Top 20 Things To Do In Houston

Houston isn't just massive in size, it's got a real kick when it comes to fun, good grub, culture, and all sorts of surprises! From some of the world-class museums to those jaw-dropping space adventures, this city really knows how to stay exciting! Whether you're a first timer, a weekend tripper, or a local on the hunt for something new, Houston is good for all sorts. Want to get out and find some new outdoor fun, local hidden gems, some good family attractions, or some of those Instagram-worthy spots? Then you're definitely in the right place! This guide to the best things to do in Houston is here to help you figure out the perfect day (or week) without having to stress about a thing.

Hermann Park is a 445-acre gem that's nestled right next to the Texas Medical Center and Museum District. Visitors love taking a stroll along the walking trails, having a picnic on the lush lawns, and enjoying the many recreational activities they offer. You can even take a leisurely ride on the Hermann Park Railroad, a 30-minute train loop that takes you on a scenic tour around McGovern Lake and the beautiful park gardens. The Japanese Garden is a must-see, with its serene koi ponds, picturesque stone bridges, and vibrant seasonal flowers. Meanwhile, McGovern Centennial Gardens boasts a 30-foot-high garden mound that offers up some pretty amazing views of the Houston skyline.

Stretching an impressive 52 miles through the heart of Houston, the Buffalo Bayou Waterway offers some seriously beautiful scenery for kayakers and canoeists to enjoy. You can launch your boat from one of several popular spots, including Allen’s Landing, Eleanor Tinsley Park, and Buffalo Bayou Park. As you paddle along, you'll pass under historic bridges, past towering skyscrapers, and alongside some beautiful tree-lined banks. It is one of the best Houston attractions.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is a treasure trove of all sorts of fascinating exhibits and displays. You can spend hours browsing the permanent halls dedicated to dinosaurs, gemstones, ancient Egypt, Texas wildlife, and space science. One of the highlights is the towering Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons and the mind-blowing mineral displays. And then there's the interactive physics exhibits, perfect for kids who love hands-on learning. Another must-see is the Morian Hall of Paleontology, where you can gaze upon some incredible 60 reconstructed fossil specimens.

Rodeo season is a big deal in Houston, and one of the highlights is the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo at NRG Stadium. It's a wild ride, featuring professional rodeo competitions, concerts, and agricultural exhibitions galore. You can cheer on your favorite cowboys as they tackle bull riding, barrel racing, steer wrestling, and calf roping events, and even try your hand at some of the rodeo's famous activities. Of course, there's also loads of delicious food on offer, think funnel cakes, turkey legs, and BBQ.

Daikin Park is the perfect place to catch a Houston Astros game, and even more so now that it's been renovated. The retractable roof means you can always count on a comfy temperature, no matter the weather outside. You can get up close and personal with the action on the field, or enjoy some of the themed concourses and take in a game from a unique perspective. Every time the Astros hit a home run, you can even watch the centre-field train run; what a fun touch. You'll also find loads of delicious local food options to try, from Texas BBQ to Tex-Mex and all the ballpark classics you'd expect.

The Galleria is Texas's largest shopping mall, boasting an incredible 400+ stores, eateries, and entertainment venues all under one massive roof. You'll find the most upscale brands, department stores, and international retailers to browse through. If you get hungry, you've got a world of fine dining, casual cafes, and international food courts to choose from. Even the fancy folks will be impressed by the beautiful glass atrium above the full-size indoor ice-skating rink. Surrounded by high-rise hotels and office towers offering up some pretty fantastic skyline views, The Galleria's got it all, plus indoor walkways connecting multiple shopping wings, making it easy to get around.

Bayou Bend is a stunning piece of American history, a historic mansion that's home to an incredible collection of decorative arts from way back when the colonial period started right up to the 19th century. You'll get to see antique furniture, paintings, silverware, textiles, and all sorts of other treasures from way back when. And while you're there, you should totally take a stroll through the beautiful 14-acre gardens, which feature gorgeous rose gardens, woodland paths, and even a few reflecting pools to catch some serenity. Take a guided tour, and you'll get the lowdown on the architecture, design, and craftsmanship that went into building this amazing place.

The Children's Museum of Houston is an absolute blast for kids. It's an interactive extravaganza dedicated to all things science, tech, health, engineering, and creativity. The place is a playground for the young; kids can build a real-life kid-powered city, get hands-on with real construction equipment, and even get to play around with the physics of water. Want to teach the little ones about fluid dynamics? The FlowWorks exhibit has got that covered with its super fun water play area. The Power Science Lab is another highlight; it's all about teaching kids about electricity generation.

The Holocaust Museum in Houston is a really sombre and important place; it tells the history of the Holocaust through real-life survivor testimonies, photographs, artifacts, and interactive exhibits that'll leave you with a lasting impression. You get to take a look at permanent galleries that explain the things that led up to the war, what life was like for the Jews during the Nazi regime, the dreaded concentration camps, and the liberation. The Dimensions in Testimony exhibit is especially moving; it lets you interact with recorded survivor responses, which is a really unique experience.

Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is a pretty special spot that's worth seeing. It features this absolutely massive semi-circular fountain that pumps 11,000 gallons of water per minute (yes, you read that right!). You get to stroll through the plaza and stand right underneath the water for some seriously dramatic photo ops. The park itself has shaded benches, beautiful lawns, and paved walkways; it's the perfect place to take a break and enjoy the surroundings. And because it's so close to The Galleria, it's a super-popular spot for photos and just chill time.

San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site takes you back in time to the pivotal spot where Texas broke free from Mexico in the 1836 Battle of San Jacinto. You can get up close to the 567ft San Jacinto Monument, which towers above the site and offers breathtaking views of the Houston cityscape and the shipping channel. The on-site museum is a treasure trove of historical artifacts like maps, uniforms, and actual battle gear. If you want to get a real feel for the ground where the battle took place, you can walk the trails that criss-cross the site and learn about troop movements and battle plans from the informative plaques.

Get ready to see Houston like you never have before on a mural tour that showcases the city's vibrant street art scene. These tours, whether on foot or by bike, will take you to some of the city's most famous murals in places like Downtown, EaDo, Midtown, and the Heights. You'll learn about the artists behind these incredible works of art, the cultural themes they explored, and the techniques they used to bring them to life. Make sure to check out the clusters of murals along Leeland Street, Travis Street, and Navigation Boulevard; they're really something special. Photography enthusiasts will love capturing the bright colours and stunning designs that feature everything from portraits to wildlife to abstract patterns. Because the murals are constantly rotating, you can be sure there will always be something new to see.

At the Houston Zoo, you can spend some quality time with the zoo's celebrity residents, its awesome Galápagos giant tortoises. These gentle giants can live for up to 100 years, weigh up to 500 pounds, and are an absolute delight to watch as they lumber around. You can learn all about their habitats, diets, and conservation efforts through interactive displays and keeper talks that include feeding demos and insights into their behaviour. Kids will love learning about the anatomy and survival tricks of these incredible reptiles. The zoo is also home to a whole host of other amazing animals like elephants, giraffes, big cats, and sea lions, and it's a great place to learn about wildlife protection, too.

Just a 50-mile hop away from Houston is the beautiful island of Galveston, a beach lover's paradise that's packed with history, culture, and fun. In the historic Strand District, you can wander through the charming Victorian-era architecture, visit boutique shops, and grab a bite of fresh seafood at one of the many restaurants. On the other hand, if you're looking for some water-based fun, you can check out the Moody Gardens, which features an aquarium pyramid, a rainforest exhibit, and even glass pyramids. And if you're feeling brave, take a ride on the Pleasure Pier, where you can whoop it up on the rides and enjoy the Gulf views.

Armand Bayou Nature Center is a real gem, covering an impressive 2,500 acres of wetlands, forests, and prairies. And the best way to see it all is by kayak, paddling through the tidal marsh channels and taking in the sights and sounds of this beautiful natural landscape. As you glide through the water, keep an eye out for wildlife, including egrets, herons, turtles, and river otters. If you'd rather not do the paddling yourself, you can join a guided tour, which will give you the lowdown on coastal ecology and conservation.

The National Museum of Funeral History gives you a glimpse of the fascinating world of funeral customs, from ancient Egypt to modern memorial services. You can see antique hearses, caskets that have been used, and some pretty gruesome old embalming tools. Exhibits show off all sorts of traditions from around the world, presidential funerals, and cultural mourning. There's even a gallery dedicated to the more serious side of politics and replicas of state funerals for the bigwigs. Educational displays break down the ins and outs of cremation, burial customs, and all the symbolism of a memorial service. And if you want to know even more, you can hire a guide to give you the lowdown on all things mortuary science.

Miller Outdoor Theatre puts on some amazing free shows, concerts, plays, musicals, and dance performances; you name it. It's located in Hermann Park, and the amphitheater itself has some pretty nice covered seating, plus a big open lawn area for when you want to bring a blanket. They've got everything from classical orchestras to Shakespearean plays, even cultural festivals, and kiddie shows for the little ones. They put on shows all year round, but the peak season is in the spring and summer when the weather's nice. If you want to guarantee a seat, you can reserve one online, or just bring a blanket and sit on the grass if you don't mind getting a little sun.

The James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspace is a gorgeous permanent art installation on the Rice University campus. You sit under this open-roofed thing, and every sunrise and sunset, the lighting changes, and with it, your perception of the sky changes too. They even have some musical compositions that sync right up with the light show. You can see it all from one of the many tiered seating areas, so you don't miss a thing. They put on public shows all day long, and you can even make a reservation if you want to make sure you get in.

Houston Farmers Market is open every day, and it's the place to go for all sorts of fresh goodies. You can find beautiful Texas-grown fruits and veggies, meat, baked goods, and even some international foods to give your picnic a little kick. Some vendors have got the most amazing produce, fresh herbs, local honey, all sorts of things. And then there are the specialty stalls that have got all sorts of goodies like tortillas, tamales, and artisan breads. If you're in a rush, they've even got some ready-to-eat meals, juices, and snacks for you to grab and go.

The Houston Botanic Garden is a gorgeous 130-acre park featuring all sorts of gardens, wetlands, and walking trails. You can wander through tropical displays, desert landscapes, gardens with edible plants, and even native Texas plants. They've got all sorts of seasonal exhibitions too, roses, orchids, and of course, all the plants that are good for the local wildlife. Some of the boardwalks cross over marshlands, so you can get a glimpse of the birds and fish that live there. There are even educational signs explaining all about the plants themselves, where they come from, how they grow, and all that jazz.

Stay comfortably in Houston at Houston Inn and Suites — conveniently located near local dining, shopping, and major road access.