Houston Raceway – Area Bucket List

Houston Raceway in Baytown, Texas, is a fantastic venue that holds massive events on its professional-grade tracks. A premier destination since 1988, Houston Raceway brings plenty of visitors to the Baytown area.

While the track is right near Houston, fans won’t have to travel into the city to find things to do. Baytown has many attractions to offer! Below is a bucket list filled with destinations, most of which are less than 20 minutes from Houston Raceway.

The Barn Whiskey Bar

A trip to Texas wouldn’t be complete without kicking up your cowboy boots and having a drink at a country bar. The Barn Whiskey Bar, seven minutes from Houston Raceway, is the perfect place to do that. This modern, refurbished barn transports you back in time to a Wild West saloon. The Barn Whiskey Bar features an expansive choice of liquor on display behind the bar.

The Barn Whiskey Bar also hosts live music on their stage, which sits in front of a large mural of the Texas flag. This local watering hole is the perfect, casual place to enjoy a drink when visiting Houston Raceway.

Baytown Little Theater

Baytown Little Theater has been putting on family-friendly shows since it opened in 1961. This completely volunteer-run venue puts on famous shows such as Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat and Aladdin.

When you’re visiting Houston Raceway, check out Baytown Little Theater’s schedule and support this local nonprofit. You can catch a play fantastic just 14 minutes from Houston Raceway.

Art League of Baytown

In addition to live theater, there is a large art scene in Baytown. The Art League of Baytown is the central organization that supports local art by hosting classes and featuring a gallery. The building is 14 minutes from Houston Raceway and features local art inside and out.

The most outstanding part of Art League of Baytown is its Umbrella Alley, located right next to the building. Umbrellas of every color hang from strings up above, shading the entire walkway with color. Umbrella Alley is amazing to walk through on a sunny day.

After admiring Umbrella Alley, head into the gallery at Art League of Baytown. Community members have photographs, paintings, sculptures, and more on display, as the Art League regularly hosts art classes. This little gem is a great place to stop by, even if just to admire Umbrella Alley.

Brunson Theater

Brunson Theater, opened in 1949, is a great place to stop by for a photo op. Only the facade of this his old-fashioned theater remains, but it still looks like it did during its heyday. The most outstanding part of the theater is the large, vertical sign sticking out from the side of the building, reading “Brunson” in all capital letters.

For years there has been talk about refurbishing the theater and making it into a functioning venue once again. Until then, it’s a great local landmark to stop by when visiting Houston Raceway, which is only 15 minutes away.

Baytown Historical Museum

To get a deeper understanding of the area, visit Baytown Historical Museum. The museum is located inside of a historic building that once served as Baytown’s post office. Guests are greeted by museum volunteers before they stroll through and admire various artifacts. Baytown Historical Museum features items such as paintings, a Singer sewing machine, typewriters, a printing press, and vintage quilts.

This modest museum can be seen in a short amount of time and is completely free. Plus, it’s only a 16-minute drive from Houston Raceway. For these reasons, Baytown Historical Museum is definitely worth a visit when you’re in the area.

Pirates Bay Water Park

To cool off from the Texas heat, head over to Pirates Bay Water Park, located less than 20 minutes from Houston Raceway. This local attraction contains waterslides, a wave pool, a kids play area, and a lazy river. It’s smaller than other more major water parks, making it manageable for families. Guests can also bring in their own coolers filled with food and drinks, allowing for an entire day of water park fun. Pirates Bay Water Park gets filled up quickly, so make sure you make the trip over as early as possible.

Public Art

In addition to the Art League of Baytown, visitors can enjoy public murals and sculptures throughout the entire city. The closest mural to Houston Raceway is Cruisin W Texas Avenue, located 16 minutes away. The piece is painted on the side of the Bay Area Auto Gallery and features vintage cars parked outside a classic diner. Those familiar with the area will notice the Bunson theater sign shining in the background.

The Sterling Municipal Library, located 20 minutes from Houston Raceway, features two pieces of public art. The Boundless Knowledge sculpture is of an enormous book, created in honor of the library’s 50th anniversary. One side of the Sterling Municipal Library is Baytown’s first mural, Solitary Journey, which features a large bookcase and a snow globe of Baytown.

Another place to find public art is Baytown Nature Center, which is 20 minutes from Houston Raceway. In the center of the park’s Butterfly Garden is a bronze statue of a young girl on a pedestal, reaching her arms out into the air. Another interesting sculpture features a young boy fishing. This piece is carved from wood, and the artist has other similar sculptures throughout the park.

Visitors to Houston Raceway may believe that Houston is the only place in the area that features destinations and activities to enjoy. While Houston is a fantastic place, Baytown has many things to keep you occupied as well. Check out this hidden gem of a city after a visit to Houston Raceway.