Best Hobby Shops in Houston: Model Trains, RC Cars and Miniatures

Houston's hobby scene is deeper than you'd expect. You can find a model-train shop that has run the same working public layout for over twenty years, an official Games Workshop store where staff hand you a free miniature and walk you through painting it, and a dedicated RC shop with more than 5,500 genuine Traxxas parts organized by vehicle model. And then there's G&G Model Shop on the Southwest Freeway, which opened in 1945 — the year World War II ended — and still has a working expert on staff to track down a kit from any era.

This guide covers nine currently open shops across the metro, organized by specialty. Every listing was confirmed via its official website or active official social media as of October 2026.

The quick list

• Oldest and broadest: G&G Model Shop, Southwest Freeway — plastic models, trains, RC and diorama supplies since 1945.
• Trains only: Papa Ben's Train Place, Bellaire Blvd — working multi-scale layout open to the public on Saturdays.
• RC cars and parts: RC Hobby Shop, Southwest Freeway — dedicated Traxxas authorized dealer, 5,500+ parts in stock.
• Warhammer and miniatures (inner loop, evenings): HW Wargames in the Near Northside, open painting tables Tuesday through Saturday.
• Warhammer + TCGs + 20 gaming tables: The Forge Hobbies & Games, Energy Corridor — events seven nights a week.
• New hobbyist entry point: Official Warhammer store, Westheimer — free intro paint-and-play session for first-timers.
• Board games, miniatures and a bar: Asgard Games, Montrose/Upper Kirby.
• RC aircraft, boats and helicopters: Samano's Hobbies, Kemah — family-owned since 1975.
• RC, Gundam and TCGs: HobbyTown, Shenandoah — open daily, plus new Sugar Land and Spring locations.

How we chose

Every shop here was confirmed open on its official website or active official social media in October 2026. We focused on shops with a physical walk-in space and something that makes the trip worthwhile: a working layout, an events schedule, a race track, or a hands-on program. We left out shops whose websites were inactive or whose locations could not be confirmed, and we note when a call-ahead is advisable before you drive.

Hours change. Treat every schedule below as a starting point and check the shop's own site before you go.

General hobby shops

G&G Model Shop

Midtown/West U area · 2029 Southwest Freeway, Houston · open daily

G&G calls itself the oldest continuously operating hobby shop in Texas, and based on its 1945 founding date, that's a credible claim — it predates Houston's emergence as a major city. The inventory covers plastic model kits (aircraft, armor, ships, cars, Gundam, Star Wars), model trains across multiple scales, RC vehicles, diorama and scenic supplies, Vallejo and Tamiya paints, and architectural models. Staff have the deep product knowledge that comes from eight decades in one category.

The shop holds model-building contests and maintains a public contest gallery, so you can see what serious local builders are producing before you buy.

Best for: Anyone who wants everything in one visit, or needs guidance on a specific era or manufacturer.

HobbyTown (Shenandoah / The Woodlands area)

19075 I-45 S, Suite 121E, Shenandoah · open daily 10am–7pm

The Shenandoah HobbyTown carries RC cars and trucks, Gundam model kits, LEGO, drones, and trading card games including Pokémon and One Piece. Activity tables run card tournaments, pack openings, kit-building sessions and trivia nights, with in-store projectors running anime.

Two additional metro locations serve the area: Sugar Land (16566 Southwest Fwy, #14) and Spring (7312 Louetta Rd, Suite B120), both open daily 10am–7pm. The older location at 2392 Hwy 6 S in Houston is permanently closed.

Best for: Families who need one shop for RC toys, Gundam kits and trading cards. A natural stop on a day in The Woodlands.

Model trains

Papa Ben's Train Place

Braeswood Place · 4007 Bellaire Blvd, Suite E · Mon–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm

Papa Ben's is one of the few remaining dedicated model-train shops in Texas. It carries starter sets, Lionel O-scale trains, garden-scale (G), HO, N, and Z equipment, DCC decoder systems, track, scenery, and detailing parts — plus a consignment section for collectors looking to buy or sell pre-owned pieces.

The reason to make the trip: a permanent working layout runs N, HO, O, and G scales simultaneously. The Houston N'Crowd club operates trains on the layout most Saturdays from 10am to 3pm, open to the public to watch. Sunday hours extend to noon–5pm from November through December for the seasonal layout.

Insider tip: If you're visiting specifically for the layout, call ahead — club layouts occasionally close for maintenance. Papa Ben's can be combined with a meal from our Meyerland restaurant guide.

Best for: Model railroaders of any scale. A satisfying visit even if you just want to watch the layout run.

RC cars, trucks and drones

RC Hobby Shop

Fondren Southwest · 11261 Southwest Fwy, Houston · Tue–Fri 10am–6pm, Sat 10am–5pm, Sun 12–5pm; closed Mon

RC Hobby Shop is a dedicated Traxxas authorized dealer and an authorized Horizon Hobby dealer. It stocks more than 63 Traxxas models and more than 5,500 genuine replacement parts organized by vehicle model. On-site staff perform same-day repairs and maintenance, which is the main advantage over ordering online.

There's no on-site race track, but the parts depth is the point: if you've broken something and need the right part the same day, this is the stop.

Best for: Traxxas owners, off-road trucks, and bashing rigs.

Samano's Hobbies

Kemah · 903 FM 518 Rd, Suite H · Mon–Sat 11am–6pm, Sun 12–5pm (confirm before driving)

Samano's has been selling RC hobby equipment since 1975, making it one of the oldest family-owned RC shops in the area. The store is organized by type: RC cars and boats on one side, large-scale RC planes, helicopters, and quads on the other, with rockets and traditional plastic models in between. Community racing events run on a schedule.

The Kemah location is about 35 minutes southeast of downtown, making it an easy add-on to a League City outing.

Best for: RC aircraft, helicopters, and quads — one of the few shops in the metro with serious stock in planes alongside cars.

Note: The shop's website was unavailable at time of research. Verify current hours via the official Facebook page (facebook.com/KemahHobby) before you make the drive.

Miniatures, Warhammer and tabletop gaming

The Forge Hobbies & Games

Energy Corridor · 15123 Memorial Dr, Houston · typically noon–11pm Mon and Fri, noon–10pm Tue–Thu; 10am–10pm Sat, noon–8pm Sun

The Forge is the all-in-one option for Energy Corridor residents: Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, Pokémon TCG, Magic: The Gathering, One Piece TCG, D&D, and the full range of Citadel, Vallejo, AK Interactive, and Army Painter paints on the retail side. On the play side: 20+ tables with terrain at no charge during all store hours, two private RPG rooms bookable up to four weeks ahead, and an open paint station.

Events run seven nights a week — monthly Warhammer 40K tournaments on the second Saturday, Friday Night Magic Commander pods, and Saturday Pokémon events at 6pm with a certified judge.

Best for: Players who want to shop, paint, and stay for a game in one visit.

HW Wargames

Near Northside / Heights area · 2435D Fulton St, Houston · Tue 12–8pm, Wed 1–8pm, Thu–Fri 12–8pm, Sat 11am–7pm; closed Sun–Mon

HW Wargames is a Games Workshop specialist focused entirely on GW's current and legacy lines: Warhammer 40,000, Age of Sigmar, The Horus Heresy, The Old World, Kill Team, and Necromunda, with the complete GW paints range. Six gaming tables with terrain, an eight-seat open painting table (no booking required), and dedicated game nights Tuesday through Friday — each night covering a different system.

One practical detail: the shop takes preorders at pickup rather than upfront, which is unusual for a hobby store and works well for collectors managing a budget.

Best for: Serious GW hobbyists who want painting instruction alongside retail. Close to things to do in The Heights.

Warhammer Houston (Official Games Workshop Store)

West Houston · 11803 Westheimer Rd, Suite 700 · Wed 11am–5pm, Thu–Sun 11am–7pm; closed Mon–Tue

This is a corporate Games Workshop store — staffed and operated by GW itself, not a franchise. It carries GW's current range (Warhammer 40K, Age of Sigmar, The Old World, Horus Heresy) plus paints and modeling tools.

The reason to start here if you're new: the Paint and Play intro session is a formal GW program, not a local promotion. Walk in, receive a free miniature, learn to build and paint it with staff guidance, then play a short game — at no charge. It's the lowest-friction entry point in the Houston area for anyone curious about the hobby.

Best for: New hobbyists wanting a structured, no-cost introduction before spending anything.

Asgard Games

Montrose/Upper Kirby · 3302 S Shepherd Dr, Houston · Mon–Sat 11am–10pm, Sun 12–6pm

Asgard is the inner-loop destination for board games, miniatures, and card games. The inventory spans Magic: The Gathering, Pokémon TCG, Warhammer 40K, Star Wars X-Wing, Marvel Crisis Protocol, D&D, and Pathfinder. An on-site bar serves beverages and snacks — an unusual combination in a hobby retail space, and one that makes a game night here genuinely different from playing at home.

Events include MTG tournaments (Modern, Legacy, Commander) and miniatures gaming nights on a regular schedule. Walking distance to Montrose restaurants afterward.

Best for: Inner-loop residents who want to browse, stay for a game, and eat or drink without leaving the block.

Save this: hobby shop checklist

• Check hours the day of your visit. Most hobby shops keep unusual schedules — some close Monday, some close Tuesday, suburban shops may open Thursday–Sunday only.
• Bring your broken RC vehicle. RC Hobby Shop does same-day repairs. Skip the shipping wait.
• New to Warhammer? Visit the official Warhammer store on Westheimer first. The free intro session is worth doing before you buy anything.
• Model train visit: plan for a Saturday morning at Papa Ben's when the Houston N'Crowd is running the layout (typically 10am–3pm). Call ahead to confirm.
• Best option for families: HobbyTown Shenandoah has the widest variety across age groups and is open every day. Sugar Land and Spring locations are now open too.
• Open painting tables: HW Wargames has an eight-seat painting station — no booking required — Tuesday through Saturday.
• Competitive RC racing: Mike's Hobby Shop and Gulf Coast Raceway in Porter (about 35 minutes northeast) operates outdoor RC race tracks with an active points series, but hours are not posted online — call (281) 577-8250 before making the trip.

More indoor things to do in Houston

Hobby shops fit naturally into a rainy-day plan or an afternoon away from the heat. For teens specifically, the combination of a model kit and a gaming night often lands better than an arcade. If painting miniatures sounds like a date night, The Forge and HW Wargames both welcome drop-ins, and Asgard adds a bar. For the full indoor options list, see arcades and bowling in Houston.

Last verified: October 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is the oldest hobby shop in Houston?

G&G Model Shop on the Southwest Freeway says it has been open since 1945, making it the oldest continuously operating hobby shop in Texas by its own account. It carries plastic models, trains, RC vehicles, and diorama supplies.

Is there a model train shop in Houston with a working layout?

Yes. Papa Ben's Train Place at 4007 Bellaire Blvd in the Braeswood Place area is Houston's only dedicated model-train shop. It has a permanent working layout running N, HO, O, and G scales simultaneously. The Houston N'Crowd club operates the layout most Saturdays 10am–3pm, open to the public.

Is there a Warhammer store in Houston?

Yes, three. The official corporate Warhammer store is at 11803 Westheimer Rd (open Thu–Sun). HW Wargames at 2435D Fulton St specializes in Games Workshop products with open painting tables and game nights. The Forge Hobbies & Games at 15123 Memorial Dr carries Warhammer alongside trading card games and has 20+ tables.

Where can I buy Traxxas RC parts in Houston?

RC Hobby Shop at 11261 Southwest Fwy in Fondren Southwest is Houston's only dedicated Traxxas authorized dealer. It stocks more than 5,500 genuine Traxxas replacement parts organized by vehicle model and offers same-day repairs.

Are there hobby shops in Houston with gaming tables or play areas?

Several. The Forge Hobbies & Games (Energy Corridor) has 20+ tables and events seven nights a week. HW Wargames (Near Northside) has six tables and an open painting station. Asgard Games (Montrose) has tables and an on-site bar. Papa Ben's Train Place has a public working train layout on Saturdays.

Are there HobbyTown stores near Houston?

Three HobbyTown locations serve the Houston metro: Shenandoah at 19075 I-45 S (near The Woodlands), Sugar Land at 16566 Southwest Fwy, and Spring at 7312 Louetta Rd. All are open daily 10am–7pm. The HobbyTown at 2392 Hwy 6 S in Houston is permanently closed.