In addition to an eclectic downtown and dynamic, trendsetting nightlife scene, Houston has several pulse-pounding outdoor attractions and one of the nation’s most expansive public parks systems. With quick access to the sandy beaches of the Texas Gulf Coast, Houston and its diverse appeal ensures a spring break to remember.
Houston’s Bay Area features 35 miles of oceanfront, with shopping, amusement rides and outdoor dining opportunities clustered along the Kemah Boardwalk. The Bay Area also contains the 2,000-foot long Sylvan Beach. For a richer selection of beaches, spring breakers can drive 27 miles to Galveston Island. East Beach, the only beach in the area that allows alcohol, appeals to partygoers with concerts and a lively atmosphere. For a more sedate experience, visit Galveston Island State Park, which boasts more than 2,000 acres of undeveloped barrier-island wilderness.
Houston's Montrose neighborhood, located adjacent to downtown, gives the city its own epicenter for urban chic. Westheimer Boulevard, the neighborhood’s main thoroughfare, beckons to pedestrians with vintage clothing shops, art galleries and independent cafes. After the sun goes down, Montrose turns into one of Houston's premier nightlife areas. West Alabama Ice House maintains a laid-back vibe with generous outdoor seating. Boheme Cafe & Wine Bar gives older spring breakers an excuse to dress up, with a classy ambiance and signature cocktails.
Downtown Houston caters to visitors who want a night on the town. The Theatre District hosts nine performing-arts organizations and four premier venues, including the Hobby Center for the Arts, with full performance calendars. Discovery Green hosts outdoor concerts and film screenings, and sits just a couple of blocks from the restaurants and bars that line Houston's Main Street. Bayou Place, an entertainment and dining complex, offers a full slate of nighttime fun, with live music at the Bayou Music Centre and movies at the state-of-the-art Sundance Cinemas.
Spring break thrill-seekers who need an adrenaline fix have no shortage of options. The Greater Houston Soaring Association located west of the city in Wallis, Texas, offers 30-minute glider rides at heights of 5,000 feet. Skydive Spaceland in Houston's Bay Area pairs first-time jumpers with veteran skydivers for tandem leaps that reach speeds of 120 mph. Just south of downtown lies Wake Nation, which contains a 12-acre lake and wakeboarding park. An inventive cable-pulley system allows visitors to kneeboard, waterski or wakeboard at 20 mph, all without a boat.
