Houston's central Gulf Coast location puts beaches, small towns, and state parks within easy driving distance.
Galveston Island and Fort Bend County are the easiest full-day escapes: one for Gulf beaches and Victorian streets, the other for Brazos River towns and Brazos Bend State Park.
Blue Bell Creamery
The Blue Bell Creamery in Brenham is about ninety minutes from Houston and well worth the drive. You can tour the facility that has been making ice cream since 1907, watch a short video, and get a free ice cream treat at the end. Tours run weekdays from 10am to 2:30pm, lasting 45 minutes, but arrive early as only 800 visitors are admitted per day. Admission is $3.
