Amusement Parks Worth the Trip from Houston

So you want to go to an amusement park and you're in Houston, Texas, the fourth largest city in the US. This should be no problem, right? Well, not exactly...you see, Houston has no theme parks. It's true. Not even one. Not since 2005, when Astroworld closed its doors for good. What do you do then, when a long day must be filled with fun and you live in Houston? As is local custom, you drive. Here are the top wet and dry amusement parks worth the drive from Houston.

Houston is a hot place, so it comes as no surprise that a top pick for Houstonians comes in the refreshing form of the water park, and the best by far is Schlitterbahn. Located at 2026 Lockheed Road in Galveston, it is totally worth the 45 minute drive from Houston. There is so much to do, you may have to make more than one trip - which just might be the only perk of the long hot Houston summer! Schlitterbahn Galveston boasts three different areas - Blastenhoff, Surfenburg, and Wasserfest - each offering places to relax, to send the kids, or to be shot through a tube of water until you're screaming for your mommy! The real draw of Schlitterbahn is the variety - you don't have to be dragged there by bored children to have a good time - you can relax in a hot tub complete with a swim up bar or chillax on the river system. If you want more adventure, try one of the cliffhanger speed slides - though the Bahnzai pipelines are a little more my speed.

If you'd prefer to stay dry, try the Kemah Boardwalk (215 Kipp Avenue, Kemah). Although not a traditional amusement park, the Kemah boardwalk makes for a great day out, and like Schlitterbahn makes for a good time whether you have kids in tow or not. There are a ton of rides ranging from the tame (The Ferris wheel and the Aviator) to the more stomach-dropping (The Bullet roller coaster and the Boardwalk Beast Speedboat Thrill Ride) and everything in between - plus midway games, restaurants, and shopping! There's something timeless about strolling a boardwalk - the sights and sounds make a perfect backdrop for your day. One thing to watch - unlike a theme park with set admission, rides are priced individually (around five dollars a pop), which can add up pretty quickly, or you can buy an All Day All Ride Pass.

Just remember, the fun is where you find it, Houston!