Fun things to do in Houston and Katy TX?

[My2CrazyGirls]

Yes, driving an hour is pretty much a non-issue for most Houstonians! We're just used to it. I completely understand your desire to add some fun into the mix-- I feel the same way when I visit my in-laws in Wisconsin. I thought about another option that's about 40 minutes away. There's a guy who has built a castle in Bellville, TX. He offers tours. We toured it last summer, and my kids loved it. Here's the website link. Tours include a yummy boxed lunch (he also owns a bakery). http://newmanscastle.com/

That looks so cool! How much does it cost?

 

[descovy]

That looks so cool! How much does it cost?

$15/person according to the link pp provided.

Went there for my aunts birthday a few years ago. It was fun. Also an easy drive from Katy.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

$15/person according to the link pp provided.

Went there for my aunts birthday a few years ago. It was fun. Also an easy drive from Katy.

Thanks! I looked at the site but didn't see the price.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

We just moved to the Katy area in Dec and will be here for another year. It is a nice family area to live but can be challenge to find things to do besides going out to eat

Someone mentioned LaCenterra in Cinco Ranch..this is a nice shopping area with lots of restaurants ...they do have family activities like outdoor movie nights and bands. A new place called Torchy Tacos just opened there ...very good! We also like Grimaldi's Pizza there.

http://www.lacenterra.com

Katy Mills Mall has a Rainforest Cafe, a big AMC theater and indoor segway area.

Chuys and Lupe Tortilla are both excellent for mexican food

Black Walnut Cafe in Cinco Ranch is good for breakfast or lunch.

The Palladium in Richmond is not far from Katy and a fun place to catch a movie, they also have bowling there.

http://www.santikos.com/locations/theatre?house_id=29811

We also like to catch a movie at The Alamo Draft House once in awhile...cool quirky little theater...There is one on Mason Road in Katy

Also First Colony in Sugarland is a very nice shopping area if you want to head that way.

Here is a link to Katy Mag for some more ideas

http://www.katymagazine.com

If I think of more I will post

 

[IUTBAM]

I think when you spend money on airline tickets and hotel you just want to make part of the trip more than just seeing relatives, ya know.

Exactly. BUT, you have to be willing to drive around a bit to see those things. I know, because we've done "visiting the relatives" as part of vacations in both Wisconsin (where my DH is from) and Texas (Houston & Dallas), where I grew up. We always have to drive a ways from where our relatives live to get to the "fun stuff" lol.

I think Blue Bell would be a great idea...we are coming to Texas in December as part of a part-family visit vacation and plan to go there (and Space Center Houston as well). If you don't have a Rainforest Cafe near you in your hometown, there is one at the Katy Mills mall. My kids have loved RFC since they were little, and we make a point to go to one if it's in a town we are visiting. I feel instantly transported to "vacation land" when I eat at one.

 

[Boston Tea Party]

Chuys and Lupe Tortilla are both excellent for mexican food.

Whoa, now, hold on there. Chuys is Mexican, Lupe is Tex Mex.

We also like to catch a movie at The Alamo Draft House once in awhile...cool quirky little theater...There is one on Mason Road in Katy

I was just there Friday for the first time and was disappointed. It had an odd smell and, since I was in the dark, I was very concerned. It is also very 1980s - small screen, poor sound. Very disappointing. I would go to the Palladium for sure. But, if you take 99, you will need an EZTag. It is all EZTag now.

Also First Colony in Sugarland is a very nice shopping area if you want to head that way.

First Colony basically has all of the same restaurants and stores as Katy. I wouldn't see a reason to make the trip.

 

[Disneyglobegirl]

Whoa, now, hold on there. Chuys is Mexican, Lupe is Tex Mex.




I was just there Friday for the first time and was disappointed. It had an odd smell and, since I was in the dark, I was very concerned. It is also very 1980s - small screen, poor sound. Very disappointing. I would go to the Palladium for sure. But, if you take 99, you will need an EZTag. It is all EZTag now.



First Colony basically has all of the same restaurants and stores as Katy. I wouldn't see a reason to make the trip.

LOL....as you can tell not from Texas but we do like both restaurants Do you have any recommendations for good Cajun? We are still looking for a good one

I think we like Alamo because it takes us back to the days we use to go to movies in the 80's...definately not the place to see a big block buster but can be pretty fun to watch an old movie with a sing along or quote along

You can get to the Palladium without an easy tag just have to keep an eye on where to exit ...it can get confusing for those who don't drive here often though...

And yep I agree about First Colony, pretty much the same stuff but they do have a CheeseCake Factory there and a Barnes and Noble

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

We just moved to the Katy area in Dec and will be here for another year. It is a nice family area to live but can be challenge to find things to do besides going out to eat

Someone mentioned LaCenterra in Cinco Ranch..this is a nice shopping area with lots of restaurants ...they do have family activities like outdoor movie nights and bands. A new place called Torchy Tacos just opened there ...very good! We also like Grimaldi's Pizza there.

http://www.lacenterra.com

Katy Mills Mall has a Rainforest Cafe, a big AMC theater and indoor segway area.

Chuys and Lupe Tortilla are both excellent for mexican food

Black Walnut Cafe in Cinco Ranch is good for breakfast or lunch.

The Palladium in Richmond is not far from Katy and a fun place to catch a movie, they also have bowling there.

http://www.santikos.com/locations/theatre?house_id=29811

We also like to catch a movie at The Alamo Draft House once in awhile...cool quirky little theater...There is one on Mason Road in Katy

Also First Colony in Sugarland is a very nice shopping area if you want to head that way.

Here is a link to Katy Mag for some more ideas

http://www.katymagazine.com

If I think of more I will post

Great post! Lots of good info! I am starting to really look forward to this trip!

 

[Gina]

Fill out the short form and the Katy chamber will send you a "visitor's package." Not sure what all it'll include, but a good bet would at least be some coupons for stuff. Personally, in August, the only desirable activity is to find an ice rink and just go lie down on the ice. Even if someone skates over you, it would be worth it.

 

[My2CrazyGirls]

fill out the short form and the katy chamber will send you a "visitor's package." not sure what all it'll include, but a good bet would at least be some coupons for stuff. Personally, in august, the only desirable activity is to find an ice rink and just go lie down on the ice. Even if someone skates over you, it would be worth it.

lmao!

 

[Boston Tea Party]

LOL....as you can tell not from Texas but we do like both restaurants Do you have any recommendations for good Cajun? We are still looking for a good one

For Cajun, we are usually with a grandparent and they like Pappadeaux. For us, the Pappas restaurants have been hit or miss lately, and being that they are so costly it is painful in the wallet to have a bad experience.

It is pretty pricey, you may want to check out a menu online first.

There is also a place called Razoo's that some of my friends seem to like.

We are more Tex-Mex aficionados...

 

[Brewersprts]

I was just in Houston picking up my new Range Rover from the dealer down there. It was a beautiful city. I saw the nicest looking exterior for a Kroger I have ever seen. I also had some gelato that was pretty decent.

I was thinking of exploring around but things took longer than I thought and I had a long drive back to Ohio.

Anyways, I would have definitely visited the Space Center and also the old battleship they have that you can take tours on. When I was a kid I would have loved it. I guess it depends on the kid though

 

[Boston Tea Party]

I was just in Houston picking up my new Range Rover from the dealer down there. It was a beautiful city. I saw the nicest looking exterior for a Kroger I have ever seen. I also had some gelato that was pretty decent.

I was thinking of exploring around but things took longer than I thought and I had a long drive back to Ohio.

Anyways, I would have definitely visited the Space Center and also the old battleship they have that you can take tours on. When I was a kid I would have loved it. I guess it depends on the kid though

The Battleship Texas and San Jacinto Monument are great suggestions.

They will be quite the drive from Katy, though, as will Space Center Houston.

We are a car town.

 

[jrsharp21]

The Aquarium is another option. My son (9) loves going there. They also have some carnival rides, games, and a shark train. The new stingray petting area is really cool. The restaurant is also pretty neat. You are surrounded by gigantic fish in huge tanks. It kind of feels like you are actually in the middle of a tank.

 

[wilkeliza]

Born and raised in Houston.

The Houston Zoo is a lot of fun. They even have a set up where you can feed Giraffes (not sure if it costs more) that a lot of my friend's kids have enjoyed.

I second the Aquarium it is a lot of fun.

There is also the Children's Museum as well as the Museum of Natural Science.

Houston also has several state and national parks around it so if your kids are into nature there are many with in less than an hour drive of Houston.

 

[stephwtx]

LOL....as you can tell not from Texas but we do like both restaurants Do you have any recommendations for good Cajun? We are still looking for a good one I think we like Alamo because it takes us back to the days we use to go to movies in the 80's...definately not the place to see a big block buster but can be pretty fun to watch an old movie with a sing along or quote along You can get to the Palladium without an easy tag just have to keep an eye on where to exit ...it can get confusing for those who don't drive here often though... And yep I agree about First Colony, pretty much the same stuff but they do have a CheeseCake Factory there and a Barnes and Noble

Have you tried Boudreaux's Cajun Kitchen? It's pretty good Cajun and I'm originally from Louisiana!

Chuey's is originally from Austin. They may know weird but they don't know Mexican blah!

 

[stephwtx]

I am a SAHM to two awesome kiddos and have been all over Houston! There have been some really great examples so far! We all drive around here but luckily for you school isn't back in session yet in August so the free ways aren't too bad. I'd advise leaving museum district before three but everywhere else you should be fine!

We will start at Museum district:
Zoo- awesome but let's be honest it's going to be hotter then hell. If you don't mind the heat I say go for it. Feeding the giraffes are cool. You pay 5$ to get 3 pieces of lettuce. There's a new bug exhibit that just opened. And a pay exhibit you walk through w giant bugs. Also a baby elephant was born this spring and is so stinking cute! If you are going go early in day animals will be active then.

Children's Museum- amazing! My kids can spend all day there. It's inside so plus. If you go don't forget to check out the stuff on the lower level so much cool science going on there!

Natural History museum- we love this place! They just opened a new paleontology hall that is one of the best in the world. You have to see it. Also just opened a new Egyptian Hall w tons of mummy's. The butterfly garden is also very cool.

Fine arts museum- my personal favorite! Thursday are free. I take my kiddos and my oldest loves to sit down w her sketch book and draw on the numerous benches through the museum.

Miller Outdoor theater- a very fun place. Check out the website. They have theater performances and dance groups perform through out summer. It's out door so it's going to be hot!

I second Niko Niko's. I don't eat great but I swear that is the best hand burger in all of Houston!

Downtown area:
Astros- you don't have to be a sports fan to enjoy the game. Grab some nosebleed tickets a couple hot dogs and cheer for both sides ha ha. There is also a really cool playground and interactive area for the kids where they can pitch, bat, steal bases

Discovery Green- fun park in the middle of downtown. There is always something going on there, art exhibits, concerts, movie on the lawn

Also found out today one of the buildings has an observant ion deck on the 65 floor and it's free. So checking that out later this summer.

 

[stephwtx]

Part 2

Downtown aquarium- meh.... I'm not a big fan. I feel it's over priced and over crowded. Feeding the rays is a unique experience. I'd go once but it wouldn't be in my have to do list.

Katy area-
There are 2 Monkey Joe's which are awesome! Inside inflatable jump areas. You can chill they can bounce its a win win.

Katy mills mall has a couple neat experiences. The Segway area is very cool. You can drive a Segway over all kinds of terrain inside! (See a pattern here) they also have a very fun inside trampoline park. Lots for kids to do there I have to pull mine out kicking and screaming from there!

Rest of Houston-
Space Center Houston- while not as exciting as it once was bc of nasa cut backs... Sadness... It's a great destination (unless you have a two year old on the tram ride... Not good times... I think I might be banned for life)

Memorial City Mall does have indoor ice rink and an American girl doll store but that is about it

Wonder wild is a fun way to spend a few hours... There's one in the heights and one north of town in the woodlands

The satilite History Museum in Sugarland is a bit of a disappointment- very very small

Blue bell factory tour is a lot of fun totally worth the drive.

Brazos bend State Park- just discovered this a few weeks ago. A bit of a drive for you but so worth it. I'm outdoorsy in the way that I like to have drinks on a patio if it isn't too hot or too many bugs around. DH loves the outdoors. We took the kids out to this park to scout a camping site for DH and kids and I actually had a great time. So weird. They have tons of hiking trails. We took DD 5 DS 3 and city girl me on one of the shortest .75 miles. We saw all kinds of wild life and gators... So many alligators. There are over 300 in the park. You keep your distance they keep theirs. It was a very fun day.

The last thing I will add and again it is a trip but if you want a beach experience skip Galveston and head down to Matagorda Bay (we are headed down there tomorrow) the beach is not full of tourist... There are tons of shells...it's sun surf and sand just like a beach should be!