TOP 22 best things to do in Houston, Texas

What is it?
The official visitor center for NASA's Johnson Space Center, featuring over 400 space artifacts and exhibits.

Why should you go?
As one of the top tourist attractions in Houston, this enormous museum complex offers no less than a chance to experience life as an astronaut and get a behind-the-scenes look at human space exploration. You will touch a Moon rock, explore interstellar equipment, and get an up-close look at real spacecraft, including a flown SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and the Apollo 17 command module. You can even see the original Mission Control room and astronaut training facilities by taking a tram tour.

Specialization
Space Science

Perfect for
NASA fans, space enthusiasts, history buffs, science geeks, families

What is it?
The second most visited zoological park in the country and home to over 6,000 animals from more than 600 species.

Why should you go?
The Zoo, Spread across 55 acres in Hermann Park, is among the most exciting places to visit in Houston with kids. You can easily spend the whole day wandering through state-of-the-art exhibits, evoking the African Forest or the Galápagos Islands. Get there to meet tigers and elephants, feed giraffes with crunchy lettuce leaves, enjoy a sea lion show, and let your little ones explore a bat cave at the Children's Zoo and climb on a naturalistic rock wall at the Wild Nature Play Area.

Specialization
Animals

Perfect for
Families, animal lovers

What is it?
One of the USA's most popular museums of natural history, housing an IMAX theater, planetarium, and butterfly center.

Why should you go?
The Museum of Natural History is one of the not-to-be-missed indoor attractions in Houston and an ideal destination for a family outing. Its exhibition halls showcase a spectacular collection of prehistoric fossils, sparkling gems, ancient Egyptian mummies, and other fascinating objects that you can explore with your own in-app audio tour. Get there to marvel at massive T.rex and Diplodocus skeletons — and be sure to visit a three-story glass building filled with tropical plants and butterflies.

Specialization
Natural History, Science & Culture

Perfect for
Families with kids of all ages and anyone interested in science, nature, and history

What is it?
A 160-acre green space situated along the banks of the Buffalo Bayou River just west of downtown Houston.

Why should you go?
Buffalo Bayou Park is more than just an urban oasis with beautiful gardens, native landscaping, and excellent views of the skyline. It offers plenty of fun things to do in Houston, from paddleboarding and kayaking to spotting a massive colony of Mexican free-tailed bats flying out from the Waugh Drive Bridge at dusk. You can also take a tour of the underground Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern and dine under stunning chandeliers at the Flora Mexican Kitchen restaurant.

Specialization
Recreation

Perfect for
Everyone

What is it?
One of the largest art museums in the United States, housing nearly 70,000 works from around the world.

Why should you go?
As the oldest art museum in the state of Texas and the largest cultural institution in the southwest region, the Museum of Fine Arts is one of the best places to visit in Houston for all art lovers. Its comprehensive collection includes French Impressionist paintings, Indonesian gold artworks, rare African sculptures, and many other works created on six continents, from antiquity to the present. Explore the museum with your own audio tour to hear the stories behind the pieces of art.

Specialization
Historical & Contemporary Art

Perfect for
Art lovers

What is it?
A small public park with a dramatic 64-foot-high semicircular fountain resembling a natural waterfall.

Why should you go?
The impressive sculptural Waterwall fountain, with streams of water cascading over large concrete walls, is probably Houston's most photographed site and undoubtedly a must-see landmark. It is embraced on three sides by 186 live oaks and is beautifully illuminated at night, making it a popular spot for romantic strolls. It is also an excellent place for relaxing and picture-perfect picnicking, thanks to an extensive loan in front of the fountain.

Specialization
Public Art & Recreation

Perfect for
Everyone

What is it?
A museum featuring over 90,000 square feet of interactive, educational, and fun exhibits for children.

Why should you go?
A visit to the Children's Museum is one of the best things to do in Houston if you happen to be in the city with kids. This colorful, noisy place offers plenty of hands-on exhibits and engaging activities to explore science, technology, engineering, art, and math and discover how the world works. Your little ones can build robots with Lego, experiment with a 3D printer, identify animal footprints, and even complete secret spy missions by cracking codes and locating clues.

Specialization
Education & Entertainment

Perfect for
Families with children up to 12 years old

What is it?
A 155-acre nature preserve with five miles of walking trails winding through forest, meadow, wetland, and pond habitats.

Why should you go?
Located on the edge of Memorial Park, not far from downtown, this urban nature sanctuary is ideal for a quick escape from the city's hustle and bustle. The Arboretum is home to a wide range of native trees, wildflowers, and shrubs, as well as various animals, including squirrels, armadillos, and even an alligator that lives in the Meadow Pond. The indoor Nature Center also houses the hands-on Discovery Room, where kids and adults can look at microscopes and do other cool things.

Specialization
Nature

Perfect for
Nature lovers, hikers, families

What is it?
A museum of contemporary art with an emphasis on customized, modified, and decorated vehicles.

Why should you go?
Exploring the Art Car Museum is one of the most fun things to do in Houston for adults and teenagers interested in art, cars, or both. This unique place, nicknamed the 'Garage Mahal,' is filled with dozens of vehicles reshaped to create quirky, captivating, and thought-provoking art pieces. In addition, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions showcasing other forms of alternative art, such as graffiti and tattoo art. Best of all, admission is free.

Specialization
Contemporary Art

Perfect for
Art lovers, car enthusiasts

What is it?
An open-air performance venue that is free to the public and offers a wide range of professional entertainment.

Why should you go?
Opened in 1923, Miller Outdoor Theatre is proudly the only open-air theater of its kind in the USA with free admission. It has been one of the city's brightest cultural gems for 100 years, and catching a show at this venue is still one of the top things to do in Houston. Events range from jazz concerts and classic film screenings to Shakespeare productions and family-friendly performances. Just bring your blanket, grab some snacks, and enjoy the show.

Specialization
Performing Arts

Perfect for
Everyone

What is it?
A museum and neighborhood of art spanning 30 acres and housing a diverse collection of nearly 19,000 works.

Why should you go?
Situated in a green, park-like setting, the Menil Collection is a must-visit destination for art lovers. Its main gallery space, along with four additional buildings, offers hours of entertainment. You can see artworks from Africa and the Pacific Islands, marvel at Byzantine icons and Surrealist paintings, and admire handcrafted sculptures and rare books. And you do not even need to buy a ticket to explore the campus because it is always free to visit.

Specialization
Historical & Contemporary Art

Perfect for
Art lovers

What is it?
One of the largest urban parks in the United States that covers 1,466 acres and features a range of sports facilities.

Why should you go?
Nearly twice the size of New York's famous Central Park, Memorial Park offers plenty of outdoor activities to do in Houston. Besides a series of well-groomed jogging trails, it features tennis, croquet, and sand volleyball courts, an outdoor swimming pool, and a 300-acre Memorial Park Golf Course rated among the nation's top municipal golf courses. You can also enjoy hiking and mountain biking or simply have a picnic with your family.

Specialization
Recreation

Perfect for
Outdoor and sports enthusiasts, families

What is it?
A museum that houses America's largest collection of historical funeral artifacts.

Why should you go?
The morbidly curious National Museum of Funeral History is undoubtedly one of the most unusual places to visit in Houston. It traces the history of funeral services from as far as Ancient Egyptian practices, displays historic hearses and coffins, tells about funeral practices in Japan and Ghana and the mysterious traditions surrounding the burial of a Pope, and provides memorabilia from funerals of the famous, such as John F. Kennedy.

Specialization
History & Culture

Perfect for
History buffs and curious visitors

What is it?
A large-scale, colorful mural that is turned into one of the city's most iconic landmarks.

Why should you go?
Houston boasts a flourishing street art scene, and wandering through the city in search of murals is one of the most exciting things to do in Houston. There are plenty of captivating art pieces splashed on the walls, but 'Houston is inspired' is the one you should not miss. Created by charismatic local artist Gonzo247, it has become the city's most Instagrammable spot. Get to the corner of Travis and Preston Streets to take a picture against this striking backdrop.

Specialization
Street Art

Perfect for
Art lovers, Instagrammers

What is it?
A non-denominational chapel and a one-man art museum with 14 monumental paintings by Mark Rothko.

Why should you go?
Considered one of Houston's cultural and artistic treasures, the Rothko Chapel features a unique blend of art, architecture, and spirituality. The interior of this octagonal-shaped building is no less than a major work of modern art. It is filled with a series of large-scale paintings in varying hues of black, created by famous abstract expressionist Mark Rothko specifically for the space. Explore this place to get a unique and thought-provoking experience.

Specialization
Modern Art

Perfect for
Art lovers, spiritual seekers

What is it?
A state-of-the-art Major League Baseball stadium and home to the Houston Astros team.

Why should you go?
Watching the Houston Astros play at Minute Maid Park is one of the fun activities in Houston that you should try, even if you are not a baseball fan, because the atmosphere alone is worth the ticket price. Nothing can compare to the roar of a 41,000-capacity crowd rooting for the home team. The park also features a replica of a 19th-century train running along the outfield wall and making sounds at special moments.

Specialization
Sports

Perfect for
Baseball fans and anyone interested in the city's sports scene

What is it?
A unique public art installation that allows visitors to watch a beautiful LED light show at dawn and dusk.

Why should you go?
Created by the renowned American artist James Turrell, the Twilight Epiphany Skyspace is one of Huston's most iconic public artworks. Situated in the picturesque setting of the campus of Rice University, this pyramidal structure with a square aperture in the ceiling allows you to get a dynamic visual experience while viewing the sky above. Get there to enjoy the spectacular LED light show that synchronizes with the sunrise and sunset and complements the natural light.

Specialization
Public Art

Perfect for
Art lovers and anyone looking for a unique experience

What is it?
One of the largest Hindu temples in the United States, known for its architectural and cultural significance.

Why should you go?
The Houston Hindu temple welcomes visitors of all backgrounds to explore the temple's beauty, participate in various events, and learn about Hinduism and Indian culture. Constructed according to guidelines outlined in ancient Hindu scriptures, it boasts intricate carvings and sculptures, including 5,000 tons of hand-carved Italian marble. You can admire the magnificent building and participate in various activities, from singing hymns to learning the Gujarati language.

Specialization
Architecture, Culture & Religion

Perfect for
Architecture lovers and anyone interested in Hinduism and Indian culture

What is it?
A house covered in thousands of beer cans and turned into a quirky art installation.

Why should you go?
Whether you are a folk art lover, a beer enthusiast, or just like eye-catching and unusual things, be sure to take a look at the famous Beer Can House. Houstonian John Milkovisch started covering his house in flattened beer cans in the late 1960s, and now it is one of the city's most recognizable folk art icons that includes over 50,000 beer cans. Admire this creation from the sidewalk, or pay a reasonable price of $5 to get inside and tour the house.

Specialization
Folk Art

Perfect for
Anyone looking for a fun and memorable experience

What is it?
A public aquarium with several themed areas, amusement rides, and a full-service restaurant and bar.

Why should you go?
Housed in a landmark building in the city center, the Downtown Aquarium is an incredible destination for families. You can tour the marsh and bayous of the Gulf Coast with turtles and alligators, encounter piranhas in the Rainforest, step inside the sunken hull of a 17th-century Spanish galleon to admire the diversity of the ocean life, and even meet tigers. Your little ones will also enjoy riding a carousel on the back of a dolphin or venturing 100 feet in the air on a Ferris wheel.

Specialization
Animals & Entertainment

Perfect for
Families with kids of all ages, animal lovers, and anyone interested in marine life

What is it?
An immersive and innovative cocktail bar, named one of the best bars in the country by Esquire.

Why should you go?
Bar hopping is one of the most popular things to do in Houston for adults, but if you want to get a truly unique experience or are searching for the perfect date-night spot, look no further than Diversión. You will enjoy the atmospheric setting, creative serving, and watching the mixology action in the laboratory-style bar. Try the Day at the Beach, served in an edible chocolate shell with 'ocean foam' and edible sand, or the Movie Night, accompanied by popcorn and an iPad playing short films.

Specialization
Drinks & Entertainment

Perfect for
Couples, groups of friends

What is it?
The largest livestock exhibition and rodeo in the world considered the city's 'signature event.'

Why should you go?
Each year, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo draws over 2 million people to get an authentic Texas experience. If you happen to be in the city in early March, forget about any other activities in Houston before you attend this show. This three-week event includes rodeo competitions, carnival rides, and lineup music performances, along with a variety of food stands and fun games the whole family can enjoy.

Specialization
Entertainment

Perfect for
Everyone