Itching to escape the city? Want to be on the beach by mid-afternoon? Or is a rustic retreat in the woods more to your liking?
Whether you searching for laid-back island vibes or small-town charm, we’ve got you covered. Here are eight top-notch escapes from Houston that require fewer than four hours on the road.
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🚤 Conroe
- Distance from Houston: 40 miles
- What you get: Lake Conroe is a great site for water-based activities including boating and fishing.
- Where to stay: Margaritaville Lake Resort is situated on the shores of Lake Conroe. The resort boasts 335 guest suites, including 32 lakefront cottages. At Margaritaville Lake Resort there are a variety of activities to try every day of the week. Experiences hosted by Margaritaville include scavenger hunts, sandcastle construction, corn hole competitions, fitness classes and more. Among the attractions geared toward families is the Jolly Mon Water Park, which includes a themed splash zone and dump bucket, two waterslides, and a kiddie pool. Margaritaville also has its own miniature golf course, and regulation-size pickleball tennis and racquetball courts. Nightly rates starting at $479. Texas and Louisiana residents receive an additional 15% off the best available rate.
MORE: 4 reasons why Conroe should be on your must-visit list for the Houston area
⛱️ Galveston
- Distance from Houston: 50 miles
- What you get: Sun-soaked beaches, southern charm, incredible architecture, family-friendly everything, laid-back island vibes, animal encounters; Galveston, a laid-back city on an island two miles offshore in the Gulf of Mexico, is a popular weekend and vacation destination. Its restaurants, beaches and attractions are filled with escapees from Houston and other nearby cities. Juxtaposed with Galveston’s striking collection of historic buildings, restored vessels, and museums are flashy attractions like Moody Gardens and the Pleasure Pier.
- Where to stay: Built in 1911, Grand Galvez, known as the Queen of the Gulf, played host to such guests as Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin and President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. Its 224 rooms underwent renovations in 2022. Many have views of the Gulf and one houses a particularly spirited guest. For quirkier accommodations, try the Kettle House, a popular Airbnb that defies easy explanation, or the Galveston Railroad Museum’s Bonnie Brook Rail Car.
MORE: Visiting Galveston? Here are 10 things to do on the island besides the beach
🌳 Huntsville
- Distance from Houston: 70 miles
- What you get: Texas history, roadside oddities, scuba diving, small-town charm, one extraordinarily eclectic museum; For some, the idea of doing time in this sleepy East Texas town 70 miles north of Houston evokes images of white jumpsuits, handcuffs and razor wire. But those who visit Huntsville voluntarily will find it quite accommodating. Here you can lose yourself among the majestic trees of the East Texas Pineywoods, dig deep into Sam Houston’s life and legacy or dive to the crystalline depths of a sparkling blue lagoon.
- Where to stay: Rent this one-bedroom log cabin situated among pastures about 10 miles west of Huntsville. When I stayed here during the summer of 2016, I was taken aback by the beauty of the place. The pond nearby was stocked with fish, cows grazed lazily in an adjoining field, and wildflowers bloomed in patches all over the property. The sunsets and sunrises we’re stunning. The listing photos don’t do it justice.
MORE: 5 spots perfect for the whole family in Huntsville
🌼 Brenham
- Distance from Houston: 76 miles
- What you get: Bluebonnets, barbecue, Blue Bell, historic sites, antique shops; Bucolic Brenham is nestled along a quiet stretch of U.S. Highway 290, 76 miles northwest of Houston. The cradle of Blue Bell and bluebonnets, Brenham is a favorite of weekenders thanks to its rustic charm, lush landscapes and vibrant downtown historic district, not to mention the nearby wineries, parks and historic sites.
- Where to stay: The Ross Carroll Bennett House, a magnificent 19th century Queen Anne-style home and a registered Texas historical landmark, has one swoon-worthy suite and three beautifully adorned bedrooms. A champagne breakfast and happy hour with hors d’oeuvres is served daily for guests. For a more rural experience, try this cottage situated on a 60-acre ranch.
MORE: 23 ideas to help you plan your stay in Brenham
🛍️ Round Top
- Distance from Houston: 96 miles
- What you get: Antique oasis with luxe lodging, rustic charm; Round Rock is a favorite with antiques collectors, who enjoy cruising the shops.
- Where to stay: Noteworthy accommodations include FlopHouze, a shipping container hotel, the ultra-luxe Hotel Lulu, and the quirky, colorful Rancho Pillow.
MORE: 5 sights worth seeing in Round Top
🤠 San Antonio
Distance from Houston: 197 miles
What you get: The city is a favorite weekend destination — for rest and relaxation, outdoor adventures and excellent food.
Where to stay: Consider a stay at Hotel Emma, a 146-room boutique hotel housed in a massive former brewery at the upriver end of the River Walk. At Hotel Emma, there’s a rooftop pool, bar, market, and bistro. The hotel is part of the commercial Pearl Brewery district, which includes the Culinary Institute of America, more than a dozen boutiques and nearly 30 restaurants. Traveling to San Antonio and have kids in tow? Consider the 1,000-room JW Marriott San Antonio Hill Country Resort, with its championship golf courses, walking trails, nine-acre water park featuring numerous slides and a 1,100-foot lazy river, and other family-friendly attractions on 600 acres in the Texas Hill Country. The resort is near SeaWorld San Antonio, Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch and Natural Bridge Caverns.
MORE: An extravagant stay on the San Antonio River Walk
⛳ Horseshoe Bay
- Distance from Houston: 213 miles
- What you get: A golfer’s paradise, a haven for water-based activities, laid-back luxury, family-friendly everything; Horseshoe Bay is an oasis for those who want to do a little bit of everything — or a whole lot of nothing. A lazy day might include 18 holes of golf, an excursion on Lake LBJ, and breakfast for dinner with pie at Blue Bonnet Cafe.
- Where to stay: Located on the shores of Lake Lyndon B. Johnson, the 400-suite Horseshoe Bay Resort offers three pools, a spa, tennis and pickleball courts and access to three golf courses. For lake fun, rent kayaks, paddle boards, boats and jet skis at the marina or schedule a fishing excursion or sunset cruise.
MORE: 8 Texas destinations that go all out for families
☀️ Fredericksburg
- Distance from Houston: 238 miles
- What you get: German cuisine, libations galore, glamping, hiking, flower fields (seasonally), Hill Country hospitality; Fredericksburg is a favorite of weekenders thanks to its rural charm, trendy shops, and nearby wineries and state parks.
- Where to stay: The Fredericksburg area has hundreds of of lodging options, ranging from cute campers to luxury treehouses. Aviation buffs, for you I suggest the Hangar Hotel, which is housed in a renovated airplane hangar next to the town’s small, single-runway airport.
MORE: This Texas town among most charming small towns in the South
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