10 Best Road Trips near Houston

Galveston Island is a Gulf Coast island where you'll find inviting beaches, a thriving restaurant scene, and a fascinating historic district. The beaches are a nice getaway from the city, but their soft sands and welcoming Gulf waters are just the beginning.

When you visit, you'll find quite a few dining options, including classic Texas fare with a taste of New Orleans at the local gumbo bar. Additionally, the Strand District is 70 blocks of old Victorian buildings with boutiques, museums, theaters, and fun shops. To get to Galveston, you'll have to head southeast for about 50 miles from downtown Houston.

Texas City is a laid-back city that's known primarily for its numerous parks and preserves, with 42 of them in total. Some are part of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, which makes the area an essential stop on a road trip for bird-watchers.

One of the more interesting protected areas in this city is the Texas City Prairie Preserve where you can travel through marshes and wetland habitats along boardwalks. Of course, more traditional parks are available as well. Texas City is about a 45-minute drive southeast from downtown Houston.

The Bolivar Peninsula is a stretch of coastal land where you'll find soft sands, inviting beaches, and laid-back communities perfect for getting away from the busy city. Most visitors find themselves spending time swimming in the water or fishing off the shore.

This destination quite often features parades and events complete with live music, so be sure to check the local calendar before you visit. You can reach this peninsula after about an hour and a half drive by heading east then turning south at Winnie.

Wimberley is a small village that's quaint, quiet, and home to some interesting historical sites in the Texas Hill Country that's bustling with natural beauty. You can spend time around the central square where you'll find a wealth of historical sites in addition to local shopping opportunities.

The natural beauty here is expressed in a variety of ways. One of the most popular attractions is the natural spring area, where you can go for a swim if you like, or embark on a hike in the surrounding area. Whatever your preference, you can get to Wimberley by heading about 185 miles west from Houston.

Austin is one of the more unique cities in the state, with delicious restaurant options, a rich history, and outdoor activities the whole family can enjoy. You'll find everything in Austin to be uniquely Austin, and that's how the locals like it, given their popular "Keep Austin Weird" motto.

When you visit, you'll find an array of barbecue restaurants along with a variety of other options. Most of them are unique and locally owned, with most chains pushed to the outskirts. You'll also find Lady Bird Lake here and plenty of parks if you're looking for fun outdoors. Austin is just under 3 hours west of Houston.

The McFaddin National Wildlife Refuge is the ideal destination for travelers looking for active outdoor adventure with opportunities for hiking, fishing, photography, and other fun in nature. Fishing is especially popular at the refuge, with public-use structures available around Clam Lake, though you can also venture out in a boat if you like.

The nature trails at the refuge are vast and expansive. Viewing platforms are spread throughout the trail network, so you can take in the stunning nature and spot impressive wildlife for your own memories or to take the perfect photo. You can get to the refuge by heading about 130 miles east from Houston.

Huntsville is a relatively small town with a rich history that you can explore along with a thriving cultural scene for art lovers. The town is best known as the home of Sam Houston, who played a pivotal role in the Texas Revolution, and you can find an entire museum dedicated to him here.

If you're more interested in the local culture, you can visit the Old Town Theatre as well as several art galleries throughout town. To get to Huntsville, you'll need to drive north from Houston for about an hour.

Brenham is a city that's often described as the Texan's Texas where you'll find live music, special events, historic streets, thriving culture, and delicious food. Special events are common here, and live music can be found among its bustling nightlife virtually every evening.

Texas culture shines through here, with local art exhibitions highlighting individual artists. Special events are often held throughout the more historic areas of town where you'll also find monuments and landmarks. It's all located about 75 miles to the northwest from Houston.

The Sam Houston National Forest is a massive protected nature area that offers extensive recreation opportunities like hiking, fishing, boating, and camping. The forest covers 163,045 acres, and it contains quite a few hiking and biking paths.

If you're more interested in spending time by the water, you'll find plenty of opportunities within this forest, with fishing being one of the more popular recreational activities here. Lake Livingston and Lake Conroe are among the best spots, with black bass and year-round fishing. You can see it all for yourself by heading about 60 miles north of Houston.

Port Arthur is a fun town with a notably Cajun flavor offering unique gastronomy as well as expansive natural areas perfect for outdoor adventurers. This town is pretty popular for foodies, especially if you're a fan of Cajun dishes that typically hail from Louisiana. Many of these are found around Pleasure Island, which is a man-made entertainment area.

For a natural experience, you'll find several parks and nature preserves to explore. Sabine Lake is especially popular whether you want to go fishing, boating, or both. Sea Rim State Park offers much of the same with plenty of boat rentals nearby. You can get to this town by heading about 90 miles to the east near the Louisiana border.