Blake Walsh

15 Best Things to Do in Dickinson, TX

  • Published 2022/08/25

If you want to experience a little bit of everything Texas offers, Dickinson is the perfect place for you.

On the scenic Dickinson Bayou in Galveston County, Dickinson is situated halfway along Interstate 45 between Houston and Galveston.

Along Dickinson Bayou’s beaches, a community was founded in 1850, where Galveston, Houston, and Henderson Railroad began to stop at Dickinson by 1860.

In 1890, the city had a post office with the same name as it is known now.

It’s home to culture, recreation, shopping, and culinary options to suit practically every taste.

Dickinson gives its residents and visitors a warm lifestyle with a “small town feel.”

Below are the best things to do in Dickinson, Texas!

Take Your Kids to Paul Hopkins Park

Ducks at Paul Hopkins Park

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Located on FM-517, Paul Hopkins Park has a Splash Pad perfect for taking the kids on a hot day.

With a lot of space to run and play around, the park is an excellent place for kids of all ages.

It features a pond with ducks and geese, a playground, and a beautiful wooden bridge.

Visitors can ride a boat to explore the pond and look at the ducks and geese.

Birds, like cardinals, visit the park regularly, providing a fun diversion for birdwatchers.

Paul Hopkins Park is well-maintained and provides plenty of opportunities for recreation and relaxation.

Travel Back to the Dickinson Historic Railroad Depot

FM 517 East and Highway 3 are close to the Dickinson Historic Train Depot, which is situated next to the railroad lines.

Initially constructed in 1859, the Dickinson depot burned down in 1900, and George B. Stowe, a well-known Galveston architect, created and made a new depot in 1902.

Stowe’s design was more extravagant than the others on the line, with a red brick center furnace, twin half-moon doors, and a sunroom facing the rails.

It was thanks to the Weed N Wish Garden Club members who purchased Dickinson Historic Railroad Depot and refurbished, preserved, and restored the Dickinson Station so that it might serve as a museum and community center for the neighborhood.

Today, the Dickinson Historic Railroad Depot is a museum that displays artifacts from the city’s railroad history.

Spend a Day in Ray Holbrook Park

Like many other states, Texas is well-known for its tranquil green spaces, and Ray Holbrook Park is one such place.

It is located on Owens Drive and offers scenic views, picnic areas, and a playground.

Visitors can take some time to unwind and rest.

You can also bond with your friends, sunbathe, meet new people, breathe in the flowers, read a novel, partake in festivities, or schedule a date during your leisure time.

With benches and lots of green space, Ray Holbrook Park is a terrific place to go with your family or friends.

Pick Peaches with Your Kids at Fruits ‘N Such Orchard

Located on Avenue U, Fruits ‘N Such Orchard is best known for its peach picking and has many other activities.

Children will love this place, where they can explore, play, and learn while picking fruit.

The orchard is also a working farm, with other fruits and vegetables available for picking depending on the season.

In addition to peach picking, visitors can also enjoy getting to know farm animals, such as roosters, chickens, goats, and a rabbit.

Fruits ‘N Such Orchard also grows cucumbers, berries, and an organic herb garden with lemongrass and edible flowers.

Once you have picked your fruits, you can eat at the picnic tables or take your food.

Fall in Love with the Dickinson Festival of Lights

With approximately two million Christmas lights, the Dickinson Festival of Lights is a free event that takes place in Paul Hopkins Park.

It’s one of the most popular annual events in Dickinson, held every December.

The event features various displays and includes Santa Claus, vendors, a free shuttle service, and more.

Two neighbors, John Montgomery and Robert Morgan, had the concept for the Dickinson Festival of Lights in 1998.

Soon after, the first images started to take shape, and these were quickly translated into steel objects that were then covered with lights, giving rise to some of the exact displays you see at the festival today.

To meet its expanding popularity and provide space for new displays, the Dickinson Festival of Lights was moved to Paul Hopkins Park in 2003.

It had 100,000 lights at its start and covered the triangle of land where the Gazebo is at Highway 3 and 44th Street.

The purpose of John and Robert’s event was to bring holiday cheer into people’s lives while still being family-friendly.

Enjoy Go-Karting at Bay Area Raceway

Bay Area Raceway is a well-liked family entertainment venue on Gulf Freeway.

It offers vintage and cutting-edge technology with its vast selection of arcade and redemption games.

Its main attraction is one of the biggest race tracks in the state that has undergone a thorough rebuild.

Check out Bay Area Raceway’s Go-Karts to compete against your friends and family.

After dominating your opponents on the track, prepare for the continuous zombie invasion in the raceway’s enormous, two-story laser tag arena.

This arena is full of interactive props, sound effects, and state-of-the-art lighting to create an immersive experience.

Taste Craft Beer at Galveston Bay Brewing

Located on FM-3436, Independent craft brewery Galveston Bay Brewing features a recently extended patio area and a taproom with air conditioning.

With more than 12 beers on tap, fresh styles are constantly rotated for your enjoyment.

Floyd Seafood joined the brewery in 2020 and now offers a Cajun menu coupled with GBB Beers.

Pick from an expanding range of gumbo, sliders with boudin, and other dishes.

Galveston Bay Brewing is family- and pet-friendly, so bring the whole crew to enjoy a pint.

Enjoy the Outdoors at Long Term RV Park

Long Term RV Park, situated along FM-646, is open all year and is a great place to spend the day with friends and family.

With plenty of room to run around, it’s perfect for people of all ages.

The RV park contains 16 sites with amenities, including dumping, propane, restrooms, laundry, and showers.

It features a sports field for those who are more athletic.

Long Term RV Park allows pets, so bring your furry friend along for fun.

Win a Game of Golf at Beacon Lakes Golf Club

The 18-hole, lighted championship facility at Beacon Lakes Golf Club is conveniently located 20 miles from Downtown Houston and roughly the same distance from Galveston.

The Par 72, 6,777-yard course is best described as entertaining yet challenging.

Its practice range is made of grass, and the specified hitting area is regularly changed so golfers can enjoy plenty of healthy grass.

The driving range at Beacon Lakes Golf Club is lit and open until late.

Additionally illuminated for nighttime practice are the chipping green and putting greens.

The golf club also features a snack bar, a pro shop, and a cart barn.

Beacon Lakes Golf Club is located on FM-646.

Spend a Quiet Afternoon at Dickinson Public Library

Located on TX-3, Dickinson Public Library offers unrestricted access to knowledge so the community can become more informed.

It has a wide variety of books, magazines, newspapers, and other materials available for checkout.

The library provides its users with various services such as interlibrary loans, scanning, faxing, and printing.

Visitors also have access to wifi and study areas, as Dickinson Public Library strives to create an environment conducive to learning and self-improvement.

It is a great place to spend a quiet afternoon immersed in a book or take advantage of the library’s other resources.

Other Things to Do Nearby

Dickinson is a paradise, yet, there are also scenic places nearby.

Discover the Kemah Boardwalk

Horse carriage at Kemah Boardwalk

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Everyone can have fun on the Kemah Boardwalk, which is only 16 minutes away from Dickinson.

It’s home to fantastic waterfront eateries, amusements, quaint shops, festivals, and daily seaside shows.

Rollercoaster ride at Kemah Boardwalk

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Visitors can try the Boardwalk Beast, where you will enjoy a thrilling 25-minute ride on Galveston Bay while traveling up to 40 miles per hour.

You will experience wind, music, and entertainment while on your boat.

The phrase “the Beast has released” roars across the air!

You’ll be drenched in sweat when you ride this one-of-a-kind wood coaster, as the Boardwalk Bullet boasts 42 total track crossovers, the most ever incorporated into a wooden coaster.

Restaurants at Kemah Boardwalk

Ritu Manoj Jethani / Shutterstock.com

Visit Stingray Reef to feel the thrill of being able to pet and feed a live stingray and learn more about these deep-water inhabitants up close; their unique touch tanks provide you with a first-hand encounter you won’t soon forget!

Along the way, see piranhas, snakes, scorpions, tarantulas, turtles, and much more in the Kemah Boardwalk’s rainforest exhibit.

Water fun game at Kemah Boardwalk

Dean Dyess / Shutterstock.com

Get up Close and Personal with the Animals at Bayou Wildlife Zoo

Explore Bayou Wildlife Zoo and experience a comfortable tram ride while learning from a knowledgeable guide.

You will travel across 80 acres at the zoo, where professional docents will inform you about creatures worldwide.

Three different attractions are available at Bayou Wildlife Zoo: the 80-acre tram ride, Addie Lou’s Barnyard, and the large red barn.

Alligators, kangaroos, and other animals are displayed around you as you go between the various places!

Bring your lunch if you’d like to eat in their covered picnic area, as the picnic area has several lawn games for your amusement.

Bayou Wildlife Zoo is located in Alvin, just 16 minutes away from Dickinson.

Bond with Your Family at Texas Entertainment Xperience

Texas Entertainment Xperience is an amusement center in Texas City, just eight minutes from Dickinson.

This 160,000-square-foot space is over two football fields long and action-packed with attractions everyone in the family can enjoy.

It has something for every family member, including go-karts, virtual reality games, a skating rink, an arcade, and mini bowling alleys.

Texas Entertainment Xperience also has a restaurant and bar so you can relax and refuel after a day of fun.

This is where you can enjoy and spend a day with the family or host a private event.

Browse through the Exhibits of Space Center Houston

Exterior of Space Center Houston

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Space Center Houston is the best realistic and comprehensive learning facility for science and space exploration.

This attraction allows visitors to participate in NASA’s mission and offers programs to inspire the next generation of space explorers.

Interior of Space Center Houston

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A range of age-appropriate instructional camp experiences is available here.

Your kids will learn about space exploration while participating in STEM-related activities.

Campers engage in cutting-edge science fairs, partake in interactive activities with a space theme, and see all that Space Center Houston offers.

Exhibit in Space Center Houston

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Throw Your Worries Away at Axe Masters Texas

Axe Masters Texas offers the greater Houston and Galveston regions a distinctive and thrilling experience.

This place is your go-to location for entertaining and axe-throwing competitions.

Axe Masters Texas provides top-notch entertainment at a great price, whether you’re an expert axe thrower or a novice.

The game den offers a welcoming setting where you may spend time with your friends and family or organize parties.

This recreation center is located in League City, at least 13 minutes from Dickinson.

Final Thoughts

These are the best things to do in Dickinson, Texas, as the city has a lot to offer in terms of entertainment and culture.

It’s also a great place to visit if you’re interested in exploring the outdoors or participating in some adrenaline-pumping activities.

Whatever your interests may be, Dickinson is sure to have something that will appeal to you.

So, what are you waiting for?

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