Gateway to Adventure

The charm of Texas travel extends far beyond Houston’s city limits. Just a short drive from downtown, 14 unique communities invite group travelers to explore an exciting mix of history, culture, outdoor adventure, and coastal escapes. Whether your group is seeking historic landmarks, vibrant festivals, or scenic waterfronts, the Around Houston region offers something for everyone.

Start your journey in Huntsville, where Texas heritage comes to life at the towering Sam Houston Statue and the immersive Texas Prison Museum. In Conroe, groups can unwind on a Lake Conroe boat tour, fish along the shore, enjoy a lakeside picnic, or get transported to paradise at the Margaritaville Lake Resort. Just south, The Woodlands offers a vibrant entertainment scene, from shopping at Market Street to live performances at the Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion. Nearby Shenandoah boasts fantastic shopping at Portofino Shopping Center, while Tomball invites visitors to experience the Depot Railroad Museum, indulge in award-winning barbecue at Tejas Chocolate & Barbecue, or experience the area’s cultural history at the German Heritage Festival.

Heading east to Beaumont, learn all about Texas’ oil boom history at the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum, and get up close with some famous swamp creatures at Gator Country. Port Arthur pays tribute to the region’s rich musical heritage at the Museum of the Gulf Coast. In Baytown, groups can admire outdoor art along the Baytown Sculpture Trail, or explore the Baytown Nature Center, a paradise for bird-watchers. Further south, Texas City offers aquatic adventure at Lagoonfest Texas and prime fishing along the Texas City Dike, the longest man-made fishing pier in the world. In Bay Area Houston, space enthusiasts won’t want to miss Space Center Houston, where they can get an up-close look at NASA’s astronaut training facilities and historic Mission Control.

For a coastal escape, Galveston Island delivers with its historic architecture, 32 miles of beaches, and the thrilling Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. In Sugar Land, groups can enjoy world-class entertainment at the Smart Financial Centre or catch a baseball game at Constellation Field, home of the Sugar Land Space Cowboys, Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. Pearland invites visitors to discover the Delores Fenwick Nature Center, offering interactive exhibits on local wildlife and birding, and the Sri Meenkashi Hindu temple. Rounding out the journey, Brazosport is a nature lover’s paradise, featuring Sea Center Texas, a marine hatchery and aquarium offering an inside look at Gulf Coast conservation efforts.

While Houston may be the gateway to your Texas visit, there is plenty to see and do in the 14 communities surrounding Houston waiting for groups to explore. Whether your group prefers relaxing on the beach, experiencing Texas history, or enjoying a night of live music, Around Houston has a destination to match every itinerary. With convenient access to Houston’s major airports and highways, planning a multi-city Texas tour has never been easier. For more information on group-friendly destinations and itinerary inspiration, head to visithouston.com/aroundhouston.

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Around Houston
visithoustontexas.com/aroundhouston

Lead image:
Baytown
Photo by Daniel Taylor