Things to do in Houston, Texas

Space Center Houston is an education center in the heart of the city where visitors explore the history of space travel and see real spacecraft up close. The center presents exhibits about NASA programs and space technology, offering hands-on scientific experiments that help you understand how space exploration developed. It is a place where you can learn about the achievements of space travel and discover how these technologies work.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science houses collections of minerals, prehistoric specimens, a butterfly section and scientific demonstrations. Visitors walk through exhibition halls filled with stones and bones from creatures that lived long ago. The museum shows how life has changed over time through displays and interactive presentations. It fits naturally into Houston's offerings, where science and learning are central to what the city provides for its residents and visitors.

The Houston Zoo in this city houses mammals, birds, amphibians and reptiles in recreated environments that reflect their natural habitats. Educational programs help visitors learn about the animals and conservation efforts. The zoo is part of Houston's diverse range of attractions that bring together science, culture and outdoor experiences, making it a destination for families and nature lovers.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston displays artworks from Europe, America, Asia and Africa. The collection spans different periods and styles, offering visitors a broad view of artistic traditions from around the world. Regular temporary exhibitions bring fresh perspectives and new works to the galleries. This museum fits naturally into Houston's varied cultural scene and gives visitors a chance to explore art history and contemporary creations in one place.

Discovery Green is a 12-acre green space in downtown Houston that contributes to the city's range of destinations for outdoor activities. The park offers areas for walking, cycling and relaxing, with performance venues and public art installations throughout. Children have dedicated sections to explore and play, while paved paths connect different areas, making it easy to spend time outside in the heart of the city.

The Downtown Aquarium in Houston displays marine life in large saltwater tanks, offering visitors a chance to see underwater creatures up close. Housing over 500,000 liters of water, this aquarium is home to reef sharks, manta rays and coral fish. As part of Houston's diverse attractions, it provides an educational experience for families and anyone interested in ocean life.

Minute Maid Park is a baseball stadium in Houston that has been home to the Houston Astros since 2000. The stadium features a retractable roof that closes when needed to protect players and fans from the weather. It holds around 41,000 seats and has natural grass on the playing field. Visitors can watch live baseball games here and experience the energy of the crowd. The stadium sits in the heart of the city and is easy to reach.

Buffalo Bayou Park is a 160-acre park that stretches along the waterway with walking and cycling paths. Visitors can enjoy observation points throughout the park and cross connecting bridges to explore both sides. The park provides a green space for walking, biking and spending time outside near downtown Houston, where nature is within easy reach of the city center.

Hermann Park is a large green space in the heart of Houston that brings together several attractions in one location. The park is home to the Houston Zoo, where visitors can see animals from around the world, and the Miller Outdoor Theatre, which hosts performances throughout the year. Beyond these main draws, the park features walking paths, lakes for relaxing, and picnic areas. Hermann Park offers a welcome break from city life and is easily accessible from downtown Houston.

The Children's Museum Houston provides interactive exhibits designed for young visitors and families. Here, children can explore and learn through hands-on activities that cover science, art and history. The museum encourages curiosity and creativity as kids engage with displays and programs tailored to their age groups. Located in the heart of the city, it complements Houston's range of family-friendly attractions and educational opportunities.

The Galleria Houston is a major shopping center in the heart of the city that offers hundreds of stores and restaurants in one place. You can find both international brands and local shops here. The center also features an ice skating rink where visitors can ice skate. The Galleria provides an easy way to spend an afternoon shopping and dining, making it a good complement to Houston's museums, parks and other attractions.

The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is a 155-acre nature preserve that offers visitors a chance to explore woodlands, hiking trails and ponds in the heart of the city. This destination fits perfectly into Houston's mix of science, culture and outdoor spaces, providing educational programs about local plants and animals. Walkers and hikers can spend hours on the various trails, observing native species and learning how the local ecosystem works. Whether you come alone for a quiet walk or with family to discover nature together, this arboretum serves as a natural escape within the city.

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens displays American decorative art from the 18th and 19th centuries within a mansion set among formal gardens. The house itself tells the story of how people lived in earlier times, with rooms furnished as they were originally. Visitors walk through galleries filled with furniture, ceramics, silver and textiles that show the skill of craftspeople from centuries past. The gardens outside feature different sections with flowering plants, shaded pathways and quiet spots to rest, offering a contrast to the indoor collection.

This opera house is a cultural hub in Houston that presents performances from October through May, featuring a mix of classical and modern works. The venue complements Houston's range of cultural destinations, sitting alongside museums and science centers that make the city a center for arts and learning.

Memorial Park in Houston is a city park that provides visitors with varied recreational options. The park features an 18-hole golf course, tennis courts, a 3-mile running loop, and nature trails. This park complements Houston's diverse attractions, which include museums, Space Center Houston, and other green spaces like Buffalo Bayou Park. Visitors can walk, run, cycle, or simply spend time outdoors in nature.

The Toyota Center is a multipurpose venue in Houston with seating for 18,000 people. It hosts NBA basketball games featuring the Houston Rockets, along with concerts and other events throughout the year. As part of Houston's diverse range of destinations, the center serves as a hub for sports and entertainment, giving visitors the chance to experience live basketball and major performances in the heart of the city.

The Menil Collection in Houston displays artworks gathered by the de Menil family over decades. The museum shows modern art, African tribal art and surrealist works housed in a building designed by architect Renzo Piano. As part of Houston's cultural offerings, this museum allows visitors to explore creative works from different cultures and time periods while experiencing distinctive architecture in the process.

The Health Museum showcases human anatomy and health through anatomical models, medical instruments and interactive exhibitions. Within Houston's diverse museum scene, this museum offers a different perspective on science, focusing on the human body and how it works. Visitors can understand how health and medicine shape our daily lives.

The Rothko Chapel is an octagonal building in Houston that holds fourteen monochrome paintings by Mark Rothko. The space serves as a place for meditation and religious gatherings. Visitors can pause here and experience the artist's large-scale works in a quiet setting. The chapel offers a contrast to Houston's other attractions and creates a space of stillness amid the city's range of cultural offerings.

The Gerald D. Hines Waterwall in this park is a striking concrete structure that showcases flowing water as an art form. Water cascades continuously over its curved surface, creating a soothing sound and visual display. The park sits within easy reach of Houston's Museum District and offers a quiet retreat in the heart of the city. Visitors come here to watch the water, take photographs, or simply enjoy a moment of pause from their day. The space is free to visit and typically open most days. It has become a popular gathering spot for people in the area.

Ninfa's Original on Navigation brings traditional Texan-Mexican cooking to Houston's dining scene since 1973. This family-run restaurant prepares its dishes with homemade tortillas and salsas made fresh each day. It is a place where visitors can taste authentic flavors and experience the history of regional cuisine.

This eight-acre park in Houston features rose gardens, sculptures and water features. The greenhouse displays tropical plants. McGovern Centennial Gardens fits perfectly within Houston's range of destinations that bring together culture and outdoor spaces. Along with museums and the zoo, this park offers a quiet place to walk and spend time among plants and flowers.

Smither Park in Houston is a public art space where visitors discover colorful wall mosaics made from recycled materials and everyday objects. The park shows how artists transform discarded items into visual art, creating an open-air gallery in the heart of the city. This destination fits perfectly with Houston's range of cultural experiences, offering a free and accessible way to engage with contemporary art while enjoying time outdoors.

Karbach Brewing Co. is a brewery in Houston that produces various beer styles and invites visitors to tour its production facilities. In the tap room, you can sample the beers and learn how they are made. A visit offers a chance to experience the city's local brewing culture and provides a relaxing break while exploring Houston's other attractions.

The Orange Show is an unusual art installation in Houston that Jeff McKissack built from concrete, metal, and found objects between 1956 and 1979 as a tribute to oranges. The structure shows how one artist pursued his vision over many decades, creating something that stands apart from typical art forms. This place reflects Houston's creative spirit and adds to the city's cultural offerings by providing a different kind of artistic experience than traditional museums.

The Beer Can House in Houston features exterior walls covered with over 50,000 aluminum cans and metal pieces arranged to form moving ornaments. This unusual residential property showcases creative recycling and stands as an example of unconventional personal architecture in the city, where art museums and cultural institutions share the landscape with such distinctive individual expressions.

The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is a modern art institution in this diverse city that brings together science, culture and outdoor spaces. The museum features rotating exhibitions of international artists and experimental installations housed in a striking steel building. It complements Houston's range of cultural destinations, joining natural science museums and fine art collections that span different periods and styles. The focus here is on contemporary art with regularly changing exhibitions. The building itself draws attention for its distinctive steel architecture.

The Saint Arnold Brewing Company is a brewery in Houston that has been producing beer since 1994. Visitors can join daily guided tours where they walk through the brewing facilities and taste different beer varieties. This is a place to learn about local beer craftsmanship and enjoy freshly made drinks in a working brewery setting.

Project Row Houses is a cultural center in this destination, housed in renovated 19th century row houses. The space features galleries, social programs and artist studios, adding to the city's range of cultural offerings alongside museums and outdoor spaces where visitors can explore art, history and community-focused projects.

The 1940 Air Terminal Museum tells the story of aviation in Texas through its collection of historic aircraft, uniforms, photographs and documents. Located in a restored terminal building, it shows how flying developed in the region over the decades. The museum fits into Houston's range of places where visitors can explore history and learn about the people and machines that shaped the city.

The Cistern at Buffalo Bayou Park is a former water reservoir built in 1926 that sits underground with 221 concrete columns supporting its ceiling. Today, the space hosts rotating temporary art installations and visitors can explore it through guided tours. The cool, cavernous interior provides an unusual setting for contemporary artworks, making it a distinctive cultural experience in Houston.