Source: Graphic by Jarrett Huff / Radio One
It’s May, which means summer is right around the corner. Many are starting to stock their calendars with plans for the summer and destinations to visit.
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For those not looking to stray to far from Houston, or need to be home by night, here’s 25 destinations around Houston to aid your summer staycation:
1. Armand Bayou Nature Center
Location: Pasadena, TX
Fees: Free – $7
Features: Largest urban wilderness preserve in the U.S. Hiking, wildlife viewing, canoe and boat tours, Martin Family Farm demonstrations
2. Blue Bell Creameries
Location: Brenham, TX
Fees: None
Features: Self-guided tour of visitor center, ice cream parlor, country store, observation deck
3. Brazos Bend State Park
Location: Needville
Fees: Free – $7
Features: Hiking and horse riding trails, fishing, camping, wildlife watching, nature center, George Observatory
4. Daikin Park
Location: Downtown Houston
Fees: Cost of a ticket
Features: Houston Astros baseball, various concerts
5. East Beach
Location: East end of Galveston Island
Fees: $15 daily vehicle parking
Features: East Beach Cantina, various events,
6. Galveston County Museum
Location: Galveston
Fees: Scheduled tour with donation Tuesdays and Thursdays, free on Monday, Wednesday and Friday
Features: Over 25,000 artifacts, local history, Padlock Mystery Game
7. Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
Location: Seawall in Galveston
Fees: $23.99 – $29.99
Features: Rides, midway games, food, shops
8. Galveston Seawall Beaches
Location: Galveston Seawall
Fees: None
Features: Longest continuous sidewalk in U.S., miles of beachfront, nearby restaurants and shops
9. Houston Museum of Natural Science
Location: Museum District, Houston
Fees: Free – $25, free on Tuesdays from 5 p.m. – 8 p.m., additional fees for special exhibits
Features: Cockrell Butterfly Center, Moran Paleontology Hall, Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife, Hall of Ancient Egypt and more!
10. Houston Zoo
Location: Museum District, Houston
Fees: Flex pricing, seniors and children 20% discount
Features: Animal exhibits, animal encounters, dining, shopping
11. Huntsville State Park
Location: Huntsville, TX
Fees: Free – $7
Features: Fishing, swimming, kayaking, camping, hiking, biking, playgrounds, wildlife viewing, Gator Junction shop, nature center,
12. Jamaica Beach
Location: Jamaica Beach, TX
Fees: None
Features: On-the-beach parking
13. Jocelyn Nungaray National Wildlife Preserve
Location: Anahuac, TX
Fees: None, certain areas have entry fees/require permits
Features: fishing, hunting, fish hatcheries, wildlife viewing, canoeing, kayaking, hiking, monuments
14. Kemah Boardwalk
Location: Kemah, TX
Fees: None, ride tickets purchased on site
Features: Rides, waterfront dining, hotels, shopping, live music, events
15. Lago Mar
Location: Texas City, TX
Fees: $20 – $50, tickets are cheaper online
Features: Sandy beaches, lounge chairs, cabanas, kayaks, paddle boards, flowrider, lagoon-side dining, sailing, waterpark, live music, events
16. Miller Outdoor Theatre
Location: Hermann Park, Houston
Fees: none, free tickets required for covered seating
Features: covered and lawn seating, live performances, music
17. Moody Gardens
Location: Galveston, TX
Fees: $40 – $65
Features: Rainforest, aquarium and discovery pyramids, hotel, dining, waterparks, boat tours, golfing, events, pools,
18. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Location: Museum District, Houston
Fees: $10 – $24, free on Thursdays
Features: Various eras and styles of art, artifact exhibits, special exhibits
19. NASA's Johnson Space Center
Location: Southeast Houston
Fees: Free – $44.95, online tickets are cheaper
Features: Space Center Houston, over 400 space artifacts, exhibits, events
20. Typhoon Texas Waterpark
Location: Katy, TX
Fees: $39.99 – $59.99, tickets cheaper online
Features: Water rides, wave pool, cabanas, food, shops,
21. Sam Houston National Forest
Location: New Waverley, TX
Fees: $1 – $7, permits and additional fees required for certain activities
Features: hiking, camping, fishing, swimming, hunting, horse riding, ATV riding, wildlife viewing
22. San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
Location: La Porte, TX
Fees: Free – $14
Features: San Jacinto Museum and Battlefield, San Jacinto Monument, events, tours,
23. Schlitterbahn Galveston
Location: Galveston, TX
Fees: $35+
Features: water rides, cabanas, dining, shopping, events
24. Seawolf Park
Location: Pelican Island, Galveston
Fees: $10 per vehicle, fishing free – $15 (parking is free with paid fishing), museum admission free – $14
Features: Galveston naval Museum, fishing, picnicking, playground, WWII submarine, USS Cavalla, USS Stewart, S.S. Selma,
25. Stewart Beach
Location: Seawall Blvd. and Ferry Rd, Galveston
Fees: $15 per vehicle
Features: family-friendly beach, lifeguards, chair and umbrella rentals, restrooms, showers, changing rooms, paved walkways, volleyball, Cornhole, concessions, Giant Jenga, no alcohol
