Summertime in Texas means sunny days without a cloud in sight—and, of course, soaring temperatures. When booking summer events, planners can create built-in heat relief by booking a venue with water activities. Choose from water parks dedicated to pool time or amusement parks with splash rides, and guests will have plenty to keep cool and entertained.
Several large parks have conference and meeting space right on the grounds, so booking is simplified. Guests are within walking distance of all the amenities they might want during their trip, and they can step away from the event at any time right into a fun, festive atmosphere. From expansive expo halls to underwater dining rooms, we dove right in to find water and amusement parks in Texas that are making waves with planners.
Island Vibes
When you think of water parks, you might immediately think of families with kids. But for planners booking events that include attendees and their plus ones, a park intended for adults would be ideal. Margaritaville Lake Resort, Lake Conroe, just an hour north of Houston, is an island-inspired resort that combines the fun of a water park and the professional networking of a golf course—and much more.
Inspired by his song “Margaritaville,” Jimmy Buffett first opened Margaritaville as a restaurant, and the concept has grown exponentially with resorts across the country. The Conroe location offers guests 303 luxury suites and 32 waterfront cottages, plus open-air venues, International Association of Conference Centers-certified meeting rooms, and a 72,000-square-foot conference center. Explore the property to find the lazy river and water park, a luxury spa, boat slips for watercraft rentals, and a variety of sport courts. Dedicated team-building activities include pineapple bowling, both miniature and 18-hole golf, sandcastle competitions, cheeseburger cook-offs, and a cardboard boat regatta.
“Most professionals who have traveled for business meetings can relate to a scenario where you spend the entire day in meetings, classes, or group discussions,” says Andrew Yousse, communications and public information officer for the city of Conroe. “The day ends with participants meeting for dinner, where the conversation leads toward a recap of the meetings or general work-related talk. … Holding a business event at Margaritaville Lake Resort invites a more personal, social atmosphere where participants enjoy a wide range of team-building activities after a full business day.”
Family-Friendly Fun
Bleisure travel is on the rise, so if an organization is focused on giving attendees a family vacation alongside the event, a family-friendly venue would best fit the bill. Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine is an 80,000-square-foot indoor water park with a 605-room hotel on-site. With scavenger hunts, an arcade, and rustic suites with separate space for the kids, the property is ideal for keeping the family busy during event sessions or giving attendees team-building time on the ropes course.
Enjoy over 23,000 square feet of meeting space and conference rooms and 6,000 square feet of outdoor event space, including a 2,700-square-foot pavilion. On-site catering and a full event-planning staff make meetings run smoothly, and the 13-minute drive from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport simplifies transportation logistics.
For events farther south, San Antonio boasts rich cultural heritage, historic sites, and the famed Riverwalk. SeaWorld San Antonio is a unique aquatic adventure that offers plenty of space for meetings and unforgettable events. Guests will also find roller coasters, in-water animal interactions, restaurants, and shopping. Reserve the entire park or set up in one of the many indoor and outdoor meeting spaces, including the Nautilus Amphitheater with room for 3,000, the mezzanine level of Beluga Stadium for 150, or a dinner for 40 in an immersive underwater dining room with dolphins just a window away.
Convention-Goers Galore
Sometimes events need a lot of room and a lot of support to make them successful. Conventions can’t be held at most hotels, so planners usually book dedicated convention centers in their chosen city with hotels a short walk away. Kalahari Resorts & Conventions-Round Rock is the largest indoor water park in the country, covering 1.5 million square feet. The resort includes 975 hotel rooms and 250,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor meeting space and is only 40 minutes north of Austin.
“The appeal of mixing work and play is only increasing,” says Shaun Yates, Kalahari Resorts & Conventions-Round Rock director of sales. “Kalahari Resorts & Conventions offers a unique all-under-one-roof experience so guests can maximize their time on-site. In addition to top-notch meeting space, Kalahari offers delicious dining options, award-winning indoor and outdoor attractions, retail shopping, Spa Kalahari, and more.”
For the Thrill Seekers
If the group includes adrenaline fans—or Batman fans—consider one of the two Six Flags locations in Texas for an adventurous event. “Six Flags provides a unique and fun location with built-in theming,” says Edithann Ramey, Six Flags’ chief marketing officer. “For any event from 100 to 15,000 guests, we can make it an exciting and memorable experience. From world-class shows to thrilling rides and great shopping, there is something for everyone to enjoy.”
Six Flags Fiesta Texas is in a bustling retail, restaurant, and entertainment area of San Antonio. Activities include roller coasters, themed rides, live shows, and fireworks after sunset. Guests can break for fair food and adult beverages or cool off in splash zones and wave pools. “Entertainment, catering, signage, and swag can all be handled by Six Flags, leaving nothing for event planners to do except have fun, too,” Ramey says.
Planners with events in the Dallas-Fort Worth area can book Six Flags Over Texas in Arlington, which is only 15 minutes from Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport. “Six Flags Texas parks deliver meeting locations that can’t be found anywhere else,” Ramey says. “Six Flags’ on-site event planners handle everything. There are both indoor and outdoor venues for meetings and presentations, and unlimited fun once the work is done. There are even over-the-top options including incorporating custom messaging throughout the park, special shoutouts during our live shows, fireworks, custom music, and more. The possibilities are endless, and the memories will last forever!”
More Water, More Fun
Booking your event at a hotel but want an impressive group outing? We picked three more Texas parks that are close to popular venues and hotel options.
Epic Waters in Grand Prairie has 12 water slides, a surfing simulator, and an arcade. Nearby hotels include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel Arlington DFW South and Staybridge Suites Dallas–Grand Prairie. “Epic Waters is uniquely positioned to offer meeting and event planners a weatherproof event from start to finish,” says Shelly Leonard, Epic Waters’ director of sales. “We are honored to have just been named a top three indoor water park in the USA Today 10 Best Readers’ Choice 2023 Travel Awards and are ready to plan your next ‘splashtastic’ epic event.” epicwatersgp.com
Schlitterbahn Waterpark in Galveston stretches 26 acres with water coasters, a complex river system, and whitewater rapids. The park is within walking distance from Moody Gardens Galveston Island Hotel, Spa & Convention Center, so guests can enjoy an exciting day at the water park on either side of the event. For smaller events, several hotels nearby offer meeting space, including Hampton Inn & Suites Galveston. schlitterbahn.com
Waco Surf water park has reopened in the heart of Texas, offering water slides, multiple food and bar options, and of course, surf lessons. The park is located just outside the Waco city limits but has on-site accommodations at the Surf Hotel for a small group or rentable cabins and houses along Cable Park Lake. Ideal for a retreat, the water park at Waco Surf will challenge guests on the waves and reward them with a relaxing getaway. wacosurf.com
