The Blog

Museum of Illusions Houston is in the Galleria mall with 60+ optical illusion exhibits. Tickets from $27.99; plan 60-90 minutes and bring a charged phone.

George Ranch Historical Park in Richmond, TX spans four eras of Texas history, 1830s to 1930s. Hours, tickets, tips for families, and seasonal events.

The Bryan Museum in Galveston holds 70,000 Texas and Southwestern artifacts in a restored 1895 orphanage. Get tickets, hours, parking and what to see.

George Bush Park Houston: paved trails, fishing ponds, sports fields and a model aircraft field in 7,800 acres of west Houston. Free entry.

The best rivers for tubing near Houston: Guadalupe, Comal and Frio, with confirmed outfitters, drive times from Houston and water-level tips.

Sheldon Lake State Park is a free state park inside Houston with an 82-foot observation tower, alligator sightings, top birding, and a kid fishing pier.

Jesse H. Jones Park in Humble is free: cypress boardwalks, an 1820s homestead, a canoe launch on Spring Creek, and free weekend programs.

Ten Buc-ee's within 60 miles of Houston, from Pearland to Katy to Baytown, plus the must-buy list: brisket, Beaver Nuggets, jerky and fudge.

Plan your trip to Lake Houston Wilderness Park: 20+ miles of trails, lakeside cabins, campsites, paddling on Peach Creek and the Joe Turner Nature Center.

Your complete guide to Sam Houston Race Park in northwest Houston: live racing seasons, how to place your first bet, admission, parking, and concerts.

Nine free outdoor sculpture gardens in Houston: Noguchi's Cullen Garden at MFAH, Rothko Chapel's Broken Obelisk, and a self-guided Museum District route.

Watch polo at the Houston Polo Club on Memorial Drive: spring and fall seasons, ticket prices, dress code, and how the champagne divot stomp works.