Houston is surrounded by major cities with major appeal. There are many places that can be visited on a last minute trip from Houston. These cities are both inside and outside of the Texas border and you need only to pack a bag and hit the open road.
New Orleans is a roughly 4-hour drive from Houston and is a wonderful travel destination. The city offers wonderful food, gaming and tours including swamp tours for the adventurous traveler. The city also offers tours of haunted locations including cemeteries that are said to be filled with the spirits of lost souls.
San Antonio is a wonderful place for families, singles and couples to enjoy. The city hosts the Alamo, the Riverwalk, and Seaworld San Antonio. The Riverwalk has boat tours and wonderful night life for those who like to dance the night away.
http://www.visitsanantonio.com/visitors/play/family-fun/index.aspx
Lake Charles is about a 3-hour drive from Houston and offers all sorts of casino gaming. Traveling to the city can be done by driving yourself or by catching a tour bus for as little as $10 round trip. Tour bus rides are usually for 24 hours and take the traveler to one of the city' casinos for a few hours of gaming fun.
http://www.visitlakecharles.org/
South Padre Island is a small beach town that is a 6-hour drive from Houston. South Padre Island offers miles of beach and tours including a pirate boat tour and dinner where the visitor can tour the waters for dolphins while enjoying entertainment by actors dressed as pirates. Visitors can take horseback beach tours, go on fishing day trips, and enjoy a day at Schlitterbahn.
http://www.sopadre.com/
