Close enough

The Best Day Trips Within 2.5 Hours of Houston

Parks, museums, farms, warm springs, and small towns that make it easy to escape the city—without committing to a long road trip.

02/06/2026 By Sofia Gonzalez and Brittany Britto Garley

It’s Lit

Houston Goes All Out with These Holiday Light Displays

That is the reason for the season.

12/01/2025 By Erica Cheng

Day Trip

Moody Gardens’ Brand of Overstimulating Fun Still Hits

Take the family down to Galveston to experience the three pyramids filled with marine life, a rainforest, and so much (too much?) more.

03/28/2025 By Sofia Gonzalez

Family Play-cation

Our Favorite Family-Friendly, Houston-Area Hotels

A roundup of local spots where the kids can be kids.

06/08/2021 By Laura Furr Mericas

Merry and Bright

Moody Gardens’ Holiday in the Gardens is Back to Light Up Your Holiday Season

The Galveston tourist destination’s annual Christmas event kicks off this weekend and runs all the way through January 2.

11/19/2020 By Raven Wuebker

Beach Day

A Guide to All the Cool New Stuff on Galveston Island

Heading to Galveston for Memorial Day? Read this first.

05/24/2018 By Gwendolyn Knapp

Island Life

Warm Weather-Loving Penguins Are Headed to Moody Gardens

A renovated Aquarium Pyramid is unveiling a new Humboldt penguin exhibit this summer.

04/28/2017 By Katharine Shilcutt

Family Fun

Fill Your Baskets at This Weekend's Easter Egg Hunts

Plus: a Peeps-themed art contest!

04/12/2017 By Jeanne Lyons Davis

Dec 16–18

What to Hear, See and Do This Weekend

Day for Night makes noise downtown, the Houston Zoo goes wild with lights and Moody Gardens freezes over.

12/15/2016 By Jeanne Lyons Davis

Festive Drinking

Moody Gardens Creates New Bar Made Out of Ice for Holidays

The family-friendly resort's annual "Ice Land" event will bring a new hangout spot for parents.

10/07/2016 By Marianella Orlando

Weekend Warrior

What to Do, See and Hear this Labor Day Weekend

Funny man (and baritone!) Seth MacFarlane sings with the Symphony + 4 other not-to-be-missed events.

09/01/2016 By Jeanne Lyons Davis

Listings

December's Can't-Miss Festivals

From the Moody Gardens Festival of Lights to Zoolights at the Houston Zoo, December is packed with family-friendly options.

12/12/2013 By BoJanay Posey

Winter Wonderlands

Embrace the Chill This Weekend at Moody Gardens

A yuletide festival of lights to cheer even the grouchiest grinch

12/02/2013 By John Lomax

Picks

Top Things to Do This Weekend: Nov 29–Dec 1

Where to go, who to see, and what to do

11/26/2013 By Michael Hardy