Katy area residents can find tons of summer fun at dozens of destinations within a one-day drive. Whether you are seeking barbecue, or a day on the beach, our guide will get you there.
Austin
Deep Eddy Pool[/caption]Deep Eddy Pool
401 Deep Eddy Ave., Austin
512-472-8546
www.deepeddy.org
The Deep Eddy Pool celebrated its 100th anniversary in May. The swimming pool is fed by an aquifer located deep in the earth that provides naturally purified spring water for swimmers. The pool is not chlorinated. Hours: Mon.-Sun. 8 a.m.-8 p.m. Admission prices vary based on age and residency status in Austin.
Franklin Barbecue
900 E. 11th St., Austin
512-653-1187
http://franklinbarbecue.com
Franklin Barbecue has become one of the most visited barbecue restaurants in Austin since it opened on 11th Street in 2011. The eatery has been featured in dozens of news articles and TV shows. Chef Aaron Franklin specializes in traditional Texas brisket, pork ribs, pulled pork, chopped beef and sausages. Visitors begin waiting in line as early as 7 a.m. Hours: Tue.-Sun. 11 a.m. until food is sold out.
College Station
George Bush Presidential Library
1000 George Bush Drive W., College Station
979-691-4000
www.bush41.org
Located on the campus of Texas A&M University, the library is dedicated to the 41st president, George H.W. Bush. In addition to the archival library, which includes 44 million pages related to Bush’s presidency, many Bush family’s records and artifacts can be found in the 20,000-square-foot museum. Hours: Mon.-Sat. 9:30 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m. Admission: $9 (adults); $3 (attendees ages 6-17); free (children 5 and under.)
Eagle Lake
The Vineyard II: Texas Wine & Craft Beer
217 E. Main St., Eagle Lake
979-232-3111
www.thevineyard2.com
The Vineyard II is a restaurant devoted to a Hill Country atmosphere with a wide selection of wines and craft beers from Texas, many of them hard to locate in stores. The eatery has a patio and features a range of activities, including ladies night, food truck Fridays, private parties, painting classes and grilled burgers on Sundays. Wine and beer is available by sample tasting, by the glass or can be bought to-go. Hours: Thu. 5-9 p.m., Fri. 4-10 p.m., Sat. 3-10 p.m., Sun. noon-6 p.m.
Galveston
Pleasure Pier[/caption]Pleasure Pier
2501 Seawall Blvd., Galveston
409-766-4950
www.pleasurepier.com
Reopened in 2012, the Pleasure Pier pays homage to the city’s history by serving as an amusement park with 16 rides, shops, midway games and a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant. Prior to Hurricane Ike in 2008, the pier had been home to the Flagship Hotel since the mid-1960s. It was constructed after the original Pleasure Pier, which was built in the 1940s, was destroyed by Hurricane Carla. The attraction is located adjacent to numerous shops, restaurants and hotels along Seawall Boulevard as well.
Texas Seaport Museum
2100 Harborside Drive, Pier 22, Galveston
409-763-1877
www.galvestonhistory.org
The Texas Seaport Museum has many features for visitors, including the 1877 tall ship Elissa, a maritime history museum, and Galveston history exhibits as well as an immigrant database of tens of thousands of immigrants who landed at the port in the 1800s and 1900s. Harbor and dolphin tours are also available on a large, cruise-type vessel. Hours: Sun.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Admission: $12 (adults 19 and older); $9 (youth ages 6-18); free (children age 5 and younger) free. [totalpoll id="165216"]
Huntsville
Huntsville State Park
565 Park Road 40 W. Huntsville
936-295-5644
www.tpwd.texas.gov
Huntsville State Park is a heavily wooded 2,087-acre state park with a 210-acre lake for visitors. Visitors enjoy a range of activities, including camping, hiking, boating, fishing, swimming and guided horseback riding available. The park features areas for tents, has screened shelters available for rent and RVs can park at spaces with electric and water connections. Reservations are recommended. Hours: 6 a.m.-10 p.m. daily. Admission: $5 (adults), free (children age 12 and younger).
Sam Houston Memorial Museum
1836 Sam Houston Ave. Huntsville
936-294-1832
samhoustonmemorialmuseum.com
The museum is focuses on Sam Houston. The 15-acre site features the Steamboat House, where Sam Houston resided, as well as a museum with photographs, artifacts and other historical items about the president of the Republic of Texas and eventual governor of the state of Texas. Hours: Tue.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4:30 p.m., Sun. noon-4:30 p.m. Closed Mondays. $4 (seniors), $5 (adults), $3 (children ages 6-18), free (ages 5 and younger and Sam Houston State University students with a valid student ID).
Lake Jackson
Gulf Coast Bird Observatory[/caption]Gulf Coast Bird Observatory
299 Hwy. 332 W., Lake Jackson
979-480-0999
www.gcbo.org
Enthusiasts interested in seeing wildlife and enjoying outdoor pursuits can visit the Gulf Coast Bird Observatory. The 34-acre site set in Columbia Bottomland forest offers hiking trails, bird watching and nature tours. On the third Saturday of each month, there is bird banding. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 8:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Free.
Sea Center Texas
302 Medical Drive
Lake Jackson
979-292-0100
www.tpwd.texas.gov/seacenter
The Sea Center is a combination aquarium, fish hatchery and marine development center that also has an educational component. The center produces on average 15 million red drum and sea trout fingerlings that are released into the Sabine River. There is a 24-foot touch tank where visitors can touch sea life, a wetland walkway, and a 300-yard saltwater marsh boardwalk. Hours: Tue.-Sat. 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Sun. 1-4 p.m. Closed Mondays. Free.
San Antonio
Natural Bridge Caverns
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Road, San Antonio
210-651-6101
www.naturalbridgecaverns.com
Visitors can take part in several activities ranging from cave tours to gift shopping. The park features two caves that are about 180 feet in depth. Tours on the paved and lighted sidewalk are offered daily, and specialty adventure tours of the caverns are also offered. The park also features a gift shop, food options, a ropes course with a zip line, a maze and gemstone mining. Hours vary by day. Prices vary by activities.
Round Top
Royers Round Top Cafe[/caption]Royers Round Top Cafe
105 Main St. Round Top
979-249-3611
www.royersroundtopcafe.com
Sweet ‘n’ salty, strawberry rhubarb and junk berry pie are just
a few of the more than 10 pie options to choose from at this local cafe where eating dessert first is encouraged. The menu also features sandwich, salad and burger options along with other entrees. The walls and porch of the cafe also offer patrons much to look at as they wait for lunch to be prepared. A sign out front teases, “If you’re in a hurry, go to Houston.”
Washington
Washington on the Brazos[/caption]Washington on the Brazos
23400 Park Road No. 12, Washington
936-878-2214
www.wheretexasbecametexas.org
This 239-acre state park hosts numerous features central to the history of Texas, including the Star of the Republic Museum, the Barrington Living History Farm and Independence Hall—where officials signed the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico. Hours: Mon.-Sun. 10:30 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Admission: $5 (adults), $3 (students).
