Shifra Stein's Day Trips from Houston: Getaways Less Than Two Hours Away

Take a nighttime tour of Little Cypress Bayou, near Orange, to see alligators, foxes, and other animals in their own habitat. Partake in San Felipe's Annual Colonial Texas Heritage Festival and witness Buffalo soldier reenactments, living history demonstrations, and, of course, sample the buffalo barbecue. Venture to the prairie town of Katy and its Forbidden Gardens, an open-air museum that authentically replicates exotic Chinese palaces and scenes of life over many centuries.

Each Day Trip includes travel directions, destination highlights, other places to visit along the way, choice restaurants and lodging (including price ranges) and shopping.