Top 5 Houston Day Trips: Explore Texas Beyond the City

You know, Houston is that sprawling, vibrant city that definitely keeps you busy, but sometimes, don’t you think you just crave a change of scenery? Well, very lucky for us Houstonians, that surrounding area is actually brimming with really cool spots perfect for day trips. So, whether you’re that outdoorsy type, a total history buff, or, that, just looking for a bit of relaxation, there’s certainly something for everyone within driving distance. Now, get ready to kinda escape the city for a day as we peek at five awesome day trips from Houston!

1. Brazos Bend State Park: Get Close to Nature

Oh, Brazos Bend State Park, now that is such a gem. I mean, like your just a hour-long drive southwest of Houston, that park is a little something of a nature lover’s paradise. Arguably, those main attractions, no doubt, are the alligators, which are quite abundant, to be honest. So, you can safely observe them from trails and elevated platforms – like, be sure to keep a safe distance, alright?

The park actually offers you over 37 miles of trails, so you, like your definitely able to explore different ecosystems, from that tall prairie land to those bottomland forests. Maybe bring your binoculars, I mean, the bird watching is something else; lots of different species hang out there. Also, that George Observatory inside the park makes a really great evening visit, I think. Just maybe check out the stars – it is so, so neat. I can tell you, that trails actually like quite level, pretty manageable and they give beautiful close encounters with nature and wildlife.

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2. Galveston Island: Beach Fun and History

So, Galveston Island, it’s this easy escape to the Gulf Coast, that’s just about an hour away. You’ve, like your got your beaches of course, but really there’s a lot more to this place than just sun and sand, know? The Seawall is absolutely a must-see; like you, can walk, bike, very jog alongside it, with the waves right there. Then, you might wanna swing by the Historic Strand District, too, it’s that filled with all types of Victorian architecture, shops, plus eateries.

Moody Gardens is pretty great also, arguably; it actually features these huge pyramids housing a lot, really various attractions like an aquarium, a rainforest, and a really science museum too, to be honest. Plus, if you, like your into history, maybe tour the Bishop’s Palace or the Moody Mansion; they both give glimpses of Galveston’s rich past, that. The pier does kinda have all those classic boardwalk attractions – games, rides, the kinda deal. Overall, you get kinda some sun, fun, and a dose of history. Like it just that varied for your type?

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3. Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site: Texas History Comes Alive

Arguably, if you are in the kind of mood to kinda go back in history, that then that Washington-on-the-Brazos State Historic Site is something you kinda have to see. Basically, just a little over an hour and half northwest of Houston, that’s often where the Texas Declaration of Independence did get signed back in 1836, now really. Now, the Star of the Republic Museum might tell all about that story of Texas.

Also, Barrington Living History Farm there, that definitely will shows you kinda that daily life in Texas back during the 1850s – actors in clothes and stuff. Arguably, you could definitely take a tour of Independence Hall, too it’s almost; now you just have an understanding where the very actual declaration got signed – how very fun is that? You could take an kind of walk just throughout the grounds, and you could perhaps enjoy that tranquil Brazos River setting.

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4. Space Center Houston: An Out-of-This-World Experience

Alright, so for kind of a day trip that’s you, like your educational *and* thrilling, I really, really mean I kinda wanna tell you Space Center Houston would be an ideal bet; you just go south of town. Basically, this visitor center kinda does for the Johnson Space Center makes like NASA accessible to everyone – the very kids love this area, believe me. The real tour gives kinda all those cool, really backstage peeks, believe me that.

There just does also happen to be these a whole lot, that of that super interactive exhibits, that of very real spacecraft, then these simulated kind of all that moonwalk kind of feels to them- so much wow, wow, wow. That Starship Gallery kinda does features a whole array of space artifacts that have traveled, the. Plus that actual Saturn V rocket is definitely amazing. But I do advise you there could be many, kinda of that kinds of crowds- so it kinda actually make senses to arrive like when that opens. Get to know all that very learning that does soars the very possibilities. Read our full review: Space Center Houston Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Explore Space Center)

5. Kemah Boardwalk: Seaside Fun and Thrills

Oh, hey the Kemah Boardwalk for an a real evening out? Yeah, the location a stone’s throw the center; so fun. that is It’s just got that bayside promenade kinda vibe with many, kinda different from the restaurants and amusement rides. One could simply meander that Boardwalk with those stunning very views about kind of Galveston Bay. Oh I can tell for, that kids, that actual Ferris wheel kinda makes all of those thrills very big here too to. Yet also I recommend their the wooden rollercoaster.

For that shopping stuff I could give kinda that souvenir shop plus those boutiques and that dining that would really go across all of them – I am, meaning seafood restaurants? That one to check that all through out. Also they could attend just those planned shows, there with actually those musical, and those, kinda different with them too it’s also much as a real seasonal things kind of happenings too I like telling. Do You wanna kinda go for kind of a evening like I did when? So It’s really just kind of enjoyable and relaxed Read our full review: Kemah Boardwalk Full Review and Details See Prices, Availability & Reserve Now (Visit Kemah Boardwalk)