Things to Do in Humble, TX with a Group

Why Humble works for a group day out

Humble is a small city on the northeast side of the Houston metro, and it packs a lot of easy group outings into a short list. The City of Humble describes it as having a small-town feel about 20 minutes from Houston, with outdoor activities close by.

It also has a real story. According to the city's history page, Pleasant Humble opened a post office in his home in 1886 and the town took his name. Shallow oil production began in 1902, a major gusher came in 1904, and by 1905 the Humble oil field was the largest producing field in Texas. The Humble Oil and Refining Company, formed by local entrepreneurs, is now known as Exxon Co. USA. That history gives a group something to talk about on Main Street.

For a mixed group of grandparents, parents and kids, Humble's strengths are free or low-cost outings, flat walks, and short days that leave time to get back to the house for dinner.

Humble outings at a glance

Hours and prices below come from each venue's own page or the city page on the day we checked. They change, so look again before you go.

Mercer Botanic Gardens in Humble

Mercer is the one outing every group visiting Humble should plan around. Harris County Precinct 3 runs Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens, and its page describes 393 acres split across two sides of the road.

The east side holds about 60 acres of themed gardens. The west side has scenic trails, the Jake Roberts Maple Collection and natural areas such as the Bald Cypress Swamp. Across the property there are 5.7 miles of trails. The county lists hours of 8 AM to 5 PM and does not list an admission fee, and its programs and monthly activities are free to sign up for.

What a group should know before going:

• Picnics: outside food and picnics are allowed only at the designated picnic tables. There is a picnic shelter, and pavilions can be reserved through the Precinct 3 page.
• Pets: dogs and other pets are not allowed in the garden, except service dogs. Leashed dogs are allowed only on the Arboretum side.
• Gear: bicycles, skates, skateboards, frisbees, sports equipment, jogging and swimming are not allowed in the gardens, including the parking lot.
• Other rules: no alcohol, balloons, confetti or glass containers. Children under 16 should be supervised, and kids should not climb on the water features.
• Access: most garden areas are accessible to wheelchairs and strollers. Call ahead to reserve a wheelchair or ask for other accommodations.

For a portrait session or a group photo shoot, read Mercer's photography policies on the Precinct 3 page first.

Lake Houston Wilderness Park

The Lake Houston area's big outdoor day is Lake Houston Wilderness Park, a City of Houston park three miles east of New Caney, off Highway 59. The city describes it as a forested expanse of nearly 5,000 acres.

It suits a group that wants a full day outside:

• Trails: more than 20 miles for hiking, trail running, mountain biking and horseback riding.
• Water: canoeing and kayaking are allowed on Peach and Caney Creeks and at Lake Dabney, but the park does not rent equipment, so bring your own. Swimming is allowed in Peach Creek at your own risk, with water shoes required.
• Fishing: allowed under park and Texas rules. Lake Dabney and Lake Isabel are catch-and-release.
• Group spaces: Pine Grove Hall holds up to 100 people, and there are several pavilions and canopies. For overnight groups, Lazy Creek Lodge sleeps up to 30 and Forest Cottage up to 20, with group campsites for up to 50.

Entry is $3 per person for ages 13 to 64, and children, seniors and military with ID are free. The park office is closed on Tuesday, day use ends at dusk, and alcohol is always prohibited. Pets must stay on a leash and cannot go into park buildings.

Main Street Humble and the Humble Museum

Main Street is where Humble's small-town side shows best. Visit Humble, a partner of the City of Humble, describes downtown as a hub of small businesses and cafes, and its directory lists boutiques, a bookstore venue, a camera shop and cafes along East Main Street, plus a farmers market on Main Street.

The Humble Museum is the best rainy or hot afternoon in town, and it is free. It lists hours of Wednesday to Friday 11 am to 6 pm, Saturday 10 am to 6 pm and Sunday noon to 4 pm, and it is closed Monday and Tuesday. Its plan-your-visit page does not mention group tours, so email or call ahead if you are bringing more than a dozen people.

The Charles Bender Performing Arts Center sits near the museum and hosts musicals and theater, according to the city. Check its schedule if your trip lines up with a show.

The city also runs an annual Christmas Parade of Lights on Main Street. Check the official site for this year's dates.

Deerbrook Mall and other easy plans

Deerbrook Mall is the simple answer when it rains or the teenagers want their own afternoon. The mall's site lists more than 130 shops and links to the AMC Deerbrook 24 for movies. It has expanded hours for the holidays, so check its hours page for your dates.

A mall works well for a big group because people can split up with no planning: teens to the shops, others to a movie, and everyone back at the food options at a set time.

Two other ideas from the City of Humble's Discover Humble page:

• Old MacDonald's Farm has a petting zoo, pony rides, train rides, a hay barn and a duck pond, with seasonal extras. Its site lists weekday hours of 10 AM to 4 PM and weekend hours of 10 AM to 5 PM, and it closes on December 31 and January 1. It has pages for birthday parties and field trips, so ask about group pricing.
• Humble SportsPlex is described by the city as home to the first foot golf and disc golf course in the Houston area, a cheap outing for a competitive group.

Places to eat with big tables

Feeding twelve to sixteen people works best with one rule: call ahead. Visit Humble's downtown directory lists cafes on Main Street such as Humble City Cafe and Conchas Bolillo Cafe, and its site also names Green Oaks Tavern, Lloyds Bar and Chez Nous. Many small downtown places cannot seat a big group at once without notice.

How to plan meals for a group in Humble:

1. Book one sit-down meal. Call a few days ahead, give a firm headcount, and ask if they can set one long table or two side by side.
2. Eat at off hours. A table for twelve is far easier at 11:15am or 2pm than at noon.
3. Ask about a set menu or one check. Some restaurants prefer it for large parties, and it speeds things up.
4. Picnic where it is allowed. At Mercer, use the designated picnic tables. At Lake Houston Wilderness Park, reserve a pavilion or canopy.
5. Cook at the house. The cheapest and calmest group meal is dinner at home. Our guide to things to do in Houston with a large group has more ideas for eating out across the city.

A sample day in Humble for a group of twelve

Example: a Saturday with eight adults and four kids.

The museum opens only from noon to 4 pm on Sunday and is closed Monday and Tuesday, so on those days swap it for Deerbrook Mall or a movie.

Where a big group stays

Our Houston House is in north Houston near Greenspoint, a short drive from IAH, which helps a group flying in from several cities. It has five bedrooms and three bathrooms for up to 16 guests, with six queen beds and three sofa beds, a game room, a hot tub, a BBQ grill and a covered patio for evening dinners.

Pets are welcome, up to 3 per stay with a $100 pet fee per stay, and service animals are always free. Remember that Mercer's garden does not allow pets other than service dogs, so plan a dog walk on the Arboretum side or leave pets at the house that morning.

See all our Houston homes and the area guide, our family reunion page, or the Houston family reunion planning guide if this trip is a reunion.

The bottom line

Humble gives a big group a full, low-cost day: Mercer Botanic Gardens in the morning, the free Humble Museum and Main Street in the afternoon, and Lake Houston Wilderness Park for a longer outdoor day. Check each venue's hours on its own site, call restaurants ahead for big tables, and plan at least one dinner at the house.