A day trip is a great way to test your solo travel wings. Depending on your ability to withstand being in the car, take a solo day trip allows you to get out of the house and explore a new city without having to worry about lodging costs. You can find my list of road trip essentials right here. The following are five great places to travel from Houston for a day:
The Woodlands:
The Woodlands is approximately 30-40 minutes away from Houston. Stop by The Woodlands Mall for some great shopping with all of your local favorites. They also have Market Street and Hughs Landing. In addition to shopping The Woodlands has over 205 miles of hike and bike trails. If you are looking for a safe place to run or bike around you can take some time by the waterway which is an easy 1.5 mile loop near the library and some local restaurants. At night they turn on the string lights and create a peaceful ambiance that anyone can enjoy.
If you are looking for entertainment the Woodlands also has their Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion which hosts acts from every genre including hip hop and country. Between the 200-acre Lake Woodlands, over 200 restaurants, and different art festivals, The Woodlands can be an easy trek down I-45 for a simple or adventure filled solo day trip.
Gavleston:
I was lucky enough to get a week long house sit in Galveston. For me it was about an hour and 15 minutes away but it’s closer if you life in Houston proper. If you are looking for an opportunity to be a beach bum and get your toes in the sand then Galveston is the place for you. It’s a place where the seafood is fresh and the sun is shining. I spent my whole week on a gumbo and po-boy tour. All of which you can find on my Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zaid_hajidahk/
Galveston can be incredibly diverse in the activities that it offers. Of course you can spend time at the beach perfecting your tan but if you are like me and prefer to be indoors they have a great downtown where you can get fresh made ice cream, locally made candles, or even enjoy an opera show. If you are into alternative stores they also have a “Witchery” where you can get psychic readings, essential oils, and also more candles (no such things as too many candles).
Austin:
I was lucky enough to snag a wonderful week long stay in the state’s great capitol of Austin. It was a quick drive that can easily be accomplished under 3 hours. There is a reason that the city’s saying is “Keep Austin Weird.” If you want to see grown men with a man bun and genie pants have a drink with a Black lawyer who wears cowboy boots and has dread locs then Austin is the kind of place you may want to go. You can always spend some time walking up and down South Congress St. I would suggest stopping by Homeslice for authentic NY cheesecake and pizza (as a former New Yorker I know pizza,) There are also several shops where you can get t-shirts, jewelry, antiques, and a few coffee shops where you can stop and settle for a bit.
There is no way that I can mention Austin and not also mention the abundance of outdoor activities that they have available. They have hiking, water parks, water holes, and plenty of opportunities to get on a bike and hit the road. Don’t forget that Austin is the live music capitol of the world. After spending the day eating and exploring you can pop into a bar to catch some live music or maybe even be in town for one of the many concerts that rolls through.
San Antonio:
San Antonio is 3.5-4 hours worth of driving. I once went to San Antonio for a job interview and was able to drive to the city, do the interview, explore a bit, and then drive back home. If you are looking for a place to escape the humidity of Houston then San Antonio is a great choice. You can spend some time down by the River Walk or explore The Alamo. San Antonio is truly a city that has a little something for everyone.
San Antonio has adventure parks with roller coasters or if Sea World is your thing then the city happens to have a location. They have great restaurants, theaters, museums, and a number of outdoor attractions that can appeal to any type of person. They also happen to have an NBA team so a majority of the year you are able to stop in and catch a game.
Dallas:
Dallas is the furthest drive on this list and would take approximately 4 hours in order to get there. If you are looking for food and a bit of sight seeing then Dallas is always an option. Unlike some of the other locations on this list, Dallas is able to boast about it’s aquarium which I have personally been to. In addition to the various water wildlife that they have there are also bird sanctuaries and penguin displays.
Dallas is also a sports heaven. Not only do you have the Dallas Mavericks and the Dallas Cowboys but you can also hit up the motor speedway or the golfing green.
So there you have it! Five destinations that you can reach from Houston for a productive solo day trip.