With a unique mix of wetlands, wide open spaces, bayou, prairie and forest ecosystems just a short drive from Houston, it’s no wonder it’s an outdoor enthusiast and enthusiast’s paradise. And parents looking for affordable ways to keep their kids from bouncing off the walls in their home.

With local wildlife thriving in many of Houston’s protected wildlife areas and nature refuges, it has seen an increase in the number of outdoor attractions. As tourists and locals flocked to these attractions for quick getaways, it created a boom in Houston’s traditional history, art, and museum scene. Restaurants are within walking distance of one another, traditional mom-and-pop stores enjoy a steady stream of excited families, hotels fill up quickly during peak season, and their cultural tours sell out within weeks of opening.

Whether you choose to call it a road trip or a day trip, the main idea is to spend little and do a lot. I mean, movies had been made around such ideas. Day trips from Houston are also great for those looking for quick ways to put aside their everyday ‘adult’ lives for a while so they can do the ‘new age stuff’ of ‘living in the moment’. There’s nothing like taking a charter bus to a swamp hiking trail and looking an alligator in the eye that reminds you to truly live in the moment.

Without further ado, let’s dive into the things to do in Houston that are worth your gas money.

1. Camping on the beach on Mustang Island
Houston enjoys an average temperature of 69 degrees year-round. When it gets really cold in other parts of the country, in more ways than one, the people of Houston just kick back outside their front yard with a beer in hand. And that makes it a great place to enjoy the outdoors.

For example, you may choose to take your kids to a great beach camp on Mustang Island, which is approximately 230 miles or a 3-hour drive from Houston. Some would say that the sunset over the Gulf opens the floodgates for hours of self-reflection and tectonic shifts in worldviews.

mustang island

17047 Highway 361, Port Aransas, TX 78373

(361) 749-4573

• A beautiful beachside state park in South Port Aransas
• It’s hot even at night, ask for sandals and shorts all day because… well, it’s the beach
• Private and feels like a personal piece of heaven.
• Soft sand that feels like clouds seeping through your fingers
• Keep an eye out for local wildlife as many curious seabirds would be watching you, and you can catch shellfish in action all over the beach area.

2. Off-a-Camping Along Lake Houston Wilderness Park

As the only state park managed by the Houston Parks and Recreation Department that allows overnight camping, the park allows you to go the full gamut from hiking, biking, horseback riding, enjoying recreation and theme-based programs. nature, tennis, rollerblading, kite flying, golf, canoeing… you name it, they have it. Because it’s so popular with vacationers, the good news is that you can simply take a page from someone who’s been there, start pinning down the activities YOU want to do, and start scheduling so you don’t overexert yourself. thin at the end.

And besides, it’s less than 35 miles from downtown Houston and a 35-minute drive, so there are very few excuses left.

Lake Houston Nature Park

25840 Farm to Market 1485, New Caney, TX 77357

(832) 395-7690

• 20 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding
• It has a long list of summer activities suitable for toddlers, teens, and adults where they also get free lunch! ‘Free’ is hard to beat
• Has amenities for golf, tennis, adult sports leagues, fitness programs, rustic camping areas surrounded by wooded terrain
• Their educational nature center is very popular; has programs like Teen Adventure Caravan and Summer Enrichment Programs
• Open from Sunday to Monday from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Friday and Saturday from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m.; closed tuesday

3. Kayaking and hiking in Big Bend National Park

It may be a bit of a drive from Houston considering the park is tucked away over 550 miles from the heart of Houston, which will take about 8 hours of driving to get there, review reveals it will be worth the charter bus ride (Y it will be very scenic along the way – ROAD TRIP!) if you have a penchant for hiking, photography, camping, kayaking, mountain ranges, steep limestone cliffs, golf, horseback riding, ziplining, and shopping. The RVer in you, the one who longs to ‘get away from it all’, will be celebrating the journey. Zooming through a desolate landscape, zooming in on the Chisos Mountain Range and the Chihuahuan Desert is so impressive that you’ll stop halfway for perfect shots. After all, you’ll be passing through the Ross Maxwell Scenic Drive, taking you past the ruins of Sam Nail Ranch, Santa Elena Canyon, Rio Grande and Langford Hot Springs throughout Mexico.

Big Bend National Park

(432) 477-2251

• One of the coolest and most memorable scenic drives in North America.
• A wide range of activities available
• Suitable for people of all ages, including children and the elderly.
• An opportunity to explore hot springs, historical sites, old bath houses, forests and see the best sunrise and sunset.
• It has places to camp where nature offers the best of the natural and modern world.
• The best time to visit is during the spring or fall.
• An abundance of wildlife

4. Alligator Watching at Brazos Bend State Park

If you have ever wanted to prove yourself and prove that you are a man made of steel, there is nothing like the wild experience of looking wild crocodiles in the eye as you nonchalantly walk past them. Located less than 50 miles from Houston, about an hour’s bus ride away, the park is a sure winner for nature lovers. All the better if you are always ready with your camera. Armed with a good pair of boots and a pair of binoculars, there are plenty of alligators waiting in the park’s six lakes. If you’re not one to come face-to-face with alligators, the park features bronze sculptures of local wildlife, a boardwalk, and an observation deck, complete with shaded areas for lounging and picnicking. Suffice to say, as long as you’re familiar with alligator safety rules, you’re good to go.

Brazos Bend State Park

21901 FM 762 Rd, Needville, TX 77461

(979) 553-5102

• Offers the perfect combination of a relaxed road trip and exciting camping
• Located near the Brazos River in Needville, TX
• A half-mile trail, Creekfield Lake Nature Trail, is perfect for nature walks
• Self-guided tours and scavenger hunts available
• Leashed Pets Allowed
• 13 miles of equestrian trails
• Learn more about the local wildlife and ecosystem at the nature center.
• The observatory, in addition to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, is open on Saturdays only from 3 p.m. to 10 p.m.

5. Romantic stargazing at Enchanted Rock

The magical and mystical location is about 4 hours northwest of Houston, TX and offers you views so unforgettable they could be an impetus for something creative and inspiring. Climb the ancient dome and be rewarded with stunning views of the Hill Country, gawk at the unusual pink granite dome jutting out of Central Texas just as Mother Nature intended as you take picture after picture of the enchanting and legendary rock formations that They are like no other. other. Rock climb, backpack, hike, picnic, bird study, star gaze or bike around the attraction as you find your sweet spot along more than 10 miles of scenic trails. It’s worth mentioning that interactive and physical terrain maps will be absolutely essential here, so arm yourself with them before you go. Legend has it that if you want a superpower, this is the place to get it. The natives believed that anyone who spent the night on the rock would become invisible and the rock would be enchanted.

enchanted rock

near Fredericksburg, Texas, USA

• Located near historic and iconic Fredericksburg, TX
• All trails close rain or shine 30 minutes before sunset, except Loop Trail
• Climbers must register at the venue before setting out; the guide on rock climbing is available at the headquarters
• Park rangers are available to individuals or groups for special tours and excursions.
• Keep an eye out for stunning spring pools and hidden caves.

Houston is a huge playground for lovers of the outdoors

Houston is blessed with many natural wonders including free/affordable parks, beautiful rock climbing sites, impressive canyons and unforgettable waterfalls. Once you’ve sampled what Houston has to offer, you’ll soon be planning your trip to the nest!

And after traversing the rough and rugged terrain of Texas, you can spend a few days meeting the locals, going shopping, and visiting some quaint galleries and antique stores. It would make her trip to Houston one she wouldn’t soon forget.