FUN FOR THE FAM

Houston soars in new list of best U.S. cities for family-friendly vacations

Space Center Houston kid little girl astronaut

Space Center Houston is a blast for visiting kids.

Space Center Houston/Facebook

Houstonians looking to create lasting memories with their families don’t need to look further than their own city. In a new report from lawn care company Lawn Love, Houston scored No. 8 in the top 10 Best Cities for Kid-Friendly Vacations.

200 of America’s largest cities were ranked using 23 metrics, including affordability, family-friendly accommodations, attractions, transportation options, and more. Houston was classified as the third safest city for kid-friendly vacations, and earned the No. 6 spot in the category of “getting around” or ease of transportation.

In the category of most amusement and theme parks, Houston ranked No. 5 in a three-way tie with San Diego, California and Denver. With fun attractions like the Children’s Museum Houston, Space Center Houston, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science, it’s not hard to see the magnetism for children. Houston also tied at No. 3 with Baltimore, Maryland in the category of most children’s hospitals.

Houston also received the following rankings in other categories:

13th – kid-friendly attractions
17th – family-friendly accommodations
59th – affordability
75th – kid-friendly restaurants per square mile

When planning your next vacation, Christina Sharp, faculty member at MiraCosta College in California, says there are no rules that say all family members have to agree on what to do.

"Let folks carve out time for themselves and the activities they want to do and ensure that there are activities for everyone to do together," she suggests. "My 92-year-old father-in-law didn’t want to go to the beach – and that was fine. We went while he read. But we all did take walks, eat meals, and watch TV together – and it was wonderful."

Sharp also recommends families plan ahead when deciding their mode of travel, and to limit use of technology once at their destination in order to connect and bond with each other.

Rounding out the top 10 list is San Antonio, known for their combination of amusement and water park attractions. Other Texas cities on the list include Dallas and Austin, coming in at No. 11 and No. 29, respectively.

The full top 10 list of best US cities for kid-friendly vacations includes:

New York City
Orlando, Florida
Miami
Las Vegas
Chicago
Tampa, Florida
San Francisco
Houston
Los Angeles
San Antonio

More information about Lawn Love’s report can be found at lawnlove.com.

Best Cities Family-Friendly Vacations Houston Top 10 List best us cities for family friendly vacations

This Week's Hot Headlines

New Mexican restaurant sizzles into Houston's 5 most popular stories

Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina restaurant exterior

Photo by Hasan Yousef

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Editor's note: It's time to catch up on the top Houston news of the week, including restaurant comings and goings and a local suburb that is booming with wealth. Read on for our five most popular stories, then plan your weekend via this guide.

1. New restaurant shakes up Houston with Oaxacan and Tex-Mex classics. A Houston hospitality veteran has opened a new Mexican restaurant in Lindale Park. Johnny Ritas Cocina y Cantina debuted Friday, February 6.

2. Houston suburb has top-20 highest rate of new wealthy residents in U.S. A new income study has revealed Houston's wealthiest aren't settling down in Pearland anymore — they've set their sights on Conroe, instead.

3. Arizona Mexican restaurant is the latest to shutter at the Galleria. A Mexican-inspired restaurant in the Galleria has quietly closed. Blanco Cocina + Cantina has shaken its last margarita.

4. Veteran French chef blows into Bellaire with a new neighborhood bistro. One of Houston’s most well-regarded French chefs has opened a new restaurant in Bellaire. Bistro Mistral is the latest project from chef David Denis.

Bistro Mistral French onion soup Bistro Mistral serves classic fare like French onion soup. Courtesy of Bistro Mistral

5. Houston sushi spot's Dubai outpost named to prestigious 50 best list. The Dubai location of a Houston-based Japanese restaurant has been named one of the best restaurants in the Middle East. Kokoro ranks No. 15 on the Middle East & North Africa’s 50 Best Restaurants list.