When it comes to things to do in Houston Texas, it can be difficult to narrow it down to a handful. What we have done with this article is to only write and talk about the places in Houston Texas that we went to during our visit.
We have been to Houston TX more than once and we will continue to update this list as we visit more places. Houston is big and as such, things to do can be far apart sometimes.
However, the beauty of a city like Houston Texas is that, often times, there is a cluster of beautiful and fun things to do that are close-by. Thus, you can spend the whole day in a particular area of the city and not get bored.
Below are some of the top best things to do in Houston Texas
1. NASA’s Johnson Space Center Houston
| Ticket Prices | Adults (12+) $29.95 Kids (4-11) $24.95 Seniors (65+) $27.95 Kids (under 3) Free Buy Online and Save |
| Hours | Mon-Fri 10AM-6PM Sat-Sun 9AM-6PM *Can vary, due to month of the year. |
| Address | 2101 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058 |
Visitors and tourists to Houston Texas make it a point of duty to visit NASA’s Johnson Space Center in the Clearlake area of the city. We did too and it was thoroughly enjoyable.
Even though they had a lot of space for parking, we still had to go through a few rows before we could get an open spot to park. That was an indication of how popular the Space Center is.
We purchased our tickets at the entrance and got a map as well, which turned out to be really helpful in guiding us through the various exhibits and sections of the center.
We spent some time exploring the different sections, sat down to either watch a documentary or listen to commentary by a staff member or former astronaut.
From the map that we received at the entrance, we could deduce that a visit to the space center can be divided into two sections or categories.
The 1st one involves an “at-your-pace” self-guided tour of the interior section of the museum and the various exhibits, therein. The 2nd is the exterior tram tour of the space center’s grounds and facilities. Both will provide a different kind of experience.
Question: Does the NASA Space Center in Houston occasionally have ticket deals.
Answer: Yes, they do. Additionally, it is usually about $5 cheaper to buy admission tickets online than at the on-site box office or kiosks.
Question: Is parking at NASA Johnson’s Space Center free?
Answer: No, it is not free. It usually costs between $5-$10 to park in the center’s parking lots. However, members get free parking.
2. Explore & Wander Through The Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum District stands out as a very popular destination to tourists. In fact, when you think about creating a list of things to do in Houston Texas, attractions in this district will come up several times.
Therefore, it was a must visit for us and we really enjoyed the time we spent there. We went to explore the Houston Museum District on a Saturday and overall, the experience was rich and fantastic.
Initially, it took us a while to find a parking spot. There were several parking lots and street parking spots but they were all filled to the brim.
I guess, we underestimated the districts popularity with both the locals and tourists. We drove round and round and round before we saw a parking spot. In hindsight, we should have gone earlier or gone there with a taxi or an uber.
As soon as we found a place to park, we walked to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. We spent quite some time here and it was epic.
Once inside the lobby, we promptly purchased tickets from one of the several ticket kiosks or stations and officially kicked off our tour.
| Ticket Prices | Adults $25 Seniors (62+) $16 Kids (3-11) $16 Students $16 Military $10 Member Free |
| Hours | Everyday 9AM-5PM |
| Address | 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston Texas. 77030 |
Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foucault Pendulum
The Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foucault Pendulum was our first point of call and we stood there for several minutes watching it swing back and forth.
It was so fascinating watching it attempt to knock down the wooden pins. Every couple of swings, a wooden peg/pin gets knocked down.
We learnt from one of the docents at the museum that what may seem like a pointless back and forth swinging, actually holds very significant meaning.
The Foucault Pendulum signifies the rotation of the earth. The Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foucault Pendulum is a permanent exhibition at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Morian Hall Of Paleontology
The Morian Hall of Paleontology is on the same level as the Albert & Ethel Herzstein Foucault’s Pendulum. Both of them are on the main level of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Therefore, exploring the Morian Hall of Paleontology was our next stop during our visit to this museum. We spent a lot of time in this particular exhibit, as we did in most others too.
The Morian Hall of Paleontology is filled with various shapes, sizes and species of prehistoric animals, mostly in their skeletal forms.
The dim lighting and layout of this hall brings a lot of character to the overall essence of the exhibition. Each skeletal assembly on display has a detailed note and set of facts describing it.
Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife
The Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife is another permanent exhibit in the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Well, since Houston is in Texas, it is only fitting that the state’s diverse wildlife gets a hall of exhibition in this museum.
This exhibition room is on the second floor of the museum, and it has specimens on display that totals about 450 in number. These specimens represent more than 250 species.
The George W. Strake Hall Of Malacology
Simply put, Malacology is a branch of Zoology that deals with mollusks. The George W. Strake Hall of Malacology in the Houston Museum of Science is dedicated to showcasing these wonderful and colorful underwater species. We enjoyed this section a lot, very lovely displays.
Alfred C. Glassell Jr Hall
To access the Alfred C. Glassell Jr Hall, we had to descend a flight of stairs before entering the exhibition room. Considering the fact that one of my all-time favorite novels is the “Old Man and the Sea” by Ernest Hemingway, this hall was very nostalgic.
It is dedicated to the showcasing of large species of game fish. The most conspicuous display in this hall is the black marlin which doubles as the world record holder, weighing about 1560 pounds.
Another astounding feature of this exhibition room are the fishes that can be seen hanging from the high ceiling, staggered in a beautiful pattern. The lighting also adds to magic and experience of the Glassell Hall.
Morian Cabinet of Curiosities
The Morian Cabinet of Curiosities is another section or exhibit in HMNS that collects and displays both natural and manmade items to satiate our curiosities.
Hall Of Expedition
Of course, when it comes to the universe and planetary matter, NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston is the topmost place to visit. Especially, since it is dedicated to those topics, almost entirely.
However, while visiting the Houston Museum of Natural Science, you will find a section that touches upon space and planetary exploration.
In the Hall of Expedition in HMNS, you will see space suits and space vehicles on display.
Hall of Ancient Egypt
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When asked about Ancient Egypt, most people will point to the pyramids as their frame of reference. I mean, the pyramids are very conspicuous and are a marvel to behold but there is more to Ancient Egypt than the Pyramids.
At the museum, the Hall of Ancient Egypt serves to showcase many other rich and vibrant aspects of old Egypt. You will see various arts and artifacts, clothing, mats with intricate designs and even mummies that have withstood the test of time.
Wiess Energy Hall
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Ever wondered how gas and diesel comes to be? Well, inside the Wiess Energy Hall at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, you will find the answers to your questions.
In fact, you will not only find your answers, you will see and feel the process. It is a really fascinating part of the museum, especially for those who are science and engineering inclined.
Gas and diesel come from crude oil. However, to refine crude oil into gas or diesel requires a series of precise but complex steps.
In this hall, you will see various configurations of crude oil drilling bits, derricks, crude oil samples, pipelines, ships and so many other pieces of equipment that play a role in the acquisition, conversion and processing of crude oil into its many finished products.
There is also a simulator that can help you experience the process more
Things To Do In HMNS Conclusion
There were other exhibits that we explored and overall, our verdict is that it is very much worth your time and money.
Go ahead and explore this museum, you will be glad that you did. By no means have we covered all that can be done at the museum, we just touched on all the things we did when we visited.
We will certainly visit again, maybe we can get to watch the movies and visit the other exhibits that we did not get a chance to visit on this trip.
Question: Is there free parking at the Houston Museum of Natural Science?
Answer: Yes, there is free parking in and around the Houston Museum of Natural Science. There are various parking lots that have free 3 hours parking and also, there is plenty of street parking close to the museum. During peak hours, it is extremely difficult to find empty spaces in these free parking lots. You may end up, having to use the paid parking lots that are close by too.
Question: Can I visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science for free?
Answer: Yes, you can. Free tickets for access to the Museum’s permanent exhibits are available on Thursdays. The free hours vary and cannot be booked online. You will have to call or go to the museum to find out what hour blocks on each particular Thursday are free.
3. Houston Zoo – Things To Do In Houston Texas
| Ticket Prices | Adults $25+ Seniors $23+ Kids $23+ The price of the ticket varies slightly on different days and at different times. |
| Hours | Everyday 9AM-5PM Last Entry 4PM |
| Address | 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030 |
Another fun place to visit, which should definitely be on top or close to the top of your things to do in Houston Texas list is a visit to the Houston Zoo. If you visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science and still have time to spare, then the Houston Zoo is just nearby.
One of the many things that we liked about this zoo is that it has clear markings and directions to point you towards any specific section or animal family that you want to see.
They have over 6000 animals in the zoo and more than 600 species. This zoo has plenty of shade, which makes it even fun during the summer months.
Beyond seeing the animals in their enclosures, there are other activities and events that go on regularly at the Zoo.
Thus, a visit to this Zoo can be fulfilling in more ways than one.
Question: What are the hours of operation for the Houston Zoo?
Answer: The Houston Zoo is open everyday between the hours of 9:00am to 5:00pm. However, the last entry happens at 4:00pm. This is to allow visitors at least 1hr to tour the zoo before it closes for the day.
Question: Can I purchase the Houston Zoo’s admission ticket at the zoo?
Answer: No, currently tickets are not sold at the premises. You have to purchase it online.
4. Cockrell Butterfly Center
| Ticket Prices | Adult $12 Child $10 Seniors (62+) $10 Students $10 Military $8 |
| Hours | Everyday 10am-6pm |
| Address | 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston Texas. 77030 |
The Cockrell Butterfly Center is in the same building as the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Its entrance is at the other end of the HMNS lobby.
It requires an admission fee payment that is different from the one used to gain access into the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
There are so many beautiful things that we can write about our experience here but the one that is most memorable is having butterflies land on our shoulders.
We have never seen so many butterflies in one place before, it is really a thing of beauty. Very soothing!
Question: Can I purchase a ticket to just go and explore the Cockrell Butterfly Center without visiting the other exhibits in the Houston Museum of Natural Science
Answer: Yes, there is standalone ticket option for the Cockrell Butterfly Center.
5. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH)
| Ticket Prices | Adults $19 Seniors(65+) $16 Students $12 Youths (13-18) $12 Kids (under 12) Free Military Free Members Free |
| Hours | Mon-Tue Closed Wednesday 11am-5pm Thursday 11am-9pm Fri-Sat 11am-6pm Sunday 12:30pm-6pm |
| Address | 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005 |
The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston is located in the Houston Museum District, in the general vicinity of the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
Driving through the streets in the Houston Museum District, we saw many buildings with the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston appellation and wondered how many there could be, or which one is even the right one.
We later found out that there are many different buildings used by the museum but that they also have a main campus, where visitors and tourists mostly go to.
6. Shopping in the Neighborhood of Montrose – Things To Do In Houston Texas
The Montrose Neighborhood in Houston is iconic and embodies the very warm culture of Houstonians. It has the charm of a small city community but also bustles with the presence and eclectic nature of the big city surrounding it.
You can do it all in the Montrose Neighborhood. Go shopping in the many family owned and run storefronts that abound in the neighborhood.
You will be spoilt for choice with the array of arts and culture obtainable here. The bars and restaurants are not to be left out too.
Lots of choices when it comes to the type of food you can get and the drinks on offer.
7. Have A Fun Filled Day At The Hermann Park
The Hermann Park is one of the most perfect outdoor spaces to be in whenever you visit Houston Texas. It has it all.
The lush green grass, with well interconnected sidewalks and shades provided by the many trees make for an incredible outdoor experience.
It is such a wonderful arena for picnics or sun tanning or meditation or so many other things. Below are some of the amenities that can be enjoyed at the Hermann Park.
Catch A Ride Aboard The Red Train
The Red Train is a constant feature of the Hermann Park and a major draw for tourists who visit the park. Hop on it and enjoy a tour of the Hermann Park.
It moves slow enough to allow passengers and tourists to enjoy and take in the amazing scenery and landscape of the park and its environs.
Intending train passengers can board at Kinder Station or the other substations along the way.
Pedal Boats – Cruise & Workout at The Same Time
Another awesome activity to engage in while at the Hermann Park is to explore the lake aboard the pedal boats. It cost us about $13 for a 30 minutes pedal boat ride but it is an activity that we enjoyed and will recommend.
Pond With Ducks
Golf Course
There is also a golf course located as part of the Hermann Park
Jones Reflection Pool
The Jones Reflection Pool is a great feature in the Hermann Park. It runs long and it was refreshing for us to stroll along side it. There were some fishes and turtles floating around and having a wonderful time.
McGovern Lake
The McGovern Lake is a popular feature in the Hermann Park and also serves as the body of water that enables the pedal boaters to have fun.
You can stand along its edges and watch the activities going on. You can also stand on the Tiffany Bridge that spans across the lake and observe the pedal boaters ride by.
Sam Houston Statue
The Sam Houston Statue is very popular with tourists who visit the Hermann Park or the Houston Museum of Natural Science. It is very prominent and hard to miss. It is a picture magnet; everyone wants to take a picture around it.
There are many other features in this park that we have not written about. In conclusion though, it is indeed a fun place to visit. Make out time to go there and thank us later.
Address: 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030
Question: How much does it cost to get into the Hermann Park?
Answer: Most of the activities that you can engage in at the Hermann Park are free.
Question: Can I bring my dog to Hermann Park in Houston?
Answer: Yes, you can bring your dog to Hermann Park in Houston but it must be on a leash.
8. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts
The Jones Hall for the Performing Arts is another venue to visit while in Houston Texas. Especially for tourists who enjoy symphony and artistic performances. It has a sprawling building that plays host to different art forms.
Take a look at their Calendar for upcoming shows.
Address: 615 Lousiana St, Houston Tx. 77002
9. Holocaust Museum Houston
| Ticket Prices | Adults $22 Seniors (65+) $16 Children (0-18) Free |
| Hours | Monday Closed Tue-Wed 10am-5pm Thursday 10am-8pm Fri-Sat 10am-5pm Sunday 12pm-5pm |
| Address | 5401 Caroline St, Houston, Tx. 77004 |
The Holocaust Museum Houston is another museum that is located in the Houston Museum District. According to the people who work there, this museum has been newly renovated.
The importance of preserving history cannot be overstated and this museum does more than just preserves history. It serves to remind us of a terrible past that we must all strive to prevent from repeating itself.
10. The Health Museum
| Ticket Prices | Adults $10 Seniors (65+) $8 Kids (3-12) $8 Kids (Under 3) Free Member Free |
| Hours | Mon-Wed 10am-5pm Thursday 10am-7pm Fri-Sat 10am-5pm Sunday 12pm-5pm |
| Address | 1515 Hermann Dr, Houston, Tx 77004 |
Houston Texas is a diverse city and her museums are equally very diverse. Thus, there is a good chance that no matter what your interest is, there is a museum that caters to that. Coming into the fold in number 10 is the Health Museum.
In its longer form, it is known as the John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science. It is very popular with tourists and indeed, among Houstonians. The reason isn’t farfetched.
It brings to life real sized and also scaled up images of the various parts of the human body. There are numerous permanent exhibits in this museum, and we enjoyed every one of them.
You and your family will enjoy them too, especially the rib cage exhibit and the heart and brain one. This museum is one of the smaller ones in the district and visitors usually don’t spend too much time here.
11. Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston
| Ticket Prices | Free |
| Hours | Mon-Tue Closed Wednesday 11am-6pm Thursday 11am-9pm Fri-Sun 11am-6pm |
| Address | 5216 Montrose Blvd, Houston, Texas 77006 |
The Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston (CAMH) caters for people whose interest in arts lie more to the art forms of the present. The CAMH delivers on that basis.
There were so many stunning pieces of art, making the experience absolutely worth it for us. They have a basement section, and we were thrilled the most in that area.
One of the best parts of visiting this museum is that its admission fee is free. They do have a membership program and donations are appreciated.
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12. Explore The Downtown Aquarium
| Ticket Prices | Adults $16.99 Seniors (65+) $14.99 Kids (under 42”) $14.99 Kids (under 2yrs) Free |
| Hours | Sun-Thurs 10am-8:30am Fri-Sat 10am-10pm |
| Address | 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002 |
Amongst the top best things to do in Houston Texas is to visit the Downtown Aquarium. Once inside, we quickly realized why it is such a popular place to visit for tourists who come to Houston TX.
We were really impressed with the layout and the exhibits as well as the food. To see the sharks, we had to hop onto the in-house train (C.P Huntington Train) and toured the glass tunnel.
That made for a very wonderful experience. They have a wide range of aquatic animals and some non-aquatics ones too, like the very popular and endearing Bengal Tiger.
Additionally, the aquarium has rides, such as the diving bell Ferris wheel, lighthouse dive, frog hopper, aquatic carousel and more. Furthermore, there is also an on-site restaurant with fishes swimming around in the background.
Question: Do you have to pay for parking at Downtown Aquarium Houston?
Answer: Yes, you have to pay to park in the parking lot associated with the Downtown Aquarium in Houston. You can use the self-park option or the valet option, going for $8 and $10 respectively.
13. Visit The Japanese Garden
| Ticket Prices | (Free) Donations Are Appreciated |
| Hours | Daily Mar-Oct 9am-6pm Nov-Feb 9am-5pm |
| Address | 6000 Fannin Street, Houston, TX. 77030 |
The Japanese Garden is an interesting place to visit. It’s located in the vicinity of the Hermann Park, and it is free to enter. We have been to a few Japanese Gardens in the past and this one is quite similar to the others.
Additionally, there are a few ponds with different species of fish, gleefully swimming about. Just like the other areas in the Hermann Park, the Japanese Garden is well shaded by trees along the walkways.
Lastly, depending on the time of the year that you visit, different flower species will be in bloom.
This makes for a convenient and relaxing stroll and walk environment. There are gazebos and benches, in all, it is designed to help you relax and wear down stress.
Question: How much does it cost to visit the Japanese Garden In Hermann Park, Houston?
Answer: Admission into the Japanese Garden is free but donations to Hermann Park Conservancy is appreciated.
14. Miller Outdoor Theatre
| Ticket Prices | Free |
| Hours | Varies See Performance List Here |
| Address | 6000 Fannin Street, Houston, TX. 77030 |
The Miller Outdoor Theatre is part and parcel of the Hermann Park in Houston Texas. It is a semi-outdoor performance theatre, which hosts different genres of artistic performances.
In addition to the seating area, behind the fence, there is a portion of the lush green and well-manicured lawn of the Hermann Park where we sat and enjoyed the practice run that was happening on the stage.
There was going to be a live music performance in the evening but we didn’t stay, as we had other places to visit that same evening.
For concerts, you can get a ticket and gain entrance into Miller Outdoor Theatre seating areas, or you can hang out on the grass i.e hillside seating.
Question: How much does the ticket cost to go to Miller Outdoor Theatre?
Answer: Admission to the different Miller Outdoor Theatre seating areas are free. For the covered seating area, you must request a ticket online, starting a day to the event you wish to attend. For the uncovered, hillside seating area, you do not require a ticket and it is free. Just make sure you have a blanket, a mat or beach chair to make you more comfortable.
15. Children Museum Houston
| Ticket Prices | Adults $17 Kids (1+) $17 Kids (under 1) Free Seniors (65+) $15 Military $15 |
| Hours | Sunday 12pm-6pm Mon-Wed 10am-6pm Thursday 10am-8pm Fri-Sat 10am-6pm |
| Address | 1500 Binz Street, Houston, TX 77004 |
The Children Museum Houston is another wonderful place to visit within the Houston Museum District.
The list of things to do in Houston with kids will not be complete without mentioning the museum that was built, solely with kids in mind.
16. Polaris Slingshot Guided Tour
| Ticket Prices | $130 Per Hour |
| Hours | Mon-Sat 9am-6pm Sunday 10am-6pm |
| Address | 20212 Hempstead Rd, Houston, TX 77065 |
If you are in Houston TX and craving some adrenaline rush activity, might we suggest the Polaris Slingshot guided tour. It is a fun experience.
Visit the Houston Slingshot Rental outfit and they will take care of your slingshot rental needs. They do have guided tours on offer, and they can also suggest a bunch of well mapped out routes to take for the ride.
No matter what your driving and transmission preference is, they have it, you could choose either a manual or an automatic transmission slingshot.
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17. Shop and Dine At Memorial City Center – Town and Country
Memorial City Center – Town and Country is located towards the southwest area of Houston Texas. Just off I-10 and Sam Houston Parkway. It has different restaurants with a wide variety of food offerings.
In addition, some of the restaurants that you can find in this outdoor shopping and retails area includes but are not limited to Yard House, Cyclone Anaya, Grimaldi’s Pizzeria, Bellagreen, Daily Gather, Sweet Paris, Ra Sushi, Caliente, Escalante, Season 52, Texas De Brazil, The Capital Grille and many more.
We really enjoyed our time exploring the City Center at Memorial. Overall, we think that it is very family friendly.
We saw a green courtyard and playground close to Daily Gather, Bellagreen and a few other outlets. There were a lot of kids and other family members relaxing and playing there.
Summary Of Top Best Things To Do In Houston Texas
- NASA’s Johnson Space Center Houston
- Explore & Wander Through The Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Houston Zoo – Things To Do In Houston Texas
- Cockrell Butterfly Center
- The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH)
- Shopping in the Neighborhood of Montrose – Things To Do In Houston Texas
- Have A Fun Filled Day At The Hermann Park
- Jones Hall for the Performing Arts
- Holocaust Museum Houston
- The Health Museum
- Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston
- Downtown Aquarium
- Japanese Garden
- Miller Outdoor Theatre
- Children Museum Houston
- Polaris Slingshot Guided Tour
- Memorial City Center – Town and Country
