Things to do in League City

Water Recreation

Bordered to the north by both Clear Creek and Clear Lake, and just minutes from Galveston Bay, water recreation opportunities abound in the League City area, and there are plenty of charter options that allow visitors to experience these sparkling bodies of water. Book a party boat on Clear Lake, plan a romantic evening on a yacht, sail away on a charming sailboat, or watch the Wednesday night sailboat races on Clear lake every week between April and October. Jet skiing and kayaking are also popular ways to explore Clear Lake. Check out the Water Recreation Guide to start planning your escape. 

Kayak on the Clear Creek Paddle Trail

League City’s Clear Creek Paddle Trail offers more than five miles of creek to explore and includes three kayak launches. The first launch is at Countryside Park, on League City’s west side. Launch here and experience a beautiful paddle along a somewhat narrow portion of Clear Creek. The scenery is breathtaking, with dense shrubs, trees, and subtropical plant life lining the creek banks. Wading birds, turtles, alligators, and other wildlife enjoy life along Clear Creek, so keep your eyes peeled for animal sightings. Pack some snacks and take a reenergizing lunch break at Challenger Seven Memorial Park. While not an official launch on the paddle trail, it has a place to pull in your kayak or canoe, along with picnic tables, playgrounds, beautiful trails, bench swings, and restrooms.

The second launch is located at Walter Hall Park. Paddlers can choose to paddle west or east along the trail. Heading east will bring you by alligator nesting habitats, a swallow nesting area beneath the Highway 3 overpass, and on toward Heritage Park—the third kayak launch along the paddle trail. Heritage Park is fun to explore, with a turtle pond, playground, and plenty of green space to spread out for a picnic or throw a football. If you don’t own a kayak of your own, schedule a rental, or even a guided tour, with Clear Creek Kayaks.

Birding

The Texas Gulf Coast is a birder’s paradise, and some of the best birding in all of Texas starts right here in League City, a hot spot on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail. League City is part of the Clear Lake Loop portion of the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, and is home to a host of birds who migrate here in fall and spring, and others who stay here year-round. Herons, egrets, roseate spoonbills, bald eagles, ibises, painted buntings, osprey, and hundreds of other birds can be found from viewing areas and bird blinds throughout the Clear Lake Loop. Grab your binoculars and enjoy exploring the varied habitats and nature centers in the area.

Stroll Through the Historic District

League City’s Historic District showcases our authentically Texan roots, distinct southern flair, and iconic live oak trees. Historic homes and wonderful buildings are scattered throughout the district, along with museums, gardens, parks, boutiques, and restaurants. The League City Historical Society offers a tour map brochure with stories of the district’s historic homes and landmarks.   Visit Founder’s Square for a fantastic boutique shopping experience, then walk across the street to League Park, one of League City’s crowning jewels and most recognized for its stunning 19th-century gazebo, gifted to the city by its namesake—J.C. League.

A short walk east will take you beneath the sprawling canopies of the city’s cherished century-old Butler oaks to Helen’s Garden, the most photographed spot in League City. Stop and smell the tropical flowers, relax with the sound of trickling waterfalls, and don’t forget to take a selfie in front of this gorgeous backdrop. Stop for a bite to eat at Main St. Bistro, a cozy restaurant that puts a modern twist on Creole, coastal, and Hispanic cuisine using French cooking techniques.

Other highlights not to be missed in the Historic District are the West Bay Common School Children’s Museum, League City Historical Society Barn Museum, and Butler’s Courtyard.

Explore the Trails

The lush subtropical plant life that thrives in League City also provides beautiful scenery along our trail system. The trails at Countryside Park meander near Clear Creek, with paved sidewalks that are also bike-friendly. Ned and Fay Dudney Nature Center spans 148 acres of undeveloped wetland habitat. As you walk the paved trails, take time to read the educational signage, and look for strategically placed bird blinds that provide a window into these pristine wildlife habitats. Armand Bayou Nature Center, one of the largest urban wilderness preserves in the nation, is only minutes from League City. With 370 animal species living throughout the preserve, it’s likely you will catch a glimpse of local wildlife including armadillos, alligators, river otters, and the two resident bison.

Shopping

League City’s boutique-shopping scene isn’t to be missed. With charming shops sprinkled throughout the city, you’ll discover hard-to-find treasures, locally crafted jewelry, gourmet food, and high-end clothing at every stop. Glass Mermaids offers a trove of nautical-themed home décor and gifts, while clothing boutiques like Adelaide’s, Ivory Boutique, Brave Boutique, and the Salted Hippie provide gorgeous clothing and plenty of other unique finds. Market Station and Texas Artisan offer a little bit of everything, including home décor, designer jewelry, seasonal pieces, and plenty of Texas-made items.

Visit the Kemah Boardwalk

A stone’s throw from League City, Kemah Boardwalk is a family-friendly amusement park overlooking Galveston Bay. Adults and children alike will have a blast experiencing the exciting games and amusements, including the Coolest Coaster on the Coast—The Boardwalk Bullet. Touch and feed live stingrays at Stingray Reef, or visit the Rainforest Exhibit to discover piranhas, snakes, tarantulas, and more. Get out on the water with a ride aboard the Boardwalk Fantasea Yacht, or for a more intense experience, try an exhilarating ride on the Boardwalk Beast speedboat. Watch your kiddos enjoy cooling off at the splash pad, dodging spouts of water, while you relax and have a snack or an ice-cold adult beverage.

Space Center Houston

Blast-off to the most visited international tourist attraction in Houston, just 10 minutes away from League City. Through interactive experiences, learn about the extraordinary future of space exploration, as well as its storied past. Globally known as the home of NASA Mission Control, International Space Station Mission Control, and astronaut training, visitors are invited to take a behind-the-scenes tour.

Marvel at the SpaceX Falcon 9 Rocket and the behemoth Saturn V Rocket at Rocket Park. Get an up-close look at some of the astounding artifacts that trace the history of space exploration, and peer into the meticulously restored Historic Mission Control. Explore a comprehensive collection of space suits used by men and women in space flight, and tour the inside of the Independence shuttle replica and the original NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft. Enjoy an interactive Mission Mars exhibit, sit in on NASA mission films and live presentations, and take a look inside the International Space Station Gallery.

Lone Star Flight Museum

Historic aviation enthusiasts can view iconic warbirds like the B-17 Flying Fortress, the P-47 Thunderbolt, and the F4U-5 Corsair up close and in person at the Lone Star Flight Museum. Two air-conditioned, 30,000 square-foot hangars house more than twenty immaculately restored aircraft, including many World War II birds as well as civilian planes. Explore the museum’s comprehensive collection of aviation history, including the history of flight in Texas, the power of military aviation, and the rise of civilian flight. Visitors can even schedule a flight in one of three World War II warbirds. The Aviation Learning Center inside the museum is geared toward young students and offers hands-on lessons through computer programs, innovative devices, and flight simulators. Just minutes from League City, the Lone Star Flight Museum provides an affordable, educational and exciting experience that appeals to all age groups. Be sure to pick up a souvenir in the museum’s gift shop to commemorate your visit.

San Jacinto Museum

The San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site was the location of the decisive 18-minute Battle of San Jacinto that secured Texas’s independence from Mexico in 1836. This 1,200-acre park is home to the San Jacinto Monument, which houses San Jacinto Museum of History. The monument stands 570 feet tall—the tallest masonry column in the world—and is topped with a 220-ton star. Explore the exhibits, art, and artifacts at the museum and hear the retelling of the road to Texas Independence at the Jesse H. Jones Theatre. Discover the origins of the Lone Star State and relive the pivotal battle that freed Texas and forever altered the course of global history.

Take an express elevator to the observation deck atop the towering San Jacinto Monument to get a panoramic view of the historic site and surrounding waterways, including the Houston Ship Channel. True Texas history enthusiasts will appreciate the Albert and Ethel Herzstein Library, available to visit by appointment. In it, guests can discover an abundant collection of rare books, manuscripts, and other historical materials. Located a half-hour from League City, San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site is a great day-trip destination for history buffs and families alike.