Houston and its surrounding towns have a lot to see, including an array of art, historical, and science museums, beaches to barbecue joints, wetlands to wild islands. So whether you want a road trip with your family, friends, or fiancé, there is something captivating in whichever direction you take from Houston. Here are the 10 best road trips to and from Houston.
1. Stark Museum of Art
The Stark Museum of Art houses one of the most extensive collections of art and artifacts from the American Old West. A collection of paintings, sculptures, prints, and texts includes works by genre greats such as Frederic Remington and Charles Marion Russell. Most of these works were collected by William and Miriam Stark, who lived nearby in a now-restored 1890s Queen Anne-style wooden house filled with more of their unique decorative objects. The museum is about 1 hour and 45 mins East of Houston.
Address: 712 Green Ave, Orange, TX 77630, United States
2. Hunstville State Park
It is 1 hour and 45 minutes from Houston. The park is 2000 acres in size, so you could easily spend the entire day hiking, biking, camping, or kayaking. The environment is forested and flat, with plenty of shade for those hot summer days.
Make a point of stopping by the local Sam Houston statue, A Tribute to Courage, on your way. The Blue Lagoon, a beach, and scuba diving training facility, is also located in Huntsville.
Sam Houston National Forest is connected to Huntsville State Park.
Address: 565 Park Road 40 west, Huntsville, TX 77340, United States
3. Kemah Boardwalk
Kemah boardwalk is 45 minutes from Houston. Kemah was originally a fishing village located southeast of Houston and Galveston County.
It has dozens of waterfront stores and restaurants, including Starbucks and Build-a-Bear Workshop, as well as the Aquarium Restaurant and Treasure chest Gift Shop. Attraction sights include a Ferris wheel, a double-decker carousel, and hypnospin. These popular activities include surfing, paddle boarding, bowling, amusement park rides, shopping, dining, arcade games, and sightseeing.
Address: 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565, United States
4. Blessington Farm
Blessington Farms is an excellent choice for a family day trip because it provides a variety of fun activities. It is only 50 mins from Houston.
Some of the enjoyable activities on the farm include the Rat Race, Barrel Train Ride, Spider Webb, Sand Mountain, Hay Ride, Hay Palace, Fossil Dig, and so on.
People can pick their fruits depending on the time of year. Strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, and pumpkins are among the fruits grown on the farm.
Address: 510 Chisolm Trail, Wallis, TX 77485, United States
5. Sam Houston National Forest
With 163,037 acres of land, this national forest has plenty for a day trip—and plenty of campgrounds if you want to stay longer.
There is plenty of space for hiking on the 128-mile-long Lone Star Hiking Trail. Other activities include camping, hunting, boating, biking, fishing, wildlife viewing, and relaxing. Furthermore, the creeks, rivers, and green open spaces provide tranquility, and visitors can observe wildlife.
Address: 394 FM 1375 West, New Waverly, TX 77358, United States
6. Brazos Bend State Park
It’s only 45 minutes from downtown Houston to Needsville in the southwest. There are numerous trails, lakes, and woods in this park. It has a number of camping and picnic areas. There is no need for a license to fish from the shores or pier! A variety of birds, alligators, opossums, bunnies, and a Great Horned Owl can all be seen here. This park is also ideal for horseback riding and biking.
Brazos Bend is all about nature, so it’s the ideal place to spend the day if you enjoy the outdoors!
Address: 21901 Fm 762 Needville, TX 77461
7. Sea Rim State Park
Image credit: Tripadvisor
The stunning Sea Rim State Park is only 30 minutes from Port Arthur. It provides a one-of-a-kind habitat for local wildlife and flora. Sea Rim State Park encompasses 5.2 miles of Gulf shoreline and 4,000 acres of marshland. There are alligators, river otters, coyotes, and ghost crabs, but it is best known for its incredible birdlife due to its location on a major migratory route.
You can camp, go birding and beachcombing, paddle in a canoe or kayak, swim, fish, hunt (in season), and walk in this park.
Address: 19335 TX-87, Sabine Pass, TX 77655, United States
8. Barton Springs
This spring-fed municipal pool in Austin is open year-round and is located directly off the Colorado River. It covers about 3 acres and has plenty of grassy areas for sunbathing. The Springs are a federally protected habitat and home to the endangered Barton Springs Salamander. An educational exhibit adjacent to the pool bathhouse teaches visitors about the history and biology of Barton Springs and the Edwards Aquifer that feeds it.
Address: Barton Springs Rd, Austin, TX 78704, United States
9. Village Creek State Park
Village Creek State Park is made up of nearly 7,000 acres of beautiful forested hills and clear streams. The diverse flora and fauna provide an interesting nature viewing experience. There are 33 miles of multi-use trails, bathhouse campgrounds, an equestrian campground with stable facilities (including class B campsites), 10 cabins, two lakes, a day-use area with pavilions and picnic sites, outdoor and indoor theaters, a small museum, and a visitor center with a gift shop.
It is 1 hour and 30 minutes from Houston. Entrance charges for adults are 4 USDT and free for kids below the age of 12 yrs.
Address: 201 County Road 754, Wynne, AR 72396, United States
10. Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge
This is the place to go to see wildlife! It takes 1 hour and 20 minutes from Houston.
Hike the nature trails, hunt waterfowl, fish, and boat, or go on a guided walk to learn about Texas’ natural resources.
Visit the Butterfly Garden for spectacular flowers, plants, and butterflies, or The Willows in the spring and fall to see migrating birds.
Address: 4318 FM1985, Anahuac, TX 77514, United States
11. Wine Tasting in Fredericksburg, TX
Fredericksburg is a 4-hour drive away from Houston, Texas, a perfect time for a nice road trip. It’s a city in central Texas best known for its variety of wineries and vineyards.
Some of the popular wineries and vineyards you can visit for wine tasting and sightseeing activities include:
- Lost Draw Cellars
- Pedernales Cellars
- Augusta Vin
- Becker Vineyards
- Grape Creek Vineyards
Of course, there are over 20 vineyards in the area, so there is plenty more to see if you have the time. The best places to eat in Fredericksburg, TX, also stock local wines. You can stop by any of the restaurants for a nice happy hour evening and catch a meal before you head back to Houston.
