Don't worry, I won't say "daycation"
Why fly when you can truck? Texas' 10 best day trips
Airboat through gator country in Anahuac
Look at the stars at the George Observatory in Brazos Bend
Join the the hunt for Bigfoot with the Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy
Chet Garner, producer and creator of PBS' "The Daytripper"
Paddle the Village Creek Paddling Trail in Beaumont
Visit the Spoetzl Brewery, home of Shiner beers
Take in the spectacle that is Aggieland
We're coming off Green Month here at the CultureMap offices, and the guilt still brought on by our carbon footprints has got me (for one) reconsidering elaborate summer vacation plans. (It's nothing to do with my bank account — I'm just looking out for the environment).
As we explore way to enjoy the stifling Texas summer, we thought we'd compile a list of the best day trips you can make from H-town. For our purposes, a "day trip" means you can get there in two hours (ish) one-way. We got an authority on the subject — day trip expert (it's his job) Chet Garner, host of the local PBS show The Daytripper — to lend us his head.
We put ours together for this list of Texas sights, no overnight bag required.
Shiner — Spoetzl Brewery in Shiner, Texas is where that delectable brew is born. It's the oldest independent brewery in Texas, and in Garner's experience, the laidback brewmasters that "mill around, makin' beer" are quite generous with their concoction.
Brenham — It wasn't until I left Texas for college in the Midwest that I realized with dismay that certain brands of ice-cream are a regional thing. Brenham is home to the Bluebell Creamery, maker of the best, butteriest homemade vanilla you can find.
Galveston — It might not be the prettiest beach, but there's no shortage of things to do in this historic coastal town. Visit Moody Gardens, the newer Schlitterbahn water park, take a home tour, visit the flight museum or take a ferry ride.
My favorite pastime? Laying chips on my sleeping sisters to make them unwitting feeders of sea gulls.
Anahuac — This town has literally got more gators than people. Take an airboat ride (a la Bobby Boucher of The Waterboy), listen to some zydeco and make sure to eat some crawfish.
Orange — Orange, Texas' Shangri La botanical gardens are an international tourist destination. See gorgeous local greenery and exotic plants and tour the platinum LEED-certified nature center.
College Station — You don't have to be an Aggie (though if you're a Longhorn, I wouldn't publicize it) to experience the spectacle that is Aggieland. Ask about the dunking.
Needville — Visit the George Observatory in Brazos Bend State Park and see stars you could never hope to see in Houston's city glare. You can go on simulated space shuttle missions and touch stardust from one of the oldest meteorites ever recovered.
Vider — Love the water? Check out Smith Lake and take the 150-foot zip line straight to the surface.
Bragg Station — Drive down the dirt road toward this ghost town and you may see the spooky Saratoga Lights. Featured on Unsolved Mysteries, rumor has it that if you drive down a dirt road that begins near the intersection of FM 787-770 and turn off your headlights, floating lights will appear in the woods.
They're still unexplained, though some suggest they're puffs of escaping natural gas. Way we see it, there's only one way to find out.
East Texas — Join the band of intrepid explorers that is the Texas Bigfoot Research Conservancy. The team hails from all over, but you can tag along for an event or expedition — and try to catch the beast.
Just make sure to bring your camera.
Chet Garner is the producer, creator and host of local PBS' "The Day Tripper." He enjoys barbecue, jumping off of things (preferably into water) and bumming around Texas with his wife. You can catch his show Saturdays at 3:30 p.m.
