Day trips from Houston

No more than 35 minutes away from Houston, Tanger Outlets in Texas City is a top-rated shopping center that caters to men, women, and children. It provides a peaceful environment to shoppers and is excellent for a shopping spree since it consists of several high streets and luxury stores offering products at heavily discounted rates. Visitors would find everything from clothing, sports gear, home décor, and bath products to accessories, shoes, athleisure, and fragrances. The center is known for stores like Coach, ASICS, Bath & Body Works, Converse, and Michael Kors and consists of several food joints such as Starbucks and Auntie Anne’s to grab a bite to eat while shopping.

Address: 5885 Gulf Fwy, Texas City, TX 77591, United States
Timings: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm
Distance from Houston: 32.8 miles (35 minutes away)
Stores: Aeropostale, GUESS Factory Store, Kate Spade New York, Nike Factory Store, Sunglass Hut, Tommy Hilfiger, etc.
Dining Options: Starbucks, Crepes, and Waffles, Charley’s Philly Steaks, etc.

Blessington Farms is the perfect choice for a day trip with kids since it offers a number of fun activities best suited for families. The farm provides young visitors the option to engage in activities such as playing Tug-O-War, uncovering all kinds of fossils and rocks from a bag of “dirt,” swinging on a rope, going through a rope maze, jumping on an inflated trampoline, climbing a tire mountain and more. Visitors get to feed and interact with the Quaker Parrots on the farm, along with hens, goats, and donkeys, and also go fishing. Moreover, depending on the time of the year, people get the opportunity to pick their own fruits like strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, or visit the pumpkin patch and select from a wide variety of options. The Farmer’s Market is also a popular attraction here.

Address: 510 Chisolm Trail, Wallis, TX 77485, United States
Timings: 9:00 am to 2:00 pm (Thursday- Friday), 9:00 am to 4:00 pm (Saturday- Sunday), Monday- Wednesday closed
Distance from Houston: 40 miles (50 minutes away)
Activities: Rat Race, Barrel Train Ride, Spider Webb, Sand Mountain, Hay Ride, Hay Palace, Fossil Dig, etc.
Fruit Picking Options: Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, pumpkins

The Sam Houston National Forest is one of 4 national forests in Texas, and it spans out over an area of about 163,045 acres, serving as an excellent location for outdoor activities. There is plenty of space to go hiking, and the Lone Star Hiking Trail, which is 128 miles long and has markers, is the most popular trail on site. There are three developed campgrounds on the property, namely Cagle, Double Lake, and Stubblefield Recreation areas for camping. These sites are equipped with showers, biking trails, restrooms, water and sewer connections, and more. Lake Livingston, Lake Conroe, and the San Jacinto River are suitable for fishing, boating, sailing, and visitors are allowed to hunt in the area. Furthermore, the creeks, rivers, and green open spaces provide serenity, and visitors get to engage in wildlife viewing.

Address: 394 FM 1375 West, New Waverly, TX 77358, United States
Timings: 8:00 am to 11:30 am, 12:00 pm to 4:30 pm (Monday- Saturday), Sunday closed
Area: 163,045 acres
Distance from Houston: 59.6 miles (1 hour away)
Suggested Activities: Camping, hunting, boating, hiking, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing, relaxing

Austin, Texas, makes for a fun day trip from Houston owing to its rich cultural scene. Home to many artists, photographers, writers, and more, Austin is known for its museums, galleries, exhibits, ballet studios, dance and music performances, etc. The city is popular for sports such as football, roller derby, motorsports, and recreational activities such as biking, cycling, swimming, and camping. Water parks, swimming holes, fitness centers, water rentals, and cruises are some of the facilities available. There are guided walking tours of the city, which take visitors around the different eateries, historic sites, and recreational facilities. The many restaurants, cafes, bars, and breweries serve a variety of tasty treats, while the small boutiques, luxury stores, and malls are perfect for shopping. The city is also known for several music festivals like SXSW, Urban Music Festival, and Rodeo Austin.

Distance from Houston: 165.2 miles (2 hours 25 minutes away)
Dining Options: La Barbeque, Bombay Dhaba, Old Thousand, Barley Swine, Oasis, Garbo’s, Patrizi’s, Blue Owl Brewing, etc.
Artistic Attractions: Blanton, Big Medium’s East, Contemporary at the Jones Center, Fusebox Festival, Ballet Austin, Carver Museum, etc.
Recreational Activities: Swimming, visiting water parks, biking, cycling, hiking, fitness, attending music and dance performances, etc.
Shopping Options: ByGeorge, 2nd Street District, The Domain, Amelia’s Retro-Vogue & Relics, Luxe Apothetique, etc.

Situated along the Gulf of Mexico coast, Port Arthur is a small city in Texas, perfect for nature lovers. It offers its visitors the chance to have some fun at Pleasure Island, ideal for boating, hiking, biking, playing golf, relaxing on the beach, and even participating in a marathon. Due to its location, Port Arthur is home to diverse wildlife, including alligators, fish, and birds. The Gulf Coast Museum is popular for its various exhibits on cars, wildlife, pop culture, music, history, and more. The 14-mile Sabine Lake is ideal for fishing, while Sea Rim State Park, with its meadows, lagoons, and wetlands, is perfect for fishing, hunting, kayaking, paddling, camping, and wildlife viewing. The city also has several sacred sites, such as the Our Lady of Guadalupe shrine, Lotus Gardens, and Buu Mon Buddhist Temple.

Distance from Houston: 89.6 miles (1 hour 20 minutes away)
Main Attractions: Museum of the Gulf Coast, Faith Trail, Pleasure Island, Lotus Gardens, Our Lady of Guadalupe, Sabine Lake, Sea Rim State Park
Suggested Activities: Hiking, biking, fishing, kayaking, nature viewing, hunting, swimming, visiting shrines and temples, exploring the museum, etc.
Suggested duration: 7-8 hours

Situated at the edge of the Big Thicket, Village Creek State Park is a superb idea for a day trip from Houston since it is set within nature and is suitable for various outdoor activities. The wide variety of flora and fauna make for an interesting nature viewing experience, while Village Creek is suitable for swimming, canoeing, or paddling. Moreover, the waters are perfect for fishing catfish, bass, and sunfish, and the vast open spaces serve as excellent picnic spots. There are about 8 miles worth of trails on-site, out of which the Water Oak Trail and Lil’ Paws Nature Trail are quite famous; these trails are meant for both hiking and biking. It must be kept in mind that there are alligators in the area, so visitors must adhere to the said guidelines. Camping is also a preferred activity at Village Creek State Park, and there is an option to choose between tents, cabins, and RVs.

Address: 8854 Park Rd 74, Lumberton, TX 77657, United States
Timings: 8:00 am to 10:00 pm
Distance from Houston: 97.9 miles (1 hour 30 minutes away)
Entrance Fee: USD 4 (adults), Free (ages 12 and under)
Suggested Activities: Camping, hiking, biking, fishing, nature viewing, swimming, canoeing, paddling, etc.
Suggested duration: 5-7 hours

Texas Energy Museum is located in Beaumont, Texas, and was established in 1987 to educate people about the story of oil. The museum is spread out over 2 floors and contains numerous historical photographs, maps, and items of Beaumont and the oil fields in southeast Texas. It uses interactive art exhibits, often including talking robotic characters, that provide information about the geology, history, and the production of oil. There are about 5 exhibits at the Texas Energy Museum. One of them, Spindletop, focuses on the Spindletop oil discovery and production and features several items from the Spindletop Museum of Lamar University with the Western Company of North America Museum. Moreover, visitors have a chance to learn about petroleum science and the process of modern refining chemistry. It also hosts school groups for educational programs.

Address: 600 Main St, Beaumont, TX 77701, United States
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Tuesday- Saturday), 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm (Sunday), Monday closed
Distance from Houston: 88.1 miles (1 hour 20 minutes away)
Admission Fee: USD 5 (adults), USD 3 (ages 6 to 12, ages 65 and above)
Exhibitions: Formation, Exploration, Drilling, Refining, Spindletop
Suggested duration: 3-5 hours

Situated southeast of Houston and Galveston County, Kemah was originally a fishing town that is now popular due to its Kemah Entertainment District. The Kemah Boardwalk happens to be a key highlight of the city. It is famous for its water view, amusement park rides (Ferris wheel, Boardwalk Bullet or Wipeout Wheel), small shops selling various goods, including surfwear, arcades, music, and festivals. The different food joints, such as Landry’s Seafood and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., serve delicious seafood. The Boardwalk Beast provides a chance to go out for a tour of Galveston Bay and even get splashed, and the water is great for surfing, paddleboarding, dinner voyages, and historical sightseeing. In fact, there are boat rides through the haunted lighthouse district. Clear Creek Vineyard is a Tuscan winery that offers wine tours, tastings, and private blending sessions, while T-Bone Tom’s and the Aquarium Restaurant are other popular food joints to check out.

Distance from Houston: 36.4 miles (40 minutes away)
Things to Do: Boating, surfing, paddleboarding, going on amusement park rides, wine tasting, shopping, dining, playing at arcades, sightseeing, etc.
Main Attractions: Kemah Boardwalk, Boardwalk Beast, Clear Creek Vineyard, T-Bone Tom’s, Aquarium Restaurant, Landry’s Seafood, Kayak Shack, etc.
Suggested duration: 6-7 hours

The Stark Museum of Art is a must-visit in Texas since it houses one of the world’s largest collections on Western American art, focusing on the landscapes, people, and the flora and fauna of the west. It also contains artwork, clothing, pottery, body ornaments, and other items made by tribes of the Great Plains, Northwest Coast and other areas, under the American Indian collection. The Decorative Arts collection contains glass and porcelain natural and historical themes, while the Rare Books and Manuscripts collection features a number of rare books, journals, manuscripts, and first-edition publications. It is known to offer guided tours of the grounds to adults and children, and also host different interactive programs for educational purposes such as scavenger hunts, colouring activities, summer camps, and others.

Established: 1978
Address: 712 Green Ave, Orange, TX 77630, United States
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:00 pm (Wednesday- Friday), Saturday- Tuesday closed
Distance from Houston: 108.2 miles (1 hour 40 minutes away)
Collections: Western Art, Decorative Arts, American Indian, Rare Books and Manuscripts
Artists: John James Audubon, Albert Bierstadt, Frederic Remington, Steuben Glass, John James Audubon, Paul Kane etc.
Programs: Art Quest Summer Camp, SMA Playdate: Color Crate, Gallery Scavenger Hunts, Scouts programs etc.

Built sometime in the 18th century by Roman Catholic missionaries, The Alamo is a Spanish mission and a fortress, which was also the site of the Battle of the Alamo (1836). It became a National Historic Landmark in the year 1960 and has been converted into a museum. There are guided tours of the grounds, and people also have the option to explore on their own; some of the main attractions to check out include the chapel, the battlefield, the Shrine, the gardens, and the diorama recreates the compound from 1836. The Long Barracks consists of a museum that houses several paintings, weapons, artifacts, and other items from the Texas Revolution. At the same time, another complex building is home to different kinds of artifacts. Visitors would find Phil Collin’s collection of artifacts, which were donated to the Alamo. There is also a gift shop on the property.

Address: 300 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX 78205, United States
Official Name: Alamo Mission in San Antonio
Timings: 9:00 am to 5:30 pm
Distance from Houston: 195.8 miles (about 3 hours away)
Main Attractions: The Shrine, Phil Collin’s collection, Long Barracks, diorama, chapel, battlefield, gardens

Known For : The Sixth Floor Museum at Dealey Plaza Reunion Tower Dallas Museum of Art

Thriving in the arts and culture department, Dallas is the new hipster hub with its many arts districts and museums. The city has a bitter brush-in with history by being the city where John F. Kennedy was assassinated in 1963 and the site is memorialized at the Dealey Plaza with the exact spot marked with an 'X'. On an added note, it is also the largest city in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metropolitan (DFW).

Distance from Houston: 239.2 miles (3 hours 20 minutes away)
Dining Options: The Heritage Table, Zoli’s NY Pizza, TJ’s Seafood Market, Royal China, Hillside Tavern, Sachet etc.
Museums: Dallas Museum of Art, African American Museum of Dallas, Meadows Museum, Nasher Sculpture Center, Crow Museum of Asian Art etc.
Attractions: Dealey Plaza, Klyde Warren Park, Dallas Arboretum and Botanical Garden, Reunion Tower, Deep Ellum, Dallas Zoo, Pioneer Plaza etc.
Suggested Duration: 7-8 hours

Best Time: February to March and September to October

255 Dallas Attractions