Summer 2025 in Fort Worth was unexpectedly decent all the way to mid-July. And then the heat moved in. Now heat advisories are being issued, with the Climate Prediction Center predicting above-average temperatures through the end of the month. Weather is wreaking its revenge.

There's only one thing for us to do when the weather turns hot: a roundup of cold things. Fortunately, we've covered waterparks, pools, and the best frozen drinks. But this list is different: It consists of cold things that are new and unusual: from a brand new amusement park attraction to a lakeside hang, we've got six of the hottest new cool things in Fort Worth right now.

Splash Island
Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Arlington just debuted a splashy new attraction called Splash Island. It's a massive new family water playground with more than 100 interactive water features such as water cannons, water wheels, dumping buckets, and spray hoses. At 58,000 square feet, it is now the biggest attraction at the park, replacing two previous attractions (bye, Splashwater Beach and Surf Rider), featuring a multi-level, 50-foot treehouse play structure with 17 water slides including plenty of drops and twists; a huge splash pad; and a gigantic tipping bucket that dumps 1,000 gallons of water on guests every 6-8 minutes.

Rockin’ S Bar and Grill
Cajun seafood spot recently opened in Grand Prairie, on the Lynn Creek Marina at Joe Pool Lake; the restaurant and bar floats on the lake and provides next-level views. Enjoy their seaside atmosphere with wood plank ceiling, wood flooring and walls, and nautical decor, as you share nachos, onion rings, fried pickles, and a pound of peel n’ eat shrimp with cocktail dipping sauce for $24. They have a full bar with $12 cocktails — including colorful and frozen options. This is the fifth Rockin’ S restaurant, joining Granbury, Graham (west of Fort Worth), and two in Grapevine, all in marina locations.

Glacial facials at Woodhouse Spas
Select Woodhouse Spas have introduced two advanced facial services called Glacial FX that are cold as ice. Glacial Gloss is a full 50-minute facial ($275-$285), and Glacial Glide is a 25-minute standalone treatment or add-on to other services ($200-$210). Both use patented cryo technology to brighten and perk up dull and dehydrated skin, and to help reduce conditions like redness, melasma, and inflammation. Relax on a heated table as an icy wand glides all over your face; after the initial shock of cold, it feels like a popsicle being melted and soothed into the skin — minus the stickiness. Currently available at Woodhouse Spas in Plano and Fort Worth; not yet at Dallas or Highland Village locations.

UTA PlanetariumUTA

Crispy Cones
Unique ice cream shop chain which appeared on Shark Tank opened its first DFW-area location in North Richland Hills. The concept, which was founded in Utah in 2018, is fashioned after "chimney cake"-style cones common in the Czech Republic. The company rotisserie-grills a dough to create a cone that's soft and fluffy, similar to a croissant, versus the usual crisp cone you get at a typical ice cream stand. The process involves wrapping the dough around a rod, then baking it over a heating element until it turns golden brown, crispy on the outside but soft on the inside. The ice cream is soft-serve in choice of vanilla, chocolate, swirl, or seasonal flavor such as pistachio or cookie dough. You can get toppings like chopped up Heath bars, almonds, Oreo cookies, and the like; and sauce including Nutella, caramel, cookie butter, or raspberry.

UTA Planetarium
Have you ever wanted to listen to live music under the atmosphere of space? The Planetarium at the University of Texas at Arlington is hosting concerts in what has to be one of the most unique live music experiences in the area: combining surround sound with 360-degree high-quality visuals based on real astronomical data. Concerts are usually monthly on Friday, depending on artist availability. Tickets are $35 for general admission ($30 for faculty & staff, $25 for kids & students), and include appetizers such as crudite, fruit/cheese board, and chips & queso. There is also a cash bar. The reception starts at 6 pm with food & drink in the planetarium atrium and the concert starts at 7 pm. Notable high point: The Planetarium is air-conditioned. The next show is Thursday, July 24, and features the Helium Queens, with additional acts lined up for September and October. Outside of concerts, the Planetarium hosts public shows every Saturday: everything from a Sesame Street show in the early afternoon to a Pink Floyd show at night — $10 for general admission, $8 tickets for seniors, students, children.

WorldSprings Cold Plunge
Dallas' mineral hot springs experience has launched a Cold Plunge Challenge, running every Thursday in July from 12-1 pm. Guests are challenged to stay in WorldSprings’ 55-degree cold plunge for one minute. Those who complete it receive a small prize, although all are encouraged to enjoy the cold plunge for its immediate relief and long-lasting benefits. Cold plunges are known to support circulation, reduce inflammation, improve mood, and boost focus. WorldSprings' cold plunges are kept operating year-around, part of the facility's 46 mineral and freshwater pools and saunas, whose temperatures range from the mid 80s to the low 100s.
---
Stephanie Allmon Merry contributed to this story.