Houston is a city in the southern state of Texas; often known as Space City. Houston has a massive selection of attractions for residents and visitors.
It’s impossible to run out of things to do in Houston. It has a diverse range of cultural and historical sights, as well as plenty for kids. Houston’s location in the South East of Texas means long hot summers and mild winters. Let’s take a look at some of the fun things to do in Houston on your visit.
The Houston Metropolitan area sits on the Gulf Coast and has approximately 2.3 million residents. It’s the largest city in Texas and fourth largest in the US. Houston was founded in 1836 and is named after General Sam Houston.
The state is known for the phrase ‘everything’s bigger in Texas’ and Houston’s no exception. For example, America’s largest megachurch – The Lakewood – is located here.
Now, it’s time to delve into some of the top places to visit in Houston as well as some offbeat attractions that would be perfect for your visit!
Spend Some Time in the Museum District
Are you looking for culture in Houston’s downtown? Then look no further than Houston Museum District. The area has a total of 19 museums, split into four walkable zones.
Zone 1 includes the Menil Collection, a museum with more than 17,000 works of art. Zone 2 focuses on the history and cultural diversity. It’s here you’ll find The Asia Society Texas Center and the Houston Museum of African-American Culture.
In Zone 3 is the Museum of Fine Arts Houston and the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. The final zone – 4 – is one of a great range of things to do in Houston for kids. With fully interactive displays, the Children’s Museum of Houston and Houston Museum of Natural Sciences are must-see attractions for curious little minds!
Tickets required for some museums
Houston Zoo
Houston Zoo is super-sized – at 55 acres – and split into seven sections. Each area houses iconic and lesser known animals from around the world.
Home-grown species include Californian Seals, American Alligators, and the US national bird: The Bald Eagle. Visitors can also view White-Cheeked Gibbons, Meerkats, Red Pandas and Meerkats. Those who like their animals a little more dangerous can opt for Reticulated Pythons, Lions, Cheetahs and Black Bears.
Houston Zoo also offers a range of evening events. The Evening Chill series takes place on Summer nights when temperatures are cooler. It makes a summer visit a little more bearable and It’s one of the great things to do in Houston at night.
Tickets required, Available at the zoo entrance, $14.95-$19.95
Downtown Aquarium
Houston Aquarium is home to a diverse range of wildlife. From viewing the residents of the Texas Bayou, to finding out what lives in a Tropical Rainforest, there’s education at every turn. The facility has a range of different themed sections to cover all interests. Even adults are guaranteed to learn something new!
It’s not only creatures from the deep that are found in the Downtown Aquarium, though. The stunning White Tiger exhibition is a major draw here. The beautiful beasts are undoubtedly one of the highlights of any visit.
Ticket required, Available at the main entrance, $9.99-$12.99
Downtown Market Square
This hugely popular local square is a great place to chill out and watch the world go by on a sunny day. The park has a huge lawn for sprawling out on your picnic blanket and people watching. There’s also a selection of cafes and food outlets to keep you going if you’re thirsty or peckish. Happy Hour is a particularly lively time!
As is to be expected in an arty city, there’s plenty of public art to enjoy here. Surls Fountain is a favorite; and not just because it was created by a Texas native. The colorful mosaic fountain and benches is also a lovely spot and the entire area is a chilled space to visit and a good thing to do in Houston at nights.
Houston Space Center
Officially known at the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, a visit to Space Center Houston is a fully immersive and educational experience for all the family. It’s an exceptional attraction and is one of the top things to do in Houston with kids.
There are two centers on site; the Space Centre Houston and Johnson Space Center. Each gives an insight into the legacy and future of the USA’s space exploration. The campuses are joined by the NASA Tram, and tickets include entrance to both.
In the NASA campus, you can stroll the walkway used by astronauts and visit the enormous space museum. Independence Plaza has the world’s only full-size shuttle replica. You can even step inside and see what goes down during flights.
A highlight is the Mission Control Center. It’s here the immortal words ‘Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed…’ were uttered.
Tickets required, Online or at the entrance, $24.95-$29.95, parking $5.
Things To Do in Houston This Weekend
Those who love to shop will adore the Galleria in Uptown Houston. The 4 floor, 339 store mega-mall is the largest in Texas. As well as stores, such as Nordstrom and Macy’s, the mall has a private health club and two hotels. Galleria is the most visited attraction in Greater Houston with around 35 million annual visitors. It’s one of the most popular things to do in Houston on a weekend!
Fun Things To Do in Houston with Kids
Kemah Boardwalk is a 60-acre, coastal, fun-filled family park and is one of the best things to do in Houston with kids. It’s an ideal seaside visit for kids. It has restaurants, arcades, stores and, the main attraction: The Boardwalk Bullet. rollercoaster. Try it if you dare…
Tickets required for specific attractions
Off-beat Places to Visit in Houston
Houston is full of fun attractions but it’s also home to some…unusual sights. The Beer Can House is impressively odd and a great addition to any visit. The house is literally covered in flattened beer cans and bottle caps. It’s estimated there are around 50,000 stuck to the home. Even the flower boxes are made of them.
The Malone Street home is one of the most recognizable properties in Houston and is an iconic city attraction. It’s a really quirky attraction in you’re interested in what to do in Houston that’s just a little bit out of the ordinary!
Tickets required, Available from the entrance, $5, kids under 12 go free
FAQs About Houston
We’ve compiled answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about the city and things to do in Houston. These will help your research, planning, and general education about all that Houston has to offer.
What fun things are there to do in Houston?
Houston is a city of sports teams in a variety of sports. The Houston Texans NFL team play at NRG Stadium. Houston Astros play baseball at Minute Maid Park. Other locals’ teams cover basketball, soccer, and ice hockey.
Visitors with kids can tire them out at Speedy’s Fast Track Amusements. The center offers laser tag, go-karts, arcades and mini-golf.
What can you do for free in Houston?
There are tons of free things to do in Houston! Popular outdoor activities are the bike trails at Buffalo Bayou or strolling at Discovery Green. Concerts at Miller Outdoor Theater are a favorite pastime. It’s one of the great things to do in Houston on a weekend.
Less outdoorsy types can enjoy The Menil Collection, Art Car Museum, or Houston Arboretum. Instagram-obsessed visitors will love the Water Wall.
What should I eat in Houston?
Houston has a diverse palate. Mainstays are barbeque (ribs and brisket), Mexican and South-Western cuisine. Chicken-fried steak, tacos, tamales, and chilli are staples. With a large Asian population, Pho, Congee and Pad Thai are also readily available. Beware – Houston likes it spicy!
For dessert, everyone should taste the official State Pie of Texas: The Pecan!
Conclusion
Houston is a great place to visit, with diverse cultures, great weather, and top attractions. Accommodation is plentiful and the city is serviced by three airports; William P Hobby, Houston, and George Bush Intercontinental. We promise you won’t regret taking advantage of all the things to do in Houston A trip to the city should be on everyone’s list!
