I am changing jobs soon, so looking to get out of town for a few days between jobs. Have 3 kids including a baby, so nothing too far (maybe 5-6 hours from Houston). We have been to San Antonio a million times, Austin quite a few times, and used to live near Corpus.

Any ideas on other places to hit just for a few days that would be fun with kids?

Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine

Once took the wife and kiddos to stay in a VRBO in Hunt TX on the Guadalupe. Beautiful area. A bit passed Kerrville. Kids liked the river and we liked the chill vibe of the small town. No "kid" parks or anything but if you want to relax, I'd avoid that crap anyway.

Given your criteria, if you want to "feel" like you're camping without actually camping, maybe get a cabin at Artesian Lakes just north of Houston. But I'm not sure what's going on up there this time of year or if the pool is even operational, or too cold to get in. Probably empty and a little depressing, so you'd need to bring your own entertainment like board games, bikes, toasting marshmallows and what-not. I'd call first on that.

cajunaggie08 said:

---

Nice Ash said:

---

Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine

---

They said fun WITH the kids. Not fun for the kids while you are turned upside down to have every nickel and dime shaken out of you

---

I wont lie, I had this same thought! We've talked about heading up there sometime and this may be a decent time for it. But this response definitely made me laugh.

Rent a cabin at Jellystone. Lots of stuff for the kids.

cajunaggie08 said:

---

Nice Ash said:

---

Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine

---

They said fun WITH the kids. Not fun for the kids while you are turned upside down to have every nickel and dime shaken out of you

---

that place is literally a Vegas strip casino reimagined for children.

Are you looking for a resort, like Lost Pines in Bastrop? Or something less expensive and not as structured? New Braunfels could be an option depending on weather- variety of things to do, plenty of outdoors stuff as well.

In-laws live in Seguin, so not much in NB that we havent done or seen!

Honestly just started thinking about this so I am not really sure. Loving the idea of a cabin rental, as my oldest LOVES to fish and we really don't get to take her very often. Just something to relax for a few days to get the mind right for the next adventure basically. We'll see if my wife goes for that though. She may be more into the idea of somewhere like GWL.

Nice Ash said:

---

Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine

---

We've been to Great Wolf Lodge several times with my girls and have enjoyed it. We always eat breakfast and dinner off site because the food there is mediocre and extremely over priced.

On one of the days, we will all go to Downtown Grapevine for brunch and to visit the wineries and stores (you can walk down the street with booze like NOLA or Fredericksburg). Messina Hof has a tasting room there with a patio and park where the kids can run around. Mi Dia is one of our favorite fancy Mexican restaurants, and there are 3 or 4 other good restaurants in the same center.

All that to say, go to GWL for the water park and SOME of the activities and then head to Main Street for a bit so the build-a-bear and arcade don't bankrupt you.

Stay on Lake Palestine VRBO.

Goto TX State Railroad in Rusk. Polar Express starts soon.

Eat at Legends Old Time Burger in Jacksonville.

Enjoy Gods Country East TX

https://texasstaterailroad.net/

oooh i hadn't thought about the Polar Express. My wife has talked about wanting to do that. That might be a fun little excursion for the day.

Definitely some good ideas on here. Appreciate it!

Booma94 said:

---

Are you looking for a resort, like Lost Pines in Bastrop?

---

this is a good idea

My kids loved going to Jellystone Park in Kerrville. Although a big draw was the pool and water slides, which I am assuming is closed right now. There is also one in New Braunfels as well as Camp Fimfo, which is a similar type resort.

Camp Fimfo

Hot Springs
Lazy River in Lake Charles

I forgot how fast Houston Board posters can drive, but sometimes there's a thread to remind me.

DustysLineup said:

---

I forgot how fast Houston Board posters can drive, but sometimes there's a thread to remind me.

---

What? Every recommendation on here is easily withing 6 hours of Houston, even below the speed limit with stops. It's not like people are throwing out Big Bend or Bull Shoals AR as suggestions.

Think we are going to head to Jellystone in Tyler for a few days, then hit the polar express on the way home. That seems to be hitting the best of both worlds (a few relaxing days, things for kids to do, and checks a major bucket list item for my wife).

Thank you all for the suggestions. This was so insanely helpful!

Go stay at The Silo House at the Laughing Llama Farm and hang out.

For a fun side excursion, head north towards Waco, stop at Papa Joe's Saloon and show the kids where Billy Joe Shaver shot that guy.

What's the rain chances? Plan accordingly.

The one in New Braunfels sucks.
We went there years ago, and quickly realized that it is just a landing spot at the end of the day, after having either tubed or skied on Canyon Lake. If you go there with it being the destination, you better bring lots of alcohol.

Rule Number 32 said:

---

In-laws live in Seguin, so not much in NB that we havent done or seen!

Honestly just started thinking about this so I am not really sure. Loving the idea of a cabin rental, as my oldest LOVES to fish and we really don't get to take her very often. Just something to relax for a few days to get the mind right for the next adventure basically. We'll see if my wife goes for that though. She may be more into the idea of somewhere like GWL.

---

what are the dates you are looking at?