Best Day Trips Within an Hour of Houston

As the fourth largest city in the U.S., Houston, Texas, is home to more than two million people who thrive on the bustling city's diverse culture, cuisine and attractions.

Houston appears on numerous ‘best of’ lists for travel, but it also sits in close proximity to several other cities with appealing things to see and do. If you want to incorporate some day-trip fun into your free time without traveling too far, consider one of the following destinations – all within an hour's drive of the Bayou City.

Galveston Island

Spend the day on Galveston Island, located an hour southeast of Houston. Hit one of the beautiful beach parks, such as Galveston Island State Park, a popular picnicking beach with more than 200 acres of undeveloped land and a gorgeous shoreline. Stewart Beach is another popular option, with nearby entertainment options, lifeguards and family-friendly spaces, including a pavilion with a snack bar and showers. For a lot less sand but plenty of water-based entertainment visit Schlitterbahn Waterpark with its series of slides, chutes and rides (it has cabanas when you need some chill).

If you prefer your entertainment on dry land, Pleasure Pier has lots to offer the whole family. Here, you’ll find amusements galore and, when you’re finished on the rides, and you’ve worked up an appetite, refuel with fresh seafood at the Bubba Gump Shrimp Factory.

Texas City

Heading back to Houston from Galveston? Drive around 20 minutes and you’ll pass by Texas City – it’s a great excuse to spend some time here. If you’re still in beach mode, the Texas City Dike is a must. It’s the longest manufactured pier in the world at over five miles and a popular spot with both locals and visitors who enjoy fishing and picnicking while taking in the sweeping views of the Gulf of Mexico. To get in touch with the city's historic side, check out attractions such as the Davison Home and the Texas City Museum.

Brazos Bend State Park

Brazos Bend State Park is located about an hour south of Houston. Open every day from 8am to 10pm, the park features all things nature, from wildlife viewing opportunities and horseback riding to hiking, biking and geocaching. The park has 37 miles of trails, including the paved Creekfield Lake Nature Trail, which offer excellent vantage points for watching local wildlife and experiencing the unique ambiance of Texas's wetlands. Other popular activities include exploring the exhibits and bronzed wildlife, hiking the trails around the lakes and forest and fishing one of the park's scenic lakes – no license necessary.

Kemah

Drive around 40 minutes southeast from Houston, towards Galveston Bay, and you’ll reach the lively city of Kemah, which offers everything from a classic seaside boardwalk to carriage rides and chilling tours of the city's haunted lighthouse district. No visit to the ‘Gateway to the Bay’ would be complete without a stop at Kemah Boardwalk, home of a huge range of entertainment options like rides, live shows, shopping and restaurants. Plan your visit in advance and you can book a room at the Boardwalk Inn, which offers beautiful balcony views of the waterfront.

For water-based activities, charter a sailboat with Sailaway Clear Lake Charters and sail into the bay, or visit Stingray Reef – you can actually touch stingrays – at Kemah Aquarium. Back on land, Clear Lake Park features 59 sprawling acres with an ancient Indian burial ground and a fishing pier.

Brenham

A road trip to Brenham takes you in a different direction to the other day trip suggestions in this guide. Drive northwest for just over an hour from Houston to reach it. It’s worth the extra few minutes in the car – especially if you're a nature lover and want to experience Texas' Bluebonnet Country. Brenham is a small town, but with lots of charm. Dine on street tacos at Las Americas Latin Cuisine or hit the grilled meats hard at Pioneer Smokehouse. Walk off the calories with a hike around Hohlt Park or go for a swim at Blue Bell Aquatic Center. With a thriving arts culture, Brenham is a little delight.

Do you have any day trip recommendations near Houston, or in Texas? If you like taking day trips to explore the areas around the cities you visit, share your photos and insight with us on Facebook. We’d love to hear from you.

Tour the historic downtown area, ripe with charming sites like Barnhill Center at Simon Theatre and Brenham Heritage Museum. If you're in the area early enough, head to the Inn at Dos Brisas for a phenomenal three-course brunch at the only Forbes five-star restaurant in the state.

If you love taking day trips to explore the areas around the cities you visit, share your photos and insight with us on Facebook.