Beaumont, 85 miles east of Houston on I-10, is the Texas-Louisiana-border Cajun country day trip with boudin, etouffee, gumbo and the closer-to-Louisiana grocery counters.
Tip: Stop at Floyd's Cajun Seafood on the way in for a boudin link. Sunday lunch at Jason's Deli original (founded Beaumont 1976).
Galveston, 50 miles south of Houston on I-45, is the Gulf-port seafood day trip with Strand-area pier shacks, Gaido's since 1911 and the BLVD seafood pier on Seawall Boulevard.
Tip: Plan a 10am drive down for an oyster lunch at Gaido's followed by a Strand walk. Sunday brunch at Mosquito Cafe in the East End.
Brenham, 80 miles northwest of Houston on US-290, is the Blue Bell Creameries factory tour day trip with the Visitor Center scoop, plus Truth BBQ's original Brenham room nearby.
Tip: The Blue Bell tour runs Mon-Fri 9am to 3pm; book ahead. Stop at Royer's Round Top Cafe on the way back for pie.
Lockhart, 165 miles west of Houston via Austin, is the Texas barbecue capital day trip with Black's (since 1932), Smitty's Market and Kreuz Market on a single barbecue trail loop.
Tip: Leave Houston at 7am to hit all three before they sell out. Stand in the line at Smitty's; order brisket, hot links and saltines.
Round Top, 85 miles northwest of Houston on US-290 and TX-237, is the twice-yearly antique fair (spring and autumn) day trip with Royer's Round Top Cafe and Lulu's Cafe on the Square.
Tip: Antique fair runs end of March and end of October. Off-season weekends Royer's pie counter is open Thu-Sun.