We have four girls (ages 2 thru 8) and we're looking for some last minute Spring Break ideas. We're driving from Houston and ideally wouldn't want anything too terribly far away (probably no more than a 5-6 hour drive). Sort of trying to throw something together last minute because we weren't sure if we were even going to be able to do anything at all due to some other possible scheduling conflicts, but it looks like we'll have a couple days free to do something.

The kids are at an age where they almost don't even care about the destination as much as they just look forward to staying in a hotel or AirBnb. For instance, last year, we just went and stayed at the campus hotel for a few days, which worked out great because A&M was also on Spring Break that week and there was a home baseball game and home basketball game (NIT). The kids had a blast just riding their scooters around campus and shopping for clothes at the MSC and the Warehouse. But, again, they thought that staying at the hotel and having a view of Kyle Field was the highlight of the trip.

Any suggestions on places that might be fun but not too overcrowded with college kids on spring break? My initial thoughts were maybe San Antonio (I haven't been in several years) or Kemah (I've never been), but not sure how those places would be over spring break. Any other recommendations?

Thanks

Kemah will be a mess. They sell spring break passes, so it gets jammed up with Houston kids and SH146 is still underway construction and is terrible right now.

I would look at Corpus. It will be crowded, but not like Port Aransas or south padre. Get a room at the Omni that overlooks the harbor. Or, if you want to save a nickel, there is an old Days Inn down the street with similar views.

Thanks! I'll take a look at Corpus

Weather in SA may be cool but look at the JW Marriott, has a decent-sized waterpark and lots of activities for kids. As I remember the waterpark is heated but they close some slides if the weather is in the 40s or 50s.

Check out Kalahari in Round Rock or Great Wolf Lodge in Grapevine - both are indoor water parks

Could check out the capital and history museum in Austin

We have done both with little kids over spring break

Galveston can be fun but it can be cold, the water is still cold, childrens museum is good for half a day, schlitterbahn has heated water, LA kings Ice cream

South Padre? We went several times during the pandemic and I really like it. Nice beaches (for Texas), there is a pirate ship show about 20 minutes away and several things to do. I would go back there in a heartbeat. We stayed at the Courtyard. Loved the location. There are several hotels in that area.

We did South Padre this past summer and loved it. But I think it can get pretty overrun with college kids during spring break.

Kemah is good for 1-2 days but not sure there is enough to do past that.

San Antonio will have more to do - zoo, botanical gardens, Six Flags, etc.

IrishAg04 said:

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Thanks! I'll take a look at Corpus

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If you do Corpus as mentioned before, Omni will be your nicest option. With the kids you can hit the aquarium pretty easily and the Lexington. Right downtown there's the art museum with a nice restaurant called Elizabeth's inside and the science and history museum.

Some other good places to check out would be Brewster street which is kid friendly with a play ground, casual food and a bar. Surf Club has casual food and outdoor area with a bar as well. Republic of TX for an upscale cocktail after kids are asleep if staying at Omni. BUS is an outdoor kid friendly bar scene with a food truck. Thai Spice , Vietnam are higher end Asian restaurants that are solid.

The beach on Corpus Christi bay (including north beach by the Lexington and aq are pretty meh. May be worth the drive to Rockport from DT corpus.

The island will have the best beaches but jam packed with your HS and college students and it's pretty miserable for anyone with kids / over 30. If set on padre Island pay to go Down to the National seashore and that will weed out some of the riff raff.