Pushing The (City) Limits

Houston’s Backyard: Clear Lake and Katy

Just 20 miles from downtown Houston, is Kemah Boardwalk. Once a sleepy fishing village, Kemah is now a bustling destination with an authentic Coney Island amusement park atmosphere complete with carnival games, Ferris wheel and a small train to explore the area.

In the nearby community of Clear Lake, NASA offers both entertainment and education. Explore a space shuttle mock-up, an IMAX theater and hundreds of hands-on exhibits throughout Rocket Park and Mission Control at Space Center Houston. Boating enthusiasts love the calm waters of Clear Lake and enjoy sailing, water skiing and fishing on the many public docks.

Also in the area is Old Seabrook with little shops specializing in eclectic treasures and antiques stores filled with surprises and craft markets two weekends a month.

It’s a sure bet you’ll find all the fun you need at the nearby Gulf Greyhound Park where you can spend the day wagering on dog races or just enjoy the charged atmosphere. Or if you want to wind down and get back to nature, pull into Armand Bayou Nature Center. The center, with its hiking trails, canoe rentals, and boat tours is a perfect place to learn about the plants, wildlife, birds and landscape of the area in a peaceful setting.

Still close in, the city of Katy is west of Houston and is home to several places worth visiting. Katy Mills Mall is a popular outlet mall where you can spend the day hunting bargains. Don’t forget to visit the Forbidden Gardens, a replica of the Beijing tomb of Emperor Qin. This outdoor museum contains a 6,000-piece terra cotta army replicated to one-third scale that illustrates Chinese history in the third century BC and recreates the Middle Kingdom.

Worth the Drive: Galveston

Galveston has something for everyone! Whether it’s a day on the beach, exploring the delightful shops or having a delicious dinner, you can’t help but enjoy yourself. Seawolf Park is where the USS Cavalla, a World War II submarine, and the USS Stewart, a destroyer escort, have permanent homes. The beach also offers picnic sites, a playground and a fishing pier. If fishing is your game, go to the 91st Street Pier, San Luis Pass or West Bay for redfish, speckled trout or Spanish mackerel. Several companies offer deep sea and bay fishing trips with experienced captains and crew to help you reel in the big ones!

Galveston’s Victorian section, The Strand, is restored to its 19th-century charm, complete with candy makers, ice cream sellers and stores with everything from funky T-shirts to fashions from Paris. The Strand hosts an annual Mardi Gras celebration in February/March, and in December revelers enjoy Dickens on the Strand, a riotous recreation of Victorian London with chimney sweeps, Ebenezer Scrooge and Queen Victoria. Driving onto the island, you can’t miss the colorful pyramids of Moody Gardens promising fun and adventure inside the glass enclosures. Galveston’s Schlitterbahn water park has year-round swimming fun for all.

Just Down the Way: Old Town Spring

North of Houston, the early 20th century railroad village delights visitors in Old Town Spring. More than 150 shops, restaurants and galleries tempt you to find fabulous treasures. History buffs will want to visit the Civil War Museum and the Spring Historical Museum. Each fall, the Lake Conroe area’s Texas Renaissance Festival invites all commoners and courtiers alike to celebrate with royalty, knights, ladies-in-waiting and wizards at a carnival filled with wild rides, artisans and fascinating shows.

Rustic Tour: Brenham

In the spring, the bluebonnet and Indian paintbrush trail of Highway 290 leads you to Brenham, the “Birthplace of Texas.” Enjoy the rustic charm of friendly little towns along the way that offer antiques and home-grown produce at roadside stalls. There are plenty of places to eat in Brenham, all proudly serving Blue Bell Ice Cream from the town’s world-famous creamery. Visit the Blue Bell Creamery for a plant tour and ice cream. The Pleasant Hill Winery tour shows you the winemaking process from grape to bottle. Near Brenham is the Antique Rose Emporium built on an early settler’s homestead. East of Brenham is the Monastery of St. Claire Miniature Horse Ranch. The Franciscan Poor Clare Nuns raise miniature horses and sell handmade ceramics in the gift shop to support the order.