This article is a part of the 2022 Fall Travel Guide, a sponsored collection brought to you by our travel advertising partners. You can find more fall travel destinations and events here.

There’s no doubt about it; Houston is a warm city. With the arrival of autumn’s cool breezes, however, the desire to get outside and explore grows larger by the day. As the temperatures drop, outdoor attractions such as The Houston Botanic Garden, Buffalo Bayou Park, and James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany at Rice University grow increasingly alluring. Seasonal events like the Bayou City Art FestivalTexas Renaissance Festival, and Hispanic Heritage Month draw visitors from all walks of life to the streets, parks, and fairgrounds all Around Houston.  

Beaumont

Fall in love with family-friendly activities, festivals, and events this season in Beaumont. Pick the perfect pumpkin and snap a frame-worthy photo at Wesley UMC’s annual Pumpkin Patch. On October 11 through November 5, walk through the flowering displays of Shangri La Botanical Gardens during the beloved Scarecrow Festival to view numerous scarecrows and fall decorations scattered throughout the grounds. Spend time with your four-legged friend at Dogtoberfest on October 8, where you’ll enjoy the Strut Your Mutt Competition, sign up for the Puppy Kissing Booth, and take home a unique PAW-traiture created right before your eyes! Embark on Museum Madness Weekend and participate in special events like Dino Day at The Museum of Southeast Texas and a movie night at the Spindletop-Gladys City Boomtown Museum!

Beaumont, TX

Brazosport

A fall trip to Brazosport’s Surfside Beach is the perfect retreat for recreational sports and nature lovers alike. Hit the waves with a jet-ski rental or reel in a redfish at the Surfside Jetties. Spot migrating birds at the Surfside Bird & Butterfly Trail or the nearby Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge. Free attractions are just a short drive from the beach, including Sea Center Texas, the Brazosport Museum of Natural Science, the Lake Jackson Historical Museum, and the San Bernard National Wildlife Refuge. 

Brazosport, TX

Conroe

As the sun begins to set on an endlessly hot summer, fall means festivals in Conroe. Visit the Enchanted Kingdom of royalty, fairies, and fantasy at the Texas Renaissance Festival from October 9 through November 28. Savor some of the best Cajun catfish in Texas on October 14 through 16 at the Conroe Cajun Catfish Festival. Climb aboard a hayride and pick a jack-o-lantern-worthy pumpkin at P-6 Farms. Looking for a full day of old-fashioned family fun? Then head to 7 Acre Wood and explore a Western play town, a furry petting zoo, and a gigantic sandbox. 

Hungry? Then look to Conroe’s new food truck park, The Table at Madeley, where you can enjoy a variety of great eats and live music. Discover hidden gems like downtown’s Red Brick Tavern, where every menu item is musical-themed. However you choose to spend your time, one thing is for sure—Conroe has something for everyone. 

Conroe, TX

Port Arthur

Is birding on your fall itinerary? If so, Port Arthur is a must-visit destination this season. Multiple species make Sabine Woods their last stop before heading to Central and South America. Spy colorful orioles, tanagers, thrushes, and warblers among the large oak and mulberry trees from early September through late October.

Home to rivers, bayous, fresh and salt-water lakes, and easy access to the Gulf Coast, Port Arthur offers some of the finest fishing in the Lone Star State. Grab your bait and tackle to try your luck at Sabine Lake, a 90,000-acre lake where flounder are plentiful in October. The chillier temperatures of November and December bring an abundance of trout and redfish. With miles of pristine beaches, Sea Rim State Park is the place to go for shore fishing, while Pleasure Island’s accessible piers offer the perfect spot for a day with the family.

Port Arthur, TX

Pearland

BAKFISH Brewing Company kicks off the fall season in Pearland with a two-day Music to My Beers: Oktoberfest extravaganza on September 30 and October 1, followed by the ever-popular Pearland Art on the Pavilion vendor show on October 8 and 9. The Pearland Boutique Shop and Hop returns on October 29 with some of the best shopping Pearland offers. Grab your lawn chairs, cooler, and dancing boots for the Pearland Country Music Showcase on November 13, featuring the talented Holly Tucker of NBC’s The Voice.

Pearland, TX

Deer Park

Known as the “Birthplace of Texas,” Deer Park is a delightful and diverse community southeast of Houston where small-town charm meets big-city thrills. Gather your crew on September 3 and October 1 for family-friendly events like Movies in the Park at Dow Park and the Halloween Carnival on October 29 at the Jimmy Burke Center. Grab your furry companions for a stroll through the Deer Park Nature Preserve or a romp at the Ella and Friends Dog Park.

Deer Park, TX

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