Less than 4 hours from DFW, this bustling city just west of Houston is one of region’s most coveted suburbs for living—and living large. Recently, several of the most uniquely kid-friendly attractions have opened there, clustered around Katy Mills Mall, making for the coolest and easiest of family vacations within reach.
What to Do in Katy, Texas
Typhoon Jr.
At most water parks, it’s a struggle to find slides that our littlest kids are tall enough to ride. Not so here at Typhoon Jr., this mini water park inside the larger Typhoon Texas. Of its 10 kid-sized slides and attractions, several are miniature version of Typhoon’s signature ride—and they’re all specifically designed for children under 48 inches tall.
555 Katy Fort Bend Road, Katy; typhoontexas.com
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Slick City Action Park
Imagine a “waterless water park” and you get Slick City Action Park, an indoor slide park, open for its first summer ever in Katy. Kids as young as 4 can zip around the 11 slides, like the yellow launch slide that sends riders airborne before landing on a soft airbag. Plus, Slick City also offers go-karts, more fun that you would typically expect at a trampoline park—zip lines, a trapeze swing, and bouncy courts—and a soft play area for toddlers with their own with teeny tiny slides.
5000 Katy Mills Circle, Suite 743, Katy; slickcity.com/katy
Dig World
Dig World is the first and only attraction its kind—and a big step up from your typical touch-a-truck. This construction-themed amusement park has actual machinery and equipment that the kids can operate themselves. Hop in the driver’s seat of yellow excavators to operate claws that dig through dirt or pick up giant LEGO pieces, or steer utility vehicles around a track. Kids at least 32 inches tall can sit in their parent’s lap, and kids 48 inches tall can go solo. For the littlest kids, there’s more tactile fun like a sandbox and gem sluicing.
5000 Katy Mills Blvd., Suite 455, Katy; digworldtx.com
Where to Stay in Katy, Texas
Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West – Katy
When you’re ready to retreat from a long day of play, you’ll find all the family-friendly amenities you need at Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston West – Katy. Request adjoining rooms, each with a queen bed, and a connecting studio. All rooms have a mini fridge, microwave and coffee maker and a sink.
The breakfast buffet (kids will go for the French toast) with chef-made-to-order omelets is included with your stay. The indoor pool is open 7am–11pm (for those kids who want to go swimming at the crack of dawn) and—one of our favorite features—a complimentary shuttle will run you anywhere you need to go within a 5-mile radius.
16435 Katy Freeway, Houston; hilton.com
What to Eat in Katy, Texas
Jimmy Changas
Local Tex-Mex restaurant Jimmy Changas (a play on the dish “chimichangas”) is family favorite for several reasons: the happy little monkey mascot, the kids menu but most importantly for the amazing “Jimmy’s Jungle.” Let the kids play at this enclosed playground on the patio while you wait for a table and maximize their playtime by requesting a table on the covered patios in clear view of the playground and underneath the ceiling fans. And head inside anytime to make yourself a soft serve ice cream in a cone.
300 Westgreen Blvd., Katy; jimmychangas.com
Pleasant Pit Stops from DFW to Katy
The Buc-ee’s hype is 100% merited. Stop at the travel centers locations for the banana pudding, bronze beaver selfies and sparkling clean restrooms open 24/7; buc-ees.com
Don’t miss the 77-foot tall Sam Houston Statue towering among the pine trees. huntsvilletexas.com
Play an impromptu Wiffle ball game inside Magnolia Market in Waco. Closed Sundays. magnolia.com
Take a short detour to the drive-thru Aggieland Wild Animal Safari in Bryan to see and feed exotics. animalsafari.com
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Top image courtesy of Dig World
