Y’all…have you noticed the weather lately? It’s not too hot, it’s not too cold, the sun is shining, the wind is blowing {sometimes a little too much}…Spring is here in Houston! Spring is by far my favorite season. Time to dust off the flip flops, break out the shorts and sundresses, and start shaving my legs and painting my toenails on a regular basis again. {Please tell me I’m not the only one who takes a break in the winter.} Plus, there are so many fun things to do around Houston this time of year! With a little help from my friends, I’ve compiled a list of favorites. Only problem is you better hurry – the summer heat will be here soon.
Destinations
- Strawberries are at their peak and ripe for the pickin’. If you haven’t ventured out to Froberg’s Farms or Blessington Farms to fill buckets full of strawberries, you really must go! And if you go a little overboard and come home with too many – freeze them for those summertime smoothies.
- Houston Zoo. It’s the perfect weather for strolling around and viewing all the new baby animals. My personal favorites are the baby elephant and baby giraffe. They’re just too cute! And while you’re there you might be able to catch a show at Miller Outdoor Theater too.
- I don’t know about you, but my social media feeds have been blowing up with bluebonnet pictures. Whether you’re down off 96 or heading out 290, find a pretty patch, convince your kids to smile, and capture that moment! And if you’re already out on 290, keep on going until you hit Brenham and the Blue Bell Factory. Whether your bluebonnet luck is good or bad, a little ice cream never hurt anyone.
- Branch out from football and check out the other Houston sports teams! The Rockets, Astros, and Dynamo are all playing right now. Rooting for the home team is fun for the whole family!
Events
- Festivals. Spring is full of them! From Strawberries to Crawfish to Art, Houston has you covered. Check out a comprehensive list here. And if you miss out on the Crawfish Festival – head on over to Floyd’s, my personal recommendation.
- I always look forward to the Azalea Trail each spring. Roaming through River Oaks and admiring the homes and gardens. They are spectacular! Sadly, the Trail has already happened this year, but you can still visit the beautiful gardens at Bayou Bend right in the heart of the city.
- If you prefer to stay in the burbs, keep an eye out for local events. Between schools, churches, and neighborhoods there are spring fling carnivals and Easter egg hunts taking place everywhere! Many malls also offer picture ops with the Easter Bunny himself.
- The runner in me cannot pass up the opportunity to mention all the fabulous spring races going on! Seriously, 5Ks and 10Ks are happening every weekend all over the greater Houston area. What better way to motivate yourself to exercise and get in shape for bikini season?
The Great Outdoors
- If you haven’t been out to one of Houston’s major parks lately – it’s time! From walking the trails at Memorial to riding the train at Hermann to attending an event at Discovery Green {Toddler Tuesdays anyone?}, there’s something for everyone. Pick a gorgeous day, pack a picnic lunch, and go explore!
- You also don’t have to venture far for a great weekend camping trip. There’s Brazos Bend State Park, Camp Jellystone, Sam Houston National Forest, and Lake Conroe just to name a few!
- But don’t forget about your own backyard! Picnicking and camping in the comforts of your own yard is fun too! My kids and I spend every sunny spring afternoon just plain ole playing outside. We also take walks around the neighborhood looking for ducks and bunnies and whatever else we can find. We all have a great time and kids are always worn out by bedtime.
Now it’s your turn… What are your favorite Springtime activities in Houston?
