Houston’s location near the Gulf Coast, the Hill Country, and diverse landscapes of forests and farmland allow urban dwellers plenty options for a small-town getaway. Trade in Downtown skyscraper views for sunsets on the water or scenic drives where grazing livestock outnumber cars on the road. Consider a drive to these five small towns outside of Houston for a day trip or staycation.

Magnolia

A large oak tree with Spanish Moss growing on it in the middle of a field in Magnolia Texas
Residents love Magnolia for country living just outside the big city.

Approximately 45 miles northwest of Houston, this former sawmill town has become a popular relocation destination for city residents desiring more country and less concrete. However, the short drive on I-45 North means Magnolia maintains easy access to Houston’s inner loop offerings as well as the nearby suburbs of Conroe and The Woodlands. For Houston residents, a visit to this town originally named Mink provides plenty of reasons for a road trip.

Points of Interest:

  • Lone Pint Brewery: This beer garden offers ample seating and shade for tasting these made-in-Magnolia brews, which you can pair with smoked meats from Reveille Barbeque served on site.
  • Outback Western Wear: Head to this 8,500-square foot emporium for pearl snap shirts and cowboy boots along with Texas two-step dance lessons for those who want to do more than look the part.
  • Texas Renaissance Festival: Over 500,000 lords and ladies journey to the nation’s largest Renaissance-themed park for the annual gathering of turkey leg and chain mail enthusiasts.

Navasota

From Magnolia, drive another 30 minutes northwest to visit the Blues Capital of Texas. Washington Avenue is this small town’s Main Street where upcoming development includes a boutique hotel for city folk who might want to linger longer.

Points of Interest:

  • Navasota Music Mural: A pedestrian walkway off Washington Avenue is home to 100 feet of music history depicted in portraits of Navasota legends including bluesman, Mance Lipscomb, who's also honored with a bronze statue in his namesake park.
  • Muddy Water Books: This independent bookshop run by former residents of mega-suburb Katy is easy to spot with its metal awning painted as a shelf of classic novels from Stephen King to Jane Austen.
  • Bluebonnet Vintage Collectibles: Memorabilia, musical instruments, and folk art are all on display for treasure hunters at this antique shop which also carries a handy guide to Navasota’s history.

Richmond

An image of a field with green trees in the background with blue skies and white clouds above in Richmond Texas
Richmond residents enjoy quiet streets with many attractions nearby.

Founded in 1837, Richmond’s small-town charm is enhanced by its historic roots as a Texas frontier settlement. Today, its convenient location approximately 30 miles southwest of Downtown Houston makes it a top choice for commuters looking for a quieter lifestyle, like at the agrihood Harvest Green, which features an on-site farm and community gardens. For city dwellers, Richmond’s museums, shops, and restaurants make for a memorable day trip.

Points of Interest:

  • Blockhouse Coffee & Kitchen: Enjoy locally baked goods and freshly roasted coffee in the large backyard, where the coffee shop hosts pop up farm stands, yoga, and community festivals.
  • Fort Bend Museum: Step back in time as you tour the museum’s 1883 Historic Moore Home, a Victorian mansion built by John M. Moore, a prominent politician of his era.
  • Harlem Road Barbecue: Arriving on the Texas barbecue scene in 2018, this barbecue joint sets itself apart by using vintage, oak wine staves to impart a hint of the aged wine to their smoked meats.

San Leon

Galveston is the go-to beach getaway for Houstonians, but low-key San Leon is worthy of a detour off I-45 South, especially for seafood lovers. Anglers are fans of the fishing camps in this tiny peninsula surrounded by Galveston, Trinity, and Dickinson Bays known for bounties of redfish, flounder, and speckled trout. In just under an hour from Houston, you can have a fish-to-table meal in a setting that’s flip-flop friendly.

Points of Interest:

  • Gilhooley’s: The char-grilled oysters lure many daytrippers to this restaurant with dive bar patina and a no kids allowed policy.
  • Bayshore Park: Stroll this 28-acre park for views of Galveston Bay plus a history lesson inscribed on the marker describing how the town platted in 1837 went from fig farming to commercial fishing.
  • Railean Distillery: French pirate Jean Lafitte would likely feel welcome at this rum distillery located in the area of his former harbor hideout. Tours and tastings plus pirate-themed merchandise are offered at the first legal rum distillery in Texas, founded in 2006.  

Matagorda

A typical beach scene with the Gulf washing in from the left and beach sand on the right in Matagorda Texas.
Beautiful beaches on the Gulf of Mexico make Matagorda a must-visit for Houstonians.

Matagorda was once a flourishing port city after being established in 1827. Now the third oldest town in Texas is a coastal destination for outdoor enthusiasts. About an hour and a half drive southwest of Houston, its roughly 58 miles of beach provide ample opportunities for fishing, bird watching, kayaking, and building sandcastles. 

Points of Interest:

  • Matagorda Bay Nature Park: At the mouth of the Colorado River, this 1,333-acre nature preserve and park is an outdoor wonderland, where you can comb the beaches for seashells, rent a kayak to explore the waterways, catch a striped bass, or even play a round of mini golf.
  • Birding: Matagorda County holds the record in the annual North American Audubon Bird Count with 234 species of feathery friends spotted in 1997. Bring your binoculars to these popular birdwatching locations: Mad Island, Matagorda County Birding Nature Center, and Matagorda Beach Jetty Park.
  • Stanley-Fisher House: Now a bed and breakfast, you can stay in the oldest house in Matagorda, which was built by one of the 300 original colonists recruited by Texas’ founding father, Stephen F. Austin.