As the holiday season beckons, Houstonians are hitting the road in big numbers and interesting patterns, but when they’re not clocking miles to far-flung family gatherings, some of the best escapes are just a short drive away. According to the ink-stained wretches at the Houston Chronicle, a treasure trove of data reveals that Houston-area travelers clocked a hefty 116,971,479 trips around the U.S. in 2022, 64% of which weren't even tethered to the daily grind.
Most of these journeys stayed snug within Texas borders, chasing big city lights or quiet countryside; however, give or take 18% decided to venture more than 500 miles, finding their way to places like the Denver area, which saw 939,754 Houstonians, Chicago with 839,864 visits, and Los Angeles with 782,773 of the city’s wanderlust-filled residents.
But when they're not cruising across state lines, Houston locals have a penchant for kicking back closer to home. Drawing on local expertise, Travel Lemming dangled a carrot for those still hungry for adventure but with fewer miles on the odometer. Top picks included Fredericksburg, with its quaint shops and over 100 vineyards described as the "Tuscany of Texas," and Bellville, where you can castle crash for the day—yes, an actual castle, with six weekly tours awaiting those enthralled by historic enchantment.
The local buzz doesn't stop there. The George Observatory offers a cosmic break from city life, weather permitting. A quick jaunt from Houston, it presents stargazers with a chance to squint at Jupiter through the impressive 36-inch Gueymard Research Telescope, as per Travel Lemming.
Whether it's gearing up for a long-distance holiday sojourn or just looking to inject a little novelty into a free weekend, Houston's travelers prove they're anything but homebodies.
