Houston is a city that has it all: oodles of Southern charm, a mind-boggling collection of museums, sprawling outdoor spaces and a brimming restaurant scene that rivals Dallas and Austin.
It’s also a great destination for families, with kid-friendly attractions at every turn and plenty of things to do outdoors even on hot summer days. And thanks to the city’s thriving theater district, you can often find world-class shows in Houston’s best venues.
The Museum District
Houston’s Museum District is the place to be for a variety of cultural experiences. Home to 19 world-class museums, the neighborhood is a must-see for those who love art and culture – one of many great things to do in Houston.
For those who enjoy science, the Houston Museum of Natural Science is a must-visit. This expansive museum is packed with engrossing exhibits on dinosaurs, nature and astronomy.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is a large, multi-story science center that welcomes millions of visitors every year. It is home to the Burke Baker Planetarium, Wortham IMAX Theatre, a variety of permanent exhibit areas and a host of traveling, limited-time exhibitions.
Explore fossils, Native American culture, astronomy, space science, energy and much more. And don’t miss the Foucault pendulum, a visual demonstration of the Earth’s rotation.
The Houston Museum of Fine Arts
The Houston Museum of Fine Arts is the city’s premier cultural institution. Its collections encompass European and American art, as well as decorative arts from Africa and other parts of the world.
Its collection has grown over time thanks to gifts from philanthropists such as John and Dominique de Menil. There are also pieces from the pre-Columbian era and beyond.
The San Jacinto Monument
The San Jacinto Monument is a towering tribute to the spectacular military triumph that sparked Texas independence. Despite being outnumbered, General Sam Houston’s army of settlers and Tejanos decisively defeated General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna and won Texas’s independence.
A National Historic Landmark, the battlefield, museum and monument preserve the history of this important battle. It also showcases the sacrifice and heroism of the Texans who fought for their freedom and independence.
The Art Car Museum
Houston is home to a thriving arts scene, with countless theater and opera companies that are well-respected worldwide. The city also offers a fantastic variety of museums, with almost 20 in its Museum District.
Art galleries are a great way to explore the human experience, from beautiful works of art to more intimate moments with family and friends. The Houston Museum of Fine Arts is one of the best places to do this, with a huge collection and temporary exhibitions.
Gonzo247 Mural Tour
One of the most colorful and fun murals to check out during your visit to Houston is Gonzo247’s “Houston is Inspired” in the city’s Graffiti Park. It’s a good representation of the vibrant street art scene in the city.
Gonzo247 is a self-taught artist who uses spray paint to create community-centered artwork that is meant to bring people together and celebrate the diversity of Houston. He has founded Aerosol Warfare Studios, the Houston Urban Experience Mural Festival, and the Graffiti and Street Art Museum of Texas.
The Cockrell Butterfly Center
Located inside the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Cockrell Butterfly Center and Brown Hall of Entomology is a great place for kids to learn about these amazing creatures. It features a three-story rainforest conservatory filled with exotic plants and a huge variety of butterflies.
You can expect to see 50 or more different species of the world’s largest and most colorful butterflies during your visit, as they fly around, hover over flowers, or sip fruit juice. Occasionally, they may even land on visitors!
Minute Maid Park
Located in downtown Houston, Minute Maid Park is home to the MLB team the Houston Astros. It’s a place where you can enjoy great baseball games all year round.
There are several attractions that you can enjoy at the park, including the Conoco Philips Home Run Porch on the left field deck where you can catch a ball and take a picture with the old-fashioned gas pump that counts how many home runs have been hit at the park since 2000.
Comedy Clubs
Houston also has stand up comedy clubs as well.
