Holidays are a wonderful time to visit Gaylord Texas Resort to experience ICE! 

Best Family Resorts in Texas: North Texas

1. Gaylord Texan Resort — Grapevine

The Gaylord is one of the most popular family resorts in Texas. The 10-acre Paradise Springs water park keeps everyone busy in the summer. Indoors, there are over four acres of atriums to explore, as well as scavenger hunts, live music, and other activities. But the holiday season is when the Gaylord goes all out: From the legendary ICE! to gingerbread house-making, snow tubing, breakfast with Santa, and more, the resort turns into a winter wonderland.

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See amazing wildlife while wandering the amazing grounds at Great Wolf Lodge. 

2. Great Wolf Lodge — Grapevine

Great Wolf Lodge is one of our favorite family resorts with water parks, and the one in Grapevine does not disappoint. In addition to the massive indoor water park, there's an outdoor pool, a ropes course, an arcade, gem mining, dance parties, arts and crafts, and lots more family activities. Kid-friendly buffet-style dining is ample, and there are two high-scale restaurants if you can get away for an hour or so.

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The Captain Jim Brown Pirate Ship at North Texas Jellystone Park has two-bedroom vacation cabins and is docked at Pirate’s Cove Water Park.  

3. North Texas Jellystone Park — Burleson

You’ve never seen a Jellystone Park like the one in North Texas. Whether you want to tent camp, RV camp, glamp, or stay in a cabin, this resort has accommodations for everyone. Plus, there are so many family-friendly activities, we can't list them all: Pirate’s Cove Water Park, nature trails, laser tag, mini golf, gem mining, two playgrounds, a games pavilion, a climbing wall, train rides, and so much more. New in 2024 are glamping tipis, Conestoga wagons, and grain bin cabins.

Best Family Resorts in Texas: Central Texas

4. Moon River Ranch — Satin

Located just 35 minutes from Waco, this outdoorsy resort has various types of lodging available, including a boathouse overlooking the Brazos River, a farmhouse lodge, covered wagons, and more. Moon River Ranch is home to exotic animals like zebras, llamas, and wildebeests. Activities include kayaking, a pool and spa, a sandy riverfront beach, bike trails, and a cinema room for watching movies, for starters. With no restaurants or grocery stores on the property, buy what you need before you arrive.

5. Camp Fimfo — Waco

This camping resort on the Bosque River is open year-round, but the best time to plan a trip is during the warm-weather months. That's when you can enjoy the water park, pools, pickleball and tennis courts, 18-hole mini golf course, and lawn games. There are also kid-friendly activities like candy bingo, sand-art jars, pancake decorating, and bracelet-making. Choose to book an RV site or one of the cabins scattered on the property.

Best Family Resorts in Texas: Hill Country

6. Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa — Cedar Creek

If you’re looking for a quintessential Texas Hill Country escape, Lost Pines is one of the best. If the gorgeous lodge with lawns that slope towards the Colorado River doesn’t get you, the horseback riding, golf course, bike riding, petting zoo with Longhorn cattle, stargazing, basketball hoop, and archery might. Don’t miss the ping-pong and pool tables on the second floor or the incredible food at one of the resort's six dining spots.

7. Hyatt Regency Hill Country Resort and Spa — San Antonio

Located near Six Flags Fiesta Texas, this resort is perfect for anyone who wants plenty to do both on site and off. Just 20 minutes from the world-famous Riverwalk and the Alamo, the recently renovated Hyatt Regency Hill Country has a five-acre water park, a FlowRider wave machine, sand volleyball, wildlife feedings, family movie nights on the lawn, hiking, biking, and campfire chats.

8. Horseshoe Bay Resort — Horseshoe Bay

This impressive spot in the Texas Hill Country has options for booking condos, villas, private homes, or hotel rooms. There are teen pizza and putting nights, beginner pickleball lessons, and the Jungle Kids Club for younger kids. The resort is on Lake LBJ, and families can rent a boat for cruising, wakeboarding, tubing, or fishing. There are also paddleboards available for rent and a waterfront beach just for guests. 

9. JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort & Spa — San Antonio

Surrounded by 600 acres of rolling hills and oak trees, the water attractions at this resort are top-notch. It has a lazy river, a body-plunge slide, and a sand-beach pool. Kids will also enjoy the Slime Factory, the game room, the daily activities that rotate on a seasonal basis, and the hiking trails along the property, which is located next to a bird sanctuary. There are six dining options, an on-site Starbucks, and in-room dining.

10. Kalahari Resorts - Round Rock 

Quite possibly the biggest and best indoor waterpark resort in Texas, there is 350, 000 square feet of water fun to be had at Kalahari Resorts. Ride the Barrelling Balloon, play ball in the Lost Lagoon, or surf the FlowRider in the indoor park, and enjoy the sunshine, bubble parties, and lazy river in the outdoor waterpark. Kids will love Tom Foolerys games and arcades area, and don't miss the massive milkshakes at B-Lux Grill & Bar and the gourmet mac and cheese at MACS. Little ones will enjoy the activities and crafts at Adventurers Club, and everyone will love the candy shops, Build-A-Bear, escape room, and mini golf. There are various types of rooms and suites that work for different types of families, and parking is super easy. 

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Relax by the pool as the kids enjoy the Jolly Mon Water Park at Margaritaville Lake Resort.

Best Resorts for Families in Texas: Upper Gulf Coast

11. Margaritaville Lake Resort — Lake Conroe

Talk about a cheeseburger in paradise! Margaritaville Lake Resort is an hour from Houston and has everything a family could want. From magic shows and superhero Saturday brunches to ‘80s glow parties, a mermaid academy, mini golf, and pickleball, you’ll need to plan your stay well. The Jolly Mon water park boasts five pools (two heated), a lazy river, splash pads, water slides, and a private beach. Accommodations include 303 luxury suites and 32 waterfront cottages.

12. Moody Gardens Hotel, Spa, & Convention Center — Galveston Island

You can’t miss the three pyramids that are Moody Gardens as you cross the gulf to Galveston Island. The hotel features an aquarium, an indoor rainforest, a discovery museum, 3- and 4-D movie experiences, and seasonal outdoor fun like ropes courses, zip lines, and a water-play area. Moody Gardens is a short drive from the historic Strand District, Pleasure Pier amusement park, and other fun sites like the Galveston Train Museum.

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Unless noted, photos courtesy of the resorts