Houston is nothing in need of superb. The southern metropolis is likely one of the greatest locations to go to within the USA, because of its plethora of points of interest and infectious cosmopolitan fashion. Historic buildings, cultural facilities, artwork museums, and inexperienced area – Houston ticks so many packing containers. It is usually iconically nicknamed ‘area metropolis’ and is house to the NASA Johnson Area Heart. There are tons of enjoyable issues to do in Houston.
High Issues to Do in Houston
Visiting Houston is a assured journey. Because the fourth largest metropolis within the USA, it has a number of the most numerous neighborhoods and funky leisure scenes. With regards to issues to do in Houston, a world-class itinerary awaits you. We’ve managed to whittle it all the way down to the highest 25 issues to do in Houston – take a look at these show-stopping points of interest.
1. NASA Johnson Area Heart Houston
NASA Johnson Area Heart is the Houston icon. NASA Johnson is the place US astronauts undertake their coaching, and it’s the house of Mission Management. Aka, NASA is the bottom of US area exploration. Whether or not you’re a area fanatic or have simply watched many motion pictures, the Area Heart is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Houston.
Subsequent to the NASA area middle, Area Heart Houston is a nonprofit museum and official customer middle for NASA. Spacer Heart Houston is the place you may study extra about how astronauts are educated and all issues area. It’s a nice itinerary addition with everlasting displays, interactive displays, and naturally, a present store.
You’ll need a timed entry ticket which you should buy right here earlier than visiting. Or if you’re planning on seeing numerous totally different museums and points of interest the Houston CityPASS is unquestionably value it. Try costs right here.
2. Cockrell Butterfly Heart
Cockrell Butterfly Heart is likely one of the most immersive issues to do in Houston. In an enormous glass constructing in Houston’s Museum District, the Butterfly Heart has a whole bunch of butterflies dwelling in a tropical greenhouse-style habitat.
The huge middle is massive sufficient to suit numerous full-size bushes and options waterfalls and ponds. Not solely is it a wonderful indoor backyard area, however it is usually a beautiful setting to see the myriad of butterflies.
Cockrell Butterfly Heart is adjoining the Houston Museum of Pure Science. Nonetheless, it’s such an iconic attraction in Houston that we needed to give it its personal part. Moreover, you e book entrance tickets individually anyway.
The middle is a wonderful attraction in Houston, and the additional exhibit halls in Brown Corridor on the finish make it an academic day trip.
3. Houston Museum of Pure Science
Houston Museum of Pure Science is worthy of a complete day out of your itinerary. We love how immersive and fascinating it’s – it was assured a spot on our checklist from the beginning. The museum isn’t simply filled with displays.
It has cinema-style leisure with movies on matters starting from Tutankhamun to astrology. Houston Museum of Pure Science can also be house to Burke Baker Planetarium, which is becoming contemplating Houston’s nickname of area metropolis.
Concerning museums in Houston, the Houston Museum of Pure Science is well within the prime three. Try the schedule earlier than visiting as a result of there’s a lot on. This museum is continually throwing out new displays, occasions, and points of interest. It’s a good suggestion to get your tickets earlier than you go so that you don’t have to face in line.
4. Artwork Automotive Museum
Artwork Automotive Museum is likely one of the extra uncommon issues to do in Houston. The personal museum is a recent artwork enterprise. It shows a variety of classic automobiles decked out in decorations by lesser-known or up-and-coming artists. Artwork Automotive 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 with native artists; you may view ‘automotive artwork’ from a broad vary of worldwide artists. Automotive fans put together to shudder at utilizing such traditional automobiles as a canvas. However artwork fans (or anybody with an open thoughts) will admire the creativity of the displays.
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 Meals Market – you may choose up some staples you probably have booked self-catered lodging.
It additionally has a ton of sensible eating places. You possibly can 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 beneath Bear Creek Pioneers Park. It’s only a 20-minute drive from the town middle or an hour on public transport. Don’t simply go to for meals, both.
Houston’s Chinatown affords a unbelievable vary of low cost retailers with electronics and jewellery on Harwin Drive. Whereas for a extra academic expertise, you may take an Asian heritage tour from the Chinese language Neighborhood Heart.
6. Galveston Island State Park
It’s no secret that Texas has a number of the most unbelievable seashores. And in Galveston Island State Park, its 2,000 acres include beautiful seashores linked by a community of mountain climbing trails and wildlife alongside the way in which. 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 many actions whenever you aren’t kicking again on a distant seashore. Galveston has good situations for kayaking adventures, and its coastlines are lined by scenic boardwalks which are nice for birdwatching. Visiting this park is well probably the most enjoyable issues to do if you wish to get out of the 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 bushes is truthfully postcard worthy – or not less than, a must-snap on 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 sluggish physique of water that’s considerably midway behind a waterway and river. The lazy water runs straight via the center of Buffalo Bayou Park, which is known for watersports.
8. Houston Metropolis Corridor
Houston Metropolis Corridor is a tall, white tower of a constructing. It’s the metropolis of Houston’s authorities headquarters and the hub of all issues political. Architecturally, Houston Metropolis Corridor is fascinating to cease by and have a look at. Essentially the most hanging options are the trademark Texas Cordova limestone and the elegant reflective pool in entrance.
One of the vital political issues to do in Houston is to tour the inside of Houston Metropolis Corridor. Amazingly, excursions are free when booked via the official web site. They run on weekdays and whisk guests via the council chambers and places of work. A tour is essentially the most participating option to expertise Houston Metropolis Corridor. And by heading inside, you get an in-depth and uncommon perception into the background of the political scene.
9. Museum of Effective Arts
The Museum of Effective Arts is considered one of Houston’s most completed points of interest. This colossal museum shows beautiful wonderful artwork from historic to up to date intervals. Relatively than simply everlasting displays, the museum at all times has a contemporary rotation of wonderful arts displays – together with items in distinctive, futuristic settings like rainbow gentle tunnels. The Museum of Effective Arts is likely one of the most enjoyable issues to do in Houston.
Positioned within the Houston Museum District, Artwork lovers will admire variety and creativity. Even those that consider galleries are dusty and could be discovered anyplace will love Houston’s Effective Arts Museum. The museum has a powerful character and much so as to add to an ongoing inventive dialog. If you’re actually into museums then we propose grabbing the Museum Cross which will get you into all the best museums together with this one.
10. Houston Livestock Present and Rodeo
Attending Houston Livestock Present and Rodeo is likely one of the most fun 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 variety, and one factor is for positive – you might be assured a very good present.
The Houston Livestock Present and Rodeo have every little thing from traditional rodeo occasions like bareback driving and roping to purchasing alternatives in auctions and gross sales. Due to the vary of the occasion, it attracts a combined crowd. So be ready to rub shoulders with all types 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 dimensions of Central Park in New York. The park was devoted to the troopers of World Struggle I and opened to the general public in 1925. Guests can take pleasure in a mixture of strolling, operating, and biking trails.
Memorial Park can also be filled with wildlife. You possibly can spot doves, snakes, and turtles, simply to call just a few. 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 Struggle I, notice this attraction down.
12. Bayou Bend Assortment and Gardens
Bayou Bend Assortment and Gardens is a group of American ornamental arts and work. Most impressively, it’s located within the former residence of Ima Hogg – a famend philanthropist and former civic chief. Ima’s home makes the right setting for this assortment of wonderful artwork.
The house resides on 14 acres of pristine gardens. It opens its doorways all yr spherical to guests desirous to expertise wonderful artwork in a non-public, home setting.
The historic and personal setting baggage Bayou Bend Assortment 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 totally different gallery fashion.
13. Well being Museum
The Well being Museum is likely one of the most fascinating (and area of interest) scientific issues to do in Houston. The museum is fully devoted to well being and the human physique. From a Dwelling Icons photograph exhibit dedicated to a whole bunch of Houston’s COVID-19 victims to a bicycle you pedal to see how onerous the guts works, the Well being Museum works onerous to immerse its guests. The museum doesn’t simply characteristic displays; it has a 4D and 3D theater to observe the most recent science and health-related motion pictures.
The Well being Museum is well considered one of our prime suggestions. Whether or not you might be 5 or 50, the creativity behind the museum’s displays and structure makes it an enchanting place.
14. Graffiti Park
This attraction is one for the skater crowd and artwork fans. Anybody who loves snapping images must also have an interest as a result of the paintings at Graffiti Park is awe-inspiring. Iconic in some circumstances.
Graffiti Park is situated south of Houston Metropolis Heart – straightforward to achieve by automotive or public transport. The graffiti covers just a few blocks, so visiting isn’t massively time-consuming. Permit not less than an hour, maybe a bit longer, if you wish to get entangled with the artwork or extra critical pictures. Try this Instagram Tour that takes you to all the most effective spots.
15. The Interest Heart for the Performing Arts
The Interest Heart for the Performing Arts is a hub for drama and all lovers of the stage. The Interest Heart boasts two theaters and a three-story foyer with views of the Houston skyline.
In brief, it’s a stunning setting for a sublime night watching a performing arts present. The costume code is enterprise informal – which may embody cocktail attire and normally fits.
For those who love reside music and appearing, take a look at the Interest Heart for the Performing Arts schedule. Tickets promote out upfront. However if you’re organized, you’ll haven’t any points; even final minute, you may get fortunate. Previous and present reveals embody Moulin Rouge, Treasure of the East, and Legally Blonde.
16. San Jacinto Monument
The San Jacinto Monument is a dramatic 567-foot column within the Houston Ship Channel. A 220-ton star sits atop the colossal construction as a commemoration of the Battle of San Jacinto. Historical past buffs will seemingly already know that the Battle of San Jacinto was a turning level within the Texas Revolution.
And the San Jacinto Monument honors those that fought for Texan independence. Plus, it’s the world’s tallest warfare memorial, if all that wasn’t sufficient for you.
You possibly can experience the elevator to the remark tower on the prime of the monument. Tickets are extraordinarily cheap as effectively, at below $10. The San Jacinto Monument is an enchanting place to go to and ideal for these serious about US historical past.
17. Miller Out of doors Theatre
Prepared for one more performing arts attraction? Catching a efficiency at Miller Out of doors Theatre is likely one of the most entertaining issues to do in Houston. In contrast to the Interest Heart for the Performing Arts, its draw is the truth that it’s outdoor.
Positioned on 7.5 acres within the nook of Hermann Park, the theater has rows of seats below a tent-style cover. However most individuals simply seize a spot on the encompassing grass. For those who go to in the summertime, examine the schedule and produce some film snacks for a singular take in your normal theater expertise.
18. Discovery Inexperienced
Discovery Inexperienced is an thrilling attraction in Houston. It most closely fits households and youngsters and incorporates totally different actions and miniature points of interest. The 12-acre park has a placing inexperienced, artwork installations, and numerous scenic gardens – together with the Allen Household Rose Backyard. Coming into Discovery Inexperienced is free. And on a heat day, you may simply spend all day there rotating between its totally different mini points of interest.
19. Kids’s Museum Houston
The Kids’s Museum Houston is likely one of the greatest issues to do in Houston for household enjoyable. The museum incorporates interactive displays focusing on youngsters’s improvement phases and key pursuits.
Like many others throughout the US, the Houston Kids’s Museum is an ideal indoor day trip. Dad and mom 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 Kids’s Museum Houston displays embody the EcoStation, Cyberchase, Problem Course, and Energy Science Lab. The displays are so participating it will likely be enjoyable for the mother and father to observe their tots play too.
20. Watch a Baseball Recreation at Minute Maid Park
Watching a recreation of baseball at Minute Maid Park is an absolute should. Baseball fan or not, the Houston Astros are a number one crew within the baseball Main League. And there’s no higher option to expertise a metropolis’s group than to attend a house recreation.
Reserving a ticket to observe the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park may want some ahead planning. If you’re eager on watching a recreation 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 overlook 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 within the middle of Downtown Houston. It’s 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 should you go to for dawn and sundown when the buildings look much more beautiful.
22. Market Sq. Park
Market Sq. Park is a wonderful public area that thrives after darkish. From outside motion pictures to an open-air Greek restaurant, it’s a place to return collectively and socialize in Houston. With a Downtown and quirky vibe, it’s the good addition to a listing of enjoyable issues to do in Houston. It’s onerous to not love the fairy lights aesthetic – particularly on a heat summer time evening.
Don’t neglect meals vehicles as effectively; Niko Niko’s does the most effective gyros. Seize a gyro and sit out on the grass below the lights. Market Sq. Park is a superb attraction for many who wish to calm down in Houston. It is usually splendid for getting off the normal 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 an enormous landmark. It’s situated inside Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park – a small park west of the town middle.
The ‘wall’ is a towering curve and an fascinating 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 on your itinerary should you love photograph alternatives. It is usually lower than a 10-minute drive from Houston Arboretum and Nature Heart, so it’s positively well-combined.
24. Hermann Park
Hermann Park is subsequent to Houston Metropolis Corridor, so notice down this attraction should you have been tempted by the Metropolis Corridor 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 experience.
However most impressively, it was the primary public park in Houston. Traditionally, it was a momentous addition to the 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 may simply think about a go to. We suggest planning an early morning go to to keep away from the crowds and warmth. As a fast facet notice, we don’t suggest venturing into Houston Zoo, situated in Hermann Park. Preserve your animal interactions moral by investing in wild conservation moderately than animals in captivity.
25. Houston Arboretum and Nature Heart
Houston Arboretum and Nature Heart is likely one of the greatest outside issues to do in Houston. It’s the whole image of tranquility. The character middle spans 155 acres, which guests take pleasure in on a community of 5 miles of mountain climbing trails. Houston Arboretum additionally runs common occasions and workshops – so it’s value keeping track of the upcoming schedule.
So far as scenic locations go in Houston, the arboretum charges extremely. The combination of wood boardwalks via wetlands and forest tracks is peaceable to discover. And because it opens at 7 am every day, you may simply squeeze in a stroll earlier than you begin hardcore sightseeing.
The right way to Get to Houston
Houston is extremely well-connected, and the simplest option to get to Houston is to fly. There isn’t only one Houston Airport both. You possibly can fly into George Bush Intercontinental Airport or William P. Interest Airport. Hoston is linked to a whole bunch of locations worldwide, with direct flights to many worldwide locations and home spots. Seize your switch into the town right here.
The most affordable option to get to Houston is by Amtrak prepare. Amtrak connects Houston to cities like Los Angeles and New Orleans – so think about reaching the town by rail if you wish to avoid wasting bucks and take the scenic route. Prepare journey is best for the setting as effectively. Whereas should you aren’t touring from someplace linked to Houston by Amtrak, it’s value touring by bus or a coach service like Greyhound.
You probably have a bit longer, you possibly can plan a street journey. The deep south is a traditional street journey, and you possibly can mix Houston with locations like Nashville by sticking to the East facet. In any other case, set off from the west and cease by locations like Las Vegas, Denver, Grand Canyon Nationwide Park, and Grand Mesa.
Getting Round Houston
Houston is a giant metropolis however a breeze to get round utilizing public transport. The METRORail hyperlinks Downtown Houston with the town middle. For those who go to points of interest within 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 affords bus service in Houston. It is a combination of connections round residential neighborhoods and a park-and-ride system. If you’re staying on the outskirts of the town middle in quieter neighborhoods within the Houston space, the bus service is a unbelievable choice.
Lastly, hiring a automotive is the most suitable choice to get round Houston for guests planning day journeys. Determine whether or not you wish to discover outer metropolis points of interest like Galveston Island State Park and Sam Houston Park. For those who do, hiring a automotive is a superb method ahead. In any other case, stick with public transport and taxis if you wish to keep across the metropolis middle.
Greatest Time to Go to Houston
March to Could is the official shoulder season for visiting Houston. As normal steerage, you must intention for these intervals to keep away from the loopy crowds that Houston attracts from July to September. One can find the most affordable lodging and essentially the most peaceable expertise throughout this era.
The temperature remains to be gentle on this interval however with out the humidity and the irritation of swatting off mosquitos all through the day. Spring can also be stunning for mountain climbing within the close by inexperienced area – carry a high-quality digital camera to seize all of the wildflowers bursting into colour.
The place to Keep in Houston
It isn’t simply issues to do in Houston that you might want to determine on; the place will you keep? These are the highest locations to remain in Houston for every funds stage.
Finances: Wanderstay Houston Hostel
Wanderstay Houston Hostel is a superb budget-friendly base in Houston’s Museum District. Visitors get entry to a shared kitchen and lounge – good for a homely setting and saving cash on consuming out.
Mid-Vary: Courtyard by Marriott Houston by the Galleria
Courtyard by Marriott Houston by the Galleria is a unbelievable mid-range choice simply west of the town middle. It has all of the comfy luxuries, together with an indoor swimming pool, sizzling tub, and fitness center.
Luxurious: Hyatt Regency
Hyatt Regency Houston is a part of the well-respected Hyatt chain. Located in the midst of Downtown Houston, this resort is most well-known for its rotating eating room – which has beautiful views of the town skyline. It additionally includes a heated outside pool and a FedEx enterprise middle.
Houston FAQS: Important Info
Now that we’ve coated the most effective issues to do in Houston, let’s have a look at some widespread FAQs. These are the important particulars you might want to know for visiting Houston.
Is there something enjoyable to do in Houston, Texas?
There are such a lot of enjoyable issues to do in Houston. Houston has unbelievable reside music, amusement rides, and iconic points of interest just like the Area Heart Houston.
What to do in Houston for the primary time?
When visiting for the primary time, you must discover Downtown Houston, go to the Area Heart and museums, and find out about Houston’s Native American tradition.
Is Houston well-known for something?
Houston is known for the Area Heart Houston. It is usually often known as an city oasis, with loads of inexperienced area and concrete parks.
What number of days do you want in Houston?
You want a minimal of three days in Houston. This lets you go to just a few museums, Area Heart, and Galveston Island.
Why Ought to You go to Houston?
As you may see, there are numerous issues to do in Houston. From the Area Heart to the Museum of Pure Science and Galveston Bay, Houston is someplace you’ll kick your self for under reserving a brief keep. The just about-coastal metropolis is ideally situated to go to the most effective seashores in Texas or bounce between artwork museums in Downtown Houston.
And should you choose forest and nature reserves, Sam Houston Nationwide Forest and Brazoria Nationwide Wildlife Refuge are a brief drive out of the town. Houston is the right steadiness of cosmopolitan enjoyable and exquisite inexperienced area.
On the lookout for extra Texas journey inspiration? The one method to enhance a visit to Houston is to mix it with extra of Texas’ prime locations. Try our guides on the greatest issues to do in Austin and South Padre Island. In any other case, have a beautiful time experiencing all of the thrilling issues to do in Houston. Area Metropolis has rather a lot in retailer for you.
Pictures courtesy of Houston First Company.