Exploring Houston with My ‘Broke Besties’

🚗 Houston with My Broke Besties (a.k.a. My Kids)

Hey y’all! Welcome back to another adventure with Trips with Tori. This time, we’re heading back to Houston, Texas — but with a twist: my kids are coming with me!

Now, my kids are older, so traveling with them is an absolute breeze (bless up). I see my friends with toddlers and strollers and meltdowns… and whew, I don’t miss those days! I call my kids my broke besties — and I genuinely love traveling with them. They keep it fun, light, and full of energy.

🧭 Why Houston (Again)?

Like I mentioned in a previous post, something about Texas has been pulling on my soul lately. I’ve been exploring, feeling things out, and this trip was about getting the stamp of approval from the most important people in my life — my kids. If I’m considering a big move, I need their vibes to match mine.

🚘 Rental Car, Apartment Vibes & Easy Exploring

This time around, I rented a car so we could explore more freely — I love hopping in the car and just driving to see what I find. We stayed in a super cute apartment that was centrally located and made it easy to get everywhere. We were only 10 minutes from Graffiti Park, which was a hit because my kids are just as into art as I am. #ArtJunkiesUnite 🎨

Night one was simple — we got settled, grabbed food, and chilled out. I like to ease into trips like that.

🎫 CityPASS = Major Travel Hack

Before arriving, I ordered CityPASSes (link under Travel + Excursions tab — highly recommend!). They let you visit some of the most popular attractions in the city at a discounted rate. It saved us a ton and made planning super easy.

👩‍🚀 Johnson Space Center: A Dream for This Space Nerd

First stop? NASA’s Johnson Space Center. I’ve always been fascinated with space, and this place fed my inner astronaut. From historic rockets to astronaut suits and space missions, it was such a cool and informative experience. I could’ve stayed there for hours just learning and stargazing.

🌮 Dinner at El Tiempo Cantina: 10/10 Recommend

We had dinner at a Spanish restaurant called El Tiempo Cantina, and let me tell you — SO GOOD. The food was delicious, the margaritas were strong (and adorable in their mini milk jugs if you get one to-go), and the service was top-notch. No long wait, just good vibes and even better food.

🖼️ Street Art Drive & Area Scouting

After dinner, we took a little drive around to check out the local art and get a feel for the neighborhoods. Since this trip was also about potentially relocating, I wanted to see what life in different areas looked like — not just the tourist side.

🏛️ Houston Museum of Natural Science + King Tut Exhibit

The next morning, we headed to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, which was included with our CityPASS. We added on the King Tut exhibit, and it was incredible — a full replica of his tomb and artifacts, with immersive videos and storytelling about ancient Egypt. The museum itself is huge (3 or 4 levels!), and we were completely captivated by the different habitats and time periods represented.

🦁 A Quick Stop at the Houston Zoo

Just a few minutes down the street is the Houston Zoo, which we hit right after the museum. Again — CityPASS win! Even though Texas heat is no joke, it was surprisingly comfortable. The landscaping was beautiful with plenty of shaded areas, and the animal exhibits were impressive. They had species we don’t see in Florida, which made it even more exciting for us.

🌌 Seismique: A Must-See Interactive Art Museum

That evening we hit up Seismique, a hands-on interactive museum similar in concept to Color Factory (which I visited in a previous trip). The photo ops are insane — otherworldly rooms with lights, textures, and wild art installations. You take your own photos, but the setup is so visually creative that every pic turns out amazing. I’ll definitely be back!

🏖️ Galveston Beach: The Honest Truth

Being Florida natives, we were curious to check out Galveston Beach. And well… let’s just say we weren’t impressed. It looked murky and kind of dirty compared to the clear waters we’re used to. Not our vibe — but hey, not every place can be the Gulf Coast. 🌊

🎡 Kemah Boardwalk: A Nice Surprise

We bounced over to Kemah Boardwalk afterward, which totally made up for the beach letdown. It’s right on the water (which looked way better, thank goodness) and full of fun activities, rides, and restaurants. We walked around, took in the views, and enjoyed the lively atmosphere.

🏡 Wrapping It Up: Could Houston Be Home?

All in all, this trip was everything I hoped it would be. It gave my kids and me a chance to bond, explore, and experience Houston in a deeper way. I reminded them we wouldn’t be moving into Houston proper — I’m not trying to trade one busy city for another. I want space, peace, and a little more breathing room. Somewhere on the outskirts? That’s more my speed.

Thanks for tagging along! Can’t wait to take you with me on the next trip. 💛-Vic