Top Things to do in Houston, TX
Houston, Texas, is a busy and exciting city with many places to visit and things to do. But, if you stay soon, you might wonder how to fill your time. So, we’ve put together a few suggestions on what to do while you’re here.
Houston is home to over 2 million people from all over the world, and CNN Money Magazine and The Atlantic have ranked it as one of the most diverse cities in America.
It’s also known for its energizing culture, excellent restaurants, and the fact that each neighborhood is filled with people who love their community more than anything else.
It’s a city where you can go out dancing every night and still make it to your favorite barbeque spot before they close!
Houston, the largest city in Texas, is a great place to visit. However, if you get tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, you can head out to Galveston Island to relax on the beach.
When planning a trip to Houston, Texas, it’s essential to know what activities are worth your time. We’ve covered everything for you if you want to see the most popular attractions and avoid crowds!
The 20 best tourist attractions in Houston, Texas
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Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is a one-of-a-kind place. It has hundreds of space artifacts, permanent and traveling exhibits, attractions, theaters, shows, and hands-on activities. You’ll get to see launch space shuttles in real-time and even stare into the eyes of an astronaut.
This museum has everything from interactive exhibits that let you experience weightlessness to a full-size replica of the space shuttle Independence.
You can even see an entire Apollo mission control room where people worked during NASA’s years of crewed spaceflight.
Your kids will love it, too! This museum offers hands-on activities designed especially for them so they can learn about space while exploring other worlds through science experiments or playing games with their friends.
Take a tour of the Johnson Space Center and learn more about the history of space travel and what NASA is working on right now. Then, get up close and personal with artifacts from the Apollo 11 mission.
You can also walk through the International Space Station (ISS) replica. Finally, you can catch a movie in their theater, which screens IMAX films about space exploration.
Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo is one of the most famous zoos in the country, and it’s easy to see why. It’s big enough that you’ll never run out of things to do here but small enough that you can quickly go through it all in a day or two.
You’ll find almost 2,000 animals here living in habitats that recreate their natural environments as best they can—the whole thing is classified as a botanical garden, and there are plenty of educational opportunities for your kids.
Houston Zoo is located in Hermann Park, on Houston’s Hermann Drive. It has two entrances, one on the north side and one on the south.
Parking is free for zoo members. The Houston Zoo is open every day except Christmas. Visitors should bring sunscreen, a hat, and water.
If you have little ones with you, check out the Kids Zone: they have special animal-themed activities and interactive games. You can even make your own animal mask!
Kemah Boardwalk
The Kemah Boardwalk is a place for fun and excitement in Houston, Texas. So, if you’re looking for some fun in the sun, you’re in luck; you can visit one of the most famous and unique seaside destinations in Texas!
This family-friendly destination has been around since 1997, when it began as an amusement park before expanding into an entire seaside boardwalk area.
Today, visitors can enjoy the rides and games at the original amusement park and all kinds of shops, restaurants, and more. There’s even a dolphin-themed waterpark and beach for a truly unforgettable experience.
Visit all your favorite stores! There are many great clothing and souvenir shops in Kemah Boardwalk, Houston.
However, if you’re looking for something specific, there’s no need to worry; most shops have a search function available on their websites or social media channels.
And don’t forget to get some delicious food at one of the many restaurants! The Boardwalk has everything from hot caramel apple cider to snakes, but if you can’t decide what to try, why not ask your waiter? They’ll help you find something new without breaking the bank.
Hermann Park
Hermann Park in Houston is the place to be any day of the week. Whether you’re looking for a day at the zoo, a game of golf, or just an afternoon to stroll around and take in the sights, there’s something for everyone at Hermann Park.
It’s a great place to enjoy the outdoors. Numerous trails lead to walks, jogs, and runs.
The park includes a Japanese garden, tennis courts, and an 18-hole golf course. The Houston Zoo and an outdoor theater offer live performances.
There’s no better way to see all Hermann Park offers than by going for an exciting ride through its many acres of space.
If you want to exercise, try renting a bike and taking a spin through some of the many trails and paths that wind through the park. Of course, you can also bring your bike if you prefer!
You’ll find plenty of wildlife at Hermann Park Houston, including birds like ducks, geese, herons, squirrels, and rabbits running around, playing with each other, or eating food scraps left.
Minute Maid Park
The Minute Maid Park Houston is an outdoor entertainment venue that hosts baseball games and other events throughout the year. It’s in Downtown Houston, where you can enjoy all amenities after a game or event at the park.
The Minute Maid Park Houston is open year-round for baseball games and other events, so check out their schedule before you plan your next trip to Houston.
Houston Astros fans know that Minute Maid Park Houston is a great place for a baseball game, but there’s much more to see and do at the ballpark!
Built in 2000, Minute Maid Park Houston replaced the Astrodome as the Astros’ home stadium. This stadium has a rich history, countless exciting moments, incredible plays, and even a World Series win.
The downtown area has many things to see and do for everyone in your family. You can visit museums and art galleries or go shopping for souvenirs or gifts for friends and loved ones back home.
Minute Maid Park Houston is also close to other attractions, such as the Houston Zoo and the Aquarium.
The Houston Museum Of Natural Science
The Houston Museum Of Natural Science is a museum for people of all ages to enjoy. It has four floors, a planetarium, and an IMAX theater.
The museum features permanent and rotating exhibits on dinosaurs and the human body. Visitors can also explore the surrounding nature park, including a butterfly garden, an aviary, and a small zoo.
The Butterfly Garden is one of the museum’s most popular exhibits. It’s an enclosed space with tropical plants and flowers that grow in warm weather.
Monarch butterflies, raised specifically for mating purposes, are also present. Visitors can watch people come in and try to catch butterflies using nets.
This exhibit is very popular among children, and holding milkweed plants can help attract butterflies.
If you want to learn about nature, it’s the place to go. From dinosaur fossils to space exhibits, there are many opportunities for kids and adults alike to learn about science, space, and all sorts of things that exist in this world—and beyond!
Downtown Aquarium
The Downtown Aquarium Houston is a family-friendly destination that’s fun for all ages. So whether you’re looking to dive deep into Houston’s unique history and culture or want quality family bonding time, this is the place for you!
Located in the heart of Houston, the Downtown Aquarium features a 500,000-gallon aquarium adventure that includes seven exhibits with more than 500 species of colorful and exciting creatures.
During the Shark Voyage tour, you can even see sharks and giant sea turtles up close! The aquarium also offers daily educational presentations and animal encounters.
Downtown Aquarium Houston is where you can spend hours admiring all the beautiful sea animals. When you enter the aquarium, you walk through a tunnel that allows you to look at sharks swimming above your head. It is a fantastic experience!
After the tunnel, there are other places like the Stingray Reef and the Shipwreck, where you can admire more aquatic animals. There is also a huge tank containing many different types of fish that swim around freely.
Discovery Green
The Discovery Green Houston is a park in downtown Houston that is open to the public. You can play sports, see art, or relax on the lawn. So what can you do there?
Discovery Green is a place to play, dance, and relax in the heart of downtown Houston. It has tons of fun stuff for kids, adults, and families.
During the day, you can see concerts or comedy shows or hang out with your friends. There are also bars and restaurants to grab dinner before an event.
There are tons of sculptures throughout the park—you’ll feel like you’re in a rainforest. You might even get lost in the exhibit! Unfortunately, some are tall and heavy, so they’re probably not going anywhere soon.
Even if you’re not into sports or games, Discovery Green Houston has many shaded areas where you can relax and chat with your friends and family. Other people are just hanging out at the park doing the same thing!
Museum Of Fine Arts
The Museum Of Fine Arts Houston is the largest art museum in the state, so if you’re looking for something specific, you might find it here.
They strongly focus on American art and travel and classical European paintings. They also offer rotating exhibits, which means there’s always something new to see here at The Museum Of Fine Arts Houston.
The museum has so much to offer—over 45,000 works of art by artists worldwide and throughout history. You could spend hours here checking out the Egyptian collection or trying to create your masterpiece in one of the classes.
If you’re looking for extra fun activities, check out the events page on their website or follow them on Facebook and Twitter to see what they’re posting.
The events page has many things going on, like arts and crafts workshops and games that will help you get more involved with the art!
Children’s Museum Of Houston
The Children’s Museum of Houston is a great option. They have a whole area dedicated to slime, which is pretty cool.
There’s also a section where kids can climb into a huge bed and pretend they’re tiny animals. And there are plenty more activities to keep you busy all day!
They have many fun exhibits. For example, they have an exhibition called “You Are Here.” It shows what Texas was like in the mid-1800s.
You get to see how people lived and got around before cars and stuff. They also have a section where you can see an animatronic Tyrannosaurus Rex talk to you about dinosaurs.
You can’t go wrong at the Children’s Museum of Houston. There are so many exhibits to choose from, and the kids won’t get bored—I promise!
What you do depends on what your child likes, but I recommend starting with an exhibit called “You Can Be Anything.”
Summary
Houston is located in southeast Texas, just north of Galveston Bay. It’s the fourth-largest city in the United States and one of the fastest-growing cities.
Houston has more than two million residents and is home to over 90 languages, making it as diverse as it is booming.
Houston is the most diverse city in Texas and the fourth most diverse city in the country, which means you’ll find all kinds of food, be able to explore a wide range of museums and meet some exciting people!
Houston is also home to many events and attractions that are hard to find anywhere else. You can glimpse the nation’s past, participate in cutting-edge research, or enjoy the great weather, delicious food, and friendly people.
Houston is one of the unique cities in America. Its rich history is coupled with an innovative spirit that drives it forward into the future.