6 days in Houston & Galveston Itinerary

Although urban sprawl remains synonymous with Houston, most of the city's tourist attractions lie within the relatively small downtown area, surrounded by diverse neighborhoods housing the nation's biggest African-American, Asian-American, and Latino communities.

Start off your visit on the 1st (Wed): get curious at Cockrell Butterfly Center, then admire the masterpieces at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and then explore the world behind art at The Menil Collection. On your second day here, test your team's savvy at popular escape rooms, stroll around Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park, then walk around Hermann Park, and finally have fun and explore at Children's Museum Houston.

To find photos and tourist information, read our Houston tour itinerary planner.

Sacramento to Houston is an approximately 6-hour flight. You can also drive; or take a bus. The time zone changes from Pacific Standard Time to Central Standard Time, which is usually a 2 hour difference. Expect a bit warmer evenings in Houston when traveling from Sacramento in February, with lows around 52°F. Finish your sightseeing early on the 3rd (Fri) so you can drive to Galveston.

An old colonial city and a busy cruise ship port less than an hour's drive from Houston, Galveston sits on Galveston Island and serves as a popular vacation destination for both domestic and international travelers.

Kick off your visit on the 3rd (Fri): wander the streets of The Strand, get to know the fascinating history of The Seawall, then don't miss a visit to 1880 Garten Verein, and finally take in nature's colorful creations at Moody Gardens.

To find other places to visit, more things to do, where to stay, and tourist information, read our Galveston trip itinerary builder website.

Traveling by car from Houston to Galveston takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. In February, daily temperatures in Galveston can reach 67°F, while at night they dip to 54°F. Finish up your sightseeing early on the 4th (Sat) so you can go by car to Houston.

You'll find plenty of places to visit near Houston: Jurassic Quest (in Spring), Room Escape Games (in The Woodlands) and Battleship Texas State Historic Site (in La Porte). Enjoy Houston some more: get to know the resident critters at Houston Zoo, take in the spiritual surroundings of Teo-Chew Temple, stop by Crazy Mama's Emporium, and take in the architecture and atmosphere at Lakewood Church.

For maps, traveler tips, where to stay, and other tourist information, refer to the Houston route builder site.

Traveling by car from Galveston to Houston takes an hour. Alternatively, you can take a bus. You'll have a few hours on the 6th (Mon) to wrap things up before traveling home.