Houston is nothing wanting wonderful. The southern metropolis is likely one of the greatest locations to go to in the USA, thanks to its plethora of sights and infectious cosmopolitan type. Historic buildings, cultural facilities, artwork museums, and inexperienced house – Houston ticks so many containers. It can be iconically nicknamed ‘space city’ and is residence to the NASA Johnson Space Center. There are tons of enjoyable issues to do in Houston.
Top Things to Do in Houston
Visiting Houston is a assured journey. As the fourth largest metropolis in the USA, it has a number of the most numerous neighborhoods and funky leisure scenes. When it comes to issues to do in Houston, a world-class itinerary awaits you. We’ve managed to whittle it down to the highest 25 issues to do in Houston – try these show-stopping sights.
1. NASA Johnson Space Center Houston
NASA Johnson Space Center is the Houston icon. NASA Johnson is the place US astronauts undertake their coaching, and it’s the residence of Mission Control. Aka, NASA is the bottom of US house exploration. Whether you’re a house fanatic or have simply watched many films, the Space Center is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Houston.
Next to the NASA house middle, Space Center Houston is a nonprofit museum and official customer middle for NASA. Spacer Center Houston is the place you possibly can be taught extra about how astronauts are educated and all issues house. It is a good itinerary addition with everlasting reveals, interactive reveals, and naturally, a present store.
You will want a timed entry ticket which you should buy right here earlier than visiting. Or if you’re planning on seeing plenty of completely different museums and sights the Houston CityPASS is certainly value it. Check out costs right here.
2. Cockrell Butterfly Center
Cockrell Butterfly Center is likely one of the most immersive issues to do in Houston. In an enormous glass constructing in Houston’s Museum District, the Butterfly Center has lots of of butterflies residing in a tropical greenhouse-style habitat.
The huge middle is massive sufficient to match numerous full-size timber and options waterfalls and ponds. Not solely is it a wonderful indoor backyard house, however it is usually an exquisite setting to see the myriad of butterflies.
Cockrell Butterfly Center is adjoining the Houston Museum of Natural Science. However, it’s such an iconic attraction in Houston that we had to give it its personal part. Besides, you e book entrance tickets individually anyway.
The middle is a wonderful attraction in Houston, and the additional exhibit halls in Brown Hall on the finish make it an academic time out.
3. Houston Museum of Natural Science
Houston Museum of Natural Science is worthy of a whole day out of your itinerary. We love how immersive and fascinating it’s – it was assured a spot on our record from the beginning. The museum isn’t simply stuffed with reveals.
It has cinema-style leisure with movies on subjects starting from Tutankhamun to astrology. Houston Museum of Natural Science can be residence to Burke Baker Planetarium, which is becoming contemplating Houston’s nickname of house metropolis.
Regarding museums in Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science is definitely in the highest three. Check out the schedule earlier than visiting as a result of there’s a lot on. This museum is continually throwing out new reveals, occasions, and sights. It is a good suggestion to get your tickets earlier than you go so that you don’t have to stand in line.
4. Art Car Museum
Art Car Museum is likely one of the extra uncommon issues to do in Houston. The personal museum is a up to date artwork enterprise. It shows a spread of classic vehicles decked out in decorations by lesser-known or up-and-coming artists. Art Car Museum is absolutely one-of-a-kind. If you need one thing novel to do in Houston, it’s a enjoyable addition to your keep.
The museum doesn’t simply stick to native artists; you possibly can view ‘car art’ from a broad vary of worldwide artists. Car fans put together to shudder at utilizing such traditional vehicles as a canvas. But artwork fans (or anybody with an open thoughts) will recognize the creativity of the reveals.
5. Chinatown
Houston’s Chinatown is the final word spot for embracing Indochinese tradition. We recommend doing the traditional meals crawl expertise. Chinatown has a Hong Kong Food Market – you possibly can choose up some staples when you have booked self-catered lodging.
It additionally has a ton of good eating places. You may deal with your self to some scrumptious dim sum, a heaped plate of prawn chow mein, or aromatic duck meat.
Chinatown is in Houston’s western suburbs, close to a group of golf golf equipment and under Bear Creek Pioneers Park. It is only a 20-minute drive from town middle or an hour on public transport. Don’t simply go to for meals, both.
Houston’s Chinatown provides a implausible vary of low cost outlets with electronics and jewellery on Harwin Drive. While for a extra academic expertise, you possibly can take an Asian heritage tour from the Chinese Community Center.
6. Galveston Island State Park
It isn’t any secret that Texas has a number of the most unimaginable seashores. And in Galveston Island State Park, its 2,000 acres comprise attractive seashores related by a community of mountaineering trails and wildlife alongside the best way. Spending a day on the state park is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Houston. Galveston is sort of a seashore day with a twist.
There are loads of actions while you aren’t kicking again on a distant seashore. Galveston has good circumstances for kayaking adventures, and its coastlines are lined by scenic boardwalks which are nice for birdwatching. Visiting this park is definitely one of the vital enjoyable issues to do if you’d like to get out of town.
7. Buffalo Bayou Park
Buffalo Bayou Park is gorgeous. The city park spans 160 acres of manicured grounds and is famed for its view of the Houston skyline. The skyscrapers peeking up from behind the timber is truthfully postcard worthy – or at the least, a must-snap to your Instagram. Visiting Buffalo Bayou Park is likely one of the most scenic issues to do in Houston.
The park will get its identify from the Buffalo Bayou, a gradual physique of water that’s considerably midway behind a waterway and river. The lazy water runs straight by way of the center of Buffalo Bayou Park, which is legendary for watersports.
8. Houston City Hall
Houston City Hall is a tall, white tower of a constructing. It is town of Houston’s authorities headquarters and the hub of all issues political. Architecturally, Houston City Hall is attention-grabbing to cease by and take a look at. The most hanging options are the trademark Texas Cordova limestone and the elegant reflective pool in entrance.
One of probably the most political issues to do in Houston is to tour the inside of Houston City Hall. Amazingly, excursions are free when booked by way of the official web site. They run on weekdays and whisk guests by way of the council chambers and places of work. A tour is probably the most participating means to expertise Houston City Hall. And by heading inside, you get an in-depth and uncommon perception into the background of the political scene.
9. Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts is one in every of Houston’s most achieved sights. This colossal museum shows beautiful high quality artwork from historic to modern durations. Rather than simply everlasting reveals, the museum all the time has a recent rotation of high quality arts reveals – together with items in distinctive, futuristic settings like rainbow gentle tunnels. The Museum of Fine Arts is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Houston.
Located in the Houston Museum District, Art lovers will recognize range and creativity. Even those that consider galleries are dusty and might be discovered anyplace will love Houston’s Fine Arts Museum. The museum has a powerful character and plenty to add to an ongoing inventive dialog. If you’re actually into museums then we propose grabbing the Museum Pass which will get you into all the good museums together with this one.
10. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Attending Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Houston. The occasion runs yearly from late February into early March. It claims to be the world’s largest of its form, and one factor is for certain – you’re assured a very good present.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo have the whole lot from traditional rodeo occasions like bareback driving and roping to shopping for alternatives in auctions and gross sales. Because of the vary of the occasion, it attracts a blended crowd. So be ready to rub shoulders with all kinds of holiday makers. To embrace the Texan cowboy and cowgirl spirit, mark it in your calendar.
11. Memorial Park
Memorial Park is the biggest park in Houston. Houston’s memorial park is a staggering 1,500 acres – almost 2 instances the scale of Central Park in New York. The park was devoted to the troopers of World War I and opened to the general public in 1925. Visitors can take pleasure in a mixture of strolling, operating, and biking trails.
Memorial Park can be stuffed with wildlife. You can spot doves, snakes, and turtles, simply to identify a couple of. The park is a beloved nature reserve in Houston.
Memorial Park is likely one of the most traditional issues to do in Houston. If you need a big park to discover whereas paying your respects to the troopers of World War I, observe this attraction down.
12. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is a group of American ornamental arts and work. Most impressively, it’s located in the previous residence of Ima Hogg – a famend philanthropist and former civic chief. Ima’s home makes the proper setting for this assortment of high quality artwork.
The residence resides on 14 acres of pristine gardens. It opens its doorways all yr spherical to guests wanting to expertise high quality artwork in a personal, home setting.
The historic and personal setting baggage Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens a spot on our suggestions of issues to do in Houston. The museum has a singular setting splendid for artwork fans trying to expertise a barely completely different gallery type.
13. Health Museum
The Health Museum is likely one of the most fascinating (and area of interest) scientific issues to do in Houston. The museum is totally devoted to well being and the human physique. From a Living Icons photograph exhibit devoted to lots of of Houston’s COVID-19 victims to a bicycle you pedal to see how laborious the center works, the Health Museum works laborious to immerse its guests. The museum doesn’t simply characteristic reveals; it has a 4D and 3D theater to watch the most recent science and health-related films.
The Health Museum is definitely one in every of our high suggestions. Whether you’re 5 or 50, the creativity behind the museum’s reveals and structure makes it a captivating place.
14. Graffiti Park
This attraction is one for the skater crowd and artwork fans. Anyone who loves snapping pictures must also have an interest as a result of the art work at Graffiti Park is awe-inspiring. Iconic in some circumstances.
Graffiti Park is situated south of Houston City Center – straightforward to attain by automotive or public transport. The graffiti covers a couple of blocks, so visiting isn’t massively time-consuming. Allow at the least an hour, maybe a little bit longer, if you’d like to become involved with the artwork or extra severe images. Check out this Instagram Tour that takes you to all one of the best spots.
15. The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is a hub for drama and all lovers of the stage. The Hobby Center boasts two theaters and a three-story foyer with views of the Houston skyline.
In quick, it’s a lovely setting for a chic night watching a performing arts present. The gown code is enterprise informal – which might embody cocktail clothes and normally fits.
If you’re keen on dwell music and performing, try the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts schedule. Tickets promote out in advance. But if you’re organized, you’ll haven’t any points; even final minute, you may get fortunate. Past and present exhibits embody Moulin Rouge, Treasure of the East, and Legally Blonde.
16. San Jacinto Monument
The San Jacinto Monument is a dramatic 567-foot column in the Houston Ship Channel. A 220-ton star sits atop the colossal construction as a commemoration of the Battle of San Jacinto. History buffs will probably already know that the Battle of San Jacinto was a turning level in the Texas Revolution.
And the San Jacinto Monument honors those that fought for Texan independence. Plus, it’s the world’s tallest battle memorial, if all that wasn’t sufficient for you.
You can journey the elevator to the statement tower on the high of the monument. Tickets are extraordinarily cheap as properly, at underneath $10. The San Jacinto Monument is a captivating place to go to and ideal for these in US historical past.
17. Miller Outdoor Theatre
Ready for one more performing arts attraction? Catching a efficiency at Miller Outdoor Theatre is likely one of the most entertaining issues to do in Houston. Unlike the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, its draw is the truth that it’s outside.
Located on 7.5 acres in the nook of Hermann Park, the theater has rows of seats underneath a tent-style cover. But most individuals simply seize a spot on the encompassing grass. If you go to in the summer time, verify the schedule and convey some film snacks for a singular take in your normal theater expertise.
18. Discovery Green
Discovery Green is an thrilling attraction in Houston. It most accurately fits households and youngsters and incorporates completely different actions and miniature sights. The 12-acre park has a placing inexperienced, artwork installations, and numerous scenic gardens – together with the Allen Family Rose Garden. Entering Discovery Green is free. And on a heat day, you possibly can simply spend all day there rotating between its completely different mini sights.
19. Children’s Museum Houston
The Children’s Museum Houston is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Houston for household enjoyable. The museum incorporates interactive reveals focusing on youngsters’s improvement phases and key pursuits.
Like many others throughout the US, the Houston Children’s Museum is an ideal indoor time out. Parents can calm down understanding they’re taking their children someplace academic, but children love the expertise. It is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Houston for younger guests.
The Children’s Museum Houston reveals embody the EcoStation, Cyberchase, Challenge Course, and Power Science Lab. The reveals are so participating it will likely be enjoyable for the dad and mom to watch their tots play too.
20. Watch a Baseball Game at Minute Maid Park
Watching a sport of baseball at Minute Maid Park is an absolute should. Baseball fan or not, the Houston Astros are a number one staff in the baseball Major League. And there isn’t any higher means to expertise a metropolis’s neighborhood than to attend a house sport.
Booking a ticket to watch the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park may want some ahead planning. If you’re eager on watching a sport at Minute Maid Park, we propose reserving your journey to Houston across the dates you purchase tickets. The very last thing you need is to miss out as a result of the sport has bought out. Baseball is widespread. What can we are saying?
21. Sam Houston Park
Sam Houston is a wonderful city park in the middle of Downtown Houston. It is meant to be a type of oasis amongst skyscrapers and options many fountains and ornate bridges.
If you’re downtown, we propose grabbing a takeout espresso and having a stroll. Sam Houston Park is likely one of the greatest locations in Houston for skyscraper views. So bonus factors for those who go to for dawn and sundown when the buildings look much more beautiful.
22. Market Square Park
Market Square Park is a wonderful public house that thrives after darkish. From out of doors films to an open-air Greek restaurant, it’s a place to come collectively and socialize in Houston. With a Downtown and quirky vibe, it’s the good addition to an inventory of enjoyable issues to do in Houston. It is tough not to love the fairy lights aesthetic – particularly on a heat summer time night time.
Don’t overlook meals vans as properly; Niko Niko’s does one of the best gyros. Grab a gyro and sit out on the grass underneath the lights. Market Square Park is a superb attraction for individuals who need to calm down in Houston. It can be splendid for getting off the standard vacationer monitor.
23. Waterwall
The Waterwall is likely one of the most intriguing issues to do in Houston. Put merely, it’s a cascade of water that falls artificially from a large landmark. It is situated inside Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park – a small park west of town middle.
The ‘wall’ is a towering curve and an attention-grabbing piece of structure. The actual novelty comes from the splash of the waterfall, although, estimated to drop 11,000 gallons per minute.
The Waterwall is a wonderful cease to your itinerary for those who love photograph alternatives. It can be lower than a 10-minute drive from Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, so it’s undoubtedly well-combined.
24. Hermann Park
Hermann Park is subsequent to Houston City Hall, so observe down this attraction for those who had been tempted by the City Hall excursions earlier. So why does Hermann Park deserve a separate point out? The 445-acre park encompasses operating tracks, a canine park, a Japanese backyard, and a cute little child’s prepare journey.
But most impressively, it was the primary public park in Houston. Historically, it was a momentous addition to town’s relationship with inexperienced areas. And it stays an iconic attraction at present.
Hermann Park is open from 6 am till 11 pm, so you possibly can simply issue in a go to. We advocate planning an early morning go to to keep away from the crowds and warmth. As a fast aspect observe, we don’t advocate venturing into Houston Zoo, situated in Hermann Park. Keep your animal interactions moral by investing in wild conservation moderately than animals in captivity.
25. Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is likely one of the greatest out of doors issues to do in Houston. It is the whole image of tranquility. The nature middle spans 155 acres, which guests take pleasure in on a community of 5 miles of mountaineering trails. Houston Arboretum additionally runs common occasions and workshops – so it’s value maintaining a tally of the upcoming schedule.
As far as scenic locations go in Houston, the arboretum charges extremely. The combination of picket boardwalks by way of wetlands and forest tracks is peaceable to discover. And because it opens at 7 am every day, you possibly can simply squeeze in a stroll earlier than you begin hardcore sightseeing.
How to Get to Houston
Houston is extremely well-connected, and the best means to get to Houston is to fly. There isn’t only one Houston Airport both. You can fly into George Bush Intercontinental Airport or William P. Hobby Airport. Hoston is related to lots of of locations worldwide, with direct flights to many worldwide locations and home spots. Grab your switch into town right here.
The most cost-effective means to get to Houston is by Amtrak prepare. Amtrak connects Houston to cities like Los Angeles and New Orleans – so think about reaching town by rail if you’d like to avoid wasting bucks and take the scenic route. Train journey is healthier for the setting as properly. While for those who aren’t touring from someplace related to Houston by Amtrak, it’s value touring by bus or a coach service like Greyhound.
If you will have a little bit longer, you may plan a street journey. The deep south is a traditional street journey, and you may mix Houston with locations like Nashville by sticking to the East aspect. Otherwise, set off from the west and cease by locations like Las Vegas, Denver, Grand Canyon National Park, and Grand Mesa.
Getting Around Houston
Houston is a giant metropolis however a breeze to get round utilizing public transport. The METRORail hyperlinks Downtown Houston with town middle. If you go to sights in the Museum District, Theater District, Downtown area, or NRG Park – chances are high you’ll be catching the prepare. As of 2023, you should buy day passes for $3 a day.
The METRO additionally provides bus service in Houston. This is a combination of connections round residential neighborhoods and a park-and-ride system. If you’re staying on the outskirts of town middle in quieter neighborhoods in the Houston space, the bus service is a implausible choice.
Finally, hiring a automotive is the best choice to get round Houston for guests planning day journeys. Decide whether or not you need to discover outer metropolis sights like Galveston Island State Park and Sam Houston Park. If you do, hiring a automotive is a superb means ahead. Otherwise, stick to public transport and taxis if you’d like to keep across the metropolis middle.
Best Time to Visit Houston
March to May is the official shoulder season for visiting Houston. As basic steering, you must intention for these durations to keep away from the loopy crowds that Houston attracts from July to September. You will discover the most affordable lodging and probably the most peaceable expertise throughout this era.
The temperature continues to be delicate in this era however with out the humidity and the irritation of swatting off mosquitos all through the day. Spring can be lovely for mountaineering in the close by inexperienced house – deliver a high-quality digital camera to seize all of the wildflowers bursting into coloration.
Where to Stay in Houston
It isn’t simply issues to do in Houston that you just want to resolve on; the place will you keep? These are the highest locations to keep in Houston for every finances degree.
Budget: Wanderstay Houston Hostel
Wanderstay Houston Hostel is a superb budget-friendly base in Houston’s Museum District. Guests get entry to a shared kitchen and lounge – good for a homely setting and saving cash on consuming out.
Mid-Range: Courtyard by Marriott Houston by the Galleria
Courtyard by Marriott Houston by the Galleria is a implausible mid-range choice simply west of town middle. It has all of the snug luxuries, together with an indoor swimming pool, scorching tub, and gymnasium.
Luxury: Hyatt Regency
Hyatt Regency Houston is a part of the well-respected Hyatt chain. Situated in the center of Downtown Houston, this lodge is most well-known for its rotating eating room – which has beautiful views of town skyline. It additionally encompasses a heated out of doors pool and a FedEx enterprise middle.
Houston FAQS: Essential Information
Now that we’ve lined one of the best issues to do in Houston, let’s take a look at some frequent FAQs. These are the important particulars you want to know for visiting Houston.
Is there something enjoyable to do in Houston, Texas?
There are so many enjoyable issues to do in Houston. Houston has implausible dwell music, amusement rides, and iconic sights just like the Space Center Houston.
What to do in Houston for the primary time?
When visiting for the primary time, you must discover Downtown Houston, go to the Space Center and museums, and study Houston’s Native American tradition.
Is Houston well-known for something?
Houston is legendary for the Space Center Houston. It is also referred to as an city oasis, with loads of inexperienced house and concrete parks.
How many days do you want in Houston?
You want a minimal of three days in Houston. This permits you to go to a couple of museums, Space Center, and Galveston Island.
Why Should You go to Houston?
As you possibly can see, there are lots of issues to do in Houston. From the Space Center to the Museum of Natural Science and Galveston Bay, Houston is someplace you’ll kick your self for less than reserving a brief keep. The almost-coastal metropolis is ideally situated to head to one of the best seashores in Texas or bounce between artwork museums in Downtown Houston.
And for those who choose forest and nature reserves, Sam Houston National Forest and Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge are a brief drive out of town. Houston is the proper stability of cosmopolitan enjoyable and exquisite inexperienced house.
Looking for extra Texas journey inspiration? The solely means to enhance a visit to Houston is to mix it with extra of Texas’ high locations. Check out our guides on the greatest issues to do in Austin and South Padre Island. Otherwise, have an exquisite time experiencing all of the thrilling issues to do in Houston. Space City has lots in retailer for you.
Photos courtesy of Houston First Corporation.