Things to do in Houston

Space Center Houston

Located in the heart of NASA's spaceflight program, Space Center Houston is a must-visit for fans of space exploration to learn about NASA's history and current work. The center features more than 400 space artifacts, exhibits, experiences and theaters related to the exciting future and remarkable past of America's human space-flight program. The experience is designed to engage adults and children alike. 

• There is always something new at Space Center Houston with updated exhibits and astounding events.
• Space Center Houston has the world’s largest collection of moon rocks and lunar samples for public view.
• Tours to NASA Johnson Space Center take guests to see the home of astronaut training, NASA Mission Control, and innovative technology and engineering projects that support human exploration of our universe.

Find out more

Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is an expansive, multi-story science center where millions of families, students and visitors from around the globe gather to experience the natural world through exceptional permanent galleries as well as unparalleled world premiere exhibitions that bring the earth’s wonders to Houston. Permanent exhibitions include:

• Astronomy
• Space science
• Native American culture
• Energy
• Paleontology
• Chemistry
• Geology
• Seashells
• Texas wildlife

The museum also houses the Butterfly Center, the Planetarium and the Giant Screen Theatre. Find out more. 

Houston Botanic Garden

Houston Botanic Garden features a collection of themed gardens including Global, Culinary, Stormwater Wetlands and the Coastal Prairie. Each garden provides a unique opportunity for visitors to explore hundreds of species related to a specific environment, from tropical to subtropical to edible and medicinal plants. The Woodland Glade, Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden and Community Garden allow interactive discovery for visitors of every age and even offer a place for outdoor events like weddings.

Education and research are a critical part of Houston Botanic Garden’s mission, so a number of programs and cultural events are planned throughout the year, including things like cooking demonstrations, lectures and performances. The real bonus is while learning about conservation, planting, growing, sustainability and flood control, visitors are also able to simply getaway and relax in the beauty serenity of nature.

Find out more.

Buffalo Bayou Park

Buffalo Bayou Park is the 160-acre green space just west of downtown Houston. Visitors can enjoy beautiful gardens and native landscaping; hike and bike trails; a nature play area; the go-to dog park; public art; and delightful places to picnic, relax, and enjoy the outdoors. Enhancement of this award-winning park was a collaboration of BBP, the Kinder Foundation, the City of Houston through Houston Parks & Recreation Department, and Harris County Flood Control District.

Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern:

The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern is a former drinking water reservoir built in 1926 for the City of Houston.  After operating for decades, an irreparable leak was discovered and the 87,500 square foot underground reservoir was decommissioned in 2007.  Recognizing the significance of this landmark, Buffalo Bayou Partnership renovated and repurposed the Cistern into a magnificent public space.  In addition to tours highlighting the history and architecture of the space, the Cistern houses an ambitious program of changing art installations.

Houston Zoo

Serving as a 55-acre oasis in the heart of Houston, and neighbors with the world renown Texas Medical Center, the Houston Zoo is home to wildlife from all corners of the globe. Gorillas, giraffes, elephants, storks, tortoises and many more species are waiting to teach you something you did not know about animals. Over two million guests visit the Zoo each year to explore an incredible variety of animals and ecosystems that immerse visitors into and educational and fun experience. The Zoo is open 263 days a year, only closed for Thanksgiving and Christmas. 

The Zoo’s commitment to saving animals extends far beyond its gates. Supporting wildlife conservation projects in more than 20 countries, the Houston Zoo aims to empower its guests to save animals in the wild through simple behaviors like recycling old cell phones and taking reusable bags to the grocery store. Additionally, a portion of every ticket and Zoo membership goes toward the important conservation work of the Houston Zoo and its partners.

Find out more.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is the largest cultural institution in the southwest region of the United States. The Museum’s encyclopedic collections of nearly 70,000 objects cover world cultures dating from antiquity to the present and include in-depth holdings of American art, European paintings, Pre-Columbian and African gold, decorative arts and design, photography, prints and drawings, 20th- and 21st-century painting and sculpture, and Latin American art.

Located in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, the MFAH is a dynamic cultural complex comprising three gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, visitors center, gift shop, library, restaurants, two art schools, two movie theaters, and two house museums.

Find out more.

Art Car Museum

The Art Car Museum is a private institution dedicated to contemporary art. It is an exhibition forum for local, national and international artists with an emphasis on art cars, other fine arts and artists that are rarely, if ever, acknowledged by other cultural institutions. The museum’s goal is to encourage the public’s awareness of the cultural, political, economic and personal dimensions of art.

The aesthetic of the Art Car Museum draws from a fusion of the traditions of fine, folk and public art. The Museum features the most imaginative, elaborate and artfully constructed art cars, low riders and mobile contraptions as well as revolving exhibitions of art by local, national and international artists of all media. In addition to curated exhibitions, a unique opportunity is provided through the annual open call show for the artistic community to voice their response, via their artwork, to a topic of importance presented by the Museum.

Find out more.

Galleria

The Galleria is Texas' largest shopping center and fourth largest domain nationally and more than 30 million visitors each year seek the dynamic and fine shopping offered by The Galleria. 

Spanning 2.4 million square feet of space, housing 400 fine stores and restaurants, two high-rise Westin hotels, and three office towers, The Galleria is Houston’s most popular retail and tourist destination, meeting every style and taste. A plethora of amenities, including a full-size ice rink for recreational and figure skating, a state of the art children’s play area, two swimming pools, full-service national and international banks, multiple tax-free reimbursement locations for international guests, two tailor shops, several beauty salons, and a post office, continually serve a wide range of shopper delights.

Find out more.

Gerald D. Hines Waterfall Park

In the heart of the city, the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is one of Houston's most beloved, iconic landmarks and community centerpiece for visitors of all ages. 

You can enjoy picnics, a walk around the fountain, or just relax and enjoy the soothing sounds of the cascading water. It has also been an excellent location for snapping some beautiful pictures, and many photographers have used this location for a photoshoot.

Find out more.

Hermann Park

The first public park in Houston provides a wooded site with picnic areas, running trails, lots of on-leash dog walking areas, the Houston Zoological Gardens, a public golf course and an outdoor theater featuring plays and live music.

Find out more.