Top Day Trips Near Houston for Adventure Seekers

Although Houston, the nation’s fourth largest city, has plenty to see and do inside the city itself, sometimes it is nice to “take a drive” and visit some of the sites in the outlying area. Luckily for Houston area tourists and residents alike, there are a great many attractions within a short drive of the Bayou City. Here are a handful of ideas for those wishing to spend a day experiencing something outside the confines of Texas’ largest city.

Galveston Island

Address: 1 Hope Blvd, Galveston, TX 77554, USA

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Phone: +1 409-744-4673

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During the warm weather months, most visitors begin thinking of Texas beaches. While it’s true that Galveston is home to several great beach parks, it is also a year-round tourist destination with several attractions and entertainment options. Moreover, it is only an hour and a half drive from downtown Houston. Among the most popular attractions on Galveston Island are Moody Gardens, the Galveston Pleasure Pier, and Schlitterbahn Water Park. Galveston also features a number of outstanding restaurants.

George Ranch Historical Park

Address: 10215 FM 762 Rd, Richmond, TX 77469, USA

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Phone: +1 281-343-0218

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Located just outside of Richmond, southwest of Houston, the George Ranch Historical Park is a living history exhibit that aims to educate the public about Texas history situated on the site of a former working ranch. The George Ranch is just a short drive outside of Houston, and is a great way for visitors to get a feel for life in early Texas.

San Jacinto Monument and Museum

Address: 1 Monument Cir, La Porte, TX 77571, USA

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Phone: +1 281-479-2421

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If you happen to be heading to Houston or Southeast Texas, you can’t pass up an opportunity to visit the San Jacinto Monument and San Jacinto Battleground—the very place where Texas gained its independence. Consequently, the close proximity of these two historical attractions allows visitors to get a feel for two distinctly different periods of Texas and US history all in the same day.

Big Thicket National Preserve

Address: FM 420, Kountze, TX 77625, USA

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Phone: +1 409-951-6700

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Covering nearly 100,000 acres, Big Thicket National Preserve was the first such preserve in the United States. The Big Thicket NP is home to a diverse group of plants and animals, and plays host to thousands of nature enthusiasts annually, being within a two-hour drive of Houston. However, the vastness of Big Thicket means it is tough to explore in a single day.

Lake Conroe Area

Address: Lake Conroe, Texas, USA

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Lake Conroe’s 21,000 acres lie just a short drive from Houston. It’s quick access to the nation’s fourth largest city makes it one of the busiest lakes in the state concerning recreational boating traffic. Moreover, the Lake Conroe area boasts a huge outlet mall and plenty of dining options. Day trippers to Conroe will find more than enough water and shoreside activities to fill out a summer day.