Blog / Community

Have Fun by Taking a Day Trip Near Houston

Have Fun by Taking a Day Trip Near Houston
While you're on the road to the Mazda dealership in Houston, why not check out a few family-oriented outings? There are plenty of exciting day trip opportunities in the area. Here are just a few to get you started.

Spend a Day in Dallas

Dallas, Texas, is about a three and a half hour drive out of the Houston city area. Dallas is a great metropolis to visit if your party is adults-only, or if your kids are a bit older and can easily join you in a shopping spree. Check out fabulous downtown shops and restaurants, enjoy the lovely skyline that exposes the sprawling city buildings, and pay a visit to a local museum, like the Nasher Sculpture Center. Alternatively, try a visit to the John F. Kennedy Memorial in Dallas, which was erected in 1970. This artistic landmark offers a meaningful pause for reflection in his honor.

See Art in Austin

Austin, Texas, a major city just slightly closer than Dallas (it takes about two hours and forty-five minutes to drive there from the Houston area), is known for its hip artistic coffee-shop culture and galleries. Opt to plan your visit during two major festivals: the Austin City Limits music festival that takes place in early October or the South by Southwest music and art festival scheduled for March. You might also check out the Mexic-Arte Museum, open throughout the year, to witness classic and contemporary Mexican and Latino art.

Set Sail at Galveston Island

Need a break to chill out, enjoy nature, or escape from big city life? Only an hour and a half from Houston, you will find the simple yet beautiful atmosphere of Galveston Island, located on the Gulf of Mexico. Here, on the small, sandy public beaches, you can rent a sailboat, luxuriate by the water, or go fishing. This convenient getaway is enjoyable for the whole family and won't put a big dent in your pocketbook. If you do want to splurge, however, you will find plenty of restaurants and hotels along the boardwalk. You will also see the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, an amusement park with fun rides and games which is located atop the pier.

Experience the Natural Bridge Caverns

If you love to have fun with water, then you can visit the largest caverns in Texas, the Natural Bridge Caverns. Journeying 180 feet below, you will find water formations, canopies, and specially developed fun mazes. Take the Hidden Passages Tour to explore the cave's internal paths, or try one of the other enjoyable tours, such as the Discovery Tour. Kids can visit the Mining Company area, where they explore what it is like to mine for gems. There are souvenir shops and restaurants for snacks, as well. When you're in the Houston area, take advantage of the many great day trips. Whether you prefer to stay in a big city and explore or prefer a natural experience, the area has loads of exciting events. AttributionShare Alike Some rights reserved by Life Lenses
Posted in:

Related Posts

Best Seafood in Houston Texas

These 4 Restaurants Have the Most Delicious Seafood in Houston, Texas

Houston, Texas, is known across the nation for being a city of fantastic food. No matter what you're hungry for, you'll find it in this vast and exciting city. If you have a craving for seafood, Houston is the place to go. Check out our list of most delicious Houston seafood destinations. You're sure to find a restaurant you'll never forget. Truluck's To indulge in some of the best seafood in Houston, head over to 5350 Westheimer Road. There you'll find artistically arranged gourmet seafood options sure to make your mouth water. Their patrons adore their fresh Florida stone crab claws, jumbo lump crab cakes, clam chowder, and escargot. Reserve a table today and pair your meal with one of their wonderful wines, including options from France, Italy, Russia, California, Austria, New Zealand, Chile, Germany, Oregon, Argentina, and Washington State. If you want fresh, high-end seafood options in an elegant atmosphere, Truluck's is the place for you. more Caracol Houston is known nationwide for its storied combination of Mexican and American cuisines. This cultural trend meets the sea in Caracol, at 2200 Post Oak Boulevard in Houston. Their customers love their Sopa De Mariscos, a seafood stew with sautéed calamari, shrimp, octopus, bay scallops, mussels, epazote, and masa cups. If a meal including tentacles isn't your thing, go with Ceviche De Chile Canario, which is lime-cured raw red snapper with chile Canario, cherry tomato, pearl onion, cucumber, radish, and cilantro. Caracol also offers oysters in the half-shell, and they have a special menu just for happy hour, so bring friends and have a great time. Kata RoBata At 3600 Kirby Drive, you'll discover a place where the east meets the sea in Houston. For everything from sushi and sashimi to karaage pork belly and hirame, Kata RoBata is the place to go. Enjoy handcrafted cocktails with your meal, like The Old Fashioned Way, the Articulate Ginger, or 99 Problems. Finish off the experience with Kata RoBata's Japanese pumpkin cheesecake or warm blueberry cake. For a sampling of the best sushi they have to offer, try out their sushi platter, including the customer's choice of ten pieces of nigiri sushi. Their menu is well worth working through on multiple visits. Peli Peli For flavorful seafood in a colorful and relaxing atmosphere, drive down to 110 Vintage Park Boulevard Suite P in Houston. Their vegetarian platter, Peli Peli salad, and sea bass are the talk of the town, and customers love their lamb chops and shrimp Peli Peli. Peli Peli 's staff pride themselves on their southern hospitality. The restaurant's name means pepper in Bantu, so come ready for a grand combination of spices and flavors. They have brunch, lunch, and dinner menus, so come whenever you're hungry. Peli Peli's menus provide vegetarian, vegan, gluten-free, and halal options, so if you have personal diet requirements, this restaurant is the place to go. For fresh seafood that you'll come back for again and again, Houston, Texas, is a prime destination. Taste the delicious offerings of each of these restaurants. They provide memorable experiences, so bring someone special along. Image by 昕 沈 from Pixabay

Houston Texas Donuts

Top 5 Places to Enjoy Donuts in Houston

If you're looking for a quality donut shop in the Houston, Texas, area, you're in luck. They're in abundance here, so the most difficult part of finding one is choosing between them. We suggest trying these highly rated donut shops: Glazed the Doughnut Cafe For some of the best-tasting donuts you'll ever taste, check out Glazed the Doughnut Cafe. Inside, you'll find a great selection of donuts and baked goods that will satisfy any sweet tooth, as well as savory donut sandwiches filled with sausage, chicken, cheese, and more. If you're just here for the yeast donuts, you can fill your dozen with anything from cinnamon sugar and lemon poppy seeds donuts to ones topped with Fruit Loops and Snickers. more B&B Donuts If you're looking for a classic coffee-and-donut experience, head to B&B Donuts. You'll find all the staples here, including bear claws, cinnamon buns, glazed donuts, and more. One of the best parts about B&B Donuts is their prices. If you're trying to get a dozen donuts to please the whole family or office, this is the place to do it. You'll also find a great selection of more savory items, such as sausage kolache, fried rice, and sandwiches. Hugs & Donuts Hugs & Donuts ' cute atmosphere lends itself well to the sweet delicacies they create. Their donuts are made with fresh ingredients and homemade fillings that make for some of the best artisan donuts in town. Their selections change daily, but you'll find a great base of simple classics to whet your palate before trying one of the adventurous options, such as maple bacon yeast, Biscoff cookie butter yeast, and tres leches cake donuts. Be sure to try one of their great kolaches while you're there. Sam's Fried Chicken & Donuts If you want a side of fried chicken with your donuts, then your new favorite spot is the aptly named Sam's Fried Chicken and Donuts. They specialize in lunch sandwiches and fried chicken, but their donuts are out of this world. Go for the glazed, or try their Mexican chocolate icing, blueberry cake, or filled donuts to see which you want to bring back home with you. Step aside, fried chicken and waffles, there's a new sheriff in town. River Oaks Donuts It's time to get adventurous at River Oaks Donuts. Their array of different flavors, toppings, shapes, and sizes makes this donut shop an exciting place to take the whole family. Try one of the maple bacon donuts with jalapenos if you want a delicious sweet-savory donut. If you want to punch your mouth in the sweet tooth, order a couple of the s'mores, Holland cream-filled, or devil's food donuts. River Oaks Donuts' great offerings and great prices make this shop one of our favorite shops to grab a dozen or two donuts. Whether you're trying to expand your dessert horizons or stick to your tried-and-true favorites, there's a donut shop in Houston for you. Take time to explore each to find your new go-to donut destination. Image via Pixabay by Pexels

Houston Texas Wedding Venues

5 Amazing Wedding Venues in Houston, TX

Are you planning on getting married in Houston, Texas? Then you want a special location that's just right for the big day. Whether you want a small and intimate gathering or a large, formal affair, these amazing wedding venues in Houston have everything you need to help put together the perfect day. Ashton Gardens Ashton Gardens has two beautiful locations in the Houston area designed to provide everything you need for your wedding. Both Ashton Gardens Houston West and Ashton Gardens Houston North boast a distinctive glass enclosed chapel where you can have your ceremony with panoramic views of the surrounding forest. To make your day complete, both locations also feature a gorgeous reception ballroom that includes elegant crystal chandeliers, floor-to-ceiling windows, grand presentation staircase, complimentary cake cutting, an oversized hardwood built-in dance floor, and more. more The Astorian The Astorian is one of the premier event venues in Houston. This landmark building is located in The Heights area of the city. Rustic elements like the stained concrete floors, copper and brushed aluminum detailing, soft lighting, and wood paneling give the venue a warm and inviting feel. When you combine these touches with modern elements that include two private suites, 14-foot ceilings, a fully functional gourmet kitchen and bar, and floor-to-ceiling windows that offer stunning views of downtown Houston, you'll get a venue that will help you create a memorable wedding. The Bell Tower on 34th The Bell Tower on 34th was built to be an entertainment venue, which means it's perfectly suited to accommodate the needs of you and your guests. To make planning your big day even easier, the gorgeous event venue has a variety of ceremony packages available. Once you decide which package and ballroom you would like, you can rest easy knowing your meal, basic tables, mahogany Chiavari chairs, silverware, china, stemware, napkins, floor-length linens, servers, chefs, and culinary staff are all included. Crystal Ballroom at the Rice The Crystal Ballroom at the Rice is a stunning 1913 historic ballroom that's situated in the heart of downtown Houston in the Rice Hotel. Your guests will marvel at the incredible beauty of the ballroom, which features heroic murals, crystal chandeliers, 35-foot ceilings, and a full wraparound terrace. This space can handle up to 400 people for a seated meal, and the venue partners with skilled teams that have created perfectly curated food and beverage menus. Shirley Acres If you've been dreaming about an outdoor wedding in Houston, Shirley Acres is the perfect destination. Here you'll find 21 acres of dramatic oak trees and towering pine trees. The Courtyard is landscaped with colorful flower beds that make a memorable wedding ceremony. You can also choose the Garden Room ballroom with its dramatic 20-foot ceilings or the rustic and elegant Pavilion that overlooks a pond. No matter what type of wedding you're planning, you know you can find the ideal location for your special day when you choose one of these outstanding wedding venues in Houston. Image via Pixabay by Olessya

?