Day trips · Houston · United States
5 best day trips from Houston
Where to go when you want a day away from Houston, and how long it really takes.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: WhisperToMe, Public domain
Quick answer
The classic day trip from Houston is Galveston (About 1 hour by car). The closest option is Kemah Boardwalk, about 40 km away.
Key facts
- Day trips in this guide
- 5
- Closest
- Kemah Boardwalk (40 km)
- Most popular
- Galveston
Day trips compared
| Destination | Distance | Travel time | How | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Galveston | 80 km | About 1 hour by car | Car via I-45 | Families, Beach, Couples |
| Kemah Boardwalk | 40 km | About 40 minutes by car | Car | Families, Couples |
| Brazos Bend State Park | 75 km | About 1 hour by car | Car | Families, Quiet stays |
| Brenham and Washington-on-the-Brazos | 115 km | About 1 hour 30 minutes by car | Car via US 290 | Families, Couples, Culture |
| Huntsville State Park | 110 km | About 1 hour 15 minutes by car | Car via I-45 | Families, Quiet stays |
The day trips
80 km · About 1 hour by car
1.Galveston
An island city on the Gulf with the Victorian Strand Historic District, the 1890s Bishop's Palace mansion, Moody Gardens' glass pyramids and a long seawall with the Pleasure Pier amusement rides and beaches. Galveston was where Juneteenth began in 1865.
- Getting there
- Car via I-45
- Best for
- Families, Beach, Couples
40 km · About 40 minutes by car
2.Kemah Boardwalk
A waterfront boardwalk on Galveston Bay with seafood restaurants, amusement rides and a roller coaster. It is about 15 minutes from Space Center Houston, so the two combine well in one day.
- Getting there
- Car
- Best for
- Families, Couples
75 km · About 1 hour by car
3.Brazos Bend State Park
Lakes, marshes and live-oak woods south-west of Houston where alligators are commonly seen sunning beside the trails around Elm and 40-Acre lakes. The George Observatory in the park offers stargazing on some evenings.
- Getting there
- Car
- Best for
- Families, Quiet stays
115 km · About 1 hour 30 minutes by car
4.Brenham and Washington-on-the-Brazos
Brenham is the home of Blue Bell ice cream, with a visitor centre and parlour, and the surrounding hills are famous for bluebonnets in spring. Nearby Washington-on-the-Brazos is where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed in 1836.
- Getting there
- Car via US 290
- Best for
- Families, Couples, Culture
110 km · About 1 hour 15 minutes by car
5.Huntsville State Park
Pine forest around Lake Raven with hiking and biking trails, canoe rentals and swimming. On the way, a 20-metre statue of Sam Houston stands beside I-45 in Huntsville.
- Getting there
- Car via I-45
- Best for
- Families, Quiet stays
Day-trip tips
- Leave early: most trips are more relaxed with a morning departure and a return before dinner.
- METRO buses cover the whole city, including express routes to both airports, but journeys between neighbourhoods can be slow.
- For trips over about 150 km, an overnight stay or an organised tour saves a lot of travelling.
Questions travellers ask
+What is the best day trip from Houston?
Galveston. An island city on the Gulf with the Victorian Strand Historic District, the 1890s Bishop's Palace mansion, Moody Gardens' glass pyramids and a long seawall with the Pleasure Pier amusement rides and beaches.
+How long does it take to get from Houston to Galveston?
About 1 hour by car — Car via I-45, about 80 km.
+How long does it take to get from Houston to Kemah Boardwalk?
About 40 minutes by car — Car, about 40 km.