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No summer is quite complete until you've gone on an exciting road trip. However, before you hit the road with your friends or family, you want to make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape, so you won't have to worry about breakdowns. Fortunately, getting your car ready for a summer road trip is much easier than you might believe, especially when you choose the right maintenance tasks. more Here are a few tips for preparing your vehicle for your next summer road trip to ensure your adventure is fun and stress-free. Oil Change Oil changes are one of the most common, important car maintenance tasks. This is especially true when you're preparing for a road trip. If your oil is too dirty, it can cause a great deal of wear and tear on your engine, possibly leading to a lockdown if you neglect to change your oil before subjecting your engine to the added stress of a long road trip. If you've changed your oil recently, then you should at least check your oil levels, adding more engine oil if you find you're getting a little low. Making sure your oil is clean and at the proper level will help you avoid most road-trip breakdowns. Battery There's almost nothing more frustrating than returning from a road trip pit stop only to find your battery has died, which is what makes checking your battery such a crucial part of road trip preparation. First, you need to make sure your battery charging system is working correctly, including checking to see if your battery has a strong charge. Second, you need to examine your terminals to see if they are clean. If not, clean them with baking soda and water. Checking your battery before a road trip will make sure you're never stranded after being unable to start your vehicle. Tires Summer can be a difficult time of the year for your vehicle's tires. During extreme weather seasons, your tires will undergo a great deal of wear, reducing their tread and ability to provide you with the proper level of traction. Before any long road trip, you need to check the tread levels of your tire to make sure they are adequate for your trip. You should also consider having your tires rotated before your trip to make sure they wear evenly. Finally, check your tire pressure and compare the reading to your manufacturer's recommended level. Brake System When you're planning a road trip, you want to make sure you and your passengers will be safe until your journey is complete. It is for this reason you need to be certain that your braking system is in working order. In addition to making sure your brake fluid is at its proper level, you should have a service professional check your braking system. This can include examining the brake pads, rotors, and hoses. Making sure your brakes are working properly will make sure you have a safe, exciting road trip. Schedule these maintenance tasks before your road trip to avoid a vehicle breakdown in the middle of your vacation. This photo, “ Highway,” by Novica Nakov used under CC BY-SA 2.o. “ Highway” is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.o by Gay Family Kia.

There are a variety of features that go into making a high-quality vehicle. However, for modern car consumers, one of the most important factors is getting an advanced infotainment system. While there are several excellent infotainment systems available on the market today, the most exciting, feature-rich system is UVO eServices. This you can access by driving a Kia vehicle. more If you have been thinking about purchasing a Kia, it can be a good idea to learn more about UVO and the benefits of having access to this infotainment system. Read about the best features you'll find with UVO eServices and discover why you should choose a Kia vehicle. Entertainment When you hit the road in your vehicle, you want to be sure you'll be entertained the entire time you are in your car. If you value high-quality entertainment, then you are sure to love having UVO in your vehicle. UVO eServices provides a wide range of excellent entertainment features that make for the one-of-a-kind driving experience you deserve. For example, UVO provides an HD Radio system, so you can enjoy listening to crystal clear stations on both AM and FM. To access the best streaming music in the world, UVO is also available with Sirius XM Satellite Radio. Convenience Out of all the reasons you need to make sure your next vehicle comes equipped with an advanced infotainment system, the most important is having access to convenience features, which make your vehicle both fun and useful. Fortunately, when you have UVO eServices, you'll have a broad range of some of the best convenience features on the market today. To make sure you can always find your vehicle, UVO provides a Parking Minder feature. It saves your car's location to your smartphone and then guides you to your vehicle using your phone's GPS system. Connectivity In a modern car, it is important that you're always able to use your smartphone. Fortunately, UVO eServices includes several smartphone connectivity features you will love. UVO include Apple CarPlay and Android Auto, as well as both USB and auxiliary ports. Connecting your phone to your car is easier than ever before, thanks to UVO. Navigation If you are like many drivers, you want to make sure you always know where you're going and that you will reach your destination in a timely manner. Whether you're planning a long road trip or are just going around the corner, you'll be glad you have turn-by-turn navigation, thanks to UVO eServices. Using just your voice, you can find the best route for your trip with UVO Navigation. While you are on the road, UVO will notify you about Points of Interest, so you never miss a chance for fun and excitement. You can also review the details of your trip with a touch of a button, allowing you to examine your route and possible stops along the way. If you want one of the best infotainment systems available today, look for a Kia vehicle equipped with UVO eServices. This photo, “ 2016 Kia Sorento SXL AWD – UVO services & apps,” by Michael Sheehan used under CC BY 2.o. “ 2016 Kia Sorento SXL AWD – UVO services & apps” is licensed under CC BY 2.o by Gay Family Kia.

Gay family Kia is excited to announce our “Kittens and Kia” event happening on Saturday, July 29 from 11am-5pm in our Kia showroom! We have partnered with Bayou Animal Services, Animal Alliance of Galveston County, Ally, and Amoco Fedeal Credit Union to find much needed homes for puppies and kittens all over the Galveston County area. Stop by Gay Family Kia’s showroom and enjoy complimentary ice cream and of course, love and play time with your potential new fur baby! Adoptions for puppies and kittens are free along with free microchipping. We look forward to seeing everyone there!

When summer rolls around in Houston, you want to make sure your children's vacation is filled with memories. However, this can be difficult if you don't know about the best kid-friendly activities Houston has to offer. Fortunately, this exciting city provides several chances for recreation that are perfect for children of all ages, ensuring your summer months will be fun and exciting. more Read about a few of the best kid-friendly activities in Houston your family should be sure to visit this summer. The Art Car Museum If your children can't help but express their creativity, then you want a summertime activity that will inspire their artistic side. This is one of the best reasons to plan a visit to the Art Car Museum. The Art Car Museum is dedicated to showcasing contemporary artists you won't find in other museums. While their emphasis is on art cars, the Art Car Museum also features photographs, paintings, and other works of art. Spend an afternoon in the Art Car Museum and you and your children will be able to see some of the most exciting artwork Houston has to offer. Summer Reading Program While you want to be certain your child has fun during his or her vacation, you also want your child's summer months to be enriching. Fortunately, if you live in the Houston area, you have the option of enrolling your child in the summer reading program at the Fish Gallery. Taking place during July and August, the Fish Gallery's Summer Reading Program is the perfect chance to instill in your children a love of books that will last a lifetime. In addition to weekly story times, the Summer Reading Program includes crafts, touch tanks, fish feeding, and much more. Houston Shakespeare Festival At the end of the summer, it's important that your children have made memories that will last a lifetime. For this reason, consider attending the Houston Shakespeare Festival. Seeing Shakespeare's classic plays in an outdoor setting is an experience your children will never forget and is a great way to teach them the joys of the theater. Taking place July 28 through August 6 at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, the Houston Shakespeare Festival will feature performances of both "Richard III" and "Twelfth Night." Best of all, the event is free to the public. Free Museum Days If you're a newcomer to Houston, then you might be unaware that the city possesses a district dedicated entirely to history, art, and science museums. However, because visiting museums can be a little pricey, it can be easy to miss these important cultural institutions. Luckily, some of the most popular museums in the Houston Museum District offer free museum days. They provide the perfect opportunity for an educational, kid-friendly experience. Free museum days generally take place on Thursdays between 2 p.m. and 7 p.m., and they feature some of Houston's top museums, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Museum of Fine Arts. Take part in any of these kid-friendly Houston activities and you and your children are guaranteed to have a fun, memorable summer. This photo, “ FM 1,” by A Yee used under CC BY 2.o. “ FM 1” is licensed under CC BY 2.o by Gay Family Kia.

If you live in the Houston area, you can be sure of finding plenty of places to celebrate the Fourth of July in grand style. Dickinson, Texas may be a bit far from the city center, but it's still in easy driving distance of every festival and fireworks show you might want to attend. more Freedom Over Texas The most obvious celebration would have to be Freedom Over Texas, the Independence Day festival sponsored by the City of Houston itself. The festival kicks off at 4 p.m. and goes on until well after dark, and it features appearances by country stars and other live musicians, family games, rides, face painting, and a rest station for when you need to take a break. The fireworks display is as big as you'd expect from a major city, and it's set to music. Freedom Over Texas takes over the Eleanor Tinsley Park. Ticket prices depend on when you buy them but don't go over $10 at the gate. Summer Symphony Nights: Star-Spangled Salute! Around four miles away from Eleanor Tinsley Park is the Miller Outdoor Theatre located in Hermann Park. Every year, the Houston Symphony puts on a series of outdoor shows that are free to the public, and they always end it with the Star-Spangled Salute! show on July 4. Starting at 8:30 p.m., the symphony plays patriotic classics with a list that changes every year, but the night always ends with the 1812 Overture complete with cannon blasts and fireworks. Free theater seats are available from 10:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. the day of the event, but you can always sit on the hill behind the seats if you don't get a ticket. The Friendswood Celebration If you don't want to drive all the way to the Houston city center, Friendswood celebrates Independence Day in style with a big parade and daytime events starting at 10 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m. The nighttime celebration starts at 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Park and features live music right up until the fireworks display at 9:20 p.m. Attendance at both events is free, but you can get a $10 wristband for unlimited free rides or pay $15 for an all-day pass. Red, Hot, and Blue Festival If you feel like driving around Houston, the Red, Hot, and Blue Festival is how The Woodlands celebrates the Fourth. The festival opens at 6 p.m. in Town Green Park and Waterway Square, although if you get there by 9 a.m. you can watch The Woodlands' parade. The free festival offers good food, activities for kids, and several stages, but the big draw would have to be the 20-minute fireworks display that ends the night. It's not hard to have fun on Independence Day when you live in the greater Dallas area, and so the real hard choice is figuring out which of the many events you want to attend. Fortunately, July 4 comes every year, and so if you don't go to one celebration this year, you can always take a look next time. This photo, “ Fireworks,” by Amir Kbah used under CC BY-ND 2.0. “ Fireworks” is licensed under CC BY-ND 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.

From one end of its product line to the other, Kia has several entertainment systems to offer. Each offers upgraded features and extra functions over the next size down, and depending on the vehicle and the trim you buy, you can get a very different experience. more Basic Radio At the low end of Kia's compact car line, you can get a basic radio that picks up AM and FM stations and accepts CDs with regular audio or MP3 files. This radio also picks up satellite transmissions, and when you buy a new model, you get a three-month trial subscription to SiriusXM Radio. 4.3 and 5-Inch Touch Screen This upgrade changes the interface and gives you a simple touch screen that lets you switch stations, pick tracks, and change your presets without taking up a lot of room with buttons and dials. It also gives you access to a rearview camera and a basic version of UVO eServices, Kia's special operating system. On some models, the screen is 4.3 inches along the diagonal, but on others it goes up to a round 5 inches. eServices can interact with your Apple or Android phone directly when you download Kia's free app, and with it you can do things like find your car in a big parking lot, put your vehicle through a self-inspection and contact your favorite car shop for a service visit, and call 911 if the air bags deploy. 7-Inch Touch Screen Mid-level Kia models come with 7-inch screens for their infotainment systems, and the larger screen comes with an improved version of UVO that makes good use of the extra space. On new Kia vehicles, the current version of UVO also comes with full compatibility with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto. This means you can connect your smartphone to your Kia and use more apps through your vehicle than you could without these apps. 8-Inch Touch Screen This is the biggest infotainment display Kia has to offer, and it only comes on top-level trims and the most expensive models. Along with the features mentioned above, 8-inch screens also come with a navigation system you can set using voice commands. So long as you have a subscription to SiriusXM Traffic, this navigation system can also keep track of traffic jams and offer alternate routes that will get you there faster. These screens often come with premium Harman Kardon sound systems that add extra speakers to create a surround-sound experience, with the size of these systems varying based on vehicle. Depending on your price range, Kia offers entertainment systems that start with an inexpensive radio with MP3 and satellite radio compatibility and end with an eight-inch touch screen that's almost as big as the average tablet and comes packed with UVO eServices, smartphone apps and compatibility, voice commands, a navigation system, and even a set of premium speakers that can really change your listening experience. While you shouldn't decide on your car just for the entertainment system, it's definitely an important factor. This photo, “ DSC02902,” by pirhan used under CC BY-SA 2.0. “ DSC02902” is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.

If you decide to get a set of winter tires so you can get better traction on ice and snow, you don't have to get a set of summer tires to go with it. After all, almost every vehicle out there comes with all-season tires as standard equipment, and even if they aren't good enough for winter they can still work fine in the summer. So here's the question: what makes summer tires different, and what makes them better for summer driving than all-season tires? more The Purpose of Treads You can drive on perfectly flat, bald tires. In fact, under some conditions they offer better traction than tires with treads. That's because smooth tires put more rubber on the road than tires with grooves and lines cut into them, and that extra rubber means extra grip. However, there's a reason tire treads exist, and it's because of rain and snow. When the pavement is wet or there's a puddle in the road, your tires will hit the water before they hit the pavement. If you're going at around 35 mph, you may start to hydroplane, which means your tires will treat the water like a surface and start to slip. Treads channel the water away from your tires so they can reach the pavement and avoid the danger of hydroplaning. Summer Treads All-season tires need to keep winter and the snow and slush that comes with it in mind. Their treads aren't as thick or as deep as winter tires, but they do have some. Summer tires have treads too, but they aren't as deep as those of all-season tires. This means they have better grip in dry conditions but worse grip when it's snowy. However, that's not all that's different about summer tires. Summer Tires for Summer Performance Not only are summer tire treads smaller, they also use special tread patterns to improve traction. The tires also use a different kind of rubber that's a little more sticky to give them better traction but tends to wear down faster. Since summer tires don't worry about snow or ice, their tread patterns are especially good at dealing with rain. Summer tires really shine when you push your vehicle to its limits. Going at normal speeds and slowing down for curves is easy enough for all-season tires to handle, but summer tires help keep you stable at high speeds and grip the road even on sharp, high-speed corners. High speeds also heat up the surface of your tire, making it even more sticky and improving its grip by that much more. So to sum everything up, there's one simple question you need to ask yourself to find out whether you need summer tires or whether all-season tires will work out fine: how far do you push your vehicle in the summer? If you tend to go fast and you enjoy exploring the winding country roads in your area, then summer tires can help keep you safe. But if you don't demand a strong performance from your vehicle, all-season tires should do fine. This photo, “ Tread carefully !” by Craig Sunter used under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0. “ Tread carefully !” is licensed under CC BY-NC-ND 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.

As a barrier island near Houston, Galveston offers plenty of long and lovely beaches for residents and visitors like to enjoy. Whether you prefer busy beaches with plenty of people and facilities or more distant beaches where it's just you, the sand, and the waves, you can find a spot to enjoy near Galveston this summer. more East Beach East Beach is a long stretch of sand that includes most of the east end of the island. The beach is fully built up, with a boardwalk area, a pavilion and stage for live music and other special events, showers and restrooms, concessions, and rentals for beach chairs and umbrellas. Thanks to the nearby beach patrol, you can drink alcohol in non-glass containers on East Beach, which isn't true for any other Galveston beach. Walking to the beach is free, but parking costs between $10-$15 depending on the season. Crystal Beach Crystal Beach is across the strait from Galveston on the Bolivar Peninsula. As a resort community, Crystal Beach offers plenty of vacation rental homes and RV parks along with local restaurants and fishing shops with chartered boats. Something that sets this community apart from the rest of the Texas Gulf Coast is the fact that you can drive your truck or RV right onto the beach if you like, at least in the areas that allow RV parking. You should also check out the Point Bolivar Lighthouse while you're in the area. Matagorda Bay Nature Park Keep heading southwest of Galveston along the coast and you'll reach the Matagorda Bay Nature Park. The park takes up 1,600 acres and has a more natural feel to it, but it still has dozens of camping sites including spots where you can hook up an RV for water, electricity, and sewage. The park offers horseback riding and a large hall you can rent out for special occasions, and all kinds of bird species pass through the area on migrations, making it one of the best spots in the nation for birdwatching. Galveston Island State Park You don't have to drive for two hours to find a quiet beach when you start in Galveston. While the Galveston Island State Park has plenty of amenities, camp sites, and cabins, it skips the boardwalk and noisy music shows to preserve the natural state of the Gulf Coast environment. As a state park, you can fish from shore without a license on both the bay and ocean sides of the park, or you can bring your own sports equipment to go mountain biking, canoeing, or kayaking along the park's paved and paddling trails. From the classic built-up beaches that attract tourists by the thousands to the wild beaches that show that nature still has plenty to offer, Galveston and its surrounding communities have plenty of lovely beaches for visitors to enjoy. Whether you live in the area and can stop by every day or you're only in the neighborhood for a weekend or a summer vacation, you won't be disappointed by what you find. This photo, “ The Luther Hotel, Palacios, Texas 1706031132,” by Patrick Feller used under CC BY 2.0. “ The Luther Hotel, Palacios, Texas 1706031132” is licensed under CC BY 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.

As the weather starts to warm, you may find yourself looking for fun outdoor activities and spaces to explore. Luckily, there are tons of great outdoor options in and around Dickinson. Whether you live in the area, or you're just here for a visit, check out the best places to enjoy the outdoors. more Paul Hopkins Park Located at 1000 A FM 517 in Dickinson, Paul Hopkins Park is an 11-acre outdoor area for the community to enjoy. The park offers several amenities, including a picnic pavilion with 10 permanent tables, other picnic areas, a restroom, a pier, a playground, and a multipurpose trail. Take the kids to the park to get out and enjoy the beautiful day, or go by yourself and take a hike on the trail to calm your mind. Bring along a picnic lunch to make a day out of your outdoor adventure. Ray Holbrook Park Another great option for a day outside is Ray Holbrook Park. This park is located at 3000 Owens Drive in Dickinson, and it offers 33 acres of space to enjoy. While you're here, start a pickup game of softball on the softball fields, or watch a game already in progress. The picnic areas offer a comfortable place to eat, converse, and enjoy the weather. Take a walk around the park or find somewhere quiet and shaded to sit and read a book. Either way, you'll enjoy the calm, fun feeling of the park, and all it has to offer. Kemah Boardwalk If you're looking for something a little different, head about seven miles outside of Dickinson to Kemah Boardwalk, located at 215 Kipp Ave in Kemah. Here, you can enjoy the great outdoors as well as the thrill and adventure of an amusement park. Take a ride on the ferris wheel and see for miles, or get your heart pumping on the Boardwalk Tower. Kemah Boardwalk also offers special events, such as live music, festivals, and holiday get togethers for the community. If you're looking for something fun and unique to do, make sure to check out Kemah Boardwalk. Bayou Wildlife Park Only about 12 miles from Dickinson you'll find Bayou Wildlife Park at 5050 Fm 517 Rd in Alvin. The zoo is a family friendly option that offers outdoor fun and an educational experience all in one. The park is an open-range zoo, and it is one of only four zoos in the state. Tram rides allow you to see everything in the park, and last about 45 minutes. You'll see animals here that you won't find elsewhere in Texas, such as white rhinoceroses, camels, and Nile lechwe. Admission to the park is $20 for adults and $10 for children ages 2 through 11. Children under 2 are free. Finding something fun and interesting to do outside in the Dickinson area isn't difficult. Grab your family or friends and head out on an adventure today. Whether you're in the mood to learn something new, relax outside, or get your heart pumping, there's something for everyone outside in Dickinson. This photo, “’Boardwalk Bullet’ Roller Coast Kemah, Texas,” by Fred Miller used under CC BY-SA 2.0. “’Boardwalk Bullet’ Roller Coast Kemah, Texas” is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.

Proper car maintenance requires that you check your tire pressure regularly. Many newer cars offer a tire pressure monitoring system, but not all vehicles have this technology. It's important for your safety and for your vehicle that you ensure your tires are properly inflated. Underinflated tires can lead to extremely dangerous situations on the road. more Increased Wear One of the most common reasons you want to ensure that your tires are properly inflated is to cut down on increased wear. When your tires are underinflated, more of the surface area of the tire is in contact with the road at all times. This leads to more wear on the tires, and in many instances can lead to the tires wearing out significantly faster than normal. This increased wear also leads to a higher failure rate of the tire than expected. When a tire fails due to low tire pressure, accidents happen on the road. Longer Stopping Distances Another danger you have to consider with underinflated tires is the stopping distance of your vehicle. When a tire doesn't have enough air pressure, it creates more friction. This friction can make it more difficult to get the car to a complete stop. In fact, low tire pressure can cause dangerously long stopping distances, which in the long run leads to crashes. To ensure that you have the best stopping distance possible on your car, ensure that your brakes are in good condition and the tires are properly inflated. Reduced Handling Along with all the other problems you'll have when you drive with underinflated tires, you'll also have to deal with reduced handling of the vehicle. Your tires don't react quite the way they should when they don't have enough air in them. Because of this, you're not able to maneuver the car right. This can lead to problems when trying to employ defensive driving techniques, issues making tight turns, and more. Overall, the trouble you have handling your vehicle due to low tire pressure is a significant safety concern, not only for yourself and those in your vehicle, but also for those around you. Severe Weather Conditions In addition to all of the other safety issues that arise when you drive with underinflated tires, your chance of experiencing an accident during severe weather conditions is greatly increased when your tires aren't properly inflated. Poor handling, increased wear, and longer stopping distances all come together to a deadly point when you add in standing water or ice on the roads, which makes all of these aspects more dangerous in the first place. Keeping your tire pressure in a good range is important. Check your owner's manual to ensure that you have your tires properly inflated. Low tire pressure costs you more money at the pump since it affects gas mileage, and it can also be linked back to thousands of accidents a year. Taking proper care of your car helps keep you and those you love safe, so don't forget about your car's tire pressure. This photo, “ Kia K7 3.0 GDi,” by loubeat used under CC BY 2.0. “ Kia K7 3.0 GDi” is licensed under CC BY 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.

If you're in the market for a crossover this year, then check out the redesigned Kia Niro. This vehicle offers a stylish interior and exterior, outstanding features, and the power and performance you're looking for in your next vehicle. Find out what makes this reimagined crossover one of the best options out there today. more Engine and Motor When you choose the 2017 Kia Niro you're getting a 1.6-liter I4 16-valve DOHC full parallel hybrid system engine. The engine itself offers 104 horsepower and 109 pound-feet of torque. However, the AC Synchronous Permanent Magnet electric motor offers an additional 43 horsepower and 125 pound-feet of torque. The battery is a 240-volt, 1.56 kWh Lithium Ion Polymer battery. In addition to all of this, you'll get a dual clutch six-speed automatic transmission with Sportmatic, giving you a fun and comfortable drive every time you get behind the wheel. Exterior The exterior of the Niro is stylish and bold. You'll get a variety of standard exterior features to help improve your drive, as well as the look of the car. For example, the Niro comes standard with a glossy black radiator grille with chrome trim, a rear spoiler, and body-color power exterior mirrors. Additional features and options are available, depending on the trim level you choose. You can get roof rails, a power sunroof, and high-intensity discharge projector beam headlights. Select up to seven exterior paint colors to ensure that you get the perfect vehicle for you and your family. Interior Inside the Niro, you'll find comfortable seating and outstanding tech features. The six-speaker audio system features a 7-inch color touch screen display, and this system supports Android Auto, Apple Carplay, and a large number of apps. Bluetooth Wireless connectivity is standard on all trim levels, and you'll also get steering wheel-mounted controls. Stay comfortable with the dual-zone automatic temperature control and standard four-way adjustable driver's seat. Some trims offer 10-way adjustment on the driver's seat, with two-way lumbar support. Optional interior features include a heated steering wheel, heated and ventilated front seats, and push-button start with smart key and immobilizer. Safety and Security Because you need to be safe on the road, the 2017 Kia Niro offers outstanding safety features. You'll get dual front advanced airbags, traction and stability control, electronic brake-force distribution, hill start assist, and a high line tire-pressure monitoring system as standard features. The vehicle is made with your safety in mind, and includes side-impact door beams and front and rear crumple zones. If you're driving with children in the car, you'll love the rear child safety door locks and the LATCH system for child safety seats. Some optional safety features include rear cross traffic alert and smart cruise control. Whether you need a car for the family or a vehicle that gets you to and from work, the 2017 Kia Niro is a great option. You'll get everything you need and more. With EPA-estimated fuel economy of up to 52 miles per gallon in the city and 49 mpg on the highway, you'll quickly fall in love with the Niro. This photo, “ Kia Niro 2016,” by Karlis Dambrans used under CC BY 2.0. “ Kia Niro 2016” is licensed under CC BY 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.

The next time you get hungry, consider heading out for some amazing BBQ. Dickinson and the surrounding area offer outstanding BBQ joints to help satisfy your cravings. Whether you're in the mood for a lot of food, or you're hankering for the spiciest BBQ sauce you can find, check out these local spots for a delicious meal. more Dickinson BarBQue & Steakhouse Located at 2111 Fm 517 E in Dickinson, Dickinson BarBQue & Steakhouse is one of the favorites in the area. It is open Monday through Saturday 11 a.m. to 9 p.m. and Sunday 11 a.m. to 8 p.m. Choose from meats such as ham, chicken, pulled pork, brisket, or turkey breast. Steaks range in size from 7 oz. to 24 oz. Don't pass up on the appetizers, with options such as fried pickles, hand-battered onion rings, and gator tators. If you're not exactly in the mood for BBQ, consider the burgers or sandwiches. Red River Bar-B-Que Company Head about four miles outside of Dickinson for Red River Bar-B-Que Company. This restaurant is located at 1911 E. Main St. in League City. Start your meal with bar-b-cue nachos, fried mushrooms, jalapeno shrimp poppers, or smokin' wings. If you're in the mood for a light meal, consider the chopped brisket taco salad or the salad bar. Bar-b-que plates include pork ribs, sausage, brisket, or a meat combo. Don't forget your sides, which include cole slaw, Mom's Potato Salad, macaroni and cheese, and fried okra. There are daily specials, allowing you to try something new every time you visit. Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q At just over five miles from Dickinson, Rudy's Country Store and Bar-B-Q is a great option when you're in the mood for something amazing. Located at 21361 Gulf Fwy in Weber, this restaurant is open Sunday through Thursday 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Friday and Saturday 7 a.m. to 10:30 p.m. Come in for breakfast and grab brisket and egg, jalapeno sausage and egg, or bacon and egg breakfast tacos. For lunch and dinner, choose your meat, including options such as pork loin, jalapeno sausage, pulled pork, brisket, and spare ribs. Kat's Barbecue Head to 3805 FM 646 Rd N in Santa Fe for Kat's Barbecue. This is only about six miles from Dickinson and is a local favorite. You can get your meats by the pound, on sandwiches, or on plates. They offer kids' meals, including chopped beef or a grilled cheese sandwich. Try the Kat's Plate, which includes pulled pork, ribs, brisket, sausage, and your choice of three sides. Sides include mac and cheese, BBQ beans, potato salad, mac salad, and coleslaw. Another option for your meal is a baked potato with all the toppings. Finding delicious barbecue isn't difficult when you're in Texas. Head out to some of the best BBQ joints in the area, and find your new favorite today. Whether you're in the mood for classic BBQ or something a little different, you're sure to find something for everyone with the BBQ options around Dickinson. This photo, “ Pulled Pork Sandwich,” by Richard used under CC BY-SA 2.0. “ Pulled Pork Sandwich” is licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0 by Gay Family Kia.