Houston Family Reunion Planning Guide

Houston is a natural place for a family reunion. It is one of the largest cities in the country, it has two major airports and it is within driving distance for a large part of Texas and the Gulf Coast. Here is how to plan a reunion that works for every generation.

Choose your dates

Houston summers are hot and humid. For a reunion with outdoor time, aim for October through April. Spring brings mild days, and fall is comfortable after the heat breaks. Late winter is busy when Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is on, which affects prices and traffic around NRG Park.

Send a quick poll with two or three possible weekends and ask each household how many people would come.

Find a home that fits

A family reunion works best when everyone is under one roof. Look for:

• A bedroom for each household, with shared rooms for kids.
• A large kitchen and dining area, since group meals are the center of a reunion.
• Outdoor space for kids and evening conversation.
• Parking for several cars.

Our five-bedroom Houston House suits a mid-sized family gathering. See the Houston destination page for the area.

Plan a light schedule

Pick one or two outings and leave plenty of free time:

• Space Center Houston is a highlight for children and grandparents alike. See our Space Center Houston group guide.
• Hermann Park and the Houston Zoo make a relaxed day.
• The Museum District has options for every interest.
• Galveston is roughly an hour away for a beach day.

More ideas are in our guide to things to do in Houston with a large group.

Share the cooking

Ask each household to take one meal. A Texas barbecue night, a crawfish boil in season, or a family recipe night makes cooking part of the reunion. Order catering for the biggest dinner if no one wants to cook for the whole family.

Plan for the generations

• Give older relatives the bedrooms closest to the main living area.
• Keep outings short, with breaks in air conditioning.
• Plan a family photo early in the trip.
• Set aside an evening for stories, old photos or a slideshow.

Split costs fairly

Agree how the house is paid for before anyone books. An even split per adult or per bedroom are the common choices. Our guide to splitting costs on a group vacation rental explains both.

Getting there

George Bush Intercontinental and William P. Hobby airports serve most US cities, and Interstates 10, 45 and 69 bring drivers in from across Texas and Louisiana. Share the arrival plan and parking notes with everyone a week before.

For reunions in our other destinations, see our family reunions page.

Frequently asked questions