Excursions
For a Half Day
Kemah Boardwalk: Only a 45-minute drive from Downtown – south along I-45 and Tex-518 – Kemah is a popular half-day trip, due to its waterfront shops, restaurants and amusement rides. Nearby, the Old Seabrook Historic District is a charming village with shop-lined streets, outdoor markets and seasonal festivals. Information is available from the Kemah Boardwalk (tel: (877) 285 3624; website: www.kemahboardwalk.com).
George Ranch Historical Park: Located 30 minutes southwest of Downtown at 10215 FM762, Richmond (tel: (281) 343 0218; website: www.georgeranch.org), this is a 23,000-acre working ranch, where visitors can witness a cowboy cattle drive, as well as experience the struggle of early pioneers to Texas. The ranch is open daily 0900-1700 and costs US$9 (concessions available).
For a Whole Day
San Jacinto Battleground Historical Complex: Approximately 32km (20 miles) east of Houston – along Tex-225 and Tex-134 – is the spot that marks the battleground where Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836. The complex (tel: (281) 479 2421; website: www.sanjacinto-museum.org) houses the San Jacinto Monument (open daily 0900-1730), which is a 174m (570ft) obelisk that towers over the surrounding area – there is an observation deck for visitors to enjoy the views. At the base of the monument is the San Jacinto Museum of History (open daily 0900-1800). Of particular interest is the Battleship Texas (open daily 1000-1700), commissioned in 1914, which saw action at Normandy and Okinawa. Entrance to the site (open daily 0800-2100 May to October and 0800-1900 November to April) and museum is free but there is a charge of US$3 (concessions available) for the observatory and US$3.50 (concessions available) for the film (Texas Forever!), which is shown every hour until 1700 at the Jesse H Jones Theater for Texas Studies.
Galveston Island: Located 80km (50 miles) southeast of Houston – along I-45 – on the Gulf of Mexico, this island (website: www.galveston.com) is rich in history. The grand avenues and quiet lanes of the East End and Silk Stocking Historic Districts are home to some extravagant residences built by the wealthy merchants. The Strand has Victorian shops, art galleries and museums. Across the island, Moody Gardens (tel: (800) 582 4673; website: www.moodygardens.com) houses an aquarium representing the oceans of the world, a tropical rainforest and an IMAX screen, as well as one of America’s first IMAX ridefilm theatres with wrap-around screens giving the sensation of being in the film. The complex is open 1000-1800 Sunday to Friday and 1000-2000 Saturday. Day passes can be booked online and cost US$28.95. The nearby Lone Star Flight Museum (tel: (409) 740 7722; website: www.lsfm.org) houses an extensive collection of restored aircraft and is open daily 0900-1700 and costs US$6.
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Excursions