The state of Texas is massive, and sometimes it seems impossible to explore it without driving eight hours. But you don’t actually have to venture that far out of Houston for a much-needed break, even just for a day. Yes, there are beautiful parks, hiking trails, history tours, ice cream factories, and even a goat farm right in our backyard. With some new additions like Space Center Houston and Round Top, here are some destinations within a two-and-a-half hour drive of Houston that will partially scratch that travel itch and allow you to escape the city for a fun day trip.
The San Jacinto museum and battlefield is perfect for history fanatics.
San Jacinto Museum and Battlefield
La Porte | 25 miles, 30 min drive
Dive into Texas history with a trip to the San Jacinto Museum and Battlefield, where the Lone Star State won its independence from Mexico in 1836. The museum is located in the base of the San Jacinto Monument and offers a look into more than 500 years of history. The permanent exhibit showcases firearms that were used in key battles, items used by the pioneers of Texas independence, pre-Columbian pottery, old maps, religious artworks, and other documents, prints, and photographs. The museum is also home to an observation deck that gives visitors a full view of where the final battle was fought. Be sure to walk the battlefield during your visit to get the full experience and relive a slice of Texas history.
clear lake | 26 miles, 30 min drive
Get a glimpse of Houston’s history with space exploration with a day trip to this Clear Lake destination. Cosmic enthusiasts can walk inside a replica shuttle, explore the starship gallery and interactive exhibit Mission Mars, take a look at a spacesuit collection, and learn more about how NASA plans to have astronauts visit the moon again.
At Armand Bayou Nature Center, you’ll find yourself immersed in wetland forest, prairie, and marshland.
Pasadena | 26 miles, 40 min drive
One of the Houston area’s many hidden gems, this preserve gives a glimpse into what the Bayou City would look like had humans never settled here. The center helps protect 4,000 acres of natural wetland forest, prairie, and marsh habitats. It’s the perfect place for families or anyone looking to enjoy some outdoor fun, with over five miles of hiking trails, kayak tours, and pontoon cruises. The center also hosts field trips, Scout programs, meditation workshops, birding adventures, and owl prowl night hikes.
Alvin | 29 miles, 35 min drive
For a wholesome day, head to Froberg’s Farm to get down and dirty picking fruit and vegetables. The farm is known for its popular strawberry picking season in spring, and later in the year it hosts an annual fall festival with a corn maze, paintball gallery, and a pumpkin patch. Don’t sleep on the farm’s country store and bakery for some sweet treats and a snack for the road.
Texas City | 32 miles, 40 min drive
Houston heat can be unbearable, so we’re lucky to have this fun water activity right in our backyard. Instead of driving to Galveston for a brown-water beach day, head to Texas City and enjoy a man-made beach that feels like you’ve traveled somewhere with crystal-clear water. Some of the fun includes a flowrider, bumper boats, and a floating obstacle course. Two complimentary electric ferries will take you around the lagoon, and visitors can rent single and double kayaks, paddleboards, captained sailboats, and aqua tricycles. The park also offers cabanas with full-service food, beverage, and bottle service, as well as floating cabanas and party pavilions. Note that Lagoonfest closes in the winter and opens back up in March.
Test your bravery with the rides at Kemah Boardwalk.
Kemah | 36 miles, 40 min drive
Adrenaline junkies, this is the place for you. From the wooden roller coaster to a 73-foot tall loop, Kemah Boardwalk’s amusement rides will test your bravery. Grab individual tickets or all-day ride passes, and additional tickets if you want to enjoy a zipline, speedboat, or the stingray reef and rainforest exhibit. After a day of rides and walking around, you’ll be bound to work up an appetite. The boardwalk is full of options like the Flying Dutchman, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Landry’s Seafood House, the Pizza Oven, and Bayside Grille.
Brazos Bend State Park and George Observatory
Needville | 48 miles, 55 min drive
For an incredible stargazing experience, take a mini road trip to this state park. The George Observatory, part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, offers stargazing on Saturday nights and private group visits on Fridays. Stargazers can view the night sky using telescopes on the observatory’s upper deck and explore the Milky Way exhibit. Since it’s located within Brazos Bend, admission to the park is required. By day, it offers 37 miles of trails that can be hiked, biked, or explored on horseback. The park includes wetlands, so read up on alligator safety before you go.
Moody Gardens is the perfect spot to visit to avoid Galveston’s murky water.
Galveston | 50 miles, 1 hr drive
If you do want to trek down to Galveston but still don’t want to swim in its water, plan a visit to Moody Gardens. This hotel, spa, and convention center also has family-friendly attractions tucked inside its iconic pyramids. In the Aquarium Pyramid, filled with 1.5 million gallons of water, get up close and personal with penguins, seals, stingrays, sharks, and tropical fish. Another pyramid features a treetop canopy entrance that feels like you’ve entered the rainforests of Asia, Africa, and the Americas, with over 1,700 exotic plants and endangered animals. Other attractions at Moody Gardens include 3D and 4D theaters, a Discovery Pyramid with an interactive adventure, a ropes course and zip line, and the Palm Beach water park during the summer.
Fields Store | 52 miles, 50 min drive
This 10.5-acre, one-of-a-kind spot in Waller County has a little bit of everything. Blue Heron Farm started as a goat dairy in 2006, and in 2024 added a beer garden that doubles as a petting zoo. Come enjoy some light bites that are made using some of the farm’s products, as well as a variety of beers, wines, hard seltzers, and some nonalcoholic beverages. Remember to watch out for Jeremy the escape-artist tortoise.
If you want to go beyond a day trip, camp in Huntsville State Park, which sits within the Sam Houston National Forest.
New Waverly | 56 miles, 1 hr drive
Escape to the Pineywoods with a quick trip up to Sam Houston National Forest. The forest spans over 163,000 acres across Huntsville, Conroe, Cleveland, and Richards. If you’re up for a challenge, take one of the three sections of of the 128-mile Lone Star Hiking Trail. Other activities across the forest include wildlife viewing, fishing, biking, and horseback riding.
Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Refuge
Anahuac | 60 miles, 1 hr drive
Explore all this refuge has to offer from sunrise to sunset. Formerly known as Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge, it’s a spot for hunting, birding, hiking (including a butterfly trail), fishing, beachcombing, biking, boating, and wildlife watching. And while it makes for a gorgeous place to visit, the refuge also works to protect coastal wetlands so future generations—people and wildlife—can continue to enjoy it.
Bellville | 72 miles, 1 hr 15 min drive
Have yourself a medieval experience with a visit to Newman’s Castle, which local bakery owner Mike Newman broke ground on in 1998. Newman died in 2024, but his grand home, which boasts a moat, a working drawbridge, a chapel, a courtyard, and impressive interiors, is still open for tours. Reservations are required; tours include an introduction to the castle’s history, and then you can walk around and explore the grounds on your own. Before leaving Bellville, stop in town at Newman’s Bakery for some goodies.
Bellville | 72 miles 1 hr 15 min drive
The charms of this small town extend well beyond Newman’s Castle. It offers a variety of shopping options like Buck Fergeson Originals, a clothing store that also carries housewares, decor, men’s bar soap, briefcases, candles, and wax melts. Browse older, rustic items at Nothing Ordinary Antiques and Oddities. For some hands-on fun, check out Phenix Knives, where you can make your own knife out of a horseshoe. Fuel up for the drive back to Houston with dinner at Twenty-Two North Holland. Chef-owner Cody Vasek’s restaurant features locally sourced ingredients and dishes like pappardelle pasta, 24-hour slow-cooked pork shoulder, and a half-roasted chicken, with India Harvesters’ eggplant Parmesan, organic spinach, and a lemon-thyme pan sauce.
Blue Bell Creameries has its first refrigerated truck on display.
Brenham | 72 miles, 1 hr 20 min drive
Just about an hour out of Houston is the headquarters of every Texan’s go-to ice cream. Although a tour of the factory down where the conveyor belts are located isn’t allowed, there are still plenty of great things to explore at Blue Bell. Visit for free during the weekdays to get a glimpse of the ice cream’s history in the visitor center, an overview of production through an observation deck, and a $1 scoop of ice cream to round out the trip. (How could anyone say no, in this economy?)
Round top | 96 miles, 1 hr 40 min drive
This Hill Country gem has plenty to offer for a day trip. Get there early for a latte and hearty breakfast tacos from Round Top Coffee, then treat yourself to retail therapy. Round Top is known for its rustic antiques, leather goods, jewelry, and notable local boutiques. History buffs can check out the Texas Cotton Gin Museum to see the oldest operating cotton gin in America and historical buildings like a 1933 cobbler’s shop. Try to make time for a stop at Round Top Brewing and Kitchen for a chance to hear live music.
Sabine Pass | 109 miles, 1 hr 45 min drive
This unique park contains two miles of Gulf shoreline and 4,000 acres of marshlands, offering opportunities for birding, beachcombing, fishing, canoeing, kayaking, and strolling. With an easy and an advanced trail, Sea Rim is perfect for both beginners and experienced paddlers. This park is home to alligators, so keep reptile safety top of mind while visiting.
Shiner | 127 miles, 2 hr drive
For over 100 years, the iconic Shiner beer has been brewed in Shiner, Texas. Sign up for the $35 tour to learn about the ins and outs of the brewery and how the beers are made, plus get some complimentary pours. If you’re interested in the distillery side, book a $25 tour to learn more about the production of Shiner spirits. The ticket includes a tasting flight and a K. Spoetzl Distillery shot glass to take home. Both tours run 45 minutes.
Palestine | 154 miles, 2 hr 30 min drive
This railroad excursion is a bit of a drive, but it’s worth the extra miles. The Piney Woods Express Diesel ride takes guests on four-hour round-trip journey through East Texas. During the ride, deboard at the Rusk Depot and get just over an hour to explore the grounds, eat lunch, and visit the historical depot and gift shop. Visit during the holiday season to get the Polar Express experience.