Day Trippin' › Texas › From Houston › Best family-fun places
Our picks for the best family-fun places within 3 hours of Houston: 13 places, 4 under an hour away, 0 between 1 and 2 hours and 9 between 2 and 3 hours, counted by road time from ZIP 77002.
We put first the places with a real photo, a well-known name, a family-friendly note and an official site, then list the rest by drive time. The closest is Kemah Boardwalk, 37 min southeast of Houston.
Under 1 hour 1 to 2 hours 2 to 3 hours
Photo: ljpelletier, CC BY-SA 2.0
#1 · Theme park · 2 hr 38 min west
A big riverside waterpark in New Braunfels with about 45 rivers, rides and slides in four sections, each with a lazy river and kids' area.
Heads-up: Now run by Six Flags. Check the calendar and park rules for coolers and outside food. Go early on summer weekends.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#2 · Family fun · 2 hr 49 min northwest
Busy shopping and food complex in Waco with shops, places to eat and a big turf lawn.
Heads-up: Open Monday to Saturday 9 to 6, closed Sunday; hours shift for holidays and events. Leashed dogs welcome but must stay off the turf and out of ticketed events. Pair with other Waco stops.
Photo: Nsaum75, CC BY-SA 3.0
#3 · Family fun · 52 min southeast
Galveston attraction with Aquarium, Rainforest and Discovery pyramids, 3D theater, zip line and the new Galveston Children's Museum.
Heads-up: Open every day; hours are posted weekly. Free parking. Holiday in the Gardens light trail and ice rink from November 21, 2026 to January 2, 2027. Palm Beach is seasonal.
Photo: Margaretwmiller, CC BY-SA 3.0
#4 · Family fun · 2 hr 34 min west
284 acres of native Texas gardens and trails in south Austin, run by the University of Texas.
Heads-up: Only service dogs allowed. Card only. Summer hours start early and end at 3 p.m. Buy tickets ahead and carpool, parking is limited.
Photo: Druidhills, CC BY 3.0
#5 · Theme park · 2 hr 50 min west
A nonprofit, ultra-accessible theme park in San Antonio built so guests of all abilities can play, with a splash park called Morgan's Inspiration Island.
Heads-up: Free parking, cashless. You may bring your own food and drinks. Best for ages 2-12.
Photo: Devin P Morris, CC BY-SA 4.0
#6 · Theme park · 52 min southeast
Waterfront amusement pier in Galveston with rides, midway games, food and shops.
Heads-up: Buy tickets online to skip the line. Hours change by season, so check the calendar.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#7 · Family fun · 2 hr 30 min west
Glass-bottom boat tours on Spring Lake in San Marcos, a tradition since 1947, run by Texas State University's Meadows Center.
Heads-up: Tours run daily, first come first served, about 30 minutes. School groups fill boats March-July. Boats don't run in lightning or high wind.
Photo: Steve Groom, CC BY-SA 4.0
#8 · Family fun · 2 hr 42 min north
Vintage steam and diesel excursion trains through the Piney Woods between Palestine and Rusk.
Heads-up: Round trips take about four hours. Trains run on scheduled dates only (lunch, dinner, holiday and Polar Express trains), so book ahead. Weather can cancel trains.
Photo: Jouaienttoi, CC BY-SA 4.0
#9 · Family fun · 2 hr 52 min west
A free city garden on North St. Mary's Street near the San Antonio Zoo, open every day of the year.
Heads-up: Open daily 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Some paths have stairs. Pair with the zoo.
Photo: Tony Webster from Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States, CC BY 2.0
#10 · Family fun · 37 min southeast
Waterfront boardwalk with rides like the Boardwalk Bullet coaster, a Ferris wheel and double-decker carousel, Stingray Reef and restaurants.
Heads-up: No entrance fee; buy ride tickets or a day pass. Free fireworks and concerts on many nights. Only service animals. Paid parking, credit card only. Ride hours vary.
Photo: Jouaienttoi, CC BY-SA 4.0
#11 · Family fun · 2 hr 52 min west
39 acres of gardens including a Texas Native Trail, a family garden and the glass Lucile Halsell Conservatory.
Heads-up: Hours change by season, call ahead. Holiday light show from late November.
Photo: Larry D. Moore, CC BY 4.0
#12 · Theme park · 52 min southeast
Galveston Island water park with slides, raft rides, water coasters, pools and kids' play areas, now run by Enchanted Parks.
Heads-up: Check the park calendar for open days and hours. Season end date.
#13 · Family fun · 2 hr 50 min west
San Antonio's hands-on children's museum, open since 1995 as the San Antonio Children's Museum.
Heads-up: Several discounts, one per visit. Check the hours page for closures.
Our top picks are Schlitterbahn New Braunfels (2 hr 38 min), Magnolia Market at the Silos (2 hr 49 min), Moody Gardens (52 min), Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center (2 hr 34 min) and Morgan's Wonderland (2 hr 50 min). The page lists 13 places in all.
13: 4 under an hour away, 0 between 1 and 2 hours and 9 between 2 and 3 hours, by road from ZIP 77002.
Kemah Boardwalk, about 37 min southeast of Houston.
3 need no pass or fee, including Magnolia Market at the Silos, Kemah Boardwalk and Japanese Tea Garden. Fees change, so check each place.
8 of the 13 list themselves as open year-round. Places with a season say so on their card; check hours before you go.
Drive times are by road on a typical day from ZIP <class 'zip'> (OpenStreetMap data with the OSRM route planner); places under 25 minutes away count as in town. Facts checked against official sites; passes and hours change, so check before you go.