Houston is a good place, and it’s onerous to expire of issues to see and do on this huge metropolis. That mentioned, generally you simply need a break from the hustle and bustle. Other instances, a easy change in surroundings is what’s wanted. In each circumstances, the bottom line is discovering 1) issues to do exterior Houston and a couple of) locations to have a weekend getaway.
The excellent news? There are tons of how to flee the town. From lovely pure areas to numerous Texas cities with personalities all their very own, you’re positive to discover a Houston day journey and issues to do round Houston that fit your wants.
Here are a few of our favorites.
Galveston Island
Distance from Houston: 1 hour
Craving some solar and sand? Galveston Island is the place to go. We love that this charming little island is situated nearly one hour from Houston, making it an ideal Houston day journey or weekend getaway.
Some of the very best issues to do in Galveston embrace hanging out on the seaside, going for a swim within the ocean, and constructing sandcastles. If the seaside isn’t sufficient to maintain you busy, take a look at Moody Gardens and the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier for much more enjoyable.
You’ll additionally wish to be certain to have a enjoyable meal at Rainforest Cafe and cease in at MOD Coffeehouse for a scrumptious morning cup of joe or afternoon pick-me-up!
Where to Stay
When it involves parking your RV in Galveston, we’ve to suggest heading all the way down to Galveston Island State Park. We love that this park is exterior of the city, that means you’re utterly surrounded by nature. Some websites are situated inside strolling distance to the seaside, and partial hookups can be found.
Padre Island National Seashore
Distance from Houston: 3.5 hours
Galveston is enjoyable, however for those who’re searching for a good prettier seaside, you may wish to drive somewhat additional to Padre Island National Seashore. This beautiful stretch of seaside is managed by the National Parks Service and is the right place to sink your ft into the delicate sand.
Fishing is a well-liked exercise on the seashore and there are many nice seashells to be discovered. During the summer season months, visitors can witness child sea turtle releases and birding is well-liked year-round. If you’ve youngsters in tow, additionally, you will wish to make sure you get their Junior Ranger badges!
Where to Stay
One of the good issues about Padre Island National Seashore is that dry tenting is allowed on the seaside. That mentioned, there’s a threat that your RV will get caught within the sand. Therefore, we really suggest tenting at Malaquite Campground which is inside the park and only a quick stroll from the surf and sand.
Sam Houston National Forest
Distance from Houston: about 1.25 hours, relying on precise vacation spot
If you’re trying to escape into nature however the seaside isn’t your factor, you may recognize a go to to Sam Houston National Forest. Like Galveston, this forest is simply an hour or so exterior of the town, making it the right place for fast journeys and outdoorsy issues to do exterior Houston.
The Forest presents miles upon miles of shaded trails, making it the right weekend vacation spot for avid hikers. There are additionally alternatives for kayaking and canoeing, and rental kayaks and canoes can be found within the Double Lake Recreation Area. Fishing, boating, horseback driving, and biking are additionally well-liked actions on this forest.
Where to Stay
There are tons of locations to camp in Sam Houston National Forest. One of our favorites is Prairie Branch Camping Area. This place incorporates a small lake for fishing and paddling, many mountain climbing trails, and easy accessibility to the primary street and a city. Water, electrical, and sewer hookups can be found and the associated fee could be very affordable.
Austin, TX
Distance from Houston: 3 hours
If you don’t thoughts buying and selling one metropolis for an additional, you may think about heading over to Austin to expertise a few of our favourite issues to do exterior Houston. Although it’s simply three hours away, this artsy metropolis is sort of a utterly completely different world—a world stuffed with music, barbecue, and nice issues to do, because it occurs!
The very first thing you wish to do once you arrive in Austin? Find some barbecue, after all! We suggest Black’s Barbecue—to not be confused with Terry Black’s Barbecue, though that one’s price trying out as properly—however just about anyplace you go is prone to be scrumptious. For dessert, we extremely suggest visiting one of many many Amy’s Ice Creams areas.
Once your stomach is full, you are able to do some sightseeing. For youngsters, the youngsters’s museum known as Thinkery is a must-stop. If you’re visiting throughout a pageant, you’ll undoubtedly wish to see a music efficiency or two. Lastly, make sure you take a look at the South Congress Bridge bats and take a dip in Barton Springs Pool in the course of the summer season.
Where to Stay
We take pleasure in staying at McKinney Falls State Park throughout our visits to Austin. This state park is shut sufficient to the town to be handy, however far sufficient away that it nonetheless appears like an escape. The trails listed below are incredible, so make sure you give your self time to discover them.
Fredericksburg, TX
Distance from Houston: 4 hours
Every Texan ought to go to Texas Hill Country a minimum of as soon as. This is a phenomenal a part of the state filled with swimming holes, pretty pure areas, and charming small cities. One of these cities is Fredericksburg and visiting this quaint place may simply be the most effective issues to do exterior Houston.
Yes, Fredericksburg is the right house base to your Hill Country adventures. Here, you’ll discover distinctive German-inspired structure, the National Museum of the Pacific War, and the historic Fort Martin Scott. This city can also be not removed from the Lyndon B. Johnson National Historic Park, which is properly price visiting, and Enchanted Rock State Natural Area is close by.
Most importantly, Fredericksburg is house to an entire slew of wineries. In truth, you could possibly in all probability spend your complete weekend visiting wineries and never run out, so if wine is your factor, that is your house.
Where to Stay
Obviously, you will have a spot to remain whereas visiting Fredericksburg. For this we suggest Lady Bird Johnson Municipal RV Park. This is a small, city-run park with giant websites, full hookups, a nature path, a playground, fishing, a golf course, and extra.
San Antonio, TX
Distance from Houston: 3 hours
Another huge metropolis, San Antonio can also be an incredible weekend journey possibility. This lovely metropolis is the right spot for historical past buffs, however really has somewhat little bit of one thing for everybody and is among the greatest issues to do exterior Houston.
The Alamo is clearly a must-see when in San Antonio and it would be best to give your self loads of time to wander the grounds, particularly if historical past is your factor. Another superior place to be taught in regards to the historical past of the world is San Antonio Missions National Historical Park, the place you may discover among the outdated Spanish missions.
For extra enjoyable, make sure you go to the San Antonio River Walk and the Historic Market Square. SeaWorld San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Morgan’s Wonderland, and the DoSeum are additionally nice spots!
Where to Stay
Not positive the place to remain? KOA areas are at all times a superb wager, and the San Antonio KOA isn’t any exception. This pretty park is within the good location and features a laundry room, an onsite restaurant, a camp retailer, a canine park, a playground, a pool, and extra.
New Braunfels, TX
Distance from Houston: 2.75 hours
Named after Braunfels, Germany, New Braunfels is one other pretty little Hill Country city. It’s the right place for a day stroll, but in addition presents loads of adventures for these searching for thrilling issues to do exterior Houston.
Hoping to chill off in the course of the summer season months? You’ll be glad to be taught that New Braunfels is house to the Bavarian-themed Schlitterbahn water park. This is a really huge park that might simply hold one fortunately entertained for a full weekend.
That mentioned, it would be best to go away room in your weekend for extra enjoyable. This is as a result of the well-known Natural Bridge Caverns and its big pure limestone bridge is only a few minutes down the street. Additionally, it would be best to take a look at the lovable outlets within the Gruene Historic District.
Where to Stay
There are a number of RV parks in New Braunfels. That mentioned, for a real escape, we really suggest heading about half-hour exterior of city and parking your camper at Cranes Mill Park Campground. This Army Corps of Engineers park is about proper on a lake and is a stunning place to remain. Partial hookups can be found and the worth could be very affordable.
Waco, TX
Distance from Houston: 3 hours
Last on our listing of locations to go and issues to do exterior Houston is Waco. This small metropolis presents an entire host of issues to do and is a good place to spend a weekend away from house.
The primary factor to do in Waco is go to the Waco Mammoth National Monument. This place is tremendous cool as a result of it permits guests to see precise fossils of mammoths and listen to in regards to the technique of discovering the fossils. Additionally, it’s an energetic dig web site, so there are prone to be extra fossils to see once you return subsequent time.
After you end on the dig web site, you may take a look at the Cameron Park Zoo with the children or head to the quirky Dr. Pepper Museum. The Texas Ranger Hall of Fame & Museum is one other enjoyable place to go to whereas on the town.
Where to Stay
Looking for someplace to park your RV? We like John Tanner Park Campground. This county park is situated somewhat bit exterior of city, so you may have that escape into nature you’re doubtless craving. Water and electrical hookups can be found and the worth to camp right here is tremendous inexpensive.
More Things to Do Outside Houston
The spots above are our favourite locations to flee the town of Houston for a bit. That mentioned, they’re removed from the one issues to do exterior Houston. If you’re searching for much more enjoyable, take a look at the town of Dallas and its neighbor Fort Worth. You might additionally head to the up-and-coming city of San Marcos and pay a go to to the close by city of Wimberly for a dip of their swimming gap.
Honestly, there are such a lot of wonderful issues to do round Houston that we might by no means listing all of them right here. The good factor is, you’re positive to have a blast irrespective of which vacation spot you select! Pick one, e book your Houston RV rental, and prepare for a tremendous getaway!