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Weekend Getaway Ideas from Houston

There are so many amazing things to do in Houston, making filling up your free time easy. When you want to take a break from the hustle and bustle, a quick trip from Houston to other Texas cities might be just the thing to help you relax and recharge.

Here, we discuss some fun ideas for weekend trips from Houston. Whether you're up for an adventure or looking to de-stress, we're sure you'll find something special to make your getaway memorable.

Take a Detour to DFW

A trip to the Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW) area tops our list of weekend getaways from Houston. If you're in the mood for a relaxation vacation or want to keep your muscles recharged after an active day, The Colony (a city north of Dallas) is home to WorldSpings. You can recharge at our spa by floating in our mineral hot springs, getting a signature mineral massage, and concluding with a rejuvenating facial. After a day at WorldSprings, you'll return to Houston feeling brand new.

Before you head back to Houston, make sure to attend a Dallas Mavericks game at the American Airlines Center or cheer on the Dallas Cowboys at the AT&T Stadium. If you want to interact with art, Dallas is home to Texas' other Meow Wolf installation and the fabulous Bishop Arts District.

You could also make a day of hitting different used bookstores, as Dallas is the home to the first Half Price Books. This gigantic bookstore will make any book nerd's heart burst with joy. After a day of watching a game, viewing art, spending time in nature, visiting museums, or browsing books, you can feast at world-class dining establishments throughout the city.

Try Day Trips Closer to Houston

If you want to get out of town but not stray too far from Houston, there are numerous places to explore just beyond city limits.

We love journeying along I-45 to spend a day on the bustling island of Galveston. While this is one of the top cruise ports in the country, it's also a great place for dolphin watching. History buffs can head to Seawolf Park, a memorial to the U.S. submarine USS Seawolf that sank during WWII. There's no shortage of fresh seafood in Galveston, so refuel with a good meal.

Explore Armand Bayou Nature Center to spend your downtime in the great outdoors. The greenspace boasts an array of wildlife1 that impresses bird-watching and gator-watching enthusiasts alike.

Brazos Bend State Park might be the perfect pick if you want to go slightly farther afield to see an alligator. This nearly 5,000-acre escape has an incredible ecosystem.

Exploring the Kemah Boardwalk is a family favorite for a reason. The lovely path looks out over Galveston Bay, part of the Texas Gulf Coast. The boardwalk is home to numerous amusement rides, from thrilling coasters to a Ferris wheel that really gives you a bird's-eye view of the bay and surrounding area. Grab some snacks, have a blast on the rides with the bay as a backdrop, and then end the night with a bite at one of the waterfront restaurants.

Saunter Over to San Antonio

Remember the Alamo? You certainly will after visiting the iconic historical spot and the beautiful city that surrounds it. Whether you take a ghost tour around town or shop along the famous Riverwalk, San Antonio has everything you could want for a weekend trip.

San Antonio is for foodies who love delicious Mexican and Tex-Mex cuisine. Those who enjoy lively libations are in luck; San Antonio has the best cocktails you'll find anywhere in the state. The El Mercado Marketplace features a huge array of Latin cuisine vendors and is the perfect spot for snapping Instagram-ready photos.

Arrive in Austin

Known for keeping it weird, Austin is more than just vibes. It has an impressive independent bookstore, BookPeople, that will keep bookworms enthralled for hours. It's tricky to resist the urge to take selfies in front of Austin's beautiful skyline and stick around for drinks before heading to a comedy club or live music venue.

Those who appreciate architecture should add a trip to the Texas Capitol to their Austin to-do list. The mammoth building, featuring multiple wings and stories, is a Renaissance Revival masterpiece. Let your open-air adventure take you to Barton Springs, a sprawling pool within Zilker Park.

Book Your Getaway From Houston to DFW Today

Social wellness is one of the best ways to recharge, and we pride ourselves on offering a way for everyone to do so. Whether you strike up a conversation with someone at our pools or you and your spouse participate in a couples massage, there's no better way to refill your cup than at WorldSprings.

We offer various massage services, so you can find the right fit for your comfort level and de-stressing needs. We also offer prenatal massages for anyone spending their babymoon close to home.

Sources:

1. Tips for Seeing Wildlife. Armand Bayou Nature Center. Retrieved April 28, 2025, from https://www.abnc.org/tips-for-seeing-wildlife

Be part of the first wave of WorldSprings Ambassadors

on Sep 29, 2025 | 1 minute

We’re building a community of connectors who want to share WorldSprings and earn exclusive access in return. Ambassadors have a one-time sign up fee of $30, then your membership is free (Sunday–Friday access) — and stays free as long as you keep referring friends. All we ask? Share the love with your personal discount code. Here’s how it works: Apply to become an Ambassador here We review applications twice a month. If selected, our team will reach out. Pay your $30 sign-up fee (covers your first month of membership). Refer 10 guests within your first 30 days → earn 3 months of free membership. Referrals are counted based on soak reservations using your unique code provided after you've been approved as an ambassador. Keep referring 30 guests every 3 months → your free membership continues. If you have any questions, please email [email protected]. We look forward to having you in our community!

October Exclusive: Our Biggest Giveaway Ever

on Sep 29, 2025 | 1 minute

Our Biggest Sports + Wellness Giveaway Ever Soak at WorldSprings anytime between October 1–31, 2025 for your shot at our biggest giveaway yet: a wellness prize stacked with fitness and recovery perks from favorite local brands, plus a VIP weekend at one of the Dallas Cowboys’ most exciting football matchups. One Grand Prize Winner Will Receive: 💧 1-Year WorldSprings Membership + 10 Guest Passes 🏈 2 Lower Concourse Tickets to the Dallas Cowboys vs. Philadelphia Eagles (November 23, 2025) ✨ 4 VIP Passes to Cowboys Experience Event (November 22, 2025), including up to 3 player autographs 💪 Elite Performance Training (EPT): 1 Week of Adult Personal Training 🩰 Carries Pilates Studio: 5-Class Pack + Grip Socks 🧗 Movement Plano: 7-Visit Rock Climbing Pass 💉 Hydrate IV Bar: 1 Recovery Drip + Swag Bag Approximate Retail Value (ARV): $3,860 The grand prize winner will be announced in the first week of November, good luck! How to Enter Automatic Entry: Book and visit WorldSprings for a soak between October 1–31, 2025 Key Dates Entry Period: October 1–31, 2025 Winner Announced: First week of November 2025 Official Rules Eligibility: Open to Texas residents, age 18+. Employees of WorldSprings and partner brands, and their immediate families, are not eligible. Winner Selection: Random drawing will take place within 7 days after the entry period. Winner must verify identity and respond within 48 hours; otherwise, an alternate winner will be selected. Conditions: Prize is non-transferable and cannot be exchanged for cash. Taxes are the responsibility of the winner. Sponsor reserves the right to substitute a prize of equal or greater value if needed. Release: By entering, participants agree to release WorldSprings, partner brands, and Instagram from any liability. This giveaway is not sponsored, endorsed, or administered by Instagram. Sponsor: WorldSprings, 3240 Plano Parkway, The Colony, TX 75056. Void where prohibited. No Purchase Necessary: Enter for free through our alternate online entry form.

Muscle Recovery Tips for Cyclists

on Sep 25, 2025 | 5 min

Whether you're clocking long miles in the Texas sun or spinning through a weekend hill climb, endurance cycling pushes muscles, tendons, and energy systems to their limits. And what you do after a ride can be just as important as your training. For cyclists in the Dallas-Fort Worth area and those visiting Texas on an active vacation, WorldSprings offers a science-backed approach to recovery. From hydrotherapy to personalized wellness circuits, we're here to help you reduce fatigue, ease muscle soreness, and prepare for your next ride. Why Recovery Matters After a Ride Post-cycling recovery is a crucial aspect of maintaining peak performance and long-term health. Proper post-bike ride recovery supports tissue repair, restores mobility, and reduces the risk of injury — all of which are key to achieving consistent, sustainable improvement on the bike.1 Seven Tips for Muscle Recovery Every Cyclist Should Know 1. Refuel with Carbohydrates and Protein Refueling after a ride is essential, as your body needs to replenish glycogen stores and rebuild muscle fibers. Within 30 to 90 minutes of finishing your ride, consume a meal or shake. It should be a mix of carbohydrates and protein in a 3:1 or 4:1 ratio.2 Eating during this window accelerates post-cycle recovery and reduces next-day soreness. Skipping this step can leave you exhausted and prevent you from doing your best on the next ride.3 Peanut butter and dried fruit are both nutrient-packed, post-ride snacks.4 2. Hydrate Drink water during your ride and continue for several hours afterward. Why? Even mild dehydration can impair recovery and increase muscle soreness. Add electrolytes if the ride was over an hour or occurred in hot conditions.5 Doing so will help replenish electrolytes lost during the long, strenuous trek. To avoid the complications that come from dehydration — which also include poor sleep and slow overall recovery — cyclists should drink plenty of water daily. Specifically, men should consume 3.7 liters, while women should consume 2.7 liters a day.6 If you need to refill your water bottle, no worries. You can also get hydration from different foods and other fluids beyond H2O. 3. Use Cold Immersion to Reduce Inflammation Muscle inflammation can cause soreness after a challenging ride, and cold plunges can help provide relief. The icy dip helps constrict blood vessels and reduce swelling to minimize muscle soreness. Experience the therapeutic power of an icy dip in one of WorldSprings' cold plunges, promoting recovery and helping to alleviate aches and pains. The frigid temperatures are intense, so start with a 30-second plunge. If you can tolerate a bit more chill time, don't exceed two minutes. For enhanced benefits (and to make the low temperatures more manageable), consider soaking in our mineral hot springs first. Contrast therapy (moving from hot to cold water) helps minimize muscle damage and speeds up the return of normal muscle function by getting rid of waste while improving circulation.7 4. Soak in Mineral‑Rich Water Soaking in mineral hot springs for their healing properties is a wellness approach that dates back centuries. You can reap the same rewards (with a modern touch) at WorldSprings with a soak in our waters. You'll find our hot springs in four globally inspired regions. Visit the Guatemala and Mexico area, where wading in the magnesium-, potassium-, and bicarbonate-infused water helps reduce inflammation. The bicarbonate, magnesium, and potassium in the Japan & Korea region is also ideal for athletes to aid muscle recovery. 5. Try Compression Therapy Compression boot therapy can be beneficial after intense training or a marathon. The boots apply rhythmic pressure to improve circulation, reduce swelling, and support lymphatic drainage.8 This hands-free massage may also help you become a stronger cyclist by improving your ankle and knee range of motion — allowing you to pedal faster. Book a compression boot therapy session at WorldSprings to give your lower body a much-needed reset. 6. Sit in a Sauna Many athletes incorporate sauna bathing into their post-cycling recovery regimen. Sitting in the heat aids heart health by promoting better circulation. The heat also dilates blood vessels, providing a clear pathway for oxygenated blood to get to tight muscles to ease tension.9 At WorldSprings, the dry heat in our Finnish saunas will help melt away muscle tension and expedite recovery after an intense ride. Plus, it supports relaxation and stress relief after a hard session. 7. Book a Targeted Massage In general, massage therapy eases muscle tension and promotes relaxation. Different techniques, however, offer targeted treatment to address various concerns. For instance, the gentle pressure of a Swedish massage helps release mild tension in superficial muscles caused by issues such as poor posture and repetitive motions while performing daily chores. A deep-tissue massage might be the better choice for cyclists, as the firm pressure targets deeper muscles as well as tendons and fascia (connective tissues) affected during strenuous exercise. WorldSprings' massage menu includes deep-tissue massage and other techniques to help visitors achieve their wellness goals. Personalized Recovery: The Mineral Method at WorldSprings WorldSprings is the premier post-cycling recovery destination for Dallas–Fort Worth cyclists and visiting riders alike. Whether you're coming off a long ride, active vacation, or endurance event, our holistic offerings help refresh body and mind. The Mineral Method, our wellness circuit, provides a tailored journey through contrast therapy, mineral soaks, sauna sessions, compression boot therapy, and spa services, including deep-tissue massage. Take the Mineral Method Quiz to find your ideal post-ride recovery path. Make reservations today! Sources Rutberg, J. (18 August 2021). Best Tips for Post‑Ride Recovery. USA Cycling. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://usacycling.org/article/best-tips-for-post-ride-recovery Walker, J. (24 April 2015). Sports Nutrition. Alive. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.alive.com/health/sport-nutrition/ A Guide to Pre and Post-Exercise Nutrition for Optimal Performance. KaleV Fitness Solution. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.kalevfitness.com/blog/a-guide-to-pre-and-post-exercise-nutrition-for-optimal-performance/ Housler, B. (8 May 2024). Top 10 Cycling Muscle Recovery Tips from Professional Racers. EVOQ .Bike. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.evoq.bike/blog/pro-cycling-recovery Keary, L. (7 August 2025). When to Drink Electrolytes, According to Experts. Men’s Health. Retrieved September 17, 2025, from https://www.menshealth.com/nutrition/a65616220/when-to-drink-electrolytes/ van Vugt, B. (16 January 2024). What are the hydration needs of cyclists? Hammer Nutrition Europe. Retrieved September 18, 2025, from https://www.hammernutrition.eu/article/what-are-the-hydration-needs-of-cyclists-151 (May 7 2024) 11 Unique Benefits of Contrast Therapy for Athletes. River Birch Nordic Sauna. Retrieved September 18, 2025, from https://www.riverbirchsauna.com/blog/benefits-of-contrast-therapy-for-athletes Martens, A. (18 December 2023). Your Complete Guide to the Benefits of Compression Recovery. Prevention. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.prevention.com/fitness/fitness-tips/g45912433/benefits-of-compression-recovery/ Kaloc, J. (25 October 2018). Why Cyclists Should Have a Sauna Regularly. We Love Cycling. Retrieved September 8, 2025, from https://www.welovecycling.com/wide/2018/10/25/why-cyclists-should-have-a-sauna-regularly/

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