“Day-Tripping” listings
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BELLVILLE, TX
On a trip to this small town, step into Newman’s Bakery to savor the donuts and request a tour of the castle the baker built by hand. Visit Cochran General Store to soak up small town charm, drink cold beer and—if it’s Thursday—listen to live, homegrown music. (07/2010)
63 miles northwest of Houston
bellville.com -
BRYAN-COLLEGE STATION, TX
The home of Texas A&M offers more than a dozen museums, a rodeo and excellent barbecue. For a romantic getaway, visit the Messina Hof Winery & Resort and sample some Texas wine. (05/2010)
102 miles northwest of Houston
visitaggieland.com -
SCHULENBURG, TX
Need a little peace and quiet after the holiday frenzy? Visit this historic Czech and German enclave, where painted churches tower over fields of Texas wildflowers. (01/2010)
109 miles west of Houston
schulenburgchamber.org -
MONTHLY BLUEGRASS SHOW
If you're jonesing for a little bluegrass, you'd better hit this last free concert from the Bay Area Bluegrass Association before the season ends for the winter. There will be food, raffles and live music. Nov. 21. (12/2009)
300 W Walker St, League City
281-488-2244
www.bayareabluegrass.org -
MESSINA HOF WINERY & RESORT
Take a tour, try one of the 60 award-winning wines, and if a day isn't enough to see everything, book a night at the winery's on-site bed-and-breakfast. Check out the "Cajun Carnival" Mardi Gras cooking and wine-pairing class on March 12. (03/2009)
102 miles northwest of Houston • 4545 Old Reliance Rd, Bryan, TX
979-778-9463
www.messinahof.com -
NEDERLAND HERITAGE FESTIVAL
Catch a carnival, chili cook-off, craft festival, golf tournament, pageants and more in this quirky town with as much Dutch as Cajun heritage. Festival proceeds are donated back into the community and its public services. March 9-15. (03/2009)
90 miles east of Houston • 1523 Boston Ave, Nederland, TX
409-724-2269
www.nederlandhf.org -
BIG THICKET NATIONAL PRESERVE
The 97,000 acres within this "biological crossroads" of America encompasses a tremendous diversity of ecosystems and wildlife. Explore sprawling savannahs, swamps, plains, deserts and forests by boat or bike, or on foot. (02/2009)
88 miles northeast of Houston 6044 FM 420 Rd, Kountze, TX
409-951-6725
www.nps.gov/bith -
GEORGE BUSH PRESIDENTIAL LIBRARY AND MUSEUM
http://bushlibrary.tamu.edu Discover 43 million pages of documents, a collections of gifts from heads of state, a portion of the Berlin Wall and some 90,000 artifacts at this library on the Texas A&M campus dedicated to America's 41st president, George Herbert Walker Bush. (02/2009)
97 miles northwest of Houston • 1000 George Bush Dr W, College Station, TX
979-691-4000 -
TEXAS PRISON MUSEUM
Learn all about prison life-from the perspectives of inmates and employees-at this fascinating museum just over an hour north of Houston. Diverse exhibits range from inmate art to a nickel-plated pistol retrieved from Bonnie and Clyde's "death car." (01/2009)
70 miles north of Houston • 491 State Hwy 75 N, Huntsville, TX
936-295-2155
www.txprisonmuseum.org -
NACOGDOCHES, TX
The oldest town in Texas is famous for its antiquing, and there's an extra reason to visit now: It hosts the Festival of Trees as part of the Nine Flags Festival all month long. (12/2008)
142 miles north of Houston
888-653-3788
www.visitnacogdoches.com -
SAN JACINTO MUSEUM OF HISTORY
Plan to spend at least half a day exploring the birthplace of the Republic of Texas, home to the world's tallest war memorial. Also tour Battleship Texas, the last of the dreadnoughts that saw both World Wars. (11/2008)
25 miles east of Houston • 1 Monument Circle, La Porte, TX
281-479-2421
www.sanjacinto-museum.org -
KEMAH BOARDWALK
Take the family and head to Kemah for an afternoon of boardwalk fun, including rides, shopping, dining and watching the sailboats come in at sunset. The city's annual jazz festival runs Sept. 26-28. (09/2008)
32 miles southeast of Houston 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX
281-334-9880
www.kemahboardwalk.com
