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Have you ever seen a fried egg on the sidewalk? If not, maybe you’re not from Texas. It happens often in the summer just for laughs and giggles.
Most manage to make a quick breakfast with some sun and a hot sidewalk, which goes to show how hot Texas summers can be.
Cities like Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio are fun to visit all year round, but you’ll definitely be looking for air conditioning more often than not.
So why not plan a trip to one of Texas’s best hidden gems, where the cool blue lake waters beat any beach along the Lone Star State’s gulf coast?
If the Maldives were in Texas, this beautiful lakeside town surrounded by beautiful resorts would be the place!
Sorry, Galveston!
Home to breathtaking blue waters and conveniently located between San Antonio and Austin, Canyon Lake makes for a perfect summer retreat to beat the Texas heat.
The most pristine blue water in Texas
Let’s not kid ourselves here: saying that Canyon Lake is the “Maldives of Texas” is certainly a bit of an exaggeration, but the sad truth of this statement is that Texas beaches really aren’t that great.
Take it from me, a born and raised Texan turned proud Californian who might move back to Texas. That’s a mouthful, but such is life.
Between Galveston and Corpus Christi, two of the most popular beach spots in Texas, expect to be disappointed by foggy waters.
South Padre and Port Aransas are exceptions, of course, but even these don’t match the beautiful blue waters of Canyon Lake – a place I’ve also visited as an ‘Austinite’.
Many of us seek out the best beaches on hot summer days, as lakes often have a reputation for being dirty and murky.
But not here. Some parts of Texas are blessed with natural limestone deposits, a key ingredient for the dazzling shade of blue that made this lake so beautiful. go viral on social media.
The perfect summer retreat, tucked away from Austin and San Antonio
It’s easy to get lost in the city life of Austin and San Antonio. Both food scenes, both melting pots of cultures, and both within an hour of each other.
That said, no matter where you come from, you’ll be passing through the vast Texas Hill Country that isn’t talked about enough as a great vacation destination.
As a quick example of the sheer size of the region, Canyon Lake alone covers 8,200 acres.
Between New Braunfels, Fredericksburg, Dripping Springs and of course Canyon Lake, there are so many cool towns to visit.
About an hour’s drive from any major city, Canyon Lake is best reached by car. It can be a relaxing day out, a weekend away or a full-fledged holiday.
You can forget Austin’s Barton Springs for a dip to escape the heat and say goodbye to San Antonio’s unswimable Riverwalk.
However, Canyon Lake is the kryptonite for Texas’ melting summers, with special swimming areas with lifeguards.
Most notable is the beautiful Sunset Beach, the largest lake. Besides swimming and boating, the most popular way to enjoy the Hill Country’s blue waters is to float on the scenic Guadalupe River, which connects to Canyon Lake near the dam.
If that’s your problem, that’s what you should do Rock’n R river rides.
From cozy cabins to waterfront resorts, Canyon Lake has it all
Sure, you can spend your money on a big-name hotel in the city, but a stay at Canyon Lake will make you forget about the urban jungle and maybe even forget that you’re in Texas at all.
Those who haven’t been deep into Texas wouldn’t imagine something so beautiful – a far cry from the stereotypical plains you might imagine.
Canyon Lake is a sight to behold and chances are you’ll want to stay longer than a day.
The city offers a wide range of accommodations for all types of travelers, from cozy cabins to old-fashioned lodges to luxury resorts.
You can score some really nice cabins on platforms like Airbnb or go local with the top-rated cabins Canyon Lake Cabins and Event Center.
To reach a higher level, Canyon Lakeview Resort is a steal at just $135 per night in August when Texas reaches its peak heat!
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
The opinions expressed here are solely those of the author, and not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved, or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included in the post.