12 Family Weekend Getaways from Houston

New Orleans is a beautiful city rich with history, delicious food, and fun celebrations! Though it's typically known as a city with great nightlife for adults, there are tons of fun things for the kids to do as well. Take a ride on a ferry or a streetcar through the French Quarter, see gators on a swamp tour, or visit the zoo at Audubon Nature Institute.

Stephanie W.:  Kemah Boardwalk is an awesome amusement park not far from Houston! Waterfront restaurants, rides, shopping, and live entertainment await you at this perfect spot for a family trip. They've got rollercoasters, a giant Ferris Wheel, and more rides, plus a rainforest exhibit where your kids can feed and touch stingrays! A trip to the boardwalk is such a fun and unique experience, and this is one you don't want to miss out on!

Galveston, while most known for its beaches (and a popular spot to begin a cruise!), has so much more to enjoy. From restaurants with food from all over the world, to great shopping, and beach parks to explore, you and your family will never run out of things to do. And of course, don't forget the ocean - Stewart Beach is recommended, as there are lifeguards on duty and rentable chairs and umbrellas, and this beach is alcohol free!

Stephanie W.:  Join Yogi Bear and his friends at this awesome waterpark and camping resort, located not too far from Houston! They have water slides, a lazy river, and a splash pad for the young ones. You'll also find a mini golf course, basketball and volleyball courts, and a lake stocked with fish, the perfect spot to teach your kids how to fish. Spend the night in cabins that range from 4 sleepers to 28!

Waco is best known as the home of Baylor University and the location of the popular HGTV show Fixer Upper. But did you know that Waco is also the home of Dr. Pepper, with a museum you can visit? Or that it has a zoo located inside the urban Cameron Park? And it's pretty much a given that you should check out Chip and Joanna Gaines' Magnolia Market at the Silos while you're there!

Stephanie W.:  With 37 miles of nature trails for horseback riding, biking, or hiking, this park is every nature-loving family's dream! You can also check out the George Observatory which is part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science and view the stars, or catch a glimpse of an alligator, who are known to be seen in some areas of the park!

Stephanie W.:  Bastrop State Park is full of new life! Check out the beautiful Lost Pines, a swimming pool open Memorial Day to Labor Day, hike, fish and camp in this beautiful park. You and your family can stay overnight at a campsite or historic cabin. There is plenty to explore!

Austin is known for being "weird," which means it has plenty of fun and unique things for your family to do! This city is a great spot for live music and festivals, one-of-a-kind museums like the Cathedral of Junk are fun to explore and make for great photo ops, and South Congress Ave has great candy and ice cream shops. Want an especially unique experience? Check out Austin's Mexican free-tailed bats - over 1.5 million live under the Congress Avenue Bridge!

Stephanie W.:  It's time to go on a safari! This ranch has taken care of animals from all over the world for over 30 years. Drive through miles of scenic Texas Hill Country in your own car and see zebras, lemurs, rhinos, and ostriches- 500 animals from 40 different species! Their giraffe conservation is near and dear to their hearts, and their aim is to protect these special animals in their natural habitat.

San Antonio is full of fun activities and historic sites! The Alamo and four other beautiful missions located in the city are must sees, especially for history buffs. The River Walk is a beautiful place to spend an afternoon or evening shopping or dining at one of the many restaurants along the river, or take a guided tour on a river barge! Families love Six Flags Fiesta Texas, Sea World, Natural Bridge Caverns and the San Antonio Zoo. And if you're looking for a hotel experience like none other, the kids suites at the Omni San Antonio at the Colonnade Aquatica are incredible.

Stephanie W.:  "Mosey on down to the corral" to find a horse for a trail ride at this authentic dude ranch! You'll find beautiful trails along the Medina River in the heart of Texas Hill Country, and as a guest you'll get two rides a day (for ages 6 and up). Delicious steaks, barbequed brisket, and many more delicious Western-style foods are served daily, there are live music, shows, and line-dancing daily, and you can take a hayride around the ranch to places like Hicksville, their little Western town. Plus, a huge swimming pool, fishing, and basketball, volleyball and tennis courts!

Families flock to this barrier island off the south coast of Texas for year-round mild weather and plenty of kid-friendly fun. There's plenty to do on your breaks from beach time: get in character on a pirate adventure cruise, visit the rehabilitating turtles at Sea Turtle, Inc, and enjoy year-round dolphin watching.