If you’re looking for things to do, Baytown has you covered! Get packing!
- Taste Some Texas Wine at Yepez Vineyard
- Speed Up at Houston Raceway Park
- Swim and Float at Pirates Bay Water Park
- Catch the Wildlife at Texas Gulf Coast
- Reel Fish at Thompson’s Fish Camp
- Get to Know the Town’s History
- Be Artsy at the Art Center of Baytown
- Ride the Ferry at Lynchburg Ferry
- Explore the Space at Space Center Houston
- Plan a Professional Shoot at Fred Hartman Bridge
Sometimes, you just need a short vacation to get that mental health in check, am I right?
If I could snag a few extra days off right now, Baytown would be my top pick for exploration! Imagine wandering through historic sites, diving into outdoor thrills, and sampling local flavors that capture the heart of Texas!
So, if you’re planning to extend your weekends or even take more time off, Baytown is the town!
1. Taste Some Texas Wine at Yepez Vineyard
Media credit: @lorenmeauxx
Website: http://www.yepezvineyard.com/
Address: 12739 Farm to Market Rd 2354, Baytown, TX 77523, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-804-3410
Operating Hours: Friday – Saturday: 12:00 PM – 6:00 PM; Sunday: 2:00 PM – 7:00 PM
If you’re in Houston, you should take the opportunity to taste some local wine at Yepez Vineyard.
While the Texas Hill Country and the High Plains are popular spots for wine enthusiasts, you don’t have to travel far to enjoy great wine.
Just east of Baytown, Yepez Vineyard offers a delightful winery experience. Using Texas-grown grapes, this vineyard produces a variety of red and white wines that showcase the region’s unique flavors.
Enjoy a visit to their charming tasting room where you can sample wines like merlot and sauvignon blanc. Each sip reveals the quality and care put into every bottle.
And beyond the wine, the vineyard features live music to enhance your experience.
| Pro tip: Be sure to explore the Texas Olive Grove at Yepez Vineyard, the first of its kind in the area. This unique feature adds a delightful touch to your visit, offering a glimpse into local olive cultivation. |
2. Speed Up at Houston Raceway Park
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Address: 2525 S FM 565 Rd, Baytown, TX, United States
If you’re looking for some high-speed excitement, Houston Raceway Park is the place to be.
This racing facility in the Houston area boasts a quarter-mile dragstrip and a dirt track, with seating for over 27,000 fans. It’s a prime spot for thrilling racing action.
Throughout the year, you can catch a variety of events, including professional drag races and legal street racing. One of the highlights is the NHRA Spring Nationals.
So whether you’re a racing aficionado or just in the mood for some adrenaline-pumping fun, you can take your peers to Houston Raceway Park in Baytown for some fun at the race track!
| Pro tip: The noise from the drag races can be extremely loud. Pack a pair of earplugs or noise-canceling headphones to protect your hearing. |
3. Swim and Float at Pirates Bay Water Park
Media credit: @baytownpiratesbay
Website: https://www.baytownpiratesbay.com/
Address: 5300 E Rd, Baytown, TX 77521, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-422-1150
Operating Hours: Monday – Thursday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Friday – Sunday: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM
If you’re looking to cool off and have some thrilling water adventures, then go visit Houston’s Pirates Bay Water Park! This family-friendly attraction offers a wide array of slides and pools suitable for all ages.
For those of you seeking an adrenaline rush, speed head-first down the four-lane Mat Racer water slide or experience the excitement of the Colorado Drop Slide.
After some thrilling adventure, you can relax and float down the lazy river to unwind.
If you’ve got youngsters with you, they’ll love the play structure designed just for them. It features tot-friendly water slides, spray nozzles, water guns, and more, ensuring hours of entertainment.
| Pro tip: Plan your visit to Pirates Bay Water Park between May and the end of August, or take advantage of their special opening during Labor Day. |
4. Catch the Wildlife at Texas Gulf Coast
Website: https://www.traveltexas.com/cities-and-regions/gulf-coast/
Address: Missouri City, TX 77489, United States
Texas Gulf Coast offers a rich habitat of bays, marshes, and coastal grasslands, filled with wildlife. This place is also perfect for anglers, birders, and photographers.
If you’re in Baytown, there are numerous spots to enjoy the outdoors and catch a glimpse of the local wildlife.
You may start your adventure at the Baytown Nature Center, a large park with direct access to Burnet Bay, Crystal Bay, and Scott Bay.
Here, you can explore hiking and bird trails, visit a butterfly garden, and cast a line from the fishing piers.
For those of you interested in learning more about the region’s flora and fauna, the Eddie V. Gray Wetlands Education Center is a must-visit. The center features a variety of exhibits and even has a kayak launch point for access to Tabbs Bay.
| Pro tips: Consider visiting during migration seasons (spring and fall) for a chance to see a diverse range of bird species passing through the area. Choose sturdy yet lightweight hiking shoes or boots with good traction, ideal for navigating diverse coastal terrain and trails. |
5. Reel Fish at Thompson’s Fish Camp
Media credit: @capt.john_q
Address: 213 Simms Rd, Baytown, TX 77523, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-427-2300
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 5:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Thompson’s Fish Camp in Baytown is a must-visit destination for fishing enthusiasts looking to explore the area’s abundant bays and waterways.
If you’re into fishing, this spot has everything you need for a successful outing.
At Thompson’s Fish Camp, you’ll find convenient amenities like a fish cleaning station to prep your catch, a fully stocked bait and tackle shop to replenish your gear, and a boat launch for easy access to the water.
And for those of you who want to maximize your fishing experience, Thompson’s Fish Camp offers the option to hire a guide.
These local experts can provide insider tips, take you to prime fishing spots, and ensure you have a productive and enjoyable time on the water.
| Pro tips: Invest in polarized sunglasses to cut through water glare and see fish and underwater structures more clearly. This can help you spot fish hiding in shadows or around submerged objects. If you’re not getting bites, try adjusting the speed and rhythm of your bait retrieval. Sometimes a slower or erratic presentation can trigger strikes from hesitant or curious fish. |
6. Get to Know the Town’s History
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Curious about Baytown’s past? It goes back before the Texas Revolution, when pioneers were settling the Lone Star State.
The Lynchburg Ferry, connecting Baytown and La Porte, played a big role in the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836 by helping Texans escape General Santa Anna’s army.
To really dive into Baytown’s history, head to the Republic of Texas Plaza. There, you’ll find old buildings from the late 1800s, like the 1894 Wooster School and the 1910 Brown-McKay House.
These places tell the story of Baytown’s early days as a small rice farming community, long before oil changed everything.
Additionally, inside these preserved buildings, you can explore exhibits that bring the past to life. They show you how Baytown grew over time, from its simple beginnings to becoming the lively town it is today.
| Pro tips: Plan your visit near sunset to capture stunning photos of the Republic of Texas Plaza and its historic architecture bathed in golden hour light. Consider meeting with local historians or volunteers who can share personal stories and lesser-known facts about the Plaza and its buildings. |
7. Be Artsy at the Art Center of Baytown
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Website: https://www.art-league-of-baytown.org/
Address: 110 W Texas Ave, Baytown, TX 77520, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-427-2222
Operating Hours: Thursday – Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
The Art Center of Baytown is a hidden gem in this coastal town, showcasing the creative talents of local artists.
Open Wednesday through Saturday, the center features a diverse array of artworks including paintings, photographs, illustrations, and jewelry, all available for purchase to decorate your home.
Beyond visual arts, Baytown’s cultural scene extends to live performances at the Baytown Little Theater. Here, you can catch entertaining shows ranging from comedy and drama to musicals, offering an interesting evening out.
And for those of you seeking a more refined experience, don’t miss the Baytown Symphony Orchestra’s performances at the Lee College Performing Arts Center.
From October to April, the orchestra presents symphonies by renowned composers, promising a memorable night of classical music.
| Pro tips: Participate in art workshops offered at the center. These hands-on sessions can range from painting and sculpture to photography and jewelry making, allowing you to unleash your own creativity under expert guidance. Venture outside the Art Center to discover any nearby outdoor art installations or sculptures. They often provide a different perspective on local artists’ creativity and the town’s artistic spirit. |
8. Ride the Ferry at Lynchburg Ferry
Website: https://www.hctra.org/LynchburgFerry
Address: 1001 Independence Pkwy N, Baytown, TX 77520, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-983-1899
You can also ride the ferry at Lynchburg Ferry for a nostalgic journey across the scenic Houston Ship Channel.
This historic ferry service connects Baytown with the community of La Porte, offering a unique perspective of the waterway that played a crucial role in Texas history.
For those of you who enjoy a leisurely ride, the Lynchburg Ferry provides a free and convenient way to experience the charm of crossing these historic waters.
Keep in mind that the ferry operates daily and accommodates both vehicles and pedestrians, making it accessible to all visitors looking to explore this iconic part of Baytown’s maritime heritage.
| Pro tips: Occasionally, the ferry may close due to maintenance or weather conditions. Check the Harris County website or local news for any updates before your visit. Consider taking an evening ride to see the lights of industrial facilities along the channel and enjoy a different perspective of the waterway. |
9. Explore the Space at Space Center Houston
Website: https://www.spacecenter.org/
Address: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058, United States
Contact Details: +1 281-244-2100
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Explore the wonders of space at Space Center Houston, where science and adventure come together to captivate visitors of all ages.
This educational center offers an immersive experience into NASA’s space exploration efforts.
For those of you fascinated by space travel, Space Center Houston provides a variety of exhibits and attractions. Walk through the Astronaut Gallery to learn about the men and women who have ventured beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
Here, you can see actual spacecraft and artifacts that have traveled to space, such as the historic Apollo Mission Control.
Interactive displays allow you to simulate a space mission or try out a moonwalk in reduced gravity.
Also, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Space Shuttle Independence and the NASA Tram Tour, where you can see behind-the-scenes workings of the Johnson Space Center.
| Pro tips: Consider saving the Starship Gallery tour as your last stop. This allows you to fully enjoy interactive exhibits and displays without rushing. Try out the simulator rides, such as the Space Shuttle Simulator or the Astronaut Training Experience, for a taste of what space travel feels like. |
10. Plan a Professional Shoot at Fred Hartman Bridge
Media credit: @xaviertrahannn
Address: N Hwy 146, Baytown, TX 77520, United States
Contact Details: +1 713-837-0311
Planning a photo shoot to commemorate your trip to Baytown? Then consider Fred Hartman Bridge as your backdrop.
This iconic bridge spans the Houston Ship Channel, offering stunning views and ample opportunities for capturing memorable photos.
Fred Hartman Bridge is not just a functional structure connecting Baytown with nearby areas—it’s also a symbol of engineering marvel and a favorite spot for locals and visitors to admire and photograph.
Its sweeping arches and panoramic views make it an ideal location even for those casual snapshots.
But for those looking to capture the perfect shot, check out some of the best photographers in Houston who specialize in outdoor and architectural photography.
| Pro tips: Consider walking or biking across the pedestrian lanes of the bridge. It’s a great way to experience the structure up close and enjoy the views at a slower pace. Explore the observation deck located near the bridge for panoramic views of the Houston Ship Channel and the surrounding area. |
