Around Houston

Celebrate the past and look toward the future in Huntsville, the hometown of Texas hero General Sam Houston. Discover his story at the Sam Houston Memorial Museum, then catch a show in a restored mansion at The Wynne Home Arts & Visitor Center. Huntsville State Park is your gateway to The Lone Star Hiking Trail, where long-distance hikers can wander over 200 kilometers of the Sam Houston National Forest.

Variety is Shenandoah’s star quality. Shop to your heart’s content at five eclectic shopping centers, then indulge your playful side at Dave & Busters and Urban Air Adventure Park. When hunger strikes, spoil yourself with fresh Gulf Coast seafood at Goode Co. Fish Camp or prime cuts at Killen’s Steakhouse; both upscale dining experiences are helmed by James Beard Award-nominated chefs.

Luxury meets nature in The Woodlands, where public art decorates the sidewalks and verdant parks are just as easy to find as boutique shops. Take the Town Center Trolley to The Woodlands Waterway for paddling excursions and canal-side dining. After dark, don’t miss live entertainment at The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, which has been named among the Top 5 Outdoor Amphitheaters in the World by Pollstar Magazine.

All aboard for railroad history and welcoming small-town vibes. In Tomball, family-friendly festivals line historic Main Street year-round, celebrating everything from German culture to seasonal crawfish boils. Step back in time with a visit to the pioneer log cabins of the Tomball Museum Center, and marvel at model trains and railroad memorabilia at the masterfully restored Depot. Browse antique shops for souvenirs before settling in for a dinner of down-home country cooking or top-rated Texas barbecue.

Every kind of traveler will find treasures here: The five cities that make up Bay Area Houston welcome you to enjoy diverse attractions and local flavor. Live entertainment abounds in Clear Lake Shores, designated a Music Friendly Texas Certified Community for its commitment to fostering a thriving music scene, while Nassau Bay celebrates interstellar discovery at Space Center Houston. Boaters can set sail from impressive marinas in League City and Seabrook.

An artsy coastal oasis, a birdwatcher’s paradise, a golf haven: These are just some of the ways Baytown can be described. Spend the morning hitting the links at innovative double loop golf course T36 at Baytown, then enjoy a leisurely afternoon traversing the Sculpture Trail through the Downtown Arts District. Wind down Southwest-style with a local wine tasting at adobe-inspired winery Yepez Vineyards.

Quirky attractions and rich history steal the show in Beaumont. Learn how Texas became the oil capital of the USA at the Spindletop Gladys City Boomtown Museum, swim with alligators at Gator Country Adventure Park, admire massive murals downtown and spot a wide variety of birds along the Cattail Marsh Wetlands Boardwalk. Ready for a truly unique sight? Head to the Fire Museum of Texas, home to the World’s Largest Working Fire Hydrant.

What do rocker Janis Joplin, legendary artist Robert Rauschenberg and renowned sports figures Jimmy Johnson and Babe Zaharias have in common? They were all born in Port Arthur, a city known as the Cajun Capital of Texas. Celebrate this heritage at the museums, restaurants and nightclubs along the Authentic Cajun Trail, where you’ll savor fresh crawfish and two-step to live zydeco. Anglers can’t miss world-class fishing along the shores of Sabine Lake.

The Gulf of Mexico is your playground in this maritime hot spot. Learn about the local environment with tours of Sea Center Texas, the world’s biggest redfish hatchery, and The Center for the Arts & Sciences, which has the USA’s largest collection of seashells. Then, get out and experience it for yourself along more than 30 kilometers of public beaches and at Brazoria and San Bernard National Wildlife Refuges.

World-famous for family fun, Galveston Island’s museums and beaches are sure to please. Head to the Bryan Museum to see Old West artifacts, then take the self-guided Freedom Walk to discover the history of Juneteenth, the holiday that marked the end of slavery in the USA and was first celebrated in Galveston. Over 50 kilometers of shoreline, exciting seasonal festivals and plenty of waterfront dining on fresh Gulf seafood round out the experience.

Cosmopolitan delights abound in Pearland, home to succulent Texas barbeque, fascinating antique shopping, craft breweries and just about everything in between. Take a tour of the Sri Meenakshi Temple, an authentic Hindu temple with incredible architecture and religious significance. Chart your own course on self-guided experiences around the city: Eat your way through the International Foods Trail, search for sculptures along the Pear-Scape Trail and more.

Dive into Sugar Land’s sweet entertainment scene. See the Sugar Land Space Cowboys minor league baseball team play at Constellation Field, catch a show at the state-of-the-art Smart Financial Centre and revel in seasonal events at The Crown Festival Park. For more excitement, indulge in decadent dining and boutique shopping while you enjoy live music and public art installations in the walkable Town Square Plaza.

Uncover history in Texas City, where the 1867 Settlement Historic District shares the captivating stories of Black Texans and the Texas City Museum preserves artifacts from military history. When hunger strikes, grab a bite from eateries on the famed Restaurant Row. Shopping enthusiasts will love picking up artisan souvenirs in the 6th Street District, while anglers can’t miss the chance to cast a line from the Texas City Dike, the world’s largest man-made fishing pier.

Lake Conroe – a nearly 9000-hectare playground for boaters, anglers and water skiers – is the centerpiece of this peaceful city. For adventures on land, head to the Jones State Forest. Wind expansive trails between towering pine trees where native and migrating birds make their homes. Downtown, you’ll find trendy craft breweries, inspiring art galleries and live entertainment at two local theaters.