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If you're looking for something different to do with the family this summer—but don't want the expense and hassle of flying—Texas has a brand-new destination worth putting on your travel list.

Located in Frisco, about a 4½- to 5-hour drive from the Greater Baytown area, Universal Kids Resort officially opens today, July 1st. It's the first Universal theme park created specifically for families with younger children, making it an easy option for a long weekend or a quick summer road trip. According to Universal, the resort is designed especially for children ages 3 to 8, but families with older siblings will also find plenty to enjoy.

Instead of massive thrill rides, the park focuses on interactive adventures, colorful themed lands, character meet-and-greets, family-friendly attractions, splash areas, live entertainment, and plenty of places for kids to play and explore. Visitors can step into worlds inspired by Shrek, SpongeBob SquarePants, Jurassic World, Minions, Trolls, Puss in Boots, and Gabby's Dollhouse.

The resort also features a 300-room on-site hotel designed with families in mind. Many rooms include kid-friendly touches like bunk beds, and hotel guests receive perks such as dedicated park entry and early admission to select attractions.

Make It a Weekend

One of the biggest advantages is location. Frisco is part of the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex, so your trip doesn't have to end at the theme park.

Families can also enjoy:

Shopping and dining at nearby The Star District, home of the Dallas Cowboys' headquarters.
The interactive National Videogame Museum, a favorite for kids and nostalgic adults.
KidZania USA, where children can role-play dozens of real-world careers.
Plenty of restaurants, parks, and family entertainment throughout Frisco and neighboring Plano.

Whether you spend one day at Universal or turn it into a three-day getaway, there are plenty of ways to fill the weekend.

A Vacation Without Breaking the Budget

Not every family vacation requires plane tickets and a week away from home. A Texas road trip can often cost much less while still creating lasting memories.

If your kids love movies, cartoons, dinosaurs, Minions, or meeting their favorite characters, Universal Kids Resort could become one of Texas' hottest new family destinations this summer. So pack the snacks, cue up the road trip playlist, and hit the highway—your next family adventure may be closer than you think.

Planning to go? We'd love to hear what you think! If your family visits Universal Kids Resort this summer, send us your photos and tips—we may feature them in a future edition of Baytown Local News & Events.

Click to read our previous articles here and also here

Click for more info on the resort

A 26-year-old La Porte resident is among four Houston-area individuals facing federal criminal charges after authorities say they flew drones into temporary no-fly zones established around Houston's FIFA Fan Festival earlier this month. Federal officials allege the unauthorized flights occurred on June 11, 13, and 18 in restricted airspace created to help protect fans attending official World Cup events.

According to the U.S. Attorney's Office, the FAA designates official FIFA stadiums and fan events as strict "no-drone zones," and pilots who violate those temporary flight restrictions can face federal charges.

The La Porte resident, along with individuals from Richmond, Pearland, and Katy, is scheduled to make initial court appearances in early July. The charges are allegations, and all defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

A 31-year-old Baytown man was killed early Tuesday morning in a crash on Highway 73 west of Port Arthur, according to the Texas Department of Public Safety. Investigators say a truck tractor failed to yield at a crossover intersection, causing the collision that claimed the Baytown driver's life. The truck driver suffered non-life-threatening injuries, and the crash remains under investigation.

Link to the full story, including video coverage.

Baytown residents are invited to get a first look at the future of the ExxonMobil Baytown Events Center and Sterling Municipal Library during a Design Showcase on Thursday, July 30th, at 6:00 p.m. in the Baytown Community Center Auditorium, 2407 Market Street.

The showcase will highlight what residents shared during the recent public forum and community survey, explain how that feedback is shaping the projects, and present early design concepts for both the Events Center and the Sterling Library renovation.

Goose Creek CISD Nutrition Services and ARAMARK Student Nutrition are offering free summer meals for children ages 1 to 18 at multiple schools, parks, libraries and community locations across Baytown and Highlands.

Families visiting Pelly Park can also catch a special visit from the Baytown Fire Department from 10:15 to 10:45 a.m. on Monday, July 6th, and Monday, July 13th.

No registration is required at park meal sites, and children do not have to be enrolled in summer school to receive meals at participating school locations.

Please help us spread the word: share this newsletter with your friends, neighbors, and anyone who loves a good deal. Encourage them to subscribe so they never miss a sale. And if you're planning a sale of your own, be sure to submit your info by Tuesday at 5 PM to be included in this week’s issue!

Friendly Note: Garage and Estate sales are as unpredictable as the Texas weather—sometimes they pop up, sometimes they blow away! 🌦️ Hosts may change times, addresses, or even cancel altogether. We just share the info; the rest is part of the treasure-hunting adventure. 🛍️
Be sure to check the list on both Thursday and Friday — sometimes we receive new submissions after Thursday’s edition has already gone out.

To make scrolling easier for everyone, we’ve moved job listings to a separate page! If you're job hunting, check it out—if not, enjoy a quicker read! 😊👀

La Porte ISD is hiring - See their current openings


Click job listings page

Last Quiz: In 1977, NASA launched two spacecraft that are now the farthest human-made objects from Earth. What are they called?
Answer: B. Voyager 1 and Voyager 2.
Voyager 1 and Voyager 2. Launched just 16 days apart in the fall of 1977, both probes are currently traveling through interstellar space, with Voyager 1 holding the record as the most distant human-made object from Earth