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Things to Do in Houston, TX

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Houston, Texas, is an incredible city to visit. There’s a lot of things to do in Houston, Texas and places to visit, including the ethnic stores, ancient buildings, and modern architecture designs. This place also features art galleries, a space center, and a plethora of restaurants.

 If you’re planning a trip to Houston, read on and don’t forget to take notes!

The Top 10 Things You Should Do When You Visit Houston, Texas

There’s just so many things to do in Texas, Houston and so, to help you plan (and not get too overwhelmed), we’ve listed here the top 10 things this amazing city has to offer.

Visit the Houston Livestock Show and RodeoNo trip to Houston, TX is complete without a visit to a rodeo. Best time to come here is during competition season, typically between late February and early March when the NRG Stadium is filled with locals and tourists alike to watch daily rodeo shows.

 This is one of the best things to do in Houston, Texas for kids, who will surely be fascinated by all of the animals, amusement park, concerts, parades, barbecue contests, trail rides and more.

This 445-acre park offers plenty of green spaces and amenities that will appeal to all ages. The park is home to the Houston Zoo, Centennial Gardens, and the Miller Outdoor Theater. Other amenities include:

  • Playgrounds
  • Pavilions
  • Picnic areas
  • Lakes
  • Gardens
  • A golf course
  • A railroad ride for kids
  • Pedal boats
  • Trails

If you’re looking for things to do in Houston, Texas at night, Hermann Park is open up to 11 p.m. and is a great place to relax after a long day of visiting Houston’s amazing attractions.

 

Museum Hopping in Houston’s Museum DistrictOne of the best things to do in Houston, Texas for adults is hop from one museum to another, and Houston’s Museum District is the ultimate place to do just that. It features 19 museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, which is among the top 10 biggest art museums in the United States.

Opened in 1963 as NASA’s human spaceflight hub, this sprawling 250,000-square-foot educational entertainment complex promises an out-of-this-world experience, featuring space artifacts and interactive exhibits.

 Attractions include:

  • The “Mission Mars” exhibit
  • SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster
  • A replica of Space Shuttle Independence
  • Exhibits of spacesuits
  • Mission Control tours
  • A Starship Gallery

Looking for things to do in Houston, Texas this weekend? The Space Center is open on weekends from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.

The 160-acre Buffalo Bayou Park features several attractions, including

  • A tributary
  • A skateboarding park
  • A nature-inspired playground and picnic pavilion
  • A dog park and the Houston Police Officers’ Memorial

The park is also a popular hub for outdoor events and performances as well as Houston, Texas food trucks.

Get Lost in Nature at the Memorial ParkThe Memorial Park features 30-plus miles of trails, making it the perfect spot for anyone who wants to get lost in nature within the confines of the city. The park also offers the following amenities:

  • A 3-mile granite running trail
  • Picnic areas
  • A fitness center
  • A swimming pool
  • A golf course
  • A volleyball court
  • A baseball field
  • A tennis court
  • A soccer field

The Houston Zoo is the perfect place to enjoy with your family, especially if you have small children. The zoo features over 6,000 animals, from cheetahs and giraffes to otters and bats. Amenities include:

  • A reptile and amphibian house
  • An elephant habitat area
  • Interactive kids’ section
  • A water play park
  • A 4D movie experience

There are lots of free things to do in Houston, Texas and going to the Discovery Green Park is one of them. It’s the best place to go to if you want to go out and savor some green space in the concrete jungle.

 This 12-acre park may be small, but it’s conveniently located just a few blocks away from hotels and entertainment venues, such as the Minute Maid Park, Toyota Center, and the George R. Brown Convention Center.

The Galleria is a massive shopping center that stretches across 2.4 million square feet of space. With 400 stores and restaurants, it’s the perfect place for adults looking for things to do in Houston, Texas 21 and up.

 The Galleria houses several upscale brands, including:

  • Chanel
  • Christian Louboutin
  • Gucci
  • Louis Vuitton
  • Prada

There are lots of Houston, Texas food places here, too, offering over 60 dining options.

Marvel at Houston’s MuralsThis is one of the best things to do in downtown Houston, Texas. And it’s free! Walk around and you’ll see murals painted by a variety of different artists, both local and international, on the walls of various establishments, like boutiques, restaurants, parking lots, and yoga studios.

Things to Do in Houston, Texas for Couples

There are many romantic things to do in Houston, Texas, too, for couples visiting the city.

The Cockrell Butterfly Center is part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and in it is the Rainforest Conservatory – a breathtaking three-story glass structure surrounding a 50-foot waterfall! This simulated tropical rainforest houses exotic plants and over 1,500 flying butterflies.

Visit the Bayou Bend Collection and GardensOne of the top things to do in Houston, TX is check out the decorative arts and paintings at the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. The former home of prominent local philanthropist Ima Hogg features ceramics, furnishings, paintings, and silver.

The Menil Collection is a 30-acre compilation of approximately 17,000 works of art collected by John and Dominique de Menil. Exhibits feature African and Byzantine art, as well as pieces of Native American art from the Pacific Northwest.

Cool Things to Do in Houston, Texas

There are tons of fun things to do in Houston, Texas. Here are a few of them:

Bask Under the Sun on GalvestonGalveston is a barrier island on the Texas Gulf Coast located 50 miles southeast of Houston. It’s one of the best things to do in Houston, Texas for free. This island boasts miles of beaches, a lively amusement park pier, and a state park.

Located in Houston’s Uptown neighborhood, this 64-foot tall water wall features a postmodernist design and pours out 11,000 gallons of recirculated water per minute – a spectacular backdrop for your Instagram photos. Coming here is one of the perfect fun things to do in Houston, Texas with kids on a hot summer day!

Also called the “Garage Mahal,” the Art Car Museum features a fantastic array of ornately painted and decorated vehicles, from low riders and hippie vans to derby racers and police cruisers. Aside from bejeweled and painted cars, the museum also exhibits rotating modern art, photography, and sculpture.

Frequently Asked Questions

To experience its nightlife. Aside from everything mentioned above, this is another item you should add to your list of things to do in Houston, Texas. Nightlife in Houston is incomparable – from a burlesque bar and a mezcaleria downtown to an entire block of dance parties in midtown.

It’s always best to plan your trip and make an itinerary. This article lists practically everything you should experience in Houston, TX, so bookmark this or print it out!

Rental car services offer travelers the most flexibility to explore Houston with ease. The METRORail provides convenient and accessible service in the heart of the city, between NRG Park and downtown Houston, including the Museum District and Texas Medical Center.

One of the best Houston, Texas vacation rentals is the Heights House Hotel located in The Heights – one of Houston’s most idyllic, historic neighborhoods.

The Taste of Texas, Houston is a world-renowned steakhouse, popular for steaks, an award-winning wine list, excellent service, and Texas hospitality.

Based on The Neighborhood Score, Houston is neither the safest nor the most dangerous city in the United States.

The Great Texas Freeze in 2021, blanketed much of the state in the snow and ice, and one of the cities hit the hardest by storm was Houston.

Things to Do in Houston, TX Blog

Wrap Up

Houston, TX is truly an amazing place to visit and should be on your bucket list! And if, after you’ve stayed here for a vacation, you fall in love with the place, feel free to contact me and I’ll show you all the wonderful properties in the area.