75 Best Things to Do in Houston (By a Local)

👉 Jump to: Best Things | Hidden Gems | Cool & Unusual | Family-Friendly | Date Ideas | Arts & Entertainment | Museums & Culture | Parks & Outdoors | Sporting Events | Seasonal 

As a born-and-raised local, I can attest that there are some seriously cool things to do in Houston. 

Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States by population, and the full metro area covers almost 10,000 square miles. In addition to its sheer size, it is the second most diverse large city in the U.S., with over 145 different languages spoken. 

There are so many things to do all around Houston, from sports and culture to dining and outdoor adventures – all of which I divulge below. I also share my fave hidden gems in the city. Use this and my guide to Where to Stay in Houston to plan the perfect visit.

Let’s get into it!

Best Things to Do in Houston

Space Center Houston

Live out your dreams of being an astronaut (or rocket scientist) at Space Center Houston.  

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (281) 244-2100 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Fri, 10 am – 6 pm Sat & Sun | Entrance: weekday/weekend $29.95/$39.95 adults, $24.95/34.95 child 4-11 |👉 Browse Space Center Houston Tickets on Viator

Space Center Houston will captivate space and science enthusiasts of all ages. Exhibits highlight flown spacecraft, astronaut suits, the International Space Station, and the Artemis program with its plans to return humans to the moon.

One of the most famous callouts of the city of Houston was Neil Armstrong announcing the Apollo 11 successful landing on the moon, “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.” 

Mission control is still located right at Johnson Space Center, and both the historic original and the newer state-of-the-art mission control facilities have tours available for public viewing. 

👉 Local Tip: Just 17 miles from Hobby Airport, Space Center Houston is in the Clear Lake area of the city. While there are hotels within walking distance, it is not a walkable destination, and a car or rideshare is needed to get to the Space Center as well as restaurants, shopping, and the nearby waterfront destinations. 

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Wander the galleries at the Houston Museum of Natural Science and take in the many exhibits.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 639-4629 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 4:30 pm Mon, Wed & Thu; 9 am – 5:30 pm Fri-Sun; 9 am – 7:30 pm Tue | Entrance: $25 adults, $16 child ages 3-11 |👉 Browse HMNS Tickets on Viator

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is at the center of the Museum District. The museum’s permanent exhibits include everything from dinosaurs to Fabergé eggs and the Wiess Energy Hall.

One of my favorite exhibits is the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals. It has an incredible collection of rare and beautiful natural wonders, including a 2,000-pound amethyst geode. The dimly lit rooms enhance the beauty of the backlit gem and mineral displays.

Another fave is The Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife – it reflects the species and environments of Texas. Animal replicas are displayed in their natural habitats, and the dioramas change from dawn to dusk with lighting and sound to create a realistic experience.

General admission tickets include access to all of the permanent exhibits. The Cockrell Butterfly Center and Planetarium (included below) have separate entry fees, as do most special exhibits. 

👉 Local Tip: Parking in the museum garage is $30 and fills up quickly, especially on weekends and summertime. There is free parking nearby, but it can be a challenge to find a spot unless you arrive at opening time.

Discovery Green

An oasis amid the skyscrapers of Downtown.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 6 am – 11 pm daily | Entrance: Free for most activities; Bumper boats and kayaks are $12 each boat or $20 to do both

Discovery Green is a 12-acre urban park in Downtown near the George R. Brown Convention Center. Opened in 2008 with the goal of making Downtown more than just a business center, it quickly became a top destination for Houstonians and visitors of all ages.

For children, there is a play structure, a splash pad, bumper boats on Kinder Lake, and a putting green. Adults will enjoy yoga and pure barre fitness classes in the park, art installations, and kayaking. Dogs are welcome on leashes and can roam and play freely in the dog runs. 

In addition to these attractions, the Park Conservancy hosts events throughout the year, including movie nights, dance parties, and concerts. You can stay all day with two onsite restaurants and several food trucks lining the park.

👉 Local Tip: Parking is the biggest challenge and can be expensive in the area garages and hard to find on metered street parking. Rideshare is a good option, or staying nearby at one of the area hotels and walking over works, too.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Polish off those boots and get your hat on straight when the world’s largest rodeo comes to town.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (832) 667-1000 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 9 pm daily, typically from 1st Monday in March – 4th Sunday in March | Entrance: Grounds tickets $21 adults, $10 under 12, Concert Tickets start at $25 and Carnival tickets are $1.25 each

When the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (HLSR) kicks off at the end of February each year with its Barbecue Cook-off, the whole city reverts to its country roots. 

Each day of the rodeo season, the grounds at NRG Park are open to the public with interactive agriculture exhibits and animal encounters. 

The animals being shown and up for sale are housed in the NRG Center, and livestock competitions and auctions take place in the NRG Arena. The surrounding outdoor area is dedicated to the rodeo carnival with rides, games, and booths with every kind of food imaginable.

The biggest attraction is the daily rodeo and concert. You can enjoy the competition, watching barrel racing, bull riding, and steer wrestling as well as the 5-6 year olds’ mutton bustin’. Each show culminates in a concert by a prominent musician or band.

Theater District

Soothe your soul with music, dance, song, comedy, and drama from Houston’s nine performing arts organizations.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (832) 487-7050 (Jones Hall) | Website 

Houston is one of only five cities in the U.S. that has resident companies for ballet, symphony, theater, and opera. The Theater District Downtown is home to the venues for each of these, as well as touring shows, special events, and musical artists. 

Whether you’re on a date night or a weekend matinee with family or friends, the Theater District fits the (play)bill. Restaurants, green spaces, and outdoor art installations make the area a full experience.

The Galleria

The largest shopping mall in Texas, the Galleria delivers on shopping, food, and fun.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 622-0663 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Mon – Thu, 10 am – 9 pm Fri – Sat, 12 pm – 7 pm Sun

The Galleria Mall is a shopper’s paradise with everything from luxury brands to children’s toys. It has two on-site hotels and food options from the familiar (Cheesecake Factory) to the elite (Nobu) and everything in between. 

Located just outside the busy 610 Loop on Westheimer, getting to the Galleria requires patience and definitely a car. But the reward of 400 stores and over 60 restaurants is worth it. 

The Galleria ice skating rink has public skating hours daily. The surrounding area is somewhat walkable with more stores and the famous Waterwall park, but stay alert and cross at the lights – it is a high-traffic area. 

Hidden Gems in Houston

Cheese Tasting at Houston Dairymaids

Tempt your tastebuds with the weekly cheese selection at the Cheese Shop.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 880-4800 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 2 pm Mon, 10 am – 4 pm Tue-Sat (5 pm Fri), Closed Sun | Entrance: Free cheese tasting daily

Houston Dairymaids is a cheese shop with a weekly selection available for tasting for free. Each week, they select a group of five cheeses for their tasting palette, and each visitor to the store is invited to try it. 

If you are a cheese lover, plan to take home several of these selections as they are unique and delicious. Favorites include June’s Joy (goat cheese with honey, peppercorn and thyme) and Redneck Cheddar (made with Texas beer). 

You can get everything you need for a cheeseboard or a hostess gift at the cheese shop. They have cured meats, spreads, baguettes, wine, and so much more. Stop in for a tasting the next time you visit the Houston Heights.

El Gato Coffeehouse Cat Cafe

Spend time with adoptable cats in this cozy cat foster home.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (832) 968-3006 | Website | Hours: 12:30 pm – 4:30 pm Tue, Thu, & Fri, 11 am – 5 pm Sat, 12 pm – 5 pm Sun, Closed Mon & Wed | Entrance: $18 for an hour, minimum age of 5 

Cat lovers missing their furry friends while traveling to Houston will love the Cat Cafe at El Gato Coffeehouse in The Heights. 

Designed to acclimate the cats to being around other cats and people, the cafe welcomes visitors to eat, drink coffee, do yoga, study, and play with the cats in a stress-free environment. They are all adoptable, so locals looking for a new feline member of the family can visit to socialize with the residents before taking a new kitty home.

The cat cafe is located on a mostly residential street. Parking is available in an attached parking lot or on the street. Admission fees help to pay for the care and maintenance of the facility and the food and vet care for the cats, as well as to pay staff. Children five and over are welcome, and reservations are required. 

Hidden Lake

Soar over the lake on a zipline or get bounced high in the air on The Blob as you experience all the thrills of this little-known (and appropriately named) lake.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (832) 661-0543 | Website | Hours: Lake open for member swim on Tue, Thu, & Fri from 4 pm – 8 pm from May – September | Entrance: $20 per swimmer, $5 per non-swimmer + a $5 per person one-time membership fee

Hidden Lake in Katy was created from a barter. The Texas Department of Transportation needed dirt for an overpass project, and the school next to the future lake wanted a recreation spot. The lake was dug and lined, dirt removed, and Hidden Lake and the Pin Oak overpass were born! 

The lake has inflatables, a zip line, The Blob, and a water trampoline. A covered pavilion and gazebos are there to help you beat the heat. Great for a family evening out, a birthday party, or a company picnic – it is designed for summer fun. Individual pricing and group rates are available. Concessions are sold on-site.

Safety is a top concern, and everyone wears a lifejacket in the water and a helmet on The Blob. 

Candle Making at the Candle Bar

Select your scents and design, and pour a custom candle in a whiskey glass.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 861-6618 | Website | Hours: Fri, Sat, Sun 1-hour slots starting at 1 pm Fri and 2 pm Sat/Sun with the last session at 5 pm | Entrance: $48 each, max 4 people per session, open to all ages

The Candle Bar is located in the premium gift store Manready Mercantile in The Heights. The Candle Bartender leads each party through the steps of selecting scents, mixing the soy wax, and pouring the custom-made candles. Guests over 21 are also offered an Old Fashioned to drink while they mix and pour. 

Learn why soy candles are the best and how to extend the life of your candles, all while enjoying the company of your candle-making friends. The newly poured candles have to set – so plan to come back in a few days to pick them up from the shop.

The sessions are for just four people, a fun and unique outing for a double date or girls’ day. 

Curate a Box of Chocolates at Cacao and Cardamom

Indulge in these beautiful and delicious chocolates with uniquely blended flavors.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (281) 501-3567 | Website | Hours: 10:30 am – 6 pm Mon-Thu, 11 am – 7 pm Fri-Sat, 12 pm – 6 pm Sun

Cacao and Cardamom’s high-end chocolates in the Galleria area make a unique gift or a special indulgence for yourself. Select the size box you want and then add the pieces of your choice. No more biting into each variety to see what’s inside. A beautiful flavor guide comes with each box, so you know exactly what to expect. 

This hidden gem of a chocolatier merges flavors you would have never imagined together with delicious results. Pictured above are black sesame ginger, guava tamarind, pineapple fennel-caramel, and cardamom rose. They are painted with cocoa butter to create the beautiful, unique design of each flavor.

They also have truffles, vegan and gluten-free selections, and shipping is available.

Feed the Horses at the Houston Police Mounted Patrol Barn

Treat these hard-working horses to apples and carrots.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (832) 394-0399 | Website | Hours: call or email [email protected] to schedule a visit or group tour

The Houston Police Mounted Patrol barn welcomes guests and larger group tours to come out and see the barn and feed the horses. 

The horses like apples and carrots, so bring plenty (you can leave any extras there for future snack times). This fun experience lets kids interact with the horses in a safe and controlled environment. 

It’s also a good lesson for visitors on the hard-working animals who are a part of protecting this city. What better way to say thank you than a crunchy treat? Just reach out to them via email or over the phone to schedule your visit.

Cool & Unusual Things to Do in Houston

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Witness the 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under the bridge in search of nourishment.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 752-0314 | Website | Hours: Sunset daily | Entrance: Free on land; Boat tour: $30, adults, $24 ages 4-12 | 👉 Buffalo Bayou Bat Cruise 

Every dry night at sunset when the temperature is over 50 degrees, 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under the Waugh Street Bridge and go searching for a meal. The bridge, just outside Downtown, overlooks Buffalo Bayou and has been home to the bats for over 20 years.

Folks start to gather about 30 minutes before dusk on the bridge itself, on the grassy area off Allen Parkway, and even in kayaks in the bayou below. Parking spots along Allen Parkway fill up fast, but there are other options a short walk away, like Spotts Park and Lost Lake Visitor Center.

The Buffalo Bayou Partnership hosts bat cruises every night to provide a view of their emergence from the water below. Fridays during the warm season (March – October), local experts offer “Bat Chats” with interesting facts about the bats and their home under the bridge.

The POST International Food Hall

Face the challenge of picking just one of the delicious eateries in the very cool POST Market.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 999-2550 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 9 pm Sun-Wed, 11 am – 10 pm Thu-Sat  

When wandering through the POST Market looking at food options and enjoying the cool vibe, it’s hard to believe the building used to house the city’s central post office. The remodeled facility is anything but institutional. A giant spiral staircase is the centerpiece of the market space and leads to a rooftop skylawn for both public and private events.

Reminiscent of a mall food court, but with elevated restaurant choices and alcohol, the Market has shared seating, reusable tableware, and a comfortable atmosphere. Couples, families, co-workers, and friends all gather for the International fare and bright, vibrant feel. 

Dinner and Karaoke at One Shot Pocha

Live your K-Pop dreams at this Koreatown restaurant with private karaoke rooms.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 467-8877 | Hours: 5 pm – 2 am Wed-Mon, Closed Tue 

One part K-Pop fan restaurant, one part karaoke bar, and one part after-hours hangout, One Shot Pocha is a welcome surprise in the corner of a strip center. The visual appeal draws you in immediately. Neon signs, mesh dividers, a claw machine, and K-pop videos playing on the screens set the tone for the evening.

Choose from a variety of flavors of Soju and drink it “One Shot” at a time. When you need your server, push the button at the table and he or she quickly appears. On top of the novelty of the decor and energy of the staff, the food is delicious. Korean fried chicken and cheese corn top the list, but the menu is extensive. 

If karaoke is what you came for, you can book a private room and eat and drink while you belt out your favorite songs.

Beer Can House

Live by the Golden Rule and swing by the Beer Can House for a photo op.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 926-6368 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Wed-Sun, closed Mon & Tue | Admission: Free

Started in the late 1960s because homeowner John Milkovisch didn’t want to keep mowing his yard, this Houston icon now has an estimated 50,000 beer cans affixed to the property. Milkovisch started inlaying metal on the grounds to get out of his lawn care, but continued for 18 years, adding aluminum cans as siding to his house and as decoration all over.

Located in the Rice Military neighborhood, the Beer Can House was acquired by the Orange Show Center for Visual Arts after John and his wife, Mary, passed away. They opened the house up for group and self-guided tours and also host free quarterly block parties sponsored by St Arnold’s Brewing Company. 

Giant Beatles Statues

Stop in at 8th Wonder Brewery for an up-close view of the giant Beatles.

For 8 years, visitors to East Downtown were surprised by the sight of giant statues of The Beatles towering over everything else. Located in the beer garden at 8th Wonder Brewery, these sculptures by artist David Adickes are a fun stop for a photo op.

The giant versions of John, Paul, George, and Ringo are currently on the move after being sold to a collector George DeMontrond III in 2025. DeMontrond has stated that he plans to install the statues at the DeMontrond Mazda car dealership in Clear Lake. As of fall 2025, the statues are not yet on display.

Bingo in the Heights

Get your dauber ready for a night of Bingo fun in Houston’s Historic Heights. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 869-5767 | Website | Hours: Every Thursday, Doors open at 5:30 pm, Bingo at 7 pm | Entrance: $15 Bingo card pack (cash only) and $4 corking fee per bottle

Self-proclaimed “not your granny’s bingo,” Thursday night Bingo at Lodge 88 in The Heights attracts crowds of all ages from all over the city. 

Birthday parties, girls’ night out, work friends, and families fill the long tables spanning the giant room at the Lodge. Rotate through different themed games, anxiously anticipating the shout of “Bingo.” Winners are quickly booed as the rest of the crowd is dismayed by their own bad luck.

You can bring your own wine or liquor bottles with a $4 corkage fee, and bring in your own food as well. Beers and non-alcoholic drinks, and a few snacks and sandwiches are available for purchase. 

Family-Friendly Attractions in Houston

Houston Zoo

Step into the world of animal experiences with a visit to the Houston Zoo.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 533-6500 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $26.95 – $34.95 adults, $21.45 – $27.95 ages 3-12 (price range depends on day and time)

The Houston Zoo, located in the Museum District next to Hermann Park, has over 6,000 resident animals representing over 600 species. Renovations have been ongoing for many years, improving the experience for both the animals and visitors. Focused on education and conservation, learning opportunities are interspersed throughout each zone.

The Galapagos Islands exhibit was the first of its kind, focusing on this important zoological locale. Other zones highlight species from Africa and South America, and Birds of the World has an immersive aviary of South American birds, including flamingos.

Buy your timed entry tickets in advance. You can bring in food and drink, and concessions are available for purchase. While the zoo has added more shady areas, in the warm months, it is very hot. Be sure to stay hydrated and don’t forget the sunscreen.

The Downtown Aquarium

Take in all the scenery from tropical fish to the city skyline at the Downtown Aquarium.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 223-3474 | Website | Hours: Exhibit – 10 am – 8:30 pm Sun-Thu, 10 am – 10 pm Fri-Sat; Rides – 10:30 am – 8:30 pm Sun-Thu, 10:30 am – 10 pm Fri-Sat | Entrance: All Day Adventure Pass $26.99 adults, $24.99 children under 42” 

The Downtown Aquarium is a funplex of food, fish, and amusements. 

The middle of the restaurant features a giant aquarium, adding to the serene environment of low lighting and soothing blues. The outside experience is the opposite, with thrills and excitement as you ride the Ferris wheel, carousel, and train, and try your luck at the carnival games. From the top of the Ferris wheel, you get an awesome view of the Downtown skyline.

The Aquarium exhibit itself is a self-paced trip through a variety of themed areas with diverse marine life. Children will love searching for Nemo and Dory and interacting with the stingrays in their open water tank. 

The All-Day Adventure Pass is the most economical way to visit if you want to enjoy the carnival and aquarium exhibit.

Texas Shaped Lazy River at Marriott Marquis Downtown

Play where you stay in the Lazy River and pool at this Downtown hotel.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 654-1777 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 10 pm daily, weather permitting | Entrance: Free for hotel guests; day passes are available for 21+ from $55-$200

Nestled in the heart of Downtown, the Marriott Marquis Hotel overlooks Discovery Green. Altitude Rooftop & Pool on the 6th floor offers an infinity pool, whirlpool, and Texas-shaped Lazy River. Sunday nights are for karaoke and concerts, and other live music events are scheduled throughout the year. 

Altitude Rooftop Bar & Pool is open to all hotel guests of any age. Day passes are available but only for those who are 21 and up.

Blessington Farms

Take a break from the busy city for a day of adventure at this working farm.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (832) 444-8717 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 12 pm Wed-Fri only (varies by season) | Entrance: $25 for all (varies by season)  

Blessington Farms, just west of suburban Katy, offers families a different type of outdoor adventure. Fishing at the catch-and-release pond, grooming the goats at the petting zoo, and riding the barrel train are just a few of the many farm and ranch-themed activities. Animal encounters are also available for an additional fee. 

Food trucks are on-site during the busier months, but they allow you to bring in your own food and picnic in their dining areas. 

In the fall months, the pumpkin patch is a dream of a photo op, with several backdrops and pumpkins and gourds as far as the eye can see.

Color Factory

Get inspired by color as you move through the interactive rooms at this immersive experience.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 10:15 am – 6 pm Mon, 10 am – 4 pm Tue, 10 am – 7 pm Fri-Sun | Entrance: $29-36 adults, $19-28 ages 3-12 (range depends on day and time), $44 ticket anytime |👉 Browse Color Factory Tickets on Viator

Color Factory, located in Upper Kirby, is a fun and unique art exhibit. Carefully curated to incorporate visual stimulation into each installation, you hesitate to move on from each activity, only to realize the next has even more appeal. 

The black and white floor and walls in the floating ball room bring out the vibrancy of the colored balls. The giant Lite Brite wall transports you to your childhood. And it is extremely likely you will later find confetti trapped somewhere on your person.

The excitement and energy of this interactive experience make it a great date night (or day) experience, fun for a group of friends, and delightful for children of all ages. Warning, though – you may have a battle getting the little ones out of the giant ball pit. 

Picking Fruits and Veggies at Froberg’s Farm

Source locally at this berry-picking farm and country store.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (281) 585-3531 | Website | Hours: 8 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: Free to enter, but $2 per bucket and $5/lb to pick

Froberg’s Farm in Alvin offers fruit and vegetable picking year-round. They also have a country store where they sell produce and baked items, and have some rides and games for visitors. 

The main attraction is the strawberry picking from January to mid-May each year. They require that you use their buckets for the picking, but you can bring them back for each visit and reuse them. The strawberries are $5 a pound. Always call and check social media before scheduling a visit, as weather and other factors can affect the picking schedule.

For kids used to big city life and opening the refrigerator to find exactly what they want ready and waiting, picking is a fun way for them to understand a little bit about the supply chain that gets food from the farms to the table.

Dig World

Get in the driver’s seat of these construction machines.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (346) 435-8888 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 12 pm Thu-Fri, 9 am – 6 pm Sat-Sun | Entrance: $29.99 for 2-hour general admission 

Dig World, located in the parking lot of the Katy Mills Mall in Katy, elevates the Tonka truck experience to a hands-on “dream come true” for kids and parents, too. 

A ticket provides two hours of fun driving a skid steer loader and UTV, and digging and excavating with the construction machinery. Picnic tables are set up under a covered pavilion to take a break with a snack and drink, available at the concession stand.

A traditional playground, sandbox, and lawn games round out the experience. Take home a souvenir of the day as you pass through the gift shop heading back to the car.

Make Your Own Slime at Sloomoo Institute

Join the institute and study up on all things slime.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5:30 pm Mon-Thu, 10 am – 7:30 pm Fri, 9 am – 8:30 pm Sat, 10 am – 6:30 pm Sun | Entrance: $21.99-$31.99 (varies by day and time)

Sloomoo gets its name by changing all vowels in the word slime to be “oo,” from an online viral trend a few years back. When you arrive at the Institute, your name is similarly changed and your silly moniker slapped on your name tag. 

Timed tickets are purchased ahead of time, and groups enter together to manage the flow. The first step is adding your choice of slime to the slime wall. From there, you experience the slime at your own pace, feeling the different textures and stickiness of the many formulas and colors, and can even slingshot slime at your family and friends in a protective booth. 

Each guest creates their own slime, carefully selecting the texture, color, scent, and any charms before mixing and packaging for home. For an additional fee for the enhanced experience, you can put on a poncho and get slimed by a shower of slime at Sloomoo Falls. Cap off the visit by jumping into the slime pit known as Sloomoo Pond.

Kemah Boardwalk

Head to the bay for a family day at Kemah Boardwalk.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (281) 535-8100 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 8 pm Sun-Mon, 12 pm – 7 pm Tue-Thu, 12 pm – 9 pm Fri, 12 pm – 10 pm Sat | Entrance: All Day Ride Pass $22.99 (under 48″), $28.99 (48″ and up) |👉 Browse Passes for Kemah Boardwalk

The Kemah Boardwalk is the local version of the Santa Monica Pier or Coney Island in New York. Sitting along Galveston Bay and Clear Lake, the Boardwalk is a self-contained adventure zone, with a hotel, restaurants, gift shops, midway games and rides, and other attractions.

An All-Day pass is the way to go if you want to enjoy the many rides offered. Hop on any of the 12 rides as many times as you want throughout the day when you purchase the pass. 

Dining options include themed restaurants like the Aquarium and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., as well as pizza and a steakhouse.

Houston Date Ideas

The Toasted Coconut

Get ready for a taste of the tropics at this tiki bar and restaurant.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 485-4775 | Website | Hours: 4 pm – 10 pm Tue-Wed, 4 pm – 12 am, Thu-Fri, 10 am – 12 am Sat, 10 am – 10 pm Sun, Closed Mon

The Toasted Coconut in Montrose makes for a fun couples night as you are transported to the tropics with the thatched roof patio and tiki-bar theme. Flaming rum drinks and an eclectic menu round out the evening as you dream of Polynesia. 

There is some parking in front of the restaurant and an overflow lot across the street – all free. But if you plan to follow their mantra, “Let’s get Toasted,” definitely plan to use a rideshare.

S’mores at Heights & Co.

Plan a night out in The Heights and make tabletop s’mores at Heights & Co.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 2 pm – 10 pm Mon-Thu, 12 pm – 12 am Fri-Sat, 12 pm – 10 pm Sun

In a unique twist on dessert, Heights & Co has a s’mores board on their menu with your own tabletop mini fire pit. Save room after your dinner for this gooey treat as you roast marshmallows right at the table. 

No longer just for camping, these elevated s’mores add a romantic touch to your next date night. The Carajillo and Espresso Martini complement the chocolate and marshmallows well. Reservations are recommended as they get crowded.

The restaurant also hosts movie nights throughout the year on the patio, with drink specials or wine tastings themed for Halloween, Christmas, and summer travels.

Well Done Cooking Class

Sharpen your skills with a fun BYOB date night class.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (832) 782-3518 | Website | See class schedule for dates and prices

Well Done Cooking Classes in Spring Branch offers a variety of classes each month, including cooking techniques and fundamentals, and date night options. The social evenings are typically themed either by food type (seafood, pasta) or by culture or region (India, Mediterranean).

The date night classes are multi-course meals that the chef instructor walks you and your partner through each step of the way. Working at shared tables with others is a fun social activity with other couple friends or a way to meet new people. It is BYOB, or they have beverages for purchase. Once you finish cooking your meal, enjoy the fruits of your labor with your date.

Crab Legs and Baked Alaska at Trulucks

Get crackin’ on the famous crabs and earn that flaming dessert.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 783-7270 | Website | Hours: 11 am -10 pm Mon-Thu, 11 am – 10:30 pm Fri, 12 pm – 10:30 pm Sat, 2 pm – 9 pm Sun

Truluck’s in the Galleria area touts itself as a special occasion destination. The restaurant’s elegant setting with white tablecloths and mood lighting definitely makes it a prime spot for a special date night.

Crabs are the specialty, but they also have other seafood options, specialty steaks, and several lobster dishes. Treat yourself to the Baked Alaska with flaming rum to wrap up the night in dramatic fashion.

Wine Dinner at Nice Winery

Savor the specially selected wines paired perfectly with chef-created dishes.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 744-7444 | Website | Hours: 12 pm – 6 pm Tue-Sat, Closed Sun & Mon | Cost: Wine classes start at $75/person and dinners start at $185/person

Tucked away in the Spring Branch area of Houston, behind retail stores, a community college, and a residential neighborhood, is the delightful and surprising Nice Winery.

An urban vineyard is certainly unexpected, but Nice Winery has beaten the odds with its award-winning creations. Back-to-back winner of the All-Around Winery Award at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Uncorked, Nice Winery also broke the record for most individual wine awards at the Rodeo competition.

The owners are Certified Sommeliers and Le Cordon Bleu-trained chefs, and the winery hosts a wine pairing dinner each month with carefully selected wines to complement each course of the delicious meal. Enjoy this scenic winery, learn about the wine-making process, and feast on a chef-curated meal.

Dinner at Warehouse 72

Make it a picture-perfect night out with the dramatic wall art as your backdrop.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (833) 365-7272 | Website | Hours: 4 pm – 9 pm Tue-Thu, 4 pm – 10 pm Fri, 11 am – 10 pm Sat, 11 am – 9 pm Sun, Closed Mon

Warehouse 72 is a visual delight between the amazing wall murals and the specially tended plating of the food. Add to that the top-notch service and delicious meal, and the restaurant is the perfect setting for your next date night.

Located in a larger entertainment complex right off Interstate 10, it has easy access and an abundance of parking. Complete the night with a movie at the Regal Marquee Theater, or with some gaming at Dave and Busters, or a comedy show at The Improv, all walkable from the restaurant.

Arts & Entertainment in Houston

Museum of Fine Arts Houston

Ignite your imagination with these art exhibits from around the world and throughout history.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 639-7300 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 5 pm Wed, 11 am – 9 pm Thu-Fri, 11 am – 6 pm Sat, 12:30 pm – 6 pm Sun, Closed Mon & Tue | Entrance: $24 adults, $20 ages 13-18, Free 12 & under | 👉 Browse Tickets to the MFA

The Museum of Fine Arts Houston has three buildings, an art school, and an outdoor sculpture garden in the Museum District. 

The museum’s 70,000+ pieces in its permanent collection come from all over the world and range from antiquities to modern day. The Beck Collection of European art includes works by artists like Matisse, Renoir, and Cezanne, recognizable to most.

The museum has exhibit halls for Latin American Art, Arts of Asia, Art of the Islamic World and Arts of Africa, and the Indigenous Pacific Islands, Australia, and the Americas. James Turrell’s The Light Inside is a luminescent work of art guiding visitors through the tunnel from one MFAH building to the next.

As with many museums in the District, Thursdays are free, and the first consecutive Saturday and Sunday of the month are free to Bank of America cardholders.

Houston Murals Tour

Get inspired by the hundreds of murals scattered all over the city.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Available anytime; paid tours from 9 am – 7 pm daily | Entrance: Self-guided is free, $65 with tour guide | 👉 Book a Murals Tour on Viator

As an urban flatland, Houston may lack the natural beauty that some cities have from their rolling hills or lush landscape. But what it lacks in one area, it makes up for in the art integrated in the most unexpected places all over the city. 

In the early 2010s, the city committed to commissioning murals in public spaces. There are now over 750 murals across the city, including on the walls of Downtown buildings and on shipping containers running down the middle of Navigation Blvd. in EaDo.

The Mural Map website allows you to plan out your own mural tour in various parts of the city. You can also stumble upon them driving through Downtown, Washington Corridor, and EaDo, if you want a less pre-designed approach. Guided tours are also available.

713 Music Hall 

Get ready to dance at this Downtown live music venue.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (832) 204-6920 | Website 

The 713 Music Hall, named for the original area code for the city of Houston, is a music venue in Downtown’s Theater District that hosts artists from all different music genres.

Located in the old Downtown post office, the vibe is very industrial, mixed with brightly colored lights. Reserved seats can be purchased, but each of the three floors also has general admission standing room areas for you and your 4,000+ friends. 

👉 Pro Tip: The facility is cashless, and bags are subject to search and cannot be larger than 12” x 6” x 12.”

Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern

Escape below the city to this restored water reservoir now hosting art and music installations.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 752-0314 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon & Tue | Tours: $15, adults, $12 age 9-17 (under 9 not admitted) 

Buffalo Bayou is a 52-mile waterway flowing through the center of Houston. The Cistern was a below-ground drinking water reservoir for the city that was uncovered and repurposed as a tranquil space for exploration. 

Art installations and music events are also hosted in this underground venue with its 25’ tall concrete columns and unique acoustics. History tours, private tours, and meditation sessions are all available to reserve through the Buffalo Bayou Partnership.

Explore Downtown Sculptures

Reap the benefits of the city’s commitment to public art by exploring the sculptures throughout the Downtown area.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: Self-guided, available anytime, better in daylight | Entrance: Free 

Find more public art in Houston with the many sculptures throughout the downtown area. The Theater District, Public Library, Discovery Green Park, and Market Square all showcase outdoor sculptures. Many businesses also have a piece of art outside their buildings.

Use the Downtown Sculptures Website to plan out a self-guided tour of these works of art. I have included some of my favorites as well:

• Personage and Birds – Joan Miro (Chase Tower)
• Geometric Mouse, Square X – Claes Oldenburg (Houston Public Library)
• The Dancer – Marcello Mascherini (Jones Hall)
• Monument au Fantone – Jean Dubuffet (Discovery Green)
• Seven Wonders – Mel Chin (Buffalo Bayou’s Sesquicentennial Park)
• Points of View – James Surls (Market Square Park)
• In Minds – Anthony Cragg (Hobby Center)
• Synchronicity of Color – Margo Sawyer (Discovery Green)
• Virtuoso – David Adickes (Lyric Market in Theater District)

Smart Financial Centre Sugar Land

Catch your favorite musical artist at this suburban venue.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (281) 207-6278 | Website 

The Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land attracts top musical acts, comedians, performing artists, and noteworthy speakers. The venue has movable walls adapting from a smaller event for 1,900 people up to a full capacity crowd of 6,400. 

Just over 20 miles from Downtown Houston, the Centre draws big crowds for its events, whether an 80s band, a Disney show for kids, or a famous podcaster. The state-of-the-art sound, lighting, and technology make for a first-class experience. They do have a strict bag policy, so check the website for details before attending.

With plenty of restaurants in the nearby community, you can easily make a night of it in this sweetly named suburb.

Contemporary Arts Museum

Learn about new and emerging artists at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 284-8250 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm Wed, Fri-Sun, 11 am – 9 pm Thu, Closed Mon & Tue | Entrance: Free

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is a non-collecting institution in the Museum District area of town. It does not have any permanent exhibits but showcases contemporary artists, especially with displays reflective of current life and times. 

The museum is known for providing exposure to new and early-career contemporary artists and has received international attention.

With a special focus on art from the last 40 years, the museum has six to eight exhibits each year, in addition to lectures and other educational programs.

The museum is family-friendly. Art guides are available from the front desk with activities designed to help younger visitors slow down and engage with the art. However, some exhibits may be for a more mature audience, so be sure to check the reviews on the website ahead of time if bringing children.

Meow Wolf

Get ready for some sensory overload (in a good way!) at Meow Wolf Houston.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (866) 636-9969 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 9 pm Sun-Tue & Thu; 10 am – 11 pm Fri-Sat, Closed Wed | Entrance: $36-$48 adults, $25-$33 ages 4-12 (pricing varies by day and time) |👉 Browse Tickets to Meow Wolf

An immersive art experience with a variety of rooms and pathways full of color, energy, and unexpected surprises, Meow Wolf Radio Tave Houston is enhanced by not knowing what to expect around the next corner. 

There is a storyline for those who are interested in following it, but wandering over to whatever the next thing that catches your eye is also very enriching. 

Children are welcome, and much of this sensory paradise is geared toward them. Adultiverse nights are also hosted on a regular schedule, where all guests are 21 and up.

Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Head up to The Woodlands for a night of music in this outdoor arena.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (281) 364-3010 | Website | Schedule and pricing varies by event

Venturing to the farthest reaches of the Houston area for a concert may seem like a lot when there are so many music halls in town, but Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion makes it worth your while. The amphitheater attracts top talent from various genres and decades, including concerts, comedy shows, and the Houston Symphony. 

It is an outdoor arena, but the reserved seats are covered. General admission ticketholders sit on the lawn in the back, and lawn chairs are available to rent. Outside food and reusable water bottles (filled onsite) are allowed for the concert events.

The Pavilion is owned by a non-profit. The venue profits from its big events, and donations are used to support the arts in the community. 

Parking is free, and there are hotels within walking distance from the venue if you want to crash nearby after the show.

Houston Museums & Culture

Cockrell Butterfly Center

Brighten up your day in this rainforest full of butterflies.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 639-4629 | Website | Hours: 12 – 5 pm Mon, 10 am -8 pm Tue, 10 am – 5 pm Wed-Thu, 10 am – 6 Fri-Sun | Entrance: $15 adults, $12 ages 3-11 

The Cockrell Butterfly Center is located in the Houston Museum of Natural Science but requires its own admission ticket. A multi-story rainforest butterfly habitat with glass walls, it is as captivating from the outside as it is inside. 

Butterflies fly all around you as you walk through the exhibit. If you are lucky, one may land on you. Dress in bright colors for a better chance of an up-close encounter, as they may mistake you for their vibrant nectar. Be sure to grab one of the laminated information sheets when you arrive so you can identify the types of butterflies you come across. 

The 50-foot waterfall at the center of the enclosure and the humidity in the air add to the feeling of being transported to a tropical rainforest. Warning signs remind you to check yourself for stowaways before heading out to the Brown Hall of Entomology for more insect education.

Like when visiting HMNS’ main exhibits, parking is available for a fee at the museum garage or across the street at Hermann Park. You can also access the Butterfly Center via the Metrorail.

Children’s Museum Houston

Learn and play at the nationally recognized Children’s Museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 522-1138 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily, open until 8 pm Thu, Closed Mon | Entrance: $19.95 |👉 Browse Children’s Museum Tickets on Viator

The Children’s Museum in Houston’s Museum District is an incredible collaboration of learning and fun. With exhibits like Tot Spot for the youngest visitors up to the Science Lab and Spy Game for tweens, the family can easily spend their whole day there. 

Kidtropolis is a kid-sized city with a grocery store, vet, restaurant, hospital, and more, where kids can run the show or patronize the businesses. Lessons in pulleys and gravity are disguised as ball drops and seats that rise. For the high-energy child, there is an indoor play structure and the Power Play three-story climbing center to work their muscles.

The Children’s Museum is fun for all ages, but adults cannot attend without a child. There is a dedicated covered parking garage right across the street priced by length of visit. 

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Catch the gardens in bloom at Bayou Bend.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 639-7750 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed-Sat, 1 pm – 5 pm Sun, Closed Mon & Tue | Entrance: $14 adults, $12 seniors & students ($12 and $10 for gardens only), Free under 12 

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is the former home of Houston philanthropist Ima Hogg in the River Oaks area. The home was built with the intention of exhibiting art, and after being donated to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston in the 1950s, it was opened to the public in the 1960s as an art museum. The collection is classified as American decorative arts and includes paintings, ceramics, stitchwork, and silver from colonial America.

The organically-maintained gardens were designed as eight outdoor rooms in the classic Country Place style of the late 1800s and early 1900s. Ima Hogg introduced azaleas to the region and, at her brother’s urging, included southern flowering trees like the magnolia and crepe myrtle in the gardens. The original woodlands still surround the gardens today.

The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

Learn the historical and cultural significance of the courageous and tenacious Buffalo Soldiers.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 942-8920 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 4 pm Tue-Sat, 10 am – 5 pm Thu, Closed Sun & Mon | Entrance: $10 adults, $5 students 

⚠️ Closure Note: The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum is temporarily closed for renovations until Summer 2026.

Buffalo Soldiers were the African American regiments in the U.S. Army formed after the Civil War. This museum highlights the Buffalo Soldiers and their service to the country, while also delving into the military history and contributions of African Americans since then. As the only museum of its kind, it has the largest collection of historical African American military artifacts. 

The museum has events and speaker series throughout the year, as well as an outdoor exploration summer program for children. They host a free Juneteenth celebration for the community with a festival and educational resources for families and educators.

Asiatown

Immerse yourself in Asian culture in this southwest Houston neighborhood.

📍 Google Maps | Website

Asiatown is the familiar name of the adjacent areas called Chinatown and Little Saigon on Bellaire and Beltway 8 in southwest Houston. The Mahatma Gandhi District is just three miles away. 

Asiatown is a common destination for Houstonians for groceries, beauty products, and household items. Strip centers line both sides of Bellaire, all full of stores, restaurants, bakeries, and tea shops. Be sure to bring cash, as many places do not accept credit cards.

For a first-time visitor, Dun Huang Plaza and Hong Kong City Mall are a good place to start, with plenty of options and a true cultural immersion opportunity.

The Holocaust Museum Houston

Hold fast to the memories and lessons from the Holocaust.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 942-8000 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tue-Sat, 12 pm – 5 pm Sun, Closed Mon | Entrance: $22 adults, Free 18 and under

The Holocaust Museum was inspired by Houstonian and Holocaust survivor, Siegi Izakson, to educate the next generation about this tragic chapter in history.

The five permanent exhibits and other temporary exhibits examine the history of World War II, as well as focusing on social justice and human rights. Young diarists from that time and later world genocides are given a voice in the Caress Gallery. 

The museum has areas of contemplation, like the Moral Choices Hall and the Memorial Room with the Wall of Tears honoring the six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

Lone Star Flight Museum

Take off on a learning adventure at this aviation museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (346) 708-2517 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Tue-Sat (and Mon during the summer), 12 pm – 5 pm Sun | Entrance: $18 adults, $15 ages 12-17, $12 ages 5-11 

The Lone Star Flight Museum is located at Ellington Airport, a joint civilian and military airport owned by the City of Houston. The museum includes hangars displaying restored historical airplanes.

Flight simulators give visitors a hands-on experience, and for a real-life flight, plan ahead and book a trip on the Warbird. 

The Space Gallery includes a look at the NASA space shuttle experience, and the Flight Academy is an interactive education center with a variety of learning stations and hang glider simulators.

The Health Museum

Learn the inner workings of the human body at the Health Museum.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 521-1515 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Mon-Sat (until 6 pm Thu), 12 pm – 5 pm Sun | Entrance: $15 adults, $12 ages 3-12 

The Health Museum is a sleeper surprise in the Museum District. The outside is unassuming brown brick, but once you step inside, the vibrancy hits you immediately. 

Giant interactive body parts are in the gallery just past the welcome desk, and across the way are glowing balls and bright sea creatures crafted from recycled plastics hanging from the ceiling.

The engaging displays teach you about DNA, the human body, and your own capabilities. You can run on the human hamster wheel to check your heart rate, scream in the soundproof booth to see how loud you can go, and test your brain with their puzzles. 

Special exhibits include Body Worlds 101 with real human specimens on display and 77 Minutes, an homage to the children and teachers who died in the Uvalde shooting. 

👉 Pro Tip: Parking at the Health Museum is $8 for the whole day, so pay in advance, leave your car there after your visit, and have lunch or visit the Centennial Gardens or other museums nearby. 

The Menil Collection

The multi-building campus and park-like green space invite you to de-stress and commune with the art.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 525-9400 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 7 pm Wed-Sun, Closed Mon & Tue | Entrance: Free

The Menil Collection was established by John and Dominique de Menil and has over 20,000 works across five buildings. The Menils believed that art was key to the human experience and wanted to make it accessible to all. Their green spaces are inviting for picnics, relaxation, or to enjoy the outdoor sculptures. The exhibits are always free. 

A diverse collection of art from prehistoric to current times, the Collection is designed to engage, contemplate, and take inspiration for life.

Asia Society Texas Center

Experience the diversity of Asian cultures at the Asia Society.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 496-9901 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Wed, Fri-Sun, 12 pm – 7 pm Thu, Closed Mon & Tue | Entrance: $15 adults, $8 students 

Asia Society Texas is a business, arts, and education facility located in the Museum District. As the only satellite location for the New York-based Asia Society United States, it represents the active Asian community in Houston. 

In addition to exhibit halls and festivals, the Society has education programs for children and teens, live dance, music, theater performances, and speakers on global business and women’s leadership. It is a beautiful and serene environment with a rooftop pond and gently billowing steam outside.

The Museum of African American Culture

Explore the material and intellectual culture of African Americans in Houston and Texas.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 526-1015 | Website | Hours: 11 am – 6 pm Wed-Sat, Closed Sun, Mon, Tue | Entrance: Free (donations accepted)

The Houston Museum of African American Culture was founded with the intention of education, inspiration, and engagement. Not seeking to limit its audience to just the African American community, the goal rather is to share the history, art, struggles, and culture with people of all backgrounds and races. 

It’s a small museum with permanent and rotating exhibits. Admission is always free, and guests are invited to make a small donation.

The museum hosts events throughout the year and has an onsite shop to purchase jewelry and other art pieces by local designers. Parking is available for free.

Burke Baker Planetarium

Sit back, relax, and absorb the vastness of the night sky. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 639-4629 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily | Entrance: $12, adults, $10 ages 3-11 

The Planetarium at the Houston Museum of Natural Science features shows with the most advanced projection technology anywhere and a completely immersive experience. Many of the shows are space-themed, exploring planets, black holes, and starry nights. Dinosaurs and Under the Sea show options are also available.

Most Gen X Houstonians remember the late-night laser light shows held in the Planetarium for decades. True to its roots, the Planetarium is still hosting Pink Floyd “Dark Side of the Moon” shows for that generation and all the ones since. A nostalgic experience that has only gotten better over time, they are filling seats for the show seven days a week. 

Parks & Outdoor Attractions in Houston

Hermann Park Railroad

Journey around Hermann Park on this delightful railroad.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 524-5876 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm daily | Entrance: $6 weekdays, $7 weekends 

When I was a kid, it was a given that any visit to the zoo would end with a ride on the Hermann Park Railroad. Conveniently located just outside the zoo exit, the marketing strategy was a good one. Parents and kids loaded up on the train, and the whole family took off to explore Hermann Park. The railroad stops at other attractions along its 1.8-mile route, where more guests may board. 

The 20-minute trip through the park includes a tunnel with painted murals, views of the reflecting pool, Japanese Gardens, and the Sam Houston statue. Going over bridges and through wooded areas, kids stay engaged throughout.

Lake Conroe

Head just north of the city for watersports, fishing, and some relaxation.

📍 Google Maps | Website

The City of Houston owns ⅔ of Lake Conroe, originally built as an alternate water supply for the city after an extended drought. A weekend getaway for many Houstonians, there are plenty of waterfront properties to rent, golf courses, marinas, and the Margaritaville Lake Resort. 

Boat and jet-ski rentals, as well as guided fishing trips, are available at many of the watersport companies at the marinas along the miles of shoreline. 

Keep in mind the lake has a lot of boat traffic on weekends and holidays, which can make the water very choppy. Plan your visit accordingly. 

Golf at East River 9

Experience night golf with the city skyline as your backdrop.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 913-7033 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 8 pm Mon, Wed & Sun, 11 am – 8 pm Tue, 7 am – 9 pm Thu-Sat | Course Fees: $38-$50 depending on day and time

East River 9 is a par-three, nine-hole golf course overlooking Downtown. It has LED lighting for its prime time tee times after dark. The onsite restaurant, Riverhouse, is in an old industrial warehouse building repurposed as a fun eatery and patio spot. 

Every Friday and Saturday night from 7 pm – 9 pm, golfers can hang out for live music too.

Warm up at the 300-yard driving range with 30 bays. A bucket of balls is between $10-$16, depending on size. They also have pickleball courts available to reserve and open play for $15/person every Sunday, Wednesday, and Thursday from 6 pm – 10 pm. 

Kayak down Buffalo Bayou

Paddle down Buffalo Bayou and see the city from a different perspective.

📍 Google Maps | Website | 👉 Browse Kayak and Paddleboard Rentals

There is a kayak launch in Buffalo Bayou Park with kayak rentals available for those who want a short trip through the Downtown area. But the bayou has several entry and exit points along its 26-mile length for those who want a longer paddle or a different view and don’t need a tour guide. 

The Buffalo Bayou Paddling Trail Website provides information on the different launch points and the duration of the segments along the bayou. 

👉 Important to Know: Despite the very lovely surroundings you may pass through in various legs of the paddling trail, the bayou itself is for drainage, and the water quality is not suitable for swimming.

McGovern Centennial Gardens

Become one with nature in the lovely and serene gardens.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 524-5876 | Website | Hours: 9 am – 5 pm daily (may change seasonally) | Entrance: Free

Located in the Museum District, the McGovern Centennial Gardens were created in 2014 to celebrate the 100-year anniversary of Hermann Park. 

Centennial Green extends to the multi-tiered water feature mount at the other edge of the space with pergolas and blooms on both sides. Benches welcome you to take in their favorite view, or bring a blanket to absorb the beauty. The gardens include a Japanese-themed garden with a pagoda and a working herb and vegetable garden.

Admission is always free, and the pavilion can be rented for special events. Leashed dogs are welcome, but not for swimming or picking the plants and flowers. 

Fishing in the Bay Area

Head down to the coast and cast a line.

📍 Google Maps | Website 

The Bay Area includes the coastal communities along Clear Lake and Galveston Bay, where boating and fishing are the top recreational activities. Locals know all the best locations for dropping a line, and can be found fishing off docks, bridges, and boats throughout the area. A weekend getaway for anglers from other parts of the city, the many saltwater options have a variety of species and amenities. 

For those looking for a family outing, Bayside Park includes a hike and bike trail, picnic facilities, and shoreline fishing. For a public boat launch, check out Texas City Dike or Water Hall Park. If pier and dock fishing are your preference, Deep Hole Park should be at the top of your list.

👉 Reminder: Texas requires a fishing license for everyone over the age of 17. The license can be purchased online or from local retailers like Academy, Bass Pro Shops, or Walmart.

Evelyn’s Park

Don’t be late to this suburban park with water features, green space, and a whimsical tea party.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (281) 946-9372 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 11 pm Sun-Thu, 5 am – 12 am Fri-Sat

Evelyn’s Park is located in the 610 Loop and is a busy and charming community gathering place. With an onsite cafe and plenty of outdoor seating, fitness classes, and a walking trail, parents can benefit from the time there as much as the children. A central open green space invites kicking a soccer ball or throwing a Frisbee.

In addition to the many playscapes and water features at the park, they host regular events, like art in the park, bubbles and board games, and live musical performances.

Guests can also join the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party at the sculpture Move One Place On by Bridgette Mongeon. There are plenty of seats at the table for those who want to experience Wonderland. And the artist hid 150 elements from the book in the sculpture, a challenge for inquisitive visitors.

Camden Park

Spin, climb, and slide at this 3.4-acre park in west Houston.

📍 Google Maps | Website | Hours: 7 am – 9 pm daily 

Camden Park was newly opened in 2025 in the Westchase area of town.

It has an on-site restaurant, reading room, dog park, fitness area, large play area, and game center. The Adventure Path winds all around the play area up to the rooftop terrace. The playground includes a water zone, and giant spinner, and a hummingbird structure for climbing and photos.

Summer movie nights are on Friday nights on the lawn with food trucks and free popcorn. 

Noah’s Ark Pool 

Splash and play in this shallow animal-themed pool.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 781-9195 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 6 pm Mon-Thu, 10 am – 4 pm Fri-Sat, Closed Sun summertime | Entrance: $12, ages 4+, $9 ages 1-4 

Perfect for toddlers and early elementary-aged children, Noah’s Ark Pool has slides, sprayers, and a giant climbing structure shaped like a boat. The water play area is in a gated outdoor section of the Quillian Center attached to First Methodist Church with a shaded pavilion. Lifeguards are on duty.

Food and drink are not allowed inside the park gates, but can be purchased on-site or brought from home and enjoyed at the picnic area nearby.

Mary Jo Peckham Park

Enhance your well-being with a walk around the pond at this Katy park.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (281) 353-8100 | Website | Hours: 7 am – 9 pm daily 

Mary Jo Peckham Park in Katy is home to 32 acres of things to do. The park has a catch-and-release fishing pond, an aquatic and fitness center, basketball courts, and a playground. For the golfer, there is a putting green, a mini golf course, and a 6-hole disc golf course.

There are plenty of picnic tables and grills available for use. The shaded walking trail around the lake makes for a nice afternoon stroll. Whether hosting a party at the pavilion or just a family day out, you can’t go wrong with Mary Jo Peckham Park.

Memorial Park

Spend a day in this recreation park in the heart of the city.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 863-8403 | Website | Hours: 5 am – 11 pm daily 

Memorial Park is in the heart of the city, not far from Downtown and the Galleria. A 1,500-acre park, the woodland areas make it easy to forget you are in the middle of a big city. The running trails are always busy with joggers, and there are both mountain biking trails and street biking paths. 

The Arboretum and Nature Center is a wildlife sanctuary with classes and special programs for families. The playground keeps the kids happy, and daily food trucks mean you have lunch covered as well.

The sand volleyball courts can be reserved, members can enjoy the indoor fitness center and pool, sports leagues play on the baseball and softball fields, and tennis players and croquet lovers have facilities for them too. Memorial Park Golf Course is known as one of the best municipal courses in the country and has over 60,000 visitors a year.

Houston Sporting Events

Watch the Astros Play at Daikin Park

Take me out to the ballgame and watch the Astros play at Daikin Park in Downtown Houston.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 259-8000 | Website | Tickets: Upper level tickets start at $17 each 

Astros baseball is enmeshed in most Houstonians’ lives from March – September. Rooting for the home team is easy at Daikin Park Downtown. The retractable roof stadium means there is never a rainout, and you can watch in comfort even in Houston’s very hot summers. The home run train takes off down its tracks high above left field when the Astros hit a home run, energizing the crowd.

The Kids Zone is near the right field entrance and has music and activities to keep the young fans entertained. You can also purchase a game day pregame tour to go behind the scenes at the park, and then watch both teams hit batting practice before the gates open to the public. 

Parking can be expensive or a bit of a trek. Nearby restaurants like The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation have a free shuttle for their customers to get to and from Daikin Park. The Metrorail is another option if you want to park farther away and take the train in. The stadium also has a designated rideshare location.

Rockets Game at Toyota Center 

Relive the excitement that earned Houston its nickname “Clutch City” at a Rockets basketball game.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 758-7200 | Website 

The Houston Rockets basketball team plays at Toyota Center in Downtown. With a capacity of 18,000, the stadium stays high energy through the fast-moving games.

Toyota Center has the biggest video screen of any indoor stadium, so you can follow the action no matter where you are sitting. Obviously, courtside seats are the preference, but if that is not in the budget, the upper-level seats are still a lot of fun. Ticket prices vary, but expect to pay at least $150 for most games.

Cheer on the Houston Texans at NRG Stadium

Rally with the Texans and be part of the game-day energy at NRG Stadium.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (830) 667-2000 | Website 

Texas is known for its love of football and Friday Night Lights, so you can imagine the level of enthusiasm the fans bring to the professional team. 

The Houston Texans are the youngest expansion team in the NFL, starting in Houston in 2002 after the Houston Oilers moved to Tennessee in the 1990s. One of only four NFL teams to never make it to the Super Bowl, the Texans are still beloved by the city, and the games are a great time. 

The parking lots start filling up as soon as the gates open on game days with tailgaters. Music, food, drinks, and a lot of fun make this pre-game the best place to be, especially in the blue lot.

Toro the Bull is the official mascot of the Houston Texans, and kids can join Toro’s Kids Club for access to special events and promotions.

Tickets at the upper level start around $120 each. 

Soccer Games at Shell Energy Stadium

Take in the architectural wonder of Shell Energy Stadium while cheering for the Houston Dynamo and Houston Dash soccer teams. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 547-3000 | Website | Hours: See schedule for game dates and times | Entrance: Dash tickets start at $17; Dynamo tickets start at $24

Shell Energy Stadium in East Downtown (EaDo) is the home to Houston’s Men’s and Women’s soccer teams. The Dynamo play from February to October, and the Dash season is March to November.

The stadium is open-air with a capacity for over 20,000 fans. It is unique in its structure and design, and has elements for the signature orange of the teams throughout. Other events are also hosted here, and Texas Southern University plays football in the stadium.

There are a variety of concessions available, and premier ticket holders have access to the Lexus Club with a game day dinner buffet and other amenities.

Parking is available for a fee in surrounding lots, and there is a Metrorail station just outside the stadium.

Space Cowboys Baseball at Constellation Field

Be on the lookout for the next baseball star at Constellation Field. 

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (281) 240-4487 | Website | Hours: See schedule for game dates and times | Entrance: tickets start at $9.58 each

The Space Cowboys are the Triple-A minor league team for the Houston Astros and play at Constellation Field in Sugar Land. They play from April to September and have plenty of home games on the schedule to choose from. 

Certain games promote giveaways or drink specials, all detailed on their Promotions calendar. These include an after-game concert, fireworks, and discounts on food and drinks.

Constellation Field is very kid-friendly, as families are the target audience. In addition to the smaller, open stadium to watch the baseball action, there is a large playground and splash pad onsite. They open the doors an hour before the game for early access to the fun.

Seasonal Things to Do in Houston

Bluebonnets Photo Shoot

Document the beauty of the spring wildflowers.

📍 Google Maps | Website | When: Bluebonnet season is typically late March to mid-April

Bluebonnets are the state flower of Texas, and every spring, parks and fields along the side of the highway are filled with the beautiful deep blue flowers. Amateur and professional photographers go in search of the most lush patch they can find to capture the joy of spring arriving.

The season is from March to April, starting and ending at slightly different times depending on weather and other factors. Memorial Park, Terry Hershey Park, Buffalo Bayou Park, and White Oak Bayou can be counted on to have a crop pop up each year, but the local media will provide updates of each year’s most impressive cluster.

It is a well-known urban legend that it is illegal to pick bluebonnets. But while you won’t be arrested, you will incur the ire of local Texans if caught removing them from their natural home. 

👉 Warning: Rattlesnakes have been known to enjoy the deep brush when bluebonnet season arrives, so be very careful when you find your photo spot.

Nutcracker Market

Shop until you drop in support of the Houston Ballet.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (713) 535-3231 | Website | Hours: 10 am – 8 pm Thu, 10 am – 7 pm Fri, 10 am – 6 pm Sat, 10 am – 5 pm Sun | Entrance: $20 single day admission, $60 multi-day and early bird Thursday – Friday 

When the second week of November rolls around, the freeways start to fill with party buses, and there is a lot of leave taken from work. This is the time the Nutcracker Market sets up at NRG Center. This massive holiday-themed market is a shopping delight and the biggest fundraiser each year for the Houston Ballet. 

With previews for sponsors and special guests on Wednesday, the public event is from Thursday to Sunday in November each year. Early bird tickets are available to beat the crowds and get in the door starting at 8:30 on Thursday and Friday.

An annual tradition for many families, friend groups, and co-workers, you will see many clusters of women in matching outfits, blinged out hats, head bands, or otherwise taking it to the next level of fun. 

Mimosas and Bloody Marys are available for purchase, but be prepared for long waits in line for the bar. Booths include everything from Christmas ornaments to soup mixes to home decor and pajamas.

Children are welcome, and there is a lot for them to see and enjoy, but strollers are not allowed. Vendors look forward to this event all year, and it is a terrific way to get your holiday shopping done early. Parking is $22 per vehicle in the NRG Park lot. 

Art Car Parade

Embark on a creative journey as a spectator at the Art Car Parade.

📍 Google Maps | Website | When: Second Saturday in April from 2 pm – 4 pm annually | Entrance: Free, paid reserved Grandstand seating available

The annual Art Car Parade is the biggest event of its kind, with over 200,000 attendees and 250 art cars from all over the country. Held in April on a Saturday afternoon, guests start finding their spot along the parade route as early as 11 am for a 2 pm start.

An Art Car is a vehicle that has been transformed from its normal appearance to a work of art. The parade participants include both professional artists and hobbyists who have modified their cars to be creative masterpieces. 

Many art departments at local schools take on a group project of creating an art car to include in the parade. And the Main Street Drag program has volunteers and artists bring the cars on a tour of schools around town, visiting and inspiring students to find art in everyday things.

Crawfish Season

Get your boiled crawfish typically from February to May each year

Houston is less than two hours from the Louisiana border, giving Houston restaurants and home chefs access to the abundance of crawfish each season. Crawfish boils are an integral part of the social scene throughout the spring, often combined with beer and live music. 

These mudbugs are ordered by the pound, with three pounds being a good average per person. Usually served with potatoes and corn, and sometimes a hard-boiled egg, some places offer flavor varieties, and some just stick with Cajun spice. 

Typically, crawfish will arrive at the table in a round platter with a bucket for the shells nearby. Some argue the effort to reach the small amount of meat inside is too much, but for enthusiasts, the peeling is part of the fun.

Peak months are February to May, but it can start earlier with a mild winter and last longer with a wet late spring/summer

Magical Winter Lights 

Get in the holiday spirit at Magical Winter Lights.

📍 Google Maps | Phone: (346) 200-6898 | Website | Hours: 5 pm – 10 pm Sun-Thu, 5 pm – 11 pm Fri – Sat | Entrance: $27 adults, $19 ages 3-12

Magical Winter Lights is a holiday pop-up with beautiful light displays and cultural entertainment. You enter through a giant lit-up castle, and the thrills never stop as you make your way through the 60 lantern displays. Each area has a theme, with dinosaurs, under the sea, and outer space as some of the most engaging ones.

Since the event is temporary and only arrives in early November and closes down just after the new year, they do move their location in the city some years. So be sure to check the website for the current year location and to get the most updated pricing and hours.

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Thanks for reading my list of the best things to do in Houston! Up next, check out this guide to day trips from Houston and let me know if you have any questions in the comments.