Day trip outside of Houston, TX

With a unique blend of wetlands, wide open spaces, bayou, grassland, and forest ecosystems just a short drive from Houston, it’s no wonder it’s an outdoor lover’s and enthusiast’s paradise. And parents looking for affordable ways to prevent their kids from bouncing off the walls of their home.

With local wildlife thriving in many of Houston’s protected wildlife areas and nature refuges, it has seen an increase in the number of outdoor attractions. As tourists and city folk flocked to these attractions for quick getaways, it created a boom in Houston’s traditional museum, arts and history scene. Restaurants are within walking distance of one another, traditional mom-and-pop shops enjoy a steady stream of excited families, hotels book up quickly during peak season, and their cultural tours sell out within weeks of opening.

Whether you choose to call it a road trip or a day trip, the main idea is to spend little and do a lot. I mean, movies had been made around such ideas. Day trips from Houston are also great for those looking for quick ways to put their everyday ‘grown-up’ lives aside for a while so they can do the ‘new age stuff’ of ‘living in the moment’. There’s nothing like taking a chartered bus to a swamp hiking trail and looking an alligator in the eye reminds you to live in the moment, really.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the things to do in Houston that are worth the gas money.

1. Camp on the beach on the island of Mustang
Houston enjoys an average temperature of 69 degrees year-round. When it’s freezing cold in other parts of the country, in more ways than one, Houstonians just kick back outside on their front lawn with a beer in hand. And that makes it a great place to enjoy the outdoors.

For example, you might choose to take your kids to a nice beach camp on Mustang Island, which is about 230 miles or a 3-hour drive from Houston. Some would say that the sunset over the Gulf opens the floodgates to hours of self-reflection and tectonic shifts in worldviews.

mustang island

17047 Highway 361, Port Aransas, TX 78373

(361) 749-4573

• A beautiful beachside state park in South Port Aransas
• It’s hot even at night, ask for sandals and shorts all day because… well, it’s the beach
• Private and feels like a personal piece of heaven.
• Soft sand that feels like clouds filtering through your fingers
• Keep an eye out for local wildlife, as many curious seabirds would be watching you, and you can catch shellfish in action all over the beach area.

2. Off a-Camping along Lake Houston Wilderness Park

As the only state park managed by the Houston Department of Parks and Recreation that allows overnight camping, the park allows you to run the full gamut of hiking, biking, horseback riding, enjoying recreational and park-based programs. nature, tennis, rollerblading, kite flying, golf, canoeing…you name it, they’ve got it. Because it’s so popular with vacationers, the good news is you can simply take a page from someone who’s been there, start pinpointing the activities YOU want to do, and start scheduling so you don’t overexert yourself. skinny at the end.

And besides, it’s less than 35 miles from downtown Houston and a 35-minute drive, there are very few excuses left.

Lake Houston Nature Park

25840 Farm to Market 1485, New Caney, TX 77357

(832) 395-7690

• 20 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding
• It has a long list of summer activities suitable for toddlers, teens, and adults where they get free lunch too! ‘Free’ is hard to beat
• It has amenities for golf, tennis, adult sports leagues, fitness programs, rustic camping areas surrounded by wooded land
• Its educational nature center is very popular; has programs like Teen Adventure Caravan and Summer Enrichment Programs
• Open from Sunday to Monday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed on tuesday

3. Kayaking and hiking in Big Bend National Park

It might be a bit of a drive from Houston considering the park is tucked over 550 miles from the heart of Houston, which will take about 8 hours of driving to get there, review reveals it will be well worth the charter bus ride (Y it will be very scenic along the way – ROAD TRIP!) if you have an inclination towards hiking, photography, camping, kayaking, mountain ranges, steep limestone cliffs, golfing, horseback riding, zip lining and the purchases. The RVer in you, the one who longs to ‘get away from it all’, will be celebrating the journey. Whizzing through a desolate landscape, approaching the Chisos Mountains and the Chihuahuan desert is so breathtaking, you’ll stop halfway for perfect snapshots. After all, you’ll be passing the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, taking you past the Sam Nail Ranch ruins, Santa Elena Canyon, Rio Grande and Langford Hot Springs throughout Mexico.

Big Bend National Park

(432) 477-2251

• One of the coolest and most memorable scenic drives in North America.
• A wide range of activities available
• Suitable for people of all ages, including children and the elderly.
• An opportunity to explore hot springs, historical sites, old bathhouses, forests and see the best sunrise and sunset.
• It has places to camp where nature offers the best of the natural and modern world.
• The best time to visit is during spring or fall.
• An abundance of wildlife

4. Gator Watching at Brazos Bend State Park

If you’ve ever wanted to prove yourself and prove yourself a man made of steel, there’s nothing quite like the wild experience of looking wild crocodiles in the eye as you nonchalantly walk past them. Located less than 50 miles from Houston, about an hour’s bus ride away, the park is a sure winner for nature lovers. All the better if you are always ready with your camera. Armed with a good pair of boots and binoculars, there are plenty of alligators waiting around the park’s six lakes. If you’re not one to come face-to-face with alligators, the park showcases bronze sculptures of local wildlife, a boardwalk, and viewing platform, complete with shaded areas for lounging and picnicking. Suffice to say, as long as you’re familiar with alligator safety rules, you’re good to go.

Brazos Bend State Park

21901 FM 762 Rd, Needville, TX 77461

(979) 553-5102

• Offers the perfect mix of a laid-back road trip and exciting camping
• Located near the Brazos River in Needville, TX
• A half-mile trail, Creekfield Lake Nature Trail, is perfect for nature walks
• Self-guided tours and treasure hunts available
• Pets are allowed on a leash
• 13 miles of equestrian trails
• Learn more about the local wildlife and ecosystem at the nature center.
• The observatory, in addition to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, is open on Saturdays only from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

5. Romantic Stargazing at Enchanted Rock

The magical and mystical location is about 4 hours northwest of Houston, TX and offers you views so unforgettable they could be the impetus for something creative and inspiring. Climb the ancient dome and be rewarded with breathtaking views of the Hill Country, gawk at the unusual pink granite dome jutting out of central Texas just as Mother Nature intended as you snap photo after photo of the enchanting and legendary rock formations that they are like none other. Rock climb, backpack, hike, picnic, bird study, stargaze, or bike around the attraction as you find your sweet spot along more than 10 miles of scenic trails. It’s worth mentioning that interactive and physical terrain maps will be absolutely essential here, so arm yourself with them before you set off. Legend has it that if you want a superpower, this is the place to get it. The natives believed that anyone who spent the night on the rock would become invisible and the rock would be haunted.

enchanted rock

near Fredericksburg, Texas, USA

• Located near historic and iconic Fredericksburg, TX
• All trails close, rain or shine, 30 minutes before sunset, except Loop Trail
• Climbers must register at the venue before heading out; guide on rock climbing is available at the venue
• Park rangers are available to individuals or groups for special tours and excursions.
• Keep an eye out for impressive spring pools and hidden caves.

Houston is a huge playground for lovers of the outdoors

Houston is blessed with many natural wonders including free/affordable parks, beautiful rock climbing, breathtaking canyons, and unforgettable waterfalls. Once you’ve had a taste of what Houston has to offer, you’ll soon be planning your trip to the nest!

And after traversing the rough and rugged terrain of Texas, you can spend a few days meeting the locals, shopping, and visiting some quaint galleries and antique stores. It would make her trip to Houston one she wouldn’t soon forget.