35 Most Popular Attractions In Houston, TX

Houston’s Chinatown, spanning 6 square miles, is an excellent place to go shopping and have a taste of amazing Asian food. You must try the Tian Tian Lu Chuaner (skewers and freshly made soybean milk), Tiger Den (ramen), MDK Noodles (hand-cut Korean noodles), Don’s Sandwiches (classic banh mi), and Viet-Cajun crawfish (try Cajun Kitchen).

One of the best ways to beat the heat in the summer is to retreat to pools! And Marriott Marquis Houston is where you can find the country’s biggest Texas-shaped lazy river. Enjoy a few cocktails from the sky bar and there’s live music as well.

Photo by Cam on Unsplash

Located at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, Twilight Epiphany Skyspace is one of the most amazing experiences you can have in Houston, Texas. James Turrell’s innovation is on display twice every day, with the LED light show starting about 40 minutes before sunrise and 10 minutes before sunset.

We all know that escape rooms are a ton of fun, but The Escape Game in Houston, Texas is one of the most popular things to do in Houston for both escape aficionados and total novices. Experience the thrill and challenge of solving a puzzle in an hour, working with your fellow escapers.

Houston’s Downtown Aquarium is a must-see for animal lovers. The aquarium features around half-a-million gallons of water that houses over 200 species of aquatic animals from around the world. Plus, there’s a full-service restaurant, an upscale bar, a fully equipped ballroom, shopping, as well as rides and amusements!

The 19th Street in the Heights is the ultimate shopping venue! When you plan your trip to Houston, make sure you also plan your spending budget because you’ll find so many great things in the quirky, charming stores.

McGonigel’s Mucky Duck is one of the coolest places in Houston, TX to catch live music. This Irish pub serves more than beer and burgers, the performers here are truly talented you’ll find yourself staying longer than you intended.

There’s no better place to satisfy your sweet cravings than the House of Pies. The pecan and sweet potato pies are some of the crowd favorites, and there are other desserts and savory options on their menu, too, such as sandwiches and soup.

If you’re on a budget, Speedy’s Fast Track in Houston, Texas is one of the best places to visit with your family. There’s lots of great activities the whole family can enjoy, including mini-golf, pool, and go-karts.

A trip to Houston is never complete without taking home the ultimate souvenir — a pair of authentic cowboy boots from Pinto Ranch or Cavender’s. You can buy these boots ready-made or have them custom-crafted. You can choose a traditional design or try something extraordinary like adding Swarovski crystals. Oh, and you might want to buy a cowboy hat, too!

Houston has one of the best dueling piano bars out there. The energy of the room is constantly abuzz with the patrons of the performers at Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar. Enjoy the music as you sip the splendid cocktails.

The 12-acre Discovery Green offers numerous activities and attractions to keep locals and visitors entertained. Adults can participate in outdoor yoga classes, watch live shows, enjoy a game at the putting green and bocce ball courts, while kids can check out the “art carts” which are full of free hula hoops, Frisbees, bouncy balls, and other toys.

Photo by Ty Welch on Unsplash

A quick trip to Minute Maid Park is a must for sports lovers, especially in the summer. The air-conditioned stadium offers a huge relief on the hottest days, and booking a tour of the grounds and indulging in a few ballpark classic eats like the hot dogs and nachos are a great way to make the most of your trip.

The 250,000-square-foot Johnson Space Center houses the Space Center Houston, the official visitor center which was designated a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum in 2014. Come here with your kids to be entertained by science and space shows, shuttle launch displays, space suites exhibits, Mission Control tours, and a tour at the Starship Gallery.

This barrier island located just 50 miles southeast of Houston is a treasure trove of sandy beaches, amusement parks, and recreational pursuits. For those with kids, be sure to visit the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier and enjoy the arcade games and rollercoaster, Ferris wheel, carousel, and water rides.