Beat the Heat this Summer in Royse City, TX!

6 Aug 2025
News
Intense summer heat in Texas will often have you thinking twice about spending all day outside during the months where temperatures are peaking. However, in Royse City, TX, northeast of Dallas, there are numerous ways to enjoy summertime without being overwhelmed by the sun. Royse City features a bustling Main Street downtown area with various eating, drinking, nightlife and shopping destinations. Additional arts and culture options, such as live music and museums, are also waiting to be explored. Cooling down in the many open spaces and outdoor facilities offered through Royse City’s Parks and Recreation Department is also an ideal summer agenda item.
Downtown Royse City
There’s always something happening on Main Street in downtown Royse City, one of only four North Texas cities with the Main Street designation. The historic downtown area is at the heart of the city’s action, featuring many events and unique small businesses. Visitors will find no shortage of eye-catching locales to pop into and escape the summer heat.
Spend quality time with a book or gather with friends at Renew Coffee or Main Street Emporium Ice Cream & Coffee, which also has delicious ice cream and sweet treats.
Looking for a family-friendly venue to relax and enjoy some tunes featuring local artists of various genres? Grab your lawn chair and head over to Cookston Court, Royse City’s beautiful downtown outdoor venue for “Music on Main” every Friday evening in June, July, September, and October.
Dining out is an incredible adventure in Royse City, bringing friends together over delectable delights and tasty drinks. Few things can take the edge off a hot summer day more than an ice-cold drink.
- Los Pinos Mexican Restaurant, Alejandro’s, and Arboledas Mexican Grill will satisfy your hunger for local, Tex-Mex flavor.
- Luigi’s Italian Cafe offers fine Italian dining.
- Anvil Brewing No. 2 offers American comfort food with a twist, serving up a massive Reuben sandwich and the best Giant Pretzel with handmade beer-cheese dip (of course) you’ll ever tear into. Folks love their brunch, served on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Anvil also offers a variety of nightly events like Poker Night, Nerd Night, Boozy Bingo, live comedy, music, and outdoor family movie nights.
- Smoke Sessions Barbeque is another Main Street feature and is among the best in the business. It specializes in high-quality, authentic Central Texas barbecue and offers covered outdoor seating, takeout, and large event services.
- Take a load off and catch a game at Alumni Sports Bar and Grill or join them for a lucrative game of Bingo or Texas Hold’em, complemented by their full-service bar.
- Alejandro’s on Main Street specializes in seafood dishes prepared from family recipes passed down through generations. Expert mixologists serve up a variety of creations from their full-service bar.
- Heading outside downtown Royse City is worth your time, too. Places like Sweetwater Grill deliver regular live music, a dance floor, and good times in addition to a full menu of delicious food.

History in Royse City
Royse City’s rich history is reflected in its historic downtown, with Main Street featuring a variety of buildings dating back to the late 1800s and early 1900s. For a deeper dive into the region’s roots, consider visiting the Zaner Robison Historical Museum, which illustrates settler life on the Blackland Prairie during the boom years of the 1920s-1960s. Old Jail Park, located downtown at the water tower, features a freestanding historic one-room calaboose built between 1911 and 1921.
Cool down and enjoy Royse City’s parks
Royse City features over 40 acres of developed parkland, playgrounds, catch-and-release ponds, and miles of walking, jogging, and outdoor enjoyment areas. Bring the whole family to Old Mill Park, featuring a quaint fishing pond, and City Lake Park, a 13-acre space with a brand-new fishing pier. Perhaps the best way to cool down in Royse City is by visiting the Walter-Hawk Splash Park, which has a pavilion, grills, playground, fishing pond, and splash park, which is completely free and open to the public.
Enjoy all Royse City has to offer this summer!
Whether it’s to shop or dine on Main Street, brush up on local history, or enjoy outdoor summer recreation, Royse City offers it all and more, providing fun activities for the whole family. Contact the City of Royse City Parks and Recreation department for more information or answers to questions.
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