School's back in session... well almost! There's still for one final road trip before the bell rings!
It's okay that you haven't been planning this getaway for months. Be spontaneous, and take your crew on a weekend escape to one of the Texas cities listed below. A last-minute vacation will energize everyone for the upcoming school year and serve to ease any summertime disappointements. You're also bound to find some end-of-summer deals!
These great places are all a short drive away, so gas up and get going!
Romance + Kid-Friendly Fun in San Antonio
San Antonio has always been a top pick for a romantic getaway for sweethearts, but it's also one of the best places in Texas for a fun adventure with the whole family! There is plenty of amazing activities to enjoy in the area, and surely the love of your life won't mind if you must engage in kid-friendly stuff this time. Little ones won't get enough of the Doseum, San Antonio's absolutely phenomenal children's museum! You'll all appreciate a walk along the vibrant and festive Riverwalk in Downtown San Antonio, or a trip to Sea World or Six Flag's Fiesta Texas, or getting up-close-and-personal with a live mariachi band. And while historic sites are so worthwhile and educational, for this occasion, skip the Alamo, and save it for when you have more time.
Driving Distance from The Woodlands: 3 hours, 40 minutes
WoodlandsMommy.com Tip: Choose a luxurious hotel with an outdoor pool, and be sure to indulge in local fare like dinner at Rosario's Mexican Cafe & Cantina which touts itself as the best Mexican restaurant in San Antonio.
Best website for planning your trip: https://www.visitsanantonio.com/
Old Fashioned Cowboy Thrills in Fort Worth
At only 3.5 hours north of The Woodlands, Fort Worth is an excellent choice for your last-minute vacation. In the Fort Worth Stockyards National Historic District, your family will enjoy boutique shopping, restaurants, and an impressive twice-daily cattle drive. In other areas of Forth Worth, you can go horseback riding at Benbrook Stables (ages 8 and up to hit the trails), explore the Fort Worth Museum of Science & History, and even visit the zoo.
Driving Distance from The Woodlands: 3 hours, 42 minutes
WoodlandsMommy.com Tip: Hunter Brothers' H3 Ranch restaurant is a crowd-pleasure!
Best website for planning your trip: https://www.fortworth.com/
Tubing & Water Fun in New Braunfels
Tubing on the Guadalupe River and the Comal River is an all-time favorite and the perfect way to cool off on a sunny summer weekend! In fact, it's one of the best things about visiting New Braunfels. The Guadalupe River runs from Kerry County, TX to San Antonio Bay on the Gulf of Mexico, but many families especially enjoy the natural beauty, outdoor adventures, and tubing outfitters offered by the New Braunfels area. The city also features a drive-in movie theater, Mckenna Children's Museum, Animal World and Snake Farm Zoo, and a Schlitterbahn waterpark.
Distance from The Woodlands: 2 hours, 59 minutes
WoodlandsMommy.com Tip: Try booking an overnight stay at Schillterbahn Resort.
Best website for planning your trip: https://www.playinnewbraunfels.com/
Camping & Star-Gazing at Brazos Bend State Park
If you want to drive for only about an hour, Brazos Bend State Park in Fort Bend County is a great adventure just 45 minutes from downtown Houston. It can be a day trip even! Pack up your camping gear and load up the bicycles! The park features nature trails, hike and bike trails, and a nature center. For lodging, you can stay overnight at a camp site, screened shelter, or a cabin. The George Observatory, part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, is located in Brazos Bend State Park and is currently open for Saturday evening stargazing. While you're in the area, visit George Ranch Historic Park for a fascinating journey into Texas history.
Driving Distance from The Woodlands: 1 hour, 13 minutes
WoodlandsMommy.com Tip: Watch out for alligators in the park!
Best website for planning your trip: http://www.brazosbend.org/
Tropical Beach Fun in Corpus Christi
Ah! Who can resist the beach? If you're wanting something a little different (and water that's quite a bit cleaner) than Galveston, head south on US 59 for fun activities along the Gulf Coast. Corpus offers sandy beaches and endless recreational opportunities for visitors. Swim in the warm waters, build a sandcastle, book a private dolphin watch tour, or visit the Texas State Aquarium. (Note: If you have another 3 hours of driving in you, keep going south for the beautiful South Padre Island, one of the best cities for swimming in Texas.)
Driving Distance from The Woodlands: 3 hours, 49 minutes
WoodlandsMommy.com Tip: If you've always wanted to experiecne horseback riding on the beach, contact Horses on the Beach to book your rides for ages 6 & up.
Best website for planning your trip: https://www.visitcorpuschristi.com/
Enchanted Rock State Natural Area (Fredericksburg)
Enchanted Rock is a pink granite mountain located near Fredericksburg, and the entire area is simply beautiful This is one of the best areas in Texas for honeymooning and wine tasting, but Enchanted Rock is also the perfect place for a nature study. You can hike, backpack, camp, rock climb, explore caves, watch birds, geocache, and stargaze. You'll also find plenty of places to picnic, so pack a sack! While exploring the area, drop in at Tilly's for homemade ice cream, book a charming boutique hotel (lots to choose from in the area) or one of the specialty vacation rentals with a hot tub, or pop in for a tasting sample at one of the local wineries. Photo Credit: TX Parks & Wildlife
Driving Distance from The Woodlands: 4 hours, 6 minutes
WoodlandsMommy.com Tip: If you have very young kids, bring a stroller or wear them in a baby carrier for ease in mobility. Or better yet, save this destination for when they're a bit older. For lodging check out Main Street Bed & Breakfast. They have a two-bedroom family suite!
Best website for planning your trip: https://www.visitfredericksburgtx.com/
Energy, Culture, and Good Vibes in Austin
The live music capital of the world is certainly on our list of best weekend getaways from The Woodlands! You'll experience everything in Austin from food trucks, live bands, museums, botanical gardens, and SO much culture! We highly recommend suiting up and taking a trip to Zilker Park where you can cool off in Barton Springs Pool, an urban oasis where swimmers plunge into 68-degree, spring-fed waters.
Thinkery, Austin's children's museum, with over 40,000 square feet of hands-on indoor and outdoor fun, is easily one of the most exciting places to visit if you're traveling with little ones under 12. And then there are all the other popular activities Austin is known for that you won't have time to do in a single weekend visit - like its shopping, tours of the Texas State Capital, the World Famous Congress Bridge Bats, and watercraft rentals on Lady Bird Lake. Austin also provides easy access to the hill country, so go out for a drive and just take in some sights!
Distance from The Woodlands: 2 hours, 35 minutes
WoodlandsMommy.com Tip: If you're a member of a Houston-area museum that's part of a reciprocal membership program, check ahead to see which museums in Austin are included. You might be admitted to several at no charge.
Best website for planning your trip: https://www.austintexas.org/
Home Sweet Home in Houston area
We get it. There might not be time for a full weekend vaca, but you can certainly enjoy some popular attractions closer to home. Houston is America's fourth-largest city with an impressive cultural district, beautiful parks, and a ton of indoor and outdoor activities in town and nearby! We recommend a day trip to Kemah Boardwalk (for carnival rides, games, and boutique shopping), a trip to Houston's Hermann Park (for trail walking, watching a show on the hill at Miller Outdoor Theatre, and taking a train ride), or Galveston (for fun at Pleasure Pier and Moody Gardens). If you decide to stay in Houston proper, there are museums galore to explore (the kids will enjoy Children's Museum of Houston), Candytopia, a gazillion unique eateries, the Galleria Mall, Downtown sights, and so much more!
Driving Distance from The Woodlands: 32 minutes
WoodlandsMommy.com Tip: Avoid travelinging throughout the inner city areas during the weekday rush hour. It gets brutal!
Best website for planning your trip: https://www.visithoustontexas.com/
