Four Budget-Friendly Day Trips from Houston, Texas

Houston may be one of the largest cities in the country, but it offers far more than just a concrete jungle. Located in an interesting topographical area, an hour drive in any direction of the city yields a totally different perspective: a ship channel and nationally important battlegrounds in one direction, the beach in another direction, hills and the country in another. Here are four day trips that are about an hour away from Houston each that will open your eyes to all the Texas Gulf Coast has to offer.

Head south down I-45 from Houston to Galveston Island, Houston 's beach community. Located on the Gulf of Mexico, Galveston 's water shows the silt that is dumped just to the east, but is still enjoyable. First discovered by Europeans in 1528, Galveston Island was home to several different tribes of Native Americans. However, Galveston wasn't officially settled until it was colonized by pirate Jean Lafitte. It quickly became the most active port west of New Orleans before being tragically devastated by the Great Storm (of 1900). Now rebuilt and a bustling island community, Galveston has many beaches (some that beach goers can drive on to), a large cruise ship terminal, and the old-town area known as "The Strand". Other attractions in the area include Moody Gardens, which is home to a rainforest pyramid, a gold course, an aquarium, and several different theaters.

Just north of Galveston is the Clear Lake area, which is home to Johnson Space Center and Space Center Houston. The "layman-friendly" version of the United States Space Program, Space Center Houston has lots of exhibits that are both kid and adult friendly. The capstone of any visit to Space Center Houston should be the tour of the Johnson Space Center campus. Depending on the season and what's currently going on in the space program, visitors will get a backstage look at how the JSC operates. The tour may include the historic Mission Control Center , the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility, the current Mission Control Center , or the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory (where astronauts train in a massive swimming pool). All guests are invited to visit the Saturn V Complex at Rocket Park , which has recently been renovated.

Located to the east of Houston in LaPorte , Texas , is the famous San Jacinto Monument and Museum. Largely underrated, the San Jacinto Monument was built as a marker for the Battle of San Jacinto. It is currently the world's largest war monument (a full fifteen feet taller than the Washington Monument ). The Battle of San Jacinto was the climax of the ending of Mexican rule over Texas and essentially pushed the western border of America to the Pacific Ocean . All Americans will appreciate the positive impact of this battle.

To the northwest of Houston are beautiful Brenham and Lake Somerville . Houstonians are known to head toward Brenham during Bluebonnet season in the spring, and because of one attraction: the Blue Bell Creamery. Though Blue Bell ice cream is more prolific than it was a decade or two ago, it is still a popular destination because it is a local family creamery. Visit during the week to take a tour of the factory and see how ice cream is produced, and have a sample at the end! Go a little further northwest to Lake Somerville , which is an oasis in the country. A State Park, the area around Lake Somerville is pristine so that everyone can enjoy it. Boats are allowed, or bring some hiking shoes to walk the miles of trails around the lake. Campsites are available if you decide to spend the night.

Resources:

http://www.galveston.com

http://www.moodygardens.com/

http://www.spacecenter.org/

http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/

http://www.texassportfishing.com/region_2/Lake_Somerville.htm