes you can search the web for cheaper tickets.
You can bring refillable water bottles. But if you plan to drink any sodas, I highly recommend buying the All-Day Sourvenir Bottle ($19.99). The system will force you to wait 15 minutes between refills, but you will break even if you get 4 refills. Considering how hot you might feel in the Texas sun, you will definitely get more than four refills. For those wanting to fill water bottles, do not use the ones at the lockers as the water is not chilled and is pretty nasty. Ask for water cups at the drink refill stands or restaraunts instead.
Outside food or beverages are not allowed into the park (except baby food or formula). The food options are typical park fare - burgers, fried chicken strips, pizza, nachos, pretzels, turkey legs. I personally didn't purchase the dining add-on because we only ate lunch inside the park and then ate dinner outside the park. If you'd like to see the food options, check out the Restaurants. Bring plastic bags to store any leftovers because birds will land on your chair and eat any food left sitting out.
General Parking is $35.00 and Priority Parking (closer to the entrance and right outside the exit) is $50.00.
Lockers are available on the left side when you walk into the front gate as well as restrooms and showers.
Printable Park map - https://static.sixflags.com/website/files/hhtx_park-map.pdf
For more information, https://www.sixflags.com/hurricaneharbortexas
Book Review - New Mexico Family Outdoor Adventure by Christina M Selby
Finding activities for children is always a challenge because you have to take into consideration their energy level, their hiking ability, and their idea of fun. The author of this travel guide is also a mother and has gone on these trips with her two children and her experiences shine throughout with lots of good info and tips. I really appreciate the detailed instructions on how to get to the different hiking trail heads (which can be challenging to find without good signage or maps). If you enjoy camping, be sure to check out the suggested campgrounds listed in here for the different locations.
Another great feature of this book are the fun activities that most children can participate in (like Class 1 White Water Rafting). You'll find mountain biking, paddling, fossil hunting, and more. Also, there are suggestions throughout each adventure where you can teach your children valuable science or history lessons without being annoying. Little tids bits of goodness, I call them. I'm looking forward to finding similar books on other states.
Title: New Mexico Family Outdoor Adventure: An All-Ages Guide to Hiking, Camping, and Getting Outside
Author: Christina M Selb
ISBN: 978-0826362933
Pages: 322
This article may contain photos and links that take you to third-party Affiliate sites. If you purchase any item on those sites may contribute a small monetary amount back to our website without any cost to you.
Book Review - Moon Guide to Victoria and Vancouver Island
I've been considering taking an Alaska cruise and several operators have several points in Canada in their itineraries. So my interest was piqued when I found this book on Victoria and Vancouver Island. Moon Guides are always very useful and I like how this one breaks Vancouver Island into 3 sections - South, Central and North - to make it easier to focus on visiting one area rather than spending a lot of time back and forth. The island is quite big and there are many islands off the coast to visit via ferry. It is best to focus on one area due to the time it will take to arrive at your destination. Be sure to check the ferry schedules ahead of time to be sure you will arrive at your desired time and be able to depart (unless you are staying in a hotel) on time as well. Lots of good maps.
The Essentials section in the back of the book provides useful information on visiting Canada and the British Columbia area in general including airports, buses, rental cars (the insurance information was something new I learned), exchange rates (always check ahead of your visit to be sure you have the actual rate as it fluctuates), and more.
I do wish there were websites or facebook listings for each "big" location as I always like to verify hours of operation and costs ahead of time without having to google each stop. Obviously, some smaller businesses or mom-and-pop shops usually may not have websites. Overall, a pretty handy guide to take along on your trip whether you are cruising, driving or flying to this beautiful area.
Title: Moon Victoria and Vancouver Island: Coastal Recreation, Museums and Gardens, Whale-Watching (Travel Guide)
Author: Andrew Hempstead
ISBN: 978-1640496743
Pages: 248
This article may contain photos and links that take you to third-party Affiliate sites. If you purchase any item on those sites may contribute a small monetary amount back to our website without any cost to you.
The Essentials section in the back of the book provides useful information on visiting Canada and the British Columbia area in general including airports, buses, rental cars (the insurance information was something new I learned), exchange rates (always check ahead of your visit to be sure you have the actual rate as it fluctuates), and more.
I do wish there were websites or facebook listings for each "big" location as I always like to verify hours of operation and costs ahead of time without having to google each stop. Obviously, some smaller businesses or mom-and-pop shops usually may not have websites. Overall, a pretty handy guide to take along on your trip whether you are cruising, driving or flying to this beautiful area.
Title: Moon Victoria and Vancouver Island: Coastal Recreation, Museums and Gardens, Whale-Watching (Travel Guide)
Author: Andrew Hempstead
ISBN: 978-1640496743
Pages: 248
This article may contain photos and links that take you to third-party Affiliate sites. If you purchase any item on those sites may contribute a small monetary amount back to our website without any cost to you.
Event - #Travel #Texas - #New Braunfels - Old Gruene Market Days - August 16-17, 2025
New Braunfels, Texas - Old Gruene Market Days
August 16-17, 2025
Gruene Coffee Haus
For the past 30 years, the Gruene Historic District has hosted Gruene Market Days on the third full weekend of the month in front of the Gruene Coffee Haus. Explore over a hundred vendors and artisans featuring their goods, food, art work, or enjoy some wine tasting or live music.
Address: 1724 Hunter Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Hours: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm CST
Fees: FREE admission and FREE parking
For more information - https://www.gruenetexas.com/market-days/
August 16-17, 2025
Gruene Coffee Haus
For the past 30 years, the Gruene Historic District has hosted Gruene Market Days on the third full weekend of the month in front of the Gruene Coffee Haus. Explore over a hundred vendors and artisans featuring their goods, food, art work, or enjoy some wine tasting or live music.
Address: 1724 Hunter Rd, New Braunfels, TX 78130
Hours: 10:00 am - 5:00 pm CST
Fees: FREE admission and FREE parking
For more information - https://www.gruenetexas.com/market-days/
Book Review - The Phantom Atlas: The Greatest Myths, Lies and Blunders on Maps
Wandering the maps and travel section of the library sometimes produces an interesting read such as this book. The Phantom Atlast goes through historical maps and discusses images that were drawn on the map (such as mythological creatures) or locations that have since disappeared or have been renamed. There are several stories of fraudsters who drew up fictional locations. If you enjoy exploring maps and history, this is a must read. Try to find it at your local library.
Title: The Phantom Atlas: The Greatest Myths, Lies and Blunders on Maps
Author: Edward Brooke-Hitching
ISBN: 978-1452168401
Pages: 256
This article may contain photos and links that take you to third-party Affiliate sites. If you purchase any item on those sites may contribute a small monetary amount back to our website without any cost to you.
Event - #Travel #Texas - #Fredericksburg - 80th Anniversary Hiroshima and Nagasaki Commemoration - August 9, 2025
Fredricksburg, Texas - 80th Anniversary Hiroshima and Nagasaki Commemoration
August 9, 2025
National Museum of the Pacific War
The National Museum of the Pacific War is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. There will be a moment of silence and an exhibit about bombings (atomic) and to honor those who lost their lives.
While you're visiting, check out The Manhattan Project at Nimitzplatz at 340 E. Main St (Free) to learn about the Atomic Bomb and about the people who made it.
Address: 311 E. Austin St, Fredericksburg, TX
Hours: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm CST
Fees: FREE
For more information - https://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/event/hiroshima-nagasaki-commemoration
August 9, 2025
National Museum of the Pacific War
The National Museum of the Pacific War is celebrating the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II. There will be a moment of silence and an exhibit about bombings (atomic) and to honor those who lost their lives.
While you're visiting, check out The Manhattan Project at Nimitzplatz at 340 E. Main St (Free) to learn about the Atomic Bomb and about the people who made it.
Address: 311 E. Austin St, Fredericksburg, TX
Hours: 11:00 am - 2:00 pm CST
Fees: FREE
For more information - https://www.pacificwarmuseum.org/event/hiroshima-nagasaki-commemoration
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