Just curious if anyone knows any good places within driving distance of Houston (maybe max 3-4 hours one-way drive time) that are nice getaway vacation-type spots last minute? When I was in Austin, we would occasionally "Priceline" a nicer San Antonio hotel spot, and if we got it, we'd just go. Looking for something like that. Obviously S.A. isn't too, too far so we could do that again. Galveston is probably a nice spot at least once, but I don't know much about what to do there. Looking for something I can plan/price online, pack up the family and go. Any ideas?
What do you enjoy doing? Shreveport isn't bad, but you probably have to like to gamble to do that. They have a couple great restaurants. How about Austin? Port Aransas would be a good one. Port Royal is a great place to stay.
What do you want to do? Relax, shop, sightsee, hike/bike/outdoorsy stuff? Do you like touristy stuff or more out of the way places? Rockport's a cool place to go on the coast; Fredricksburg has a bunch of stuff to do closeby in the Hill Country.
I'm a big fan of Port Aransas too. Beach isn't the nicest, but its got a whole small town feel especially when you take the ferry over to teh island, etc..
http://www.starwoodhotels.com/westin/search/hotel_detail.html?propertyID=1170 or http://www.hsbresort.com/
Thanks for the replies. I most definitely would like to go to a casino at least once... so that info is excellent to know. I'm open to any cool places. This particular time it's family (and maybe even a friend's family with us) ... so just a nice hotel, something fun to do in the area (beach, boat ride, Riverwalk type area, park, even a zoo), some place to relax and (mandatory) a minimum of one restaurant with killer food When I was in Boston last year, we "escaped" up to New Hampshire at this awesome beach area... was a lot of fun. Of course this is a different climate and I'm still under the impression (perhaps false) that there aren't any good beaches nearby.
I'll do some digging on Shreveport if I get the time here at work (trying to catch up for tomorrow and Friday since I'm taking my yearly March Madness vacation days). They have a fairly nice lake/river from what I've heard from friends/family that live in the Tyler area. A couple nice casinos, too. It's about a 4-5 hour drive, so that may be too far. http://www.shreveport-bossier.org/ for a general idea.
The beach in Rockpoprt itself is actually quite nice, ESPECIALLY for little kids. You can walk out seemingly forever and still be in pretty shallow water, which is great for the young ones. The beach itself is generally very clean, too. I guess it depends on what your idea of a great beach is...it's definitely not Miami Beach or anything, but do you want that? http://www.lighthousetexas.com/index.shtml That is the Rockport tourist hotel. If I was going for the weekend, I'd spend some time at the beach, find a good fishing guide and sign up for a half-day / day trip (there is great redfish/drum fishing, trout, etc.). Some people may suggest doing the deep sea trips where you sign up and go out on a bigger boat with a bunch of people 30 miles out and try and catch some more exotic stuff. I've done that, too but really did not like it - didn't catch much and half the people on board threw up. The smaller guides will just put around the intercoastal and find some great spots. You can head to Aransas for shopping/eating. Chorpus is only 30-45 minutes further south. Right north of Rockport is the Aransas National Wildlife Preserve, which is a special spot for whooping cranes. More stuff to do: http://www.rockport-fulton.org/frames/51Things.htm Number 51 is probably the best one, though.
For kids- the Moody Gardens in Galveston is nice. For adults the Tremont hotel is a nice setting. For adults - Saltwater grill is an excellent restaurant-see the guy make gumbo at the bar with the special steam equipment.-located near the Strand on Post Office Street-near 21st across from the Opera House. In East Texas -try Jefferson-near Caddo Lake-rent a canoe and take the kids for a canoe ride. It would be nice now before it gets too hot. Corpus Christi- nice aquarium for kids. Come to Silsbee and ride in a canoe on Village creek. Nice white sand bars.
I was looking for the same thing and that's why my bf and I will be headed to San Antonio next weekend. Something quick, driveable, fun and enjoyable for two.
Don't waste your time in Shreveport! There's absolutely nothing to see/do there other than go to their small-ish casinos. It's quite possible one of the ugliest places you can visit on earth.
Great thread. Clutch, I'm needing the same thing. Does anyone know how i can rent a nice lake front house at Lake Conroe? That might be a nice weekend of fishing and getting away.
Maybe not Lake Conroe, but cyberrentals has a few on Livingston and other places. http://cyberrentals.com/USA/Texas/r1139.htm
I LOVE Rockport! Seriously. This place is the best if you want to relax at a nice and close gulf area. Clean water and great fishing!
Just a heads up on Lake Conroe. My parents have a house up there and from what I understand the lake is still really low (in terms of taking a boat out and hitting underwater tree stumps, etc...). The dam was damaged during Hurricane Rita and they had to lower the water level in order to repair it. We haven't had our boat out since. Maybe it's not so bad on the south side of the lake near Hwy 105. Just wanted to throw that out there FYI.
This place is a blast: http://www.riverhavencabins.com/ Might be too far of a drive for you though. My family has been to this campground every year for the last 30 years for our family reunion. Its great. All the cabins are pretty new and air conditioned with a kitchen. Be sure to book a cabin overlooking the water.
Brenham-- Washington-on-the-Brazos State Park Antique Rose Emporium Some decent stores and eateries on Main Street Blue Bell tours Some nice B&Bs
