The Houston Lifestyle - Beach, Lake and Bay

Given our year-round climate and sultry summers, water sports are very popular with Houstonians! Beach, lake and bay are just a short drive away. In the city, we have prairies studded with live oaks and bisected by bayous:

• Permits are necessary, but Houston’s bayous can be toured by pontoon boat, canoe or kayak. There are several regattas, including the annual Dragon Boat Festival. The Port of Houston offers tours of the Houston Ship Channel aboard the M/V Sam Houston.

To the North, we have man-made lakes surrounded by towering pine forests:

• Lake Conroe is a fresh water lake offering the full complement of boating and water sports. The Conroe area is also home to two local craft breweries and several wineries.
• Spring and “Old Town Spring” are located to the north on I-45. Old Town Spring is a quaint village of shops and eateries, and Spring itself is home to Splashtown Water Park.

To the South, you will find sheltered bays, shady palm trees, and the Gulf of Mexico:

• Clear Lake is a charming bayside region that touches more than 35 miles of waterfront. It boasts succulent seafood, unique shopping, a booming boating community and awe-inspiring nature preserves.
• Armand Bayou Nature Center is a 2,500 acre preserve near NASA/Johnson Space Center. You can watch the bayou wildlife from either a guided canoe tour or a trip on the Bayou Ranger pontoon boat.
• Galveston Island has 32 miles of laid-back island atmosphere and is located only 50 minutes from Houston. Galveston includes everything from the Pleasure Pier (carnival rides) to Moody Gardens (rainforest pyramid) to Schlitterbahn Water Park (water slides). Galveston offers a weekend escape with sun, surf, and seafood.

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