Houston is a good place, and it’s arduous to expire of issues to see and do on this massive metropolis. That stated, typically you simply desire a break from the hustle and bustle. Different instances, a easy change in surroundings is what’s wanted. In each circumstances, the secret is discovering 1) issues to do outdoors Houston and a couple of) locations to have a weekend getaway.
The excellent news? There are tons of how to flee town. From stunning pure areas to varied Texas cities with personalities all their very own, you’re certain to discover a Houston day journey and issues to do round Houston that fit your wants.
Listed below 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.
A number of the finest issues to do in Galveston embody hanging out on the seashore, going for a swim within the ocean, and constructing sandcastles. If the seashore 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 need to make 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!
The place to Keep
In relation to parking your RV in Galveston, we have now to advocate heading right down to Galveston Island State Park. We love that this park is outdoors of the city, which means you’re fully surrounded by nature. Some websites are situated inside strolling distance to the seashore, and partial hookups can be found.
Padre Island Nationwide Seashore
Distance from Houston: 3.5 hours
Galveston is enjoyable, however should you’re on the lookout for an excellent prettier seashore, you may need to drive somewhat additional to Padre Island Nationwide Seashore. This beautiful stretch of seashore is managed by the Nationwide Parks Service and is the proper place to sink your ft into the comfortable sand.
Fishing is a well-liked exercise on the seashore and there are many nice seashells to be discovered. Throughout the summer time months, visitors can witness child sea turtle releases and birding is widespread year-round. If in case you have children in tow, additionally, you will need to you’ll want to get their Junior Ranger badges!
The place to Keep
One of many coolest issues about Padre Island Nationwide Seashore is that dry tenting is allowed on the seashore. That stated, there’s a threat that your RV will get caught within the sand. Subsequently, we truly advocate tenting at Malaquite Campground which is inside the park and only a brief stroll from the surf and sand.
Sam Houston Nationwide Forest
Distance from Houston: about 1.25 hours, relying on precise vacation spot
When you’re trying to escape into nature however the seashore isn’t your factor, you may admire a go to to Sam Houston Nationwide Forest. Like Galveston, this forest is simply an hour or so outdoors of town, making it the proper place for fast journeys and outdoorsy issues to do outdoors Houston.
The Forest presents miles upon miles of shaded trails, making it the proper 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 Space. Fishing, boating, horseback using, and biking are additionally widespread actions on this forest.
The place to Keep
There are tons of locations to camp in Sam Houston Nationwide Forest. One among our favorites is Prairie Department Tenting Space. This place incorporates a small lake for fishing and paddling, many mountaineering trails, and easy accessibility to the primary highway 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
When you don’t thoughts buying and selling one metropolis for one more, you may think about heading over to Austin to expertise a few of our favourite issues to do outdoors Houston. Though it’s simply three hours away, this artsy metropolis is sort of a fully totally different world—a world stuffed with music, barbecue, and nice issues to do, because it occurs!
The very first thing you need to do once you arrive in Austin? Discover some barbecue, after all! We advocate Black’s Barbecue—to not be confused with Terry Black’s Barbecue, though that one’s price testing as effectively—however just about anywhere you go is more likely to be scrumptious. For dessert, we extremely advocate visiting one of many many Amy’s Ice Lotions areas.
As soon as your stomach is full, you are able to do some sightseeing. For youths, the kids’s museum known as Thinkery is a must-stop. When you’re visiting throughout a pageant, you’ll undoubtedly need to see a music efficiency or two. Lastly, you’ll want to take a look at the South Congress Bridge bats and take a dip in Barton Springs Pool throughout the summer time.
The place to Keep
We get pleasure from staying at McKinney Falls State Park throughout our visits to Austin. This state park is shut sufficient to town to be handy, however far sufficient away that it nonetheless appears like an escape. The paths listed here are improbable, so you’ll want to give your self time to discover them.
Fredericksburg, TX
Distance from Houston: 4 hours
Each Texan ought to go to Texas Hill Nation at the very least as soon as. This can be a stunning a part of the state filled with swimming holes, beautiful pure areas, and charming small cities. A kind of cities is Fredericksburg and visiting this quaint place may simply be among the best issues to do outdoors Houston.
Sure, Fredericksburg is the proper house base on your Hill Nation adventures. Right here, you’ll discover distinctive German-inspired structure, the Nationwide Museum of the Pacific Conflict, and the historic Fort Martin Scott. This city can also be not removed from the Lyndon B. Johnson Nationwide Historic Park, which is effectively price visiting, and Enchanted Rock State Pure Space is close by.
Most significantly, Fredericksburg is house to a complete slew of wineries. In actual fact, you would most likely spend your entire weekend visiting wineries and never run out, so if wine is your factor, that is your house.
The place to Keep
Clearly, you have to a spot to remain whereas visiting Fredericksburg. For this we advocate Girl Chook Johnson Municipal RV Park. This can be 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
One other massive metropolis, San Antonio can also be an incredible weekend journey choice. This stunning metropolis is the proper spot for historical past buffs, however truly has somewhat little bit of one thing for everybody and is among the finest issues to do outdoors 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. One other superior place to be taught in regards to the historical past of the realm is San Antonio Missions Nationwide Historic Park, the place you’ll be able to discover among the previous Spanish missions.
For extra enjoyable, you’ll want to go to the San Antonio River Stroll and the Historic Market Sq.. SeaWorld San Antonio, Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Morgan’s Wonderland, and the DoSeum are additionally nice spots!
The place to Keep
Undecided the place to remain? KOA areas are at all times a superb wager, and the San Antonio KOA isn’t any exception. This beautiful park is within the excellent 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 beautiful little Hill Nation city. It’s the proper place for a day stroll, but in addition presents loads of adventures for these on the lookout for thrilling issues to do outdoors Houston.
Hoping to chill off throughout the summer time months? You’ll be comfortable to be taught that New Braunfels is house to the Bavarian-themed Schlitterbahn water park. This can be a actually monumental park that would simply preserve one fortunately entertained for a full weekend.
That stated, it would be best to go away room in your weekend for extra enjoyable. It’s because the well-known Pure Bridge Caverns and its big pure limestone bridge is just some minutes down the highway. Moreover, it would be best to take a look at the lovable outlets within the Gruene Historic District.
The place to Keep
There are a couple of RV parks in New Braunfels. That stated, for a real escape, we truly advocate heading about half-hour outdoors of city and parking your camper at Cranes Mill Park Campground. This Military Corps of Engineers park is about proper on a lake and is a stunning place to remain. Partial hookups can be found and the value could be very affordable.
Waco, TX
Distance from Houston: 3 hours
Final on our checklist of locations to go and issues to do outdoors Houston is Waco. This small metropolis presents a complete 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 Nationwide 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 means of discovering the fossils. Moreover, it’s an energetic dig web site, so there are more likely to be extra fossils to see once you return subsequent time.
After you end on the dig web site, you’ll be able to take a look at the Cameron Park Zoo with the youngsters or head to the quirky Dr. Pepper Museum. The Texas Ranger Corridor of Fame & Museum is one other enjoyable place to go to whereas on the town.
The place to Keep
On the lookout for someplace to park your RV? We like John Tanner Park Campground. This county park is situated somewhat bit outdoors of city, so you’ll be able to have that escape into nature you’re probably craving. Water and electrical hookups can be found and the value to camp right here is tremendous reasonably priced.
Extra Issues to Do Exterior Houston
The spots above are our favourite locations to flee town of Houston for a bit. That stated, they’re removed from the one issues to do outdoors Houston. When you’re on the lookout for much more enjoyable, take a look at town of Dallas and its neighbor Fort Price. 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.
Truthfully, there are such a lot of wonderful issues to do round Houston that we may by no means checklist all of them right here. The great factor is, you’re certain to have a blast regardless of which vacation spot you select! Decide one, e-book your Houston RV rental, and prepare for a tremendous getaway!