Best 20 things to do in Houston, United States
Sophie Watts
US Travel Writer
Welcome to Houston, America's fourth-largest city where everything is bigger, including our list of the best things to do! Start your day by navigating the extraordinary Space Center Houston, where astronauts roam and rockets soar. Once you've explored the galaxy (kind of), delve into the fantastic Museum of Natural Science, where dinosaurs reign supreme, and you might even discover a secret dinosaur disco floor - no guarantees though! Lastly, embrace your inner carnivore and embark on a mouthwatering journey through Houston's barbeque joints, where tender meat is slow-cooked to perfection and sauce reigns supreme. Trust us, you'll leave with a heart as full as your stomach!
Save destination1. Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where curiosity meets dinosaurs! Get ready to embark on a thrilling journey through time and space, just like Doctor Who, minus the TARDIS. From awe-inspiring skeletons of prehistoric giants to sparkling gems that make Queen Elizabeth's jewelry seem like a garage sale, this museum will have you ooh-ing and aah-ing more than a fireworks show. Prepare to be dazzled as you enter the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals—it's like stumbling upon a dragon's treasure hoard, but with fewer scales and fire-breathing mishaps. Marvel at the sparkling diamonds, gems as big as your face, and meteorites that will make you question whether extraterrestrial bling is the next big trend. Trust us, you'll leave asking yourself if your own jewelry box needs a serious upgrade. But wait, that's not all! Step into the Morian Hall of Paleontology, where you'll encounter incredible fossils that would make Indiana Jones jump with joy. Dinosaurs larger than your house will stare down at you with their giant teeth, as if they're giving you a friendly reminder to floss daily. Be sure to get a selfie with the T. rex because, let's be honest, nothing says "I've got swagger" like a photo next to a prehistoric celebrity. So, grab your sense of wonder, bring your best dinosaur impression, and get ready to have a roaring good time at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Just, please, don't let your inner archaeologist start digging up the exhibits—those fossils are staying put, no matter how tempting it might be to try and reassemble them.
Learn more2. Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the Museum of Natural Science in Houston, where you can immerse yourself in the wonders of the natural world without ever having to bathe in bug repellent or fend off hungry alligators! Marvel at the colossal dinosaur skeletons that make your neighbor's pet poodle seem even more insignificant, and prepare to feel like an ant as you stroll through the scale model of the solar system. Don't forget to check out the vibrant butterfly exhibit, where even the most macho of visitors suddenly turn into graceful, tiptoeing ballerinas in an attempt to not squish these delicate creatures beneath their clumsy feet.
Learn more3. Buffalo Bayou Park
1800 Allen Pkwy &, Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77019, USA
Welcome to Buffalo Bayou Park in Houston, where the buffalo aren't real, but the fun definitely is! Prepare to unleash your inner explorer as you embark on a journey through a wild and wonderful urban oasis. Take a leisurely stroll along the winding trails, where you might be lucky enough to spot a local jogger proudly wearing a shirt that says "I run like the wind...if the wind had a permanent limp." Soak up the picturesque skyline views as you paddle down the bayou, feeling like the captain of your very own mini Titanic (minus the iceberg and the whole sinking part).
Learn more4. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Welcome to the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, where art aficionados and casual observers unite! Get ready to embark on an artistic odyssey that promises to tickle your cultural taste buds (figuratively, of course). This magnificent museum showcases an exquisite collection of artwork that will make you go, "Wow, I didn't know colors could do that...or that someone actually painted that!" So, come on in and let your eyes feast on the visual buffet that awaits you at the MFAH, where masterpieces and mediocre doodles alike find their home.
Learn more5. Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Step into the Museum of Natural Science in Houston, where you'll embark on a wild adventure alongside ferocious dinosaurs and eccentric geologists! Get ready to have your mind blown by interactive exhibits that make you feel like you're witnessing the Big Bang firsthand, or perhaps just a really massive explosion in a cosmic kitchen. While exploring this treasure trove of science, hold your breath as you come face-to-face with creepy-crawlies that will make even the bravest of souls squealing like a toddler who stumbled upon a slimy booger hidden under his bed.
Learn more6. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054, USA
Welcome to the wild and wooly world of The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where cowboy hats are the ultimate fashion statement! This legendary event turns Houston into a bustling cow-town for a few weeks every year. Prepare for a hoedown of epic proportions, filled with bucking bulls, fried delicacies, and more cowboy boots than you can shake a lasso at!
Learn more7. Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the Museum of Natural Science in Houston—an awe-inspiring hub of knowledge that will scientifically blow your socks off! Marvel at colossal dinosaur skeletons as they stand tall, nonchalantly ignoring the evolutionary folly that led them to extinction. Be prepared to feel as small as a hydrogen atom as you wander through galaxies in the planetarium, pondering the grand mysteries of the universe. And, brace yourself for the ultimate face-off with gemstones, beckoning you with their sparkle, effectively reminding you that your bank account is not as shiny as you thought.
Learn more8. Houston Zoo
6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the wild and wonderful Houston Zoo, my friend! Nestled in the heart of Houston, this lively menagerie boasts an eclectic assortment of creatures eager to meet you and your munchkins. Get ready for some animal antics, heartwarming encounters, and a potential face-off with a mischievous monkey who might just snatch your hotdog if you dare to get too close!
Learn more9. Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where you can delightfully lose track of both time and your inner child's excitement! Explore the vast halls of fossils and exhibit upon exhibit, like a museum version of Alice's Wonderland, minus any misguided entrance into tiny houses or speaking caterpillars. Marvel at the colossal dinosaur skeletons looming overhead, reminding us all that some creatures were clearly determined to take over the world, despite their notoriously short arms. Bring your curiosity, a sturdy pair of walking shoes, and a pact with yourself to resist poking your hand into anything labeled "Do not touch" — or at least try.
Learn more10. The Menil Collection
1533 Sul Ross St, Houston, TX 77006, USA
Welcome to The Menil Collection in Houston – a quirky treasure trove for art enthusiasts and the only place where you can wear your beret without judgment! This offbeat museum houses an eclectic mix of art ranging from ancient artifacts to the avant-garde, making it the perfect destination for those wanting to explore the esoteric side of Houston. Prepare to be dazzled by the museum's inexplicably large collection of Byzantine icons and their resident squirrel, who probably knows more about Surrealism than you ever will!
Learn more11. Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where you can go on a journey through time and space without ever leaving the city! Prepare to have your mind blown as you explore the fascinating exhibits that span the entire spectrum of natural wonders. From colossal dinosaurs to shimmering gemstones that make you question the size of your engagement ring, this museum will have you feeling like a genius until you turn the corner and realize you can't tell a triceratops from a tricycle.
Learn more12. Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where you can dive headfirst into a prehistoric wonderland that will make you feel like a modern-day dino-wrangler. With exhibits that range from ancient fossils to space-age technology, this museum has something for everyone—and no, the exhibit on procrastination is not under construction, despite what they say. Charming and educational, it's the perfect place to embrace your inner explorer and prove once and for all that dinosaurs aren't just found in your crazy neighbor's garden.
Learn more13. Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the Houston Museum of Natural Science! Get ready to have a prehistoric blast as you embark on a journey through time with all sorts of scientific goodies. See dead yet remarkably intact dinosaurs, because sometimes it's important to appreciate the majestic creatures who just couldn't make it to the present day. Don't miss out on the museum's butterfly garden either; word has it that they secretly hold parties every night, where the butterflies put on their fanciest wings and breakdance till dawn.
Learn more14. Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where exploring the wonders of our planet is as delightful as staring at your phone's full battery percentage! With an impressive collection that can make even a T-Rex whiff, this museum guarantees prehistoric fun for everyone. Get ready to dive into a Jurassic-sized adventure, where ancient fossils, mind-boggling gems, and enough dinosaur skeletons will leave you wondering if you've stumbled into an amusement park for archaeologists!
Learn more15. Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where dinosaurs go from being extinct to prehistorically fashionable! This lively and educational museum will have you digging deep into the wonders of the natural world faster than a T-Rex chasing its next meal. From sparkling gemstones that outshine any disco ball to ancient mummies who have better skin care routines than your average beauty guru, this is the place where science and entertainment collide.
Learn more16. Space Center Houston
1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058, USA
Welcome to Space Center Houston, where gravity might still pull you down, but the excitement will definitely lift you up! Prepare to blast off into a world of awe and wonder, as you explore the intersecting realm of space and Texas charm. From mission control replicas to astronaut encounters, this out-of-this-world experience will have you saying, "Houston, we definitely DO have a problem... we don't want to leave!"
Learn more17. Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where you can unlock the secrets of the universe without needing an advanced degree in astrophysics. As you wander through the vast halls, you might be astounded to find dinosaurs with better dental hygiene than your own. Don't forget to check out the Cockrell Butterfly Center, where you'll encounter more flying critters than a horror movie and hopefully walk away with all limbs intact.
Learn more18. Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where you can wander amongst ancient fossils and marvel at incredible replicas of prehistoric creatures. Discover rooms filled with enough rocks to make your geologist friend squeal with delight, and don't miss the butterfly exhibit that will make even the most arachnophobic soul question their life choices. Prepare to be dazzled by the museum's planetarium, where the cosmic wonders of the universe will leave you questioning if you accidentally stumbled into a real-life Star Trek set.
Learn more19. Discovery Green
1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010, USA
Welcome to Discovery Green in the heart of Houston, where grassy vibes meet urban fun! This park is like a nature-loving chameleon, seamlessly blending lush lawns with the city's skyline. Discover your inner child as you frolic amidst its outdoor art exhibits, hip-carrying food trucks, and the occasional squirrel who thinks it's a park ranger - they take their job quite nuttily!
Learn more20. Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Welcome to the Museum of Natural Science in Houston, where you can embark on a journey through time, space, and all things weirdly fascinating. Marvel at the colossal dinosaur fossils as you wonder if they ever participated in a friendly game of Jurassic basketball. Take a walk in the Butterfly Center and beware, for these delicate creatures might just mistake your nose as the next trending fashion accessory!
Learn moreHow to get there
Plane
The best way to get to Houston by plane is to fly into William P. Hobby Airport or George Bush Intercontinental Airport. There are numerous direct flights from major cities in the United States and international destinations.
Car
Driving is a great option for getting to Houston, especially if you're coming from nearby cities such as Austin, San Antonio or New Orleans. The major highways that connect Houston to other cities include I-10, I-610, and I-45.
Train
Unfortunately, there is no direct train service to Houston. However, Amtrak's Sunset Limited route stops in San Antonio, about four hours away from Houston by car, where you can then take a bus or rent a car to get to Houston.
Boat
Houston has a major port which is frequently used by cruise lines that sail to the Caribbean and Mexico. If you're planning to arrive by boat, you can dock at the Bayport Cruise Terminal or the Port of Galveston, both of which are within easy driving distance of Houston.
Bus
Several bus companies operate frequent trips to Houston from major cities across the United States, including Greyhound and MegaBus. Houston's main bus station is at 2121 Main Street, downtown Houston.