Angel Pines Safari

If you haven’t made the trip out to Hempstead for this place yet, you’re missing out. It’s a drive-thru safari where you’re genuinely close to the animals — llamas walking up to your car window, and yes, there’s apparently a baby kangaroo. Beyond the safari loop, there’s a petting zoo, pony rides, carriage rides, and enough shaded seating and picnic tables that you can actually settle in for a few hours without melting in the Texas heat. The walking path through the wooded area gives it a real outdoorsy feel, not that concrete-and-ticket-booth vibe you get at bigger attractions. For the price, it’s honestly one of the better half-day options in the area for families with kids of pretty much any age.