Day Trips from Houston, Texas
Living in Texas is fantastic and the best part are all the day trips you can take from Houston. If you are in the mood for a beach day, you can drive just an hour out to Galveston. Or you can explore parks and small towns just a short road trip away. Here are my favorite day trips from Houston that I hope you will love too.
Beaumont, TX (1 hour 20 minutes from Houston)
If you are in the mood for an underrated day trip where you can decide what to do last minute, head to Beaumont, Texas. With a population of approximately 112,000, Beaumont is so much smaller than Houston (approximately 2.39 million people)! I love that at the same time, Beaumont is large enough to offer plenty of museums, restaurants and unique attractions.
In fact, you aren't restricted by the weather. If it's nice out, visit Cattail Marsh Scenic Wetlands & Boardwalk for birdwatching, or Gator Country Adventure Park to see baby alligators.
If it's hot and humid, head to Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum to learn about the 1900s oil boom (yes, there is a working gusher replica which my son loved!). Or if you prefer art, stop by the Art Museum of Southeast Texas (AMSET) which has permanent and traveling exhibits.
When we visit in the spring, my favorite spot is the Beaumont Botanical Gardens. It's kid friendly but also a romantic idea if you are celebrating your anniversary.
We also love stopping at Rao’s Bakery. I like their Chicken Salad Panini ($8.95) but they also offer great coffee, pastries and even a breakfast menu if you drive in from Houston early in the day.
If you are in the mood for even more exploring, Port Arthur is just 30 minutes away.
Brenham (1 hour 10 min from Houston)
Half way between Houston and Austin, this is a cool day trip from both major Texas cities.
The drive out from Houston itself is scenic. Go in the spring to admire all the fields of bluebonnets (and other wildflowers, of course) right by the roadside.
If you are traveling with kids (or have a sweet tooth like myself), start your day trip with a scoop of ice cream at Blue Bell Creameries. The visitors center is a fun stop in itself.
Afterwards, walk around looking at local shops, antiques and historic homes. For me, Brenham is the best kind of a small town day trip: simple and relaxing!
Brazos Bend State Park (50 min from Houston)
My son loves stargazing so we are always on a lookout for observatories. Within Brazos Bend State Park you will find George Observatory (operated by Houston Museum of Natural Science). I have to warn you that they are open to the public on Saturdays (as far as I know) and tickets ($13 per person) sell out months in advance, so unfortunately you can't do this last minute.
Even if George Observatory is sold out, Brazos Bend State Park itself is a fantastic day trip for nature lovers.
My favorite is the Creekfield Lake Nature Trail because it's a completely paved trail with viewing platforms (half-mile long). In addition, it has educational resources for kids such as bronzes of the park’s most famous animals.
Sam Houston National Forest (1 hour from Houston)
I can tell you from personal experience that visiting a Texas national forest is awe-inspiring. Sam Houston National Forest is one of Texas’s four national forests. Sam Houston covers a massive landmass of over 163,000 acres.
For me Sam Houston National Forest is one of the best day trips from Houston ($5 per day for parking). Why? You can go hiking, boating, fishing, horseback riding, and spend the night camping (from $20 per night, depending on the season). The forest is home to many species of birds and it even provides a winter habitat for the bald eagle (the national bird of the United States!).
Booking Checklist
1. Book Your Flight - I use Expedia because I like their mobile app with my itinerary. They've helped me re-book flights on many occasions. Once you reach their Gold tier, support is especially good.
2. Book Your Hotel - I use Booking.com or Expedia, depending on my destination.
3. Book Your Rental Car - I use Expedia.
4. Book your tours on Viator or Get Your Guide.
5. If you are planning to visit more than three national parks in the next 12 months, we've found that buying the America the Beautiful Pass is cost effective.
