Ultimate Guide of Things To Do In Houston

Houston, TX is jam-packed with awesome things to do, it can be hard to know where to start! Here’s a list of fun and interesting things to do to get you started on your adventure in Space City!

Date Nights ❤️

Planning a date night in Houston? You're in luck! There are dozens and dozens of fun things to choose from, whether this is your first date or 100th.

1. Sunset at Twilight Epiphany Skyspace

Watching the sunset is one of the most romantic things to do in Houston. Make this experience unique by going to the beautiful Twilight Epiphany Skyspace, which is open to the public for free. This architecturally stunning structure was designed to project a light show onto the ceiling and through an opening onto the 72-foot square knife-edge roof at sunrise and at sunset.

The sunset light sequence starts about 10 minutes before sunset and lasts approximately 40 minutes. Though the sunset may be over quickly, Skyspace is also a venue that hosts music and other events that you are welcome to watch. The Skyspace is open Wednesdays to Sundays until 10 pm. Couples who are early risers will be happy to know you can also see the sunrise.

2. Play an escape room

If you are looking for a place to go for a thrilling and fun date, The Escape Game Houston is for you! You and your date will have to work together to find your way out of an escape room in under 60 minutes. Put your heads together to solve riddles and puzzles. Collaborate to crack codes and decipher clues! Choose from two locations, City Centre and The Galleria. Both locations have escape games with unique themes and different levels of difficulty.

Time travel between centuries to save the future. Rescue a priceless Monet painting from an evil mastermind. Investigate menacing goings-on at an abandoned laboratory at the very bottom of the ocean! Fix your spaceship on Mars before a solar flare collides with you! Put your love to the test at The Escape Game Houston!

3. Painting with a twist

You and your date can unleash your creative sides at Painting with a Twist, a company that's been inspiring people around Houston to try something new and artistic. They offer many types of classes and among them is their weekly “Date Night” where couples are given two canvases - one for each person. The canvases are outlined and ready to be painted and have romantic themes just right for couples like The Lion and Lioness in the Night and Love Trees at Night. When you’ve each completed your canvas, place them next to each other, and it’s as if your individual paintings are one!

So what’s the twist? You are allowed to bring your own drinks in, including alcoholic beverages. Want to hold a nice glass of rosé in one hand and a paintbrush in another? Painting with a Twist is for you! Date night sessions start at varying times, with some starting as late as 9:30 pm to 11 pm.

4. Be a Game Show Contestant!

Ever wanted to try being on a game show? Here's your chance!

Great Big Game Show is an immersive game show experience. Two teams will face off in a battle for points and glory! Each round of Great Big Game Show features a different mini-game. Their line-up of rotating mini-games includes strategy, trivia, speed tests, and more.

5. Have dinner in the dark

If you are looking for a unique date idea, look no further than Houston’s Dining in the Dark Blind Tasting Experience! Dining while blindfolded is definitely not the typical date experience, but it is certainly a memorable one! You and your date will enjoy a three-course meal while blindfolded. You’ll be seated in a dining room that’s romantically lit with candles. Then your waiter will blindfold you, and then you’ll dine.

This isn’t some strange gimmick. When you can’t see what you are eating, your sense of taste and smell are enhanced, making your food even more satisfying. Plus, being blindfolded encourages conversation!

6. Watch a movie under the stars

For a great date night out in Houston, grab your honey, some folding chairs, and popcorn to see a movie outdoors. In the summer, the Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park shows movies for free. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and your own popcorn for a great night out!

If you want a swanky outdoor movie date experience, the Rooftop Cinema Club has comfortable deck chairs, a big screen, and food and drink concessions. You can see all your favorite modern classics here, but does it really matter what's playing? It’s all about the person who's sitting next to you!

7. Try axe-throwing

Bring some healthy competition into your relationship by spending that Friday night date at Houston Axe Throwing. If you haven't been axe-throwing yet, now’s the time! It’s one of the most popular recreational games around, and it’s a whole lot of fun. You can book time with a private target that comes along with safety and technique training and 50 to 55 minutes of self-guided axe-throwing. Houston Axe Throwing is open until 10:30 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

8. Go on a spa date

Spend a calming day at Trellis Spa, a luxury spa in a gorgeous European Villa-inspired space on grounds with lush gardens. Enjoy soothing spa treatments, like a couples massage. Relax in the outdoor Soaking Pools and Garden. Dine in the scenic treetop restaurant with a health-focused menu. You and your date will walk away feeling refreshed!

9. Attend a candlelight concert

For an intimate date, see a Candlelight Concert. This series takes place in some of Houston’s most romantic venues, lit by thousands of candles. The concerts, performed by professional musicians ranging from classical to jazz, pop to familiar movie soundtracks, and more. There are two shows each evening, starting at approximately 7 pm and 9 pm.

10. Swing from the trees

For couples who like adventure and physical challenges, go ziplining and do a ropes course! Houston has a few great locations. Moody Gardens in Galveston has the tallest steel ropes course on the Gulf Coast. Texas Treeventures, about an hour from Houston, has 72 obstacles for you and your date to overcome together. Big Rivers Waterpark has zip lines, a ropes challenge course, and a free-fall experience. Cool off afterward in the waterpark.

11. Museum of Fine Arts

Open until 9 pm on Thursdays, the Houston Museum of Fine Arts is a great date place for art lovers. See impassioned works from the Italian Renaissance. Be mesmerized by Impressionist paintings. Converse with your date about fascinating works of modern art.

12. Color Factory Interactive Art Museum

This immersive museum is where guests are invited to feel the joy that color brings. Housed in a 20,000-square-foot space, the Color Factory has 14 immersive installations inspired by Houston-specific colors like the rich green of Hermann Park and the dark blue on the NASA logo. It’s one of the most fun date ideas you can find in Houston. The last entry time slot is 8 pm.

13. Cullen Sculpture Garden

This lovely garden is a space where nature and art meet. The garden is small but filled with wonderful works from the best artists of the 20th century, such as Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, and Auguste Rodin. The Cullen Sculpture Garden is open until 9 pm on Thursdays.

14. Seismique

Located on Houston's west side, this 40,000-square-foot art museum provides an imaginative and exciting interactive experience with immersive exhibits and astounding displays. With the use of projectors, holograms, augmented reality, light mapping, motion tracking, and 9 million LED lights, Seismique boasts more than 40 vivid, perplexing displays. Seismique is open until 9 pm on weeknights and 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

15. Biking

Biking in Houston is quite popular, and there are some lovely trails you and your date can check out. Buffalo Bayou Park's bike trails are ideal if you are looking for an easy-paced ride. For some other trails, see this list of suggested biking routes.

16. Kayaking

The Buffalo Bayou Waterway is a great place to kayak in Houston. It runs through the city, and you’ll paddle with the skyline as a backdrop. Paddle under bridges and pass by the city’s parks. Consider taking a kayak tour like a Houston Skyline Tour, where your guide discusses some of Houston’s landmarks that are visible from the water.

17. Hiking

The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center has five miles of trails that weave through five habitats, including native prairie, woodland, wetland, and meadow. The Arboretum has night events that make for an interesting date night. The “Sip & Stroll” event offers couples a quiet evening in nature along with an adult beverage. “Mystery on the Trails” sends visitors on a whodunnit hunt along the trails.

18. Beaches

On a hot day in Houston, drive to the beach, just an hour’s drive from the city. A date at the wonderful beaches Galveston offers a lot to fill up a day and night! There are so many beaches that you can take your pick of the atmosphere. If you want a beach that’s adult-oriented, East Beach has beach parties and live concerts. The Seawall Beaches are in proximity to restaurants, bars, the Pleasure Pier, and more!

19. Horseback Riding

How about riding horses for a romantic thing to do in Houston? Cypress Trails Ranch, just 25 miles north of downtown Houston, is a beautiful ranch where you can ride alone with your date or join one of the center’s Adventure Trail Rides or Picnic Rides. If you haven't ridden before, they offer lessons.

20. Waterparks

Given the hot weather in Houston’s summers, there are lots of water parks where you can splash around with your date. If you both like towering waterslides, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown has several, including the Banzai Pipeline, which is seven stories tall.

Big Rivers Water Park and Adventures has all the rides and features you want from a water park, as well as a zip line course, a five-story climbing wall, and a seven-story bungee jump. If you want to avoid the family crowd, take your date out of Houston to The Cove in College Station, TX. You‘ll enjoy laid-back rides and a swim-up bar.

21. Try Houston’s foods

How about taking a food tour of Houston on your date? It’s a great way to discover different cuisines in the city. Astroville Tours’ Food Tour of Downtown Houston includes eight to nine samples from Tex-Mex to Barbeque and everything in between! On your next date, go back and dine at the place you liked the most.

The Howdy H-Town EADO Food Tour takes you through EaDo (East of Downtown). Try tacos, barbecue, and more. During the tour, you’ll learn about EADO’s street art scene and architecture.

22. Have a picnic at a Houston park

Bring a basket of gourmet foods to the beautiful Hermann Park Conservancy. Rent a pedal boat from the boathouse and explore McGovern Lake and its beautiful environs. Hermann Park is open until 11 pm.

Discovery Green is a 12-acre urban park with loads of fun things to do, right in Houston’s downtown. There’s a full line-up of free events, like outdoor concerts and movies. Discovery Green is open until 11 pm every night (and midnight in the summer).

23. Root for Houston’s sports teams

Take your date to cheer on one of Houston’s many sports teams. See the Houston Astros play baseball at Minute Maid Park. The Texans play football at NRG Stadium while the Houston Dynamo plays soccer at Shell Energy Stadium. See the Houston Rockets shoot hoops at the Toyota Center. If the forecast calls for a rainy night in Houston on your date night, don't worry -- both Minute Maid Park and NRG Stadium have retractable roofs to keep you dry!

24. Chill out in the Market Square Historic District

This enclave in Houston’s downtown is a charming and lively neighborhood. The district has lots of restaurants, pubs and bars, and entertainment options all within walking distance of each other. At the heart of the district is the laid-back Market Square Park. Hang out and dine on the grass and enjoy a full roster of events from movie screenings and festivals until 11 pm nightly.

25. Stargaze at George Observatory

What could be more romantic than a date under Houston’s stars? Ideally, to get a good view, you’ll need to head out of Houston, but not too far. Brazos Bend State Park is the best stargazing spot, less than an hour’s drive from Houston. You can combine your stargazing with some time in nature.

Within the park is the George Observatory, a part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Visit on Saturdays year-round for evening stargazing with real-time camera feeds from the telescopes. You’ll also get to interact with the astronomers who provide a laser tour of the sky.

26. Ride the Ferris Wheel at Kemah Boardwalk

Kemah Boardwalk, just 20 miles from Houston, will provide a few hours of fun on your date. The Boardwalk is open free to the public to walk along Galveston Bay. There’s a fee to enter the 42-acre megaplex with amusement park rides, restaurants, and bars. Enjoy classic rides like a 65-foot-tall Ferris wheel, a wooden roller coaster, and a tower drop ride. Kemah Boardwalk is open all year and stays open late. On Mondays to Wednesdays, it is open until 10 pm and until 11 pm on Thursdays to Sundays.

27. See a show in Houston’s Theater District

Houston’s Theater District has many theaters to see performances of all kinds. The Hobby Center has Broadway shows. The Wortham Theater Center has the distinguished Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera. Jones Hall is home to the Houston Symphony and the Society for the Performing Arts. The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts has it all! Musicals and plays, comedy, dance - you name it, the Hobby Center’s got it!

28. Houston Food Tours

Discover the city and compare its diverse cuisine on a food tour. Try Barbecue, Tex-Mex, Italian-American, Asian, and more. On the Howdy H-Town EADO Food Tour, visit EaDo (East of Downtown) and stop at several food establishments. Throughout the tour, learn about EaDo’s architecture, its street art scene, and its green spaces.

The Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston not only takes you to try the food but also shows you a bit of Houston's fascinating downtown tunnel system.

29. Seismique

Dive into a world of color, light, and sound at this 40,000-square-foot art museum on Houston’s west side. The more than 40 larger-than-life installations use projections, augmented reality, motion tracking, light mapping, and 9 million LED lights. The mesmerizing digital landscapes and kinetic sculptures are exhilarating and full of life.

Family-Friendly Activities 🧑‍🧑‍🧒‍🧒

If you are planning a trip to Houston for some family fun, you’ve picked a great place since there are so many attractions for kids and even toddlers! With kid-friendly museums, great outdoor spaces, amusement parks, and more!

1. Space Center Houston

A visit to the Space Center Houston is one of the most popular things for families to do. Kids who are interested in space travel will go crazy for the NASA Tram Tour which gives a behind-the-scenes look at space exploration. On the tour, guests tour astronaut training facilities Mission Control, and more. Plus the Space Center has interactive exhibits, space artifacts, and high-tech multimedia displays that will keep your whole family engaged.

2. The Escape Game Houston

If you are looking for something fun and stimulating to do with your kids then head to The Escape Game Houston. You and your family will find themselves in a ‘locked’ room with 60 minutes to escape by cracking clues and solving riddles. The Escape Game Houston has two locations, one at The Galleria and the other at CityCentre. Between them, you have the choice of seven escape rooms with unique themes. Time travel to save the world. Investigate an abandoned laboratory at the bottom of the ocean. Break out of a 1950s prison cell. Whatever room you choose your family will have a blast!

3. Houston Astros Baseball

One of the best family activities in Houston from April to October is to see the Astros play baseball. Minute Maid Park is right in the heart of downtown so you’ll have an easy time bringing the gang there. About two and half hours before game time, the Astros hold batting practice so bring a glove and try to catch a ball if it's a homer into the stands. Afterward, players often interact with fans and sign autographs. Families who follow baseball closely should take advantage of this unique opportunity. FYI, if you are planning a work party or corporate event in Houston that includes family and friends, going to an Astros game is a great idea!

4. Great Big Game Show

Ever wanted to try being on a game show? Here's your chance!

Great Big Game Show is an immersive game show experience. Two teams will face off in a battle for points and glory! Each round of Great Big Game Show features a different mini-game. Their line-up of rotating mini-games includes strategy, trivia, speed tests, and more.

5. Geronimo Adventure Park

This awesome aerial park in northwest Houston is a fun place to take the kids to swing in the trees. The adventure park has three zipline skytrail with different levels of difficulty. For newbies, the Go Fly Skytrail, with five ziplines and three rope bridges, is ideal, while the advanced Go Long Skytrail has six ziplines, three rope bridges, and nine optional aerial challenges. The minimum age to zip is six years old, but there is other fun stuff to do with little kids.

6. Kemah Boardwalk

Kemah Boardwalk, about 50 miles from Houston, is where to take kids for some serious fun! This amusement park on Galveston Bay has rides for all ages and the scenery is gorgeous! Your teens will love to free-fall 140 feet on the Drop Zone ride and take the Boardwalk Bullet wooden coaster that reaches speeds of more than 50 miles per hour. Younger kids can ride the small ferris wheel and the double-decker carousel. The Century Wheel takes riders 65 feet up for spectacular views.

7. Stewart Beach

For a day of sand, sun, and fun take the family to one of Galveston’s beaches. About an hour or so from downtown Houston, you'll find 32 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico. Stewart Beach is a family-friendly beach with lifeguards and calm waters. Plus there are amenities like concessions stands, showers, and beach chair rentals. Another option that’s a bit closer to Houston is Sylvan Beach with white sand, a playground, and an air-conditioned pavilion when the midday heat becomes a bit too much.

8. Houston Zoo

Zoos are great places to bring young kids and toddlers so make a beeline for the Houston Zoo! See animals are in their own habitats in different areas. Visit the African Forest, the Elephant Habitat Area, the Reptile and Amphibian House, the Texas Wetlands, and more. For an extra fee, your family can take part in Animal Encounters and get close to elephants, gorillas, and giant tortoises. At the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo, kids can explore a realistic bat cave, see a North American river otter play underwater, and feed Nubian goats.

9. Downtown Aquarium

Part attraction, part restaurant, this six-acre entertainment complex is an excellent thing to do in Houston for families with children for maximum entertainment and convenience. The 500,000-gallon complex has all you'd expect from an aquarium and more. There are over 300 species of aquatic life from around the world and a wall-to-wall aquarium in the restaurant that serves a surf-and-turf menu. While dining, keep an eye out for scuba divers feeding fish in the tank!

10. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

Let your kids experience the natural world without leaving Houston. This 155-acre nature sanctuary has five miles of easy nature trails and a Nature Center building with a Discovery Room filled with activities and interactive exhibits. The center’s Habitat Hikes take visitors through different landscapes each with native animals and plants. Plus, the Tyke Hikes make the nature center one of Houston’s top fun places to take toddlers.

11. Buffalo Bayou Park

Buffalo Bayou Park is a 160-acre greenspace that lies along a 2.3-mile stretch of the Buffalo Bayou that runs right through the center of Houston. It’s a popular destination for families due to the many activities for kids of all ages. The park has both lovely gardens and natural landscaping. There are hiking and biking trails to enjoy and kayaking and canoeing are allowed in some parts of the park. The Barbara Fish Daniel Nature Play Area and Picnic Pavilion is designed for younger children, with a rolling lawn, a stream, climbing logs, a 33-foot slide, and a tri-level tree house with a climbing net.

12. Houston Funplex

This massive indoor entertainment center has so many activities, it’s hard to keep track! There is something here for everyone in your family including more than 200 games, activities, and attractions including a bowling center, go-karts, several arcades, virtual reality games, skating, trampolines, and much more! Kids can go wild at the two-story PlayPort while grown-ups can pop into the sports bar to catch a few minutes of a game. A day at Funplex is great back-up activity if you get stuck with a rainy day in Houston.

13. Houston Museum of Natural Science

This is one of the best museums in Houston with things to do and see for kids of all ages as well as adults. Over four floors of permanent exhibits have interactive elements and the museum has designed age-appropriate activities in several exhibits. The Cabinet of Curiosities is perfect for children and toddlers ages 5 and under. Visitors can touch and examine the oddities on display. At the Morian Hall of Paleontology, children ages 6-12 can watch real paleontology volunteers unearth bones from fossil jackets in the Fossil Prep Lab. Ages 12 and up will appreciate the Hall of Ancient Egypt with ancient artifacts and three complete human mummies.

14. The Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston

MATCH is one-stop-shopping for performances of every kind. Most of the programming is for adults and young adults. The in-house Main Street Theater is always kid-friendly. Some past shows have included Cinderella, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, Charlotte's Web, and The Cat in the Hat.

15. Houston's Theater District

Houston has an impressive cultural arts scene and the Theater District is a place to go with the family for some entertainment. The district spans 17 blocks in downtown Houston with several performing arts centers and theaters. In fact, Houston is among the very best cities in the US to catch a Broadway show. The Alley Theatre, Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall, and Memorial Hermann Broadway at the Hobby Center are top venues to see family-friendly Broadway shows like Wicked, Les Miserables, and The Lion King. Read more about things to do at night in Houston.

16. Discovery Green Park

This beautiful 12-acre family-friendly park in downtown Houston has loads of fun outdoor activities for kids and grown-ups. There are tidy green lawns to picnic on, a restaurant, and family-friendly events, some of which are free! Families can play shuffleboard and hit balls on the putting green. There’s the colorful John P. McGovern playground and a splash pad in the summer that’s perfect for toddlers and young children. In the warm months, you can head out on the shallow and safe Kinder Lake for a leisurely kayak paddle.

17. Burke Baker Planetarium

Part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Planetarium offers guests an opportunity to learn about the solar system through an incredible high-definition video system projecting special films onto the full-domed theater. Their Digistar 6 system simulates the experience of navigating asteroid fields and roaming planet surfaces. The educational shows include Black Holes, Death of the Dinosaurs, Forward to the Moon, Passport to the Universe, and Starry Night Express.

18. George Observatory

This satellite facility of the Houston Museum of Natural Science has three domed telescopes, including one of the largest in the United States, the 36-inch Gueymard Research Telescope. Depending on the season and time of the month, one can see amazing space phenomena like the Milky Way, cloud belts on Jupiter, and meteors to Saturn’s rings. A visit to Houston’s George Observatory at night is one of the very best things to do with kids who are aspiring astronomers!

19. Children’s Museum of Houston

A trip to the Children’s Museum of Houston is one of the most fun activities for toddlers, young children, and even infants! The more than a dozen exhibits at this superb children’s museum are organized by age with groupings of Infants/toddlers, preschoolers, lower elementary, upper elementary, and all ages. The museum draws out children’s curiosity and creativity in engaging ways. Some exhibits include the Scavenger Hunt, FlowWorks, which educates kids about water through giant waves, and Kidtropolis, which teaches the workings of a city. Plus there are inventor labs for different age groups.

20. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown

If you find yourself with a hot day in Houston, going to a waterpark is a terrific activity to keep your kids cool. The park has multiple towering water slides, like the Banzai Pipeline, which is seven stories tall! Young children can play in Coconut Bay, a pint-size version of water rides. Parents must accompany children under 50″. The three-story Tree House has no height minimum so the whole family can play together. Slippery slides, net ladders, and 1,000-gallon bucket blasts will surely keep everyone cool and having fun.

21. McGovern Lake at Hermann Park

Though no swimming is allowed, the family can cool off any time of the year on McGovern Lake in Hermann Park, a 450-acre urban green space in the heart of Houston. Located in the middle of the park, this 8-acre lake has beautiful features and surroundings including two small islands for migratory birds. Pedal boats can be rented from the boathouse for up to four people and children must be able to sit on their own so this activity is not suited to toddlers and under. A fun thing to do with your little ones is to take a 14-minute trip around the park on an open-air mini-train. You can get on and off the train at designated spots to enjoy the park.

22. Waugh Bat Colony

Bring the family to see Houston’s Mexican free-tailed bat colony estimated at 250,000! They reside under the Waugh Drive Bridge in Buffalo Bayou Park. At dusk, the bats fly out from underneath the bridge and head off to look for food. It’s quite a sight as the little black-winged creatures fly across the beautiful skies of Houston. The colony is largest between summer and early fall, though there are still plenty of bats to see during the winter months. Note that the bats do not emerge when sunset temperatures are at 50 degrees or below or when it is raining.

23. Houston Kayak and Paddleboard Tours

Bayou City Adventures offers several tours for all ages, including a Houston Skyline Tour where guides talk about the city’s history and landmarks along the stunning skyline visible from the water. They also have a paddleboarding tour that is best suited to older children and up, since excellent balance is required. After a brief lesson, you’ll be paddleboarding and learning about the wildlife and natural surroundings on the Buffalo Bayou. If you are planning on seeing the Waugh Bat Colony, take their 90-minute boat tour that runs on weekends. Children must be at least four years old.

24. Houston Bus Tours

When those little legs have had enough of walking, take a hop-on-hop-off bus tour of Houston. Get off the bus at attractions and landmarks that interest you, then get back on any bus along that route when you are ready to move on to the following sights. For an overview of Houston, take a sightseeing bus tour without stops. Plus, bus tours are a perfect way to get out of the Houston heat when the temperature is a bit too hot for seeing the city on foot.

25. Conroe's Incredible Pizza

Combine an all-you-can-eat buffet of pizza, pasta, homestyle entrees, and yummy desserts. With an indoor entertainment center, how can families go wrong? Kids can play go-karts, laser tag, bumper cars, mini golf, and more than 150 video and arcade games!

26. Crisp

Italian food with large sharable hand-tossed pizzas, salads, and more. The very affordable “Critters” menu for kids 12 and under has kids’ favorites like grilled cheese, chicken nuggets, peanut butter and jelly, and other options. Parents will be able to relax as kids can release all that energy on Crisp’s 5,000-square-foot garden patio, which features swings and a ping-pong table.

27. Dish Society

With multiple locations in Houston serving brunch, lunch, and dinner daily, Dish Society is a no-brainer restaurant for families. Its $7 “Littles” menu features quesadillas, chicken tenders, buttered pasta, popcorn shrimp, and grilled chicken strips.

28. Jimmy Changas

Kids can monkey around at the jungle playground at all of the Jimmy Changas locations before or after gobbling up Little Jimmy’s Tex-Mex. Everyone should save room for the complimentary soft-serve ice cream.

29. Dessert Gallery

Bring the family to Houston’s Dessert Gallery for an incredible selection of homemade cakes, pies, cupcakes, cookies, and ice cream. Just a few of the delectables they make are Rocky Road Texas Sheet Cake, Apple Brown Betty a la mode, Banana Pudding, Brownie Batter Blowout Sundae, Carrot Cake, Chocolate-Dipped Chocolate Chunk Cookiesm and so much more to die for!

30. Children's Museum Houston

Traveling with young children? This museum is a destination for sure! Its exhibits offer kids ages 10 and below to express their creativity and explore their curiosity. The museum's interactive displays and activities are arranged by age groupings, so everyone in the gang will find something they can enjoy. A visit here is one of the top things to do with the family in Houston.

31. Kemah Boardwalk

Head out of Houston to nearby Galveston Bay to enjoy this boardwalk lined with shops, restaurants, and an amusement park. You can buy a pass for the park for all rides or pay for individual rides. One of the best rides is the wooden roller coaster, the Boardwalk Beast, which peaks at close to 100 feet tall. From atop the 65-foot-tall Century Wheel, you’ll get a fabulous view of the bay, and at the waterfront restaurants, you can dig into fresh seafood.

32. The Galleria

Sometimes shopping is part of one’s vacation. If that’s the case for you, you’ll love the Galleria. It’s the largest shopping mall in Texas, with 400 stores! There are high-end boutiques like Gucci, Chanel, Ferragamo, Bally of Switzerland, and several other designer stores.

If you are looking for chain stores, you'll find lots here. Shop at Urban Outfitters, Free People, Gap, Adidas, Express, Aeropostale, and more. Grab a quick bite at fast food spots like Shake Shack or sit down at The Cheesecake Factory. If you are in Houston on a hot day, the Galleria can keep you busy and comfortable in the air conditioning all day and night!

33. Burke Baker Planetarium

Part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the planetarium’s full-dome immersive theater will transport you out of this world and into the cosmos! The theater has state-of-the-art technology that simulates the experience of exploring planet surfaces and navigating asteroid fields. The knowledgeable staff ensures that shows are more than just visually engaging as they make the experience interesting to both astronomy enthusiasts and curious minds. What could be more fitting in Space City than to see a space show?

34. Downtown Aquarium

Come for 500,000 gallons worth of beautiful marine life and stay for dinner! wonders! See over 300 species of marine life from around the world. Just a few of the creatures to marvel at include a giant Pacific octopus, colorful rainforest frogs, red-bellied piranhas, and beautiful birds.

You wouldn't expect this at an aquarium, but here you can dine in a full-service dining room with a floor-to-ceiling 150,000-gallon aquarium. Enjoy your food while watching over 100 species of aquatic life! Before or after your meal, visit the outdoor amusement park rides!

Things to Do With Teens 🙌

Wondering what cool and unusual things there are to do in Houston that your teens will love? Check out these activities and places!

1. Take a Mural and Instagram Tour

Around the world, large-scale murals are recognized as a powerful form of art. With their bright colors and political or humorous messages, murals speak to teens in a way no other art form can.

Houston has many murals and seeing them is one of the coolest things to do with your teen. A 90-minute Mural and Instagram Tour takes you to see more than 40 murals throughout Downtown, Midtown, and EaDo on a golf cart. It’s a comfortable ride and your gang will have plenty of opportunities to post on Instagram and Tik-Tok along the way!

If you are looking for a shorter excursion, head to the Houston Graffiti Building at 1503 Chartres Street. You can also go to the Arts District which is home to 300+ studios where you can see local artists creating their works.

2. Play an Escape Room

Escape rooms are enormously popular with teens. The thrill of racing the clock to break out of a ‘locked room’ in just 60 minutes gets their hearts pumping. Solving riddles and deciphering clues ignite their creative thinking.

The Escape Game Houston has six unique escape rooms with themes your teens will get a kick out of, like breaking out of a 1950s prison cell, finding a stolen masterpiece of art, and investigating sinister activities occurring at the bottom of the ocean.

The Escape Game Houston has two locations, one at The Galleria and the other at CityCentre. Both are open daily from 8:00 am to 12:00 am so you can find a time for teens who like to sleep in or those who like to stay up late!

3. Dive into Immersive Art

Let your teens experience masterpieces by being part of them, through cutting-edge VR technology, massive 360-degree digital projections, and evocative light and sound.

Exhibition Hub’s Immersive Art experience invites guests to walk through a field of Van Gogh's sunflowers or a park created by the great Impressionist master, Claude Monet.

These exhibits have traveled around the world, thrilling more than 2 million guests. They are a great way to get your teens excited about art if they aren't already.

Note that these exhibitions change location periodically, so be sure to look into them soon.

4. Play as a Game Show Contestant at Great Big Game Show!

Ever wanted to try being on a game show? Here's your chance!

Great Big Game Show is an immersive game show experience. Two teams will face off in a battle for points and glory! Each round of Great Big Game Show features a different mini-game. Their line-up of rotating mini-games includes strategy, trivia, speed tests, and more.

5. See The Famous Orange Show

This is surely one of the most unusual things that your teens will encounter in Houston. The Orange Show is a 3,000-square-foot outdoor complex that was constructed with brick, concrete, and steel together with found objects like old tiles, junk metal, mannequins, wagon wheels, and loads of other everyday discarded items.

Made over the course of nearly 25 years by a Houston postal worker, (the late Jefferson Davis McKissack), The Orange Show is more than just an oddity to look at. Visitors can wander through its different landscapes and levels.

There’s a pond, a stage, a wishing well, a stage, a museum, and even a gift shop. The carnivalesque complex, as the name reveals, honors McKissiack’s favorite fruit - the orange!

6. Catch a Flick on A Rooftop

In the warm Houston weather, seeing a movie with a view of the stunning skyline at the Rooftop Cinema Club is a fantastic thing to do at night! Most of the movies shown are suitable for teens, tweens, and younger. Sometimes classics from your teen years are shown! Grab some candy and your family and enjoy a movie under the stars! If your gang would rather sit in the comfort of your car, there is also the Moonstruck Drive-In.

7. Explore the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern

The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern is a massive subterranean former water reservoir that was saved from demolition in 2010 by the Buffalo Bayou Partnership so that the public could discover its unusual architecture and historical significance. The enormous reservoir, the size of 1.5 football fields, also showcases rotating art installations; the most magical are those that use light and color to transform the cistern into an underground wonderland.

This unusual attraction is unlike most teens - or anyone- have seen before. There are several tours to take, including an Experiential Tour with an introduction and then a chance to explore the Cistern at your own pace. Learn more about Cistern Tours here.

8. Get Out Onto the Water

Houston is much more than a sprawling city. There are many beautiful outdoor spaces to explore, including waterways in the city as well as lakes in the greater Houston area. The Buffalo Bayou Waterway runs through the main parts of Houston and is an interesting way to see the city. You’ll paddle under bridges, through the city’s green spaces with a view of the Downtown Houston skyline. Look into rentals from Bayou City Adventures.

Another waterway is in the northern suburbs of Houston. The Woodlands has a big lake that branches out into several waterways and kayaking is an easy way to get out of the city and enjoy some nature. Kayak rentals are available at Lakes Edge Boat and the Riva Boathouse.

9. Reach New Heights

Indoor rock climbing is very popular with people of all ages, including teens. It’s an excellent way to be physically active while providing the opportunity for your teens to challenge themselves to take another step higher.

Indoor rock climbing facilities have options for climbers of all levels of experience. Teens who want to climb high can do so safely while those more reluctant will still enjoy climbing to the height they find most comfortable. Here are some wonderful places to go indoor rock climbing in Houston that sell day passes.

10. Take a Hike

For teens who enjoy connecting with nature, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center will delight them. While there are lots of lush green spaces with trails in the city, the arboretum is one of only a few that transport one out of the city without actually having to leave Houston.

The Arboretum has five miles of trails that wind through several habitats including native prairie, woodland, wetland, and meadow. There’s an abundance of wildlife as well. For casual trails, check out Buffalo Bayou Park, which is also a perfect place for a bike ride. You can rent bikes from Bayou Bike Rentals at The Water Works.

11. Glide Through Houston

A segway tour is one of the most fun ways to get to know Houston. It’s easier than walking through such a large city, and teens will have fun navigating these odd-looking two-wheeled contraptions! Segway Tours of Houston has a number of guided tours that focus on different aspects of the city. The Buffalo Bayou Tour covers historic plazas and landmarks, and in Downtown Houston along with tales of both famous and infamous Houstonians. It also includes time along the bayou cycling paths.

Your teen might like the Graffiti and Street Art Tour where the amazing Street Art scene of Houston is discovered via segway along the bike lanes and alleys of EaDo (East Downtown) district.

12. A Little Bit of Everything

Right in the heart of Houston is Discovery Green, a 12-acre urban park where there are so many great things for your teens. On Kinder Lake, they can kayak or paddleboard. There’s a roller rink seasonally and festivals and concerts throughout the year.

One fun thing for your teens to check out is the Listening Vessels, another piece of Houston public art. This pair of sculptures are placed 70 feet apart and designed so that a person can sit in one of the pair, whisper into it, and be heard by another person sitting so far away in the other sculpture.

13. Hit the Beach

Take the teens to the beach! Galveston’s 32 miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico means there’s lots of sand and waves to frolic in. It takes about an hour or so to drive from Downtown Houston to the beaches.

Stewart Beach is a family-friendly beach (no alcohol permitted) and has concessions, restrooms, and well-trained lifeguards. Seawall has great beaches, unique shops, and seaside restaurants. It’s also a place where your teen can learn how to surf! Talk about one of the very best things for teens to do just outside of Houston!

14. Kemah Boardwalk

Amusement parks are a safe bet when you’re looking for fun things to do in Houston with teens. Kemah Boardwalk has it all!

This theme park is approximately 30 miles southeast of Downtown Houston. The Boardwalk is along the shores of Galveston Bay, so the location is beautiful.

From the Boardwalk Bullet roller coaster to the Boardwalk Beast speedboat ride, your teens will be thrilled! The most popular ride is the Drop Zone, a 140-foot free-fall (don't worry, everyone’s strapped in tight!)

15. Palace Social Arcade

At the Palace Social Arcade in Bellaire just outside of Houston, there’s no shortage of fun things to do with your teens. They’ll love the high-tech immersive XD Dark Ride Experience that combines the best aspects of a movie, a video game, and a thrill ride! Next up there are virtual reality games, an awesome arcade, bowling, and karaoke rooms. Add great food like burgers and milkshakes, pizza, Mexican food, American classics and chocolate lava cake for dessert. Palace Social will keep your teens entertained for hours.

16. Houston Waterparks

If you are in Houston on a hot day, take advantage of the city’s waterparks. The Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown is Houston’s largest water park at 48 acres with a Caribbean theme and every kind of water ride there is! Teens love the Wahoo Wave, a six-story water slide. Big Rivers Water Park and Adventures has more than just fantastic water rides, it also has aerial attractions like multiple zip line courses, a five-story climbing wall, and a seven-story bungee jump! A day at Six Flags is not just for teens. If you are traveling to Houston with younger children or traveling without the family.

17. Space Center Houston

This is the official visitor center of the NASA Johnson Space Center which is perhaps the most significant institution in Houston. The visitor center offers a substantial experience where curious teens will learn about space through videos played on giant 4K movie screens, 400 artifacts, and a tour on a real spacecraft.

18. Museum of Fine Arts

Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts is one of the 10 largest art museums in the US, with a staggering collection of nearly 70,000 works of art from antiquity until the present. Your teens may be drawn to the works in The Kinder Building of the museum with over 1,200 works of modern and contemporary art spread across three floors.

There are so many artists represented it’s impossible to list them all here. Among the modern masters whose work hangs on the museum’s walls are Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Mondrian, Joan Miró, Willem de Kooning, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, and so many more.

19. Holocaust Museum

A visit to this museum may be challenging to some teens, but the Holocaust is certainly a part of history they know about. This museum takes the flat textbook content they have read in school and makes this history tangible.

Through exhibits and short films, visitors learn of stories of survivors of the Holocaust. A visit to Houston’s Holocaust Museum is a somber, but meaningful, thing to do with your teen.

20. Burke Baker Planetarium

Part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Planetarium offers a sensory experience for guests to learn about space and the solar system. Their Digistar 6 system simulates being in the vastness of space, navigating asteroid fields, and roaming planetary surfaces.

21. The Galleria

When your teens want to shop til they drop, The Galleria is the place to go. It’s the largest shopping mall in Texas, with 400 stores! There are many popular chain stores your teens will recognize like Urban Outfitters, Free People, Aeropostale, American Eagle Outfitters and many more. Plus there are both sit-down restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory and fast food joints like Shake Shack. The Galleria is an excellent place to go if you get stuck with a rainy day in Houston.

22. Willowbrook Mall

This mall is smaller than The Galleria, and not as upscale, which may be a good thing. There are teen favorites like H&M, Hollister, Vans, Charlotte Russe, Forever 21, and lots of other shops. There’s a food court for fast food favorites.

23. Main Street Square

This is the center of Downtown Houston and it's an excellent place to stroll and shop. There are local boutiques selling items like hats, artisan jewelry and unique clothing. You’ll have a good selection of food at Finn Hall food court with eight restaurants.

24. The Melting Pot

At The Melting Pot, you’ll enjoy watching fondue being made right at your table. Start off with cheese fondue, followed by an entree of meat, seafood and vegetables cooked as you like served with various dipping sauces. Finish it all by dipping strawberries into decadent chocolate fondue!

25. The Rustic

Here the family can try homestyle Southern cooking with treats like cactus fritters and jalapeño spoonbread. They serve family-sized portions of carnitas or brisket with a choice of sides. There’s live music too!

26. Irma's Original

The kitschy, colorful decor in the tiny dining room is 100% Instagrammable and the Tex-Mex food is 100% delicious! Dishes vary by day so be sure to check the menu in advance to guarantee a happy teen!

27. Bowlero

Go bowling and have dinner at the same time! Bowlero has bowling, arcade games, and a menu that includes teen go-tos like wings, burgers, pizza, and more.

28. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

You’ll know you've come to Texas if you find yourself at a rodeo! If you can swing it, visit Houston sometime between late February and the third week in March to attend the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. It’s one of the biggest rodeos in the nation. Celebrate Western culture with fierce rodeo competitions, livestock contests, concerts by top performers, and thrilling rodeo stunt displays like trick roping, trick riding, and freestyle bullfighting.

Best Attractions for Adults 🔥

Houston is a fantastic city to visit, where adults can take advantage of all the terrific things to see and do. You can experience uniquely Texan activities, world-class museums, outdoor activities, and much more.

1. Go to a Rodeo

Texas is known for its rodeos and seeing the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of the best things to do if you are in Houston, TX when it’s on. Held every year from late February until the third week in March, it is one of the biggest rodeos in the U.S. drawing tens of thousands of people daily. Not only will you see a premier rodeo, but also top musical performers of many genres. If you are in Houston that time of year, don't miss this incredible thing to do!

Alternatives for other times of the year are the week-long Galveston County Fair & Rodeo held annually in mid-April and the Pasadena Livestock Show & Rodeo during the last week of September every year.

2. Unleash Your Inner Sleuth

Playing an escape room at The Escape Game Houston is a terrific thing to do, especially with a group of adults. The mission: to find a way out of a ‘locked’ room by cracking codes and deciphering clues. The catch? You’ll have just 60 minutes to escape. Enjoy the thrill of racing the clock in one of The Escape Game Houston’s six unique escape rooms.

Recover a Monet masterpiece from an evil art thief. Investigate menacing activities in an abandoned laboratory at the bottom of the ocean! If you are up for the most difficult game, play Prison Break, where players are split into two different prison cells and work together to escape a 1950s-style prison!

3. Discover the World of Astronauts

By far, Space Center Houston is one of Houston's top attractions, and with good reason. Guests gain deep insight into NASA’s operations on the NASA Tram Tour which provides a behind-the-scenes look at space exploration.

The tour includes a walk along an elevated path through the Astronaut Training Facility. You'll also visit the actual Mission Control from which NASA led Apollo and Gemini missions. The interactive exhibit, Mission Mars, covers what it takes to get to Mars. Simply put, the Space Center is one of the coolest places in Houston!

4. Play as a Game Show Contestant at Great Big Game Show!

Ever wanted to try being on a game show? Here's your chance!

Great Big Game Show is an immersive game show experience. Two teams will face off in a battle for points and glory! Each round of Great Big Game Show features a different mini-game. Their line-up of rotating mini-games includes strategy, trivia, speed tests, and more.

5. Watch the Astros Play Ball

From April to October, Houston’s baseball team the Astros play baseball at Minute Maid Park, right in the heart of downtown. Baseball fans can catch batting practice about two and a half hours before game time. Better still, tours are offered of Minute Maid Park.

On non-game days, you can take “A Minute in Minute Maid Park”, a 10 to 15-minute walk of different areas of the field. Tickets are $10. On game days, you can take a one-hour Pre-Game Tour with visits to the Upper Deck, the Astros Suites, and the bullpen seats to watch 30 minutes of batting practice. Tickets are $45.

FYI, if you are planning a work party or corporate event in Houston, going to an Astros game is a great idea!

6. See Houston's Bats

If you are seeking a uniquely Houston experience, this is it! Texas is very popular with Mexican free-tailed bats and Houston’s colony is estimated at 250,000! They reside under the Waugh Drive Bridge. At dusk, the bats fly out from under the bridge to go look for food. It's a stunning sight to see hundreds of thousands of bats streak the Houston sky.

The Houston Waugh Drive Bridge colony is largest between summer and early fall, though there are still enough bats to entertain in winter. Note that when sunset temperatures are at 50 degrees or below or when it is raining, the bats do not emerge from under the bridge.

7. Brave the Boardwalk Bullet Ride

A popular and fun attraction near Houston is Kemah Boardwalk, an amusement park located on Galveston Bay. The park's highlight ride is the one-of-a-kind wooden coaster, measuring nearly 100 feet tall that reaches speeds of over 51 miles per hour! Test your courage on the Drop Zone, a 140-foot free-fall. Enjoy the scenery of Galveston Bay from the Boardwalk Tower ride or the 65-foot tall Century Wheel. Stroll the boardwalk and enjoy waterfront dining.

8. Cool Off on a Hot Day

Looking for something to do in Houston on a hot day? Head to a waterpark! Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown is one of the biggest waterparks with several towering water slides, like the Banzai Pipeline, which is seven stories tall! Big Rivers Water Park and Adventures has more than just awesome water rides, it also has aerial attractions like a zip line course, a five-story climbing wall, and a seven-story bungee jump.

Both these waterparks are family-friendly, but if you aren’t with family, you may prefer The Cove in College Station, TX. It’s 90 minutes from Houston and with relaxing water rides like a lazy river, and a swim-up bar, it’s a great attraction for adults.

9. Catch a Broadway Show

One of the best things to do at night in Houston is to see a show. Houston’s Theater District is one of the top districts in the country to see an array of performances including Broadway shows. The Houston Theater District spans 17 blocks and has multiple theaters and performing arts centers. For Broadway shows check out the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, as well as the Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall, and the Alley Theatre.

10. Go to the Beach

An hour’s drive from Houston will get you to Galveston’s 32 gorgeous miles of beach along the Gulf of Mexico. While many beaches are geared toward both adults and families, you might enjoy checking out East Beach at the far eastern tip of Galveston Island. Here, alcohol is allowed, and there are beach parties and live concerts. If you want to learn how to surf, go to Seawall Beach for lessons with Ohana Surf. A day at the beach, surfing, sunning, and chilling is an unbeatable thing to do when you visit Houston in the summer!

11. Kayaking

Kayaking is a popular thing to do in Houston since the Buffalo Bayou runs through the main parts of the city. Paddling on the Buffalo Bayou lets you see the city from a different perspective. You’ll pass by the city’s green spaces, paddle under bridges, and get a nice view of the Houston skyline. Look into rentals from Bayou City Adventures.

You can learn more about Houston by taking a kayak tour. Bayou City Adventures also offers tours, including a Houston Skyline Tour where you’ll learn about Houston’s past as your guide points out some of the city’s significant landmarks visible from the water.

If you are looking for a unique thing to do for your "date night" or "girls night out" in Houston, consider kayaking!

12. Golfing

One of the more relaxing outdoor activities to do in Houston is playing golf. There are some nice golf courses right in the city so you won't have to travel far to get in a round or two. The Hermann Park Golf Course was built in 1922 and is one of the most scenic 18-hole golf courses in Houston. Grab some food or drink on the veranda of the historic clubhouse. Memorial Park Golf Course is a 250-acre, 18-hole golf course built in 1936. It has some great history and golf greats such as Arnold Palmer and Jack Niklaus played here.

13. Biking

Another popular Houston activity is biking. Houston is bicycle friendly and even has a bike share program, Houston BCycle. For a small fee, you can grab a bike at any docking station, use the bike and then return it to any other docking station. Check out this suggested biking route and the closest docking stations.

Perhaps the best place to bike in the city is on the Buffalo Bayou Park bike trails. You can take a leisurely ride and enjoy the surrounding natural environs as well as Houston’s skyline as a backdrop. You can rent bikes from Bayou Bike Rentals.

14. Horseback Riding

Hey, you’re in Houston, Texas, so what could be a more natural thing to do than to go horseback riding? If you know how then There are loads of places in Houston that offer horseback riding and if you're new to the sport, you can take an adult horseback riding lesson. Look into Cypress Trails Ranch, Bay Area Equestrian Center, and North Houston Horse Park.

15. Hiking

The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is one of the nicest and most interesting places in Houston for a hike. The Arboretum has five miles of trails that meander through five distinct habitats including native prairie, woodland, wetland, and meadow. If you are looking for adult things to do in Houston at night, the Arboretum’s night hikes are perfect as you can encounter nocturnal creatures while enjoying adult beverages.

If you are looking to hike away from the sights and sounds of the city, Lake Houston Wilderness Park is 32 miles from Houston. It’s a 5,000-acre park with more than 20 miles of trails.

16. Museum of Fine Arts

Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts is one of the 10 largest art museums in the United States, with a mammoth collection of almost 70,000 works of art from antiquity to the present day. Its strongest collections are its French Impressionist and Italian Renaissance paintings, European and American decorative arts, and a noteworthy collection of pre-Columbian gold.

The Kinder Building of the museum is splendid with over 1,200 works of modern art spread across three floors. Just a small representation of the masters whose paintings hang on the museum’s walls are Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Pablo Picasso, Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, and so many more.

17. Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the most visited museums in the country, so it must be one of the best things to see in Houston and should be on everyone’s list. This huge complex covers everything from prehistoric times up to the space age.

The Hall of Ancient Egypt is impressive as are the Paleontology Hall, the Cabinet of Curiosities, and the Hall of Gems and Minerals. Also part of the museum is the Burke Baker Planetarium, the Cockerell Butterfly Center, and the Wortham IMAX movie theater.

18. Holocaust Museum

Houston’s Holocaust Museum has a somewhat different approach to educating visitors about the Holocaust, Rather than placing a heavy emphasis on those who perished, the museum focuses on survivors. Their stories are told by exhibits and short films.

The museum also addresses the peril that societal prejudice can cause by using examples from the Nazi regime in Europe. Two fascinating items in the museum are an actual small Dutch fishing boat that transported Jews to safety and a railcar that transported victims to their horrific fate.

19. Twilight Epiphany Skyspace

One of the most interesting things to do in Houston is to see the light show at the Twilight Epiphany Skyspace by artist James Turrell. Located on the Rice University campus, this pyramidal structure is acoustically engineered for musical performances. But there is more to Skyspace than hosting musical events. It was also designed to showcase a LED light sequence that takes place before sunrise and sunset. The lights are projected onto the ceiling and through an opening in the roof at sunrise and sunset with a magnificent result. Visitors can sit inside and enjoy the show. The Twilight Epiphany Skyspace is free and open to the public every day.

20. Houston Bus Tours

Taking a sightseeing bus tour of Houston is a great thing to do if you want a quick overview of the city. They are also ideal when its raining in Houston since you can see the city and stay dry. These tours last between one to two hours and take you to the major sights of Houston. A live guide will talk about the history of the city as well as its present day.

Alternatively, hop-on-hop-off bus tours make it possible for you to experience the attractions you are interested in up close. Just get off the bus at the sights you want to see and get back on any bus along that route when you are ready to move on. Look at options from Texas City Tours.

21. Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern Tours

One of the more interesting Houston attractions is the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, a gigantic subterranean former water reservoir that was rescued from demolition in 2010 by the Buffalo Bayou Partnership. The BBP saved the cistern so that the public could witness its incredible architecture.

Through the use of rotating art installations including colorful lights and projections, the cistern becomes a magical place. There are a few tours to take, including an Experiential Tour with an introduction, followed by time to explore the Cistern at your own pace.

22. Houston Food Tours

Houston has incredible food, from Tex-Mex to Barbeque, and everything in between! Houston food tours are an awesome way to learn about the city while sampling its cuisine. The Astroville Food Tour includes 8-9 food samples and also has private limited access to Houston's downtown tunnel system, the largest building-to-building system in the U.S.!

The Howdy H-Town EADO Food Tour takes you through EaDo (East of Downtown) and includes a bakery, a taco stand, a BBQ restaurant, and more. During the tour, you'll learn about the neighborhood’s street art scene, architecture, and wonderful green spaces. Note that most food tours are between 2.5-3.5 hours so if you are an adult traveling with children, these tours might not be the best thing for you to do in Houston.

23. Market Square Historic District

Located in Downtown Houston, this district has historic homes and cobblestone streets, dating back to the 19th century. Locals and visitors alike seeking a mix of history and a modern urban experience are drawn to this district. Enjoy the many restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues.

The district also hosts festivals and art markets throughout the year. The laid-back Market Square Park is a nice place to hang out, and you can find locals having picnics, playing games, and even watching free performances and movie screenings until 11 pm nightly.

Work Party Ideas 🎉

Work parties are a time when everyone gets to leave “work” behind and go have fun. Houston’s an awesome city for office and corporate events since there’s a wide variety of things to do for groups of any makeup and size.

1. Paint and sip

Let your crew get creative at a Sip and Paint Party at Pinot’s Palette. For small groups of a few people, you can join one of the studio’s classes. These 2-hour classes have a pre-set canvas with a specific theme, like nature, pets, fashion, and other colorful themes. So where does the “sip” come in? Pinot’s Palette is a BYOB (bring your own beverage) and they welcome wine, beer, or any beverage of your choice! They even provide glasses and ice!

If you prefer to have a private group painting session, you’ll get a room to yourselves with a top local artist who will guide your group through the painting process. You can choose a canvas design from their library that fits your team’s interests. Pinot’s Palette has a great playlist of music, or you can make your own. Bring in your own food and party decorations. Then everyone can bring home their completed work as a memento of the night!

2. Play an escape game

Throw a thrilling work party by playing an escape room at The Escape Game Houston! In an escape game, your group will be ‘locked’ in a themed room. With just 60 minutes on the clock, you’ll have to work together fast to figure out how to escape. To do this you must solve cryptic puzzles, crack codes, and decipher cryptic clues. Choose from one of several themes like Mission: Mars, where you must repair your spaceship stuck on Mars before the planet is hit by a lethal solar flare. In Gold Rush, locate a stash of hidden gold in an isolated cabin in the woods. And in The Art Heist, recover a priceless Monet painting from an evil curator.

The Escape Game has two locations, City Centre (with five games) and The Galleria (with seven games). Every escape game can accommodate up to 8 players. If your group is small enough, play together in one room, or if you are a larger group, you can play several rooms that can be coordinated to start at the same time. Wrap up your party with some food at a nearby restaurant, like Grimaldi's Pizzeria at CityCentre or Velvet Taco at the Galleria.

Both locations are open every day until midnight making it a great way to spend a night in Houston!

3. Go hiking

For teams that are outdoorsy, take the work party outdoors to the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. This gorgeous center has five miles of trails so you can do a short hike or a long one. The trails weave through five distinct habitats with flora, fauna, and animals native to them, like prairie, woodland, savanna, wetland, and meadow.

The center’s self-guided Habitat Hikes offer an insider’s look at each habitat as you pass by lovely ponds teaming with wildlife, trees that have their own stories, and other fun points of interest. For larger groups, you can hold a private event at the Arboretum. For an evening event, look into the center's “Sip & Stroll” where your group can enjoy nature while sipping on an adult beverage.

4. Play as a Game Show Contestant!

Ever wanted to try being on a game show? Here's your chance!

Great Big Game Show is an immersive game show experience. Two teams will face off in a battle for points and glory! Each round of Great Big Game Show features a different mini-game. Their line-up of rotating mini-games includes strategy, trivia, speed tests, and more.

5. Have a picnic

A work party picnic is easy to have in Houston with its open green parks located throughout the city. Picnics are an especially good ideas for work parties and corporate events that are family-friendly. A popular location is Discovery Green, a 12-acre urban park with lots of fun activities and events you can enjoy as a group, like outdoor concerts and movies. Sam Houston Park has 19 acres of open green space dotted with seven historic homes to visit for fans of architecture.

Inside Memorial Park, the Clay Family Eastern Glades is a pretty spot for a picnic, with views of the lake and pavilion-style barbecues. Menil Park’s canopy of live oak trees will keep your group cool on a hot day, and since there are food vendors nearby you won't even need to carry picnic baskets! Find out about some of the best Houston parks here.

6. Throw a pedal party

For a unique work party in Houston, have a party while pedaling! The Pedal Party takes your group on a private tour around Houston on a group vehicle that looks like a trolley but is entirely pedal-powered so it’s essentially a party bike. The multi-person bike is around the size of a cargo van and travels at a speed of between five to eight miles per hour. It can fit 16 partygoers making it suited to a decent-sized group.

You get to decide what you want to do on the bike whether it's a pub crawl or an unusual and fun group cycling experience! You can liven things up by bringing your own beer or wine along. Choose from routes in the Washington Avenue Corridor, Midtown, Montrose, East Downtown (EaDo), and the White Oak area of the Heights.

7. Take a Houston food tour

Break bread with your colleagues on a Houston food tour. Though you may have tried lots of restaurants and foods in the city, it can't hurt to try new foods or better versions of the foods you like. Plus, food tours are an awesome way to learn about the city while sampling its cuisine. The Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston takes you to three restaurants where you will sample 8-9 delicious dishes, including traditional Asian novelties, authentic Mexican cuisine, Italian-American food, and gourmet desserts.

The Howdy H-Town EADO Food Tour explores EaDo (East of Downtown) and stops at a bakery, a taco stand, a BBQ restaurant, and other dining establishments. During the tour, your guide will tell you about EADO’s street art scene, architecture, and green spaces.

8. Enjoy the beach

Throw your work party at one of Houston’s nearby beaches. The beaches in Galveston are about an hour away from Houston, and you can pick whichever beach offers the kind of atmosphere. East Beach, with parties and live concerts, is a great beach for adults. The Seawall Beaches are in proximity to restaurants, bars, the Pleasure Pier, and more, where you can extend your party. Stewart Beach is a great choice for families, so if you want to include your coworkers’ spouses and kids, this beach is for you.

9. Go golfing

Houston has terrific options for golfing parties with lots of private and public courses throughout the city. Memorial Park Golf Course is considered to be one of the best municipal golf courses in the US. country. It has 18 holes and a storied history -- golf legends like Arnold Palmer and Jack Nicklaus played here. It’s reasonably priced and the wide driving ranges won't intimidate less experienced players. The Hermann Park Golf Course is a scenic 18-hole golf course where your team can play a few rounds and then relax with some food and drink veranda of the historic clubhouse. For a change of pace, try golfing at night! Beacon Lakes Golf Club offers an 18-hole lighted course located just 20 miles from Downtown Houston.

10. Sing karaoke

Among the most fun corporate party ideas in Houston is to go to a karaoke lounge. Everyone can let loose and belt out familiar tunes together. At Spotlight Karaoke you can rent a private karaoke room, decorate it as you like, bring your own food, or dine on their menu. Spotlight Karaoke has two locations, one at the Galleria and one in Midtown so you can choose the most convenient spot for your party.

11. Take a cooking class

A cooking class is a fantastic way to add some structure to a work gathering, which ensures that everyone will feel part of the occasion. Instead of clustering at a bar into small conversations, your team will spend time together cooking! At Well Done Cooking, your group will cook up a three-course meal from a menu of your choice. Their kitchen can accommodate up to 40 people and your private class will last from two to three hours long depending on the menu.

12. Head to a waterpark

Summertime is the time to have an outdoor corporate event bring the work party to the pool at one of Houston’s waterparks! Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown is the largest waterpark and in addition to several pools and a towering waterslide, Splashtown also has a “lazy river” wave pool with more than a half-million gallons of water plus a whitewater raft ride, slides, and an even a surf ride with artificial waves!

Big Rivers Waterpark also has a huge lazy river, loads of waterslides, and Wild Isle, a floating waterpark and challenge course right in the middle of a lake. For fun out of the water, go on the zip line course, scramble up the five-story climbing wall, or drop from the seven-story bungee jump.

13. Try indoor skydiving

If your co-workers are adrenaline junkies, iFLY Houston will afford a chance to get their thrill kick. iFly is a premier indoor skydiving facility where you can experience what it's like to defy gravity. After receiving training, each person will be strapped into a vertical wind tunnel and feel what it's like to free fall without stepping out of a plane! iFly Houston has corporate event packages where they will customize your event with catered food, including a dedicated space for meetings and even branding opportunities.

If you want to give your colleagues a serious thrill, plan an actual skydiving work party with Skydive Houston or Skydive Spaceland Houston. The aerial views of the city’s skyline and the Gulf of Mexico are breathtaking!

14. Play arcade games

Combine hard cider with a game arcade and you get Cidercade. It has an astounding 275+ arcade games, making it one of Houston's largest arcades. The best classic video games are available, including Super Pac-Man, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., and more. Cidercade offers 14 handcrafted hard ciders as well as hard seltzers. Although they don't offer food service, you are welcome to bring your own food, order in delivery, or grab a bite from one of the many changing food trucks located outside.

15. Take a brewery tour

Houston has some of the best breweries around and you and your work party can sample what they have to offer on a brewery tour with Fresh Tap Tours. It’s a smart choice for those who want to visit multiple breweries without a designated driver. Choose from The Townie in downtown Houston, The Beach Bum on Galveston Island, The Connoisseur in Clear Lake, and Galveston or The Forest Ranger in Conroe and the Woodlands.

All of the beer tours stop at three breweries within a four to five hour time span. During your tour, a knowledgeable “beer guru” guide will explain the beer basics, as well as city culture and Houston history. At each of the breweries, you'll drink fresh beer, meet the brewmasters and tour the brewery facilities. Light snacks are included and you are free to bring any food or drinks of your own.

16. Go kayaking

Kayaking as a team is a different kind of idea for your office party and Houston’s Buffalo Bayou waterway makes it easy to try this idea out. Look into rentals from Bayou City Adventures. If you want to learn more about the city, take a tour instead. Buffalo Bayou Partnership offers tours, including a Houston Skyline Tour. If you prefer to take it easy and enjoy the Bayou without exerting effort, take a private pontoon boat tour. The Spirit of the Bayou can hold 21 guests and will take you on a one-and-a-half-hour boat ride through the heart of downtown. Feel free to bring your own food and beverages for a party atmosphere.

17. Do a ropes course

Rope courses are not only a fun office party idea but are also a wonderful team building activity in Houston. Texas TreeVentures is a popular ropes course range designed to be a “challenge by choice.” Everyone can choose one of the 72 rope and obstacle elements they are comfortable traversing.

As the course continues, it becomes more physically challenging at a higher elevation. This way, anyone who doesn't feel sure about moving to a higher elevation can stop along the way. Some activities are meant for team collaboration which will unite your group and add an extra level of fun to your party. Why not rent one of their treehouses equipped with tables and chairs for refreshments you can bring along?

18. Chill out at a beer garden

For smaller groups, Social Beer Garden in Midtown Houston is an awesome place to grab drinks, and play pub games like pool, darts, foosball, and arcade games. Outside there’s a lively scene on the patio. Special theme nights are scheduled and include live music, a silent disco, a burlesque night, and a sports night.

Nighttime Activities 🌙

No matter where you go in Houston at night, you'll find tons of things to do. From theater, live music, and vibrant nightlife, to games, sporting events, and family-friendly activities, there is something here for everyone to enjoy after dark!

1. Go to the theater

Houston has an impressive performing arts scene and is one of only five cities in the nation with permanent resident companies in the major performing arts disciplines: theater, ballet, opera, and symphony. It’s easy to have a great night in Houston’s Theater District, which spans 17 blocks of Houston’s lively downtown.

The Hobby Center has Broadway hit shows like To Kill A Mockingbird and Wicked, and the Theatre Under the Stars puts on shows like Sweeny Todd, The Cher Show, and Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella. The Jones Hall is home to the Houston Symphony and the Society for the Performing Arts. The Wortham Theater Center houses the renowned Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera.

Other amazing theaters to check out are the Alley Theatre, The Music Box Theater, and the Stages Repertory Theater.

2. Play an escape room

If you are looking for an exciting night activity, The Escape Game Houston is a great place to start. Race against the clock to escape uniquely-themed rooms by solving riddles and cracking codes. Each game has multiple rooms to explore and different levels of difficulty.

Head down to the bottom of the ocean to investigate menacing activities in an abandoned laboratory in The Depths. In The Heist, you must stop an evil museum curator from getting away with the crime of the century by recovering a stolen masterpiece. In Through Time, you are challenged to save the future by hopping between centuries, from the Jurassic to the Medieval, and every period in between to restore the past.

With two Houston locations, one at The Galleria Mall and one at CityCentre means you can choose the location closest to you. Large groups can be accommodated, making The Escape Game Houston one of the most fun things to do in Houston at night! Plus it’s open late every night of the week if you are looking for fun after midnight!

3. Enjoy a little bit of everything in Houston’s backyard

Discovery Green is a 12-acre urban park with loads of fun things to do at night in Houston’s downtown. It’s a green oasis among the city’s skyscrapers and has been called “downtown’s backyard”. Discovery Green is open until 11 pm every night (and midnight in the summer) and has a full roster of free events.

Enjoy free concerts and movies on the performance stage with lawn seating. There are even free yoga and fitness sessions including early evening sessions! Discovery Green is one of the very best places to go at night in Houston for free fun!

4. Play as a Game Show Contestant at Great Big Game Show!

Ever wanted to try being on a game show? Here's your chance!

Great Big Game Show is an immersive game show experience. Two teams will face off in a battle for points and glory! Each round of Great Big Game Show features a different mini-game. Their line-up of rotating mini-games includes strategy, trivia, speed tests, and more.

5. Watch a movie under the stars

Other than the colder months of late November to February, Houston nights see temperate weather. Take advantage of this fact by seeing a movie under the stars! A popular venue is the Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park where you can see movies (and other kinds of entertainment) for free! The schedule ranges from classic films to current blockbusters. Bring a lawn chair or blanket and your own popcorn for a great night out!

The Rooftop Cinema Club screens cult and classic films with skyline vistas all around. If you have a car, enjoy an old-school movie night at a drive-in at Showboat Drive-In and Moonstruck Drive-In. A movie under the starry sky is one of the most romantic things for couples to do in Houston at night.

6. See live music

While Houston may not be the ‘Capital of Live Music’ like Austin, Texas is, Houston has always been a part of the national music scene. Houston has a diverse range of music venues with every kind of music performed from rock, pop, blues, jazz, country, rap, hip-hop, and electronic. You name it, you can hear it in Houston!

The massive NRG Stadium at NRG Park hosts the biggest concert events of the year welcoming bands and performers like Beyoncé, Guns N’ Roses, and Taylor Swift. The Toyota Center is another huge concert venue featuring top-name international performers.

Some excellent music venues with seating capacities of 5,000 and under with line-ups featuring both established and emerging performers are the 713 Music Hall, and the Bayou Music Center. The smaller White Oak Music Hall has an outdoor amphitheater and two indoor concert spaces for up-and-coming bands.

7. Have fun at an amusement park

Kemah Boardwalk is a great place to go for fun times at night just 20 miles from Houston, near Galveston bay. It’s much more than a boardwalk. It’s a 42-acre megaplex with amusement park rides, restaurants, and shopping.

Enjoy classic rides like the 65-foot-tall Century Wheel and the Boardwalk Tower ride, both with amazing night views of Galveston Bay. Other rides include the 140-foot Drop Zone and the Boardwalk Bullet, a one-of-a-kind wooden rollercoaster that stands nearly 100 feet tall and has a top speed of close to 51 miles per hour!

Kemah Boardwalk is open all year and stays open late (Monday to Wednesday until 10 pm and Thursday to Sunday until 11 pm).

8. Watch a bat colony head out for supper

If you are seeking a uniquely Houston experience, this is it! Houston has a mammoth colony of Mexican free-tailed bats, estimated to be at 250,000! The colony lives under the Houston Waugh Drive Bridge and is largest between summer and early fall, though there are still enough bats to entertain in winter. Note that when sunset temperatures are at 50 degrees or below or when it is raining, the bats do not emerge from under the bridge.

9. Take a Houston Ghost Tour

No need to wait until Halloween to discover Houston’s spooky side! Houston Ghost Tours takes you to locales related to the city’s dark side. The tour includes a night tour of Hermann Park to ‘meet’ some of the alleged supernatural residents. Your knowledgeable guide will take you down dark paths while sharing spine-tingling tales of the park’s paranormal happenings.

If you need something to bolster your courage to face Houston’s ghosts, take the Nightly Spirits Houston Ghost Tour Pub Crawl. This two-and-a-half-hour walking tour is exactly what you need if you’re looking for fun activities in Houston for adults at night. Hear stories of haunted locations in historic districts of the city. Along the way, you’ll stop at four pubs so you can take a break from all the scary stuff!

10. Play arcade games all night

Houston is an arcade town and Cidercade is one of the biggest arcades with over 275 games, including pinball, driving games, sporting games, and of course the best classic games are available like Super Pac-Man, Super Mario Bros., Asteroids, Donkey Kong, and more. You can also play pool, shuffleboard, and air hockey.

Cidercade’s name is a combination of “arcade” and “cider” as they serve 24 hand-crafted hard ciders, plus Kombucha, wine, and hard seltzer. Although they don't serve food, you are welcome to BYOF (bring your own food), or grab food from any nearby restaurant or food truck.

It costs only $10 for admission which gets you unlimited play on the arcade games all night long! Hanging out at Cidercade is one of the best cheap things to do in Houston at night.

It’s open Sundays through Thursdays until midnight and Fridays and Saturdays until 1 am for those looking for fun things to do late in Houston. Note that Cidercade is family-friendly during the day but after 8 pm it’s 21+, making a night at Cidercade a great thing to do in Houston for adults only.

11. Museum of Fine Arts

The MFA is open late on Thursdays until 9 pm. Take advantage of the late hours to see this superb museum. With a massive collection of approximately 70,000 works of art spanning antiquity to the present, Houston's Museum of Fine Arts is one of the ten largest art museums in the country and a very good one at that.

There is art here for every taste, from Italian Renaissance paintings and French Impressionist paintings to European and American ornamental arts. The incredible collection of modern art has its own wing to keep you enthralled all night! If you are a solo traveler in Houston, an evening at the MFA could be right for you!

12. Seismique

This 40,000-square-foot art museum located on Houston’s west side offers an incredibly creative and entertaining interactive experience with immersive exhibits and astonishing displays. Siesmique has more than 40 brightly colored, mind-bending exhibits using projectors, holograms, augmented reality, light mapping, motion tracking, and 9 million LED lights! A visit to Seismique is open until 9 pm on weeknights and 11 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

13. Color Factory Interactive Art Museum

Color Factory is an interactive art museum where guests are invited to feel the joy that color brings. Spread across a 20,000-square-foot maze are 14 The immersive installations are inspired by 30 of Houston-specific colors like the dark blue shade of the NASA logo and the vibrant green of Hermann Park. It’s one of the most uplifting places to spend a night in Houston. The Color Factory is open until 7 pm weekdays and 8 pm on weekends.

14. Twilight Epiphany Skyspace

One of the coolest things to do at night in Houston is to experience the stunning "Twilight Epiphany" Skyspace by artist James Turrell. This unique venue is part of Rice University’s campus. Although it is known for hosting music events, it also boasts a light show that occurs just before sunrise and just after sunset (every day except Tuesdays). You can stroll through the space and sit inside to watch the performance. The Skyspace is open Wednesdays to Sundays until 10 pm.

15. Cullen Sculpture Garden

This lovely garden was created by renowned sculptor Isamu Noguchi as a space where art and nature meet. It’s fairly small but the collection of sculptures is impressive. There are masterworks of 20th and 21st-century artists Henri Matisse, Joan Miró, Auguste Rodin, and Louise Bourgeois. There is also a smaller version of Chicago’s famous massive Bean (real name Cloud Gate) created by the same artist. The Cullen Sculpture Garden is open until 9 pm on Thursdays.

16. Downtown Houston

The Downtown district is one of the best neighborhoods to experience Houston’s nightlife. It’s buzzing with energy at night and offers a cosmopolitan experience. There are many fine bars from cocktail bars like the 806 Lounge to The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium catering to beer connoisseurs. Music venues and theaters dot the area’s streets, and dining options are plentiful. Looking for things to do on a Girls' Night Out in Houston? Head straight to Downtown!

17. Market Square Historic District

This enclave within Houston’s downtown is so special that it is on the National Register of Historic Places! Some of the oldest buildings in the city are here. The neighborhood is as lively as it is charming. The district has lots of pubs and bars, restaurants, and entertainment options within walking distance of each other.

At the heart of the district is Market Square Park, a laid-back green space to hang out, dine on the grass, and enjoy a full roster of events from movie screenings and festivals until 11 pm nightly.

18. Montrose

West of Downtown is the somewhat arty neighborhood of Montrose with a diverse nightlife scene. It’s a very walkable neighborhood, so bar-hopping is simple. One nice spot is Rudyard's British Pub, a laid-back pub with a fantastic selection of beers, pool tables, and dart boards. Another, Avant Garden, has a community feel about it, as well as an outdoor patio illuminated overhead with sparkling lights.

19. Houston Funplex

There are so many things to do at this enormous indoor entertainment complex, the fun never stops! It's a perfect place to go for the evening if you are traveling with teens and younger children in Houston. Funplex has more than 200 arcade games plus other activities, including a bowling alley, go-kart tracks, virtual reality games, roller skating, trampolines, and much more. While the adults can pop into the sports bar to check on the score, the kids can run around in the two-story PlayPort.

20. Children’s Museum of Houston

The fun Children’s Museum of Houston has late hours on Thursdays from 5 pm to 8 pm. A visit here is one of the most entertaining things to do for young kids, toddlers, and even infants! This excellent children's museum has more than a dozen interactive exhibits divided into age-appropriate groups. Children's imagination and curiosity are stimulated by the museum in interesting ways. On exhibit, FlowWorks teaches children about water while Kidtropolis shows how a city functions.

21. Speedy's Fast Track

Speedy’s Fast Track is a great attraction at night in Houston that’s family-friendly. There are four types of go-karts to ride: super karts, regular karts, F1, and two-seat karts. Speedy’s also has a two-story, state-of-the-art laser tag arena. You can also play mini-golf on an 18-hole course as well as table games, air hockey, foosball, pinball, and pool.

Speedy’s Fast Track is open 365 days from Sunday to Thursday from 12 pm to 11 pm and Friday and Saturday from 12 pm to 1 am.

22. Main Street Theater

If you have young children who would enjoy a night out at the theater, the Main Street Theater will make them quite happy! Past shows have included Cinderella, Charlotte's Web, and The Cat in the Hat. While many performances are during the day, some shows start at 7 pm.

23. Downtown Aquarium

Houston’s Downtown Aquarium is one part amusement park, one part aquarium, and one part restaurant! Keep the kids engaged at your family supper in a dining room that has a floor-to-ceiling 150,000-gallon aquarium with over 100 species of aquatic life!

Besides having a meal, you can see the exhibits in the aquarium that feature marine life in their natural habitats. Plus, there are amusement park rides like a Ferris wheel that overlooks the city and an aquatic-themed carousel.

The Downtown Aquarium is open until 8:30 pm on Sundays through Thursdays and until 10:00 pm on Fridays and Saturdays.

Girls' Night Out Options 🪩

A Girls’ Night Out is easy to organize in Houston, as there are loads of fantastic things for you to do together! Bond over brunch, play group games, or frolic at the beach! The choices are endless!

1. Relax at a spa

Instead of doing a spa night at home with messy face masks, take your gathering to a spa! Houston has plenty of excellent spas where you can choose from an array of treatments on the menu. At the award-winning Milk + Honey Spa at River Oaks, you can relax with their popular massages and facials, enjoy the salon with services such as a haircut and color, or experience medispa services.

For an ultimate spa experience, take the day away to the Trellis Resort Spa at the Houstonian Hotel, just a short ride to downtown Houston. You’ll feel a world away from the stress of your lives. In addition to a full array of treatments and salon services, you can enjoy a workout in the fitness center or chill out in the pool. There’s even a sauna, steam room, and hot tub for you to relax in.

2. Play an escape room

For a different and exciting activity for your Girls' Night Out, play an escape room at The Escape Game Houston! You’ll be ‘locked’ up together in a uniquely themed room and must hurry to find a way out! Solve riddles and puzzles together. Decipher clues and crack codes. This is the ultimate bonding experience since you can only escape by working as a team!

Art lovers can play The Art Heist, where you must recover a priceless Monet painting that’s been stolen by an evil museum curator. Head to outer space in Mission: Mars, where, if you don't repair your spaceship in time to leave Mars, you’ll be right in the path of a lethal solar flare. Hunt for a stash of hidden gold in a desolate cabin in the woods in Gold Rush. Break out of a 1950s jail cell in Prison Break. Or pick one of the other challenging, entertaining escape rooms.

The Escape Game has two locations, one at City Centre (with five games) and the other at The Galleria (with seven games). Pick an escape room with a theme that fits your group’s interests. Make a night of it by enjoying a meal before or after, like Velvet Taco at the Galleria or Grimaldi's Pizzeria near CityCentre.

If you are looking for a unique activity for an all-female corporate event, The Escape Game Houston is the answer!

3. Hit the mall

Speaking of The Galleria, for ladies who like to shop, it’s heaven on earth. Filled with over 400 stores, restaurants, and entertainment options, it’s one of the largest malls in Texas! Whether you and your friends like high-end luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Prada, or more affordable options, you'll find it all at the Galleria.

The mall itself is a beautiful setting to spend your time wandering from store to store, with its spacious glass atrium and water features. Save time to have a nice sit-down meal at one of the upscale restaurants to casual cafes, there's something to satisfy every craving. It’s open 10 am to 8 pm Mondays through Thursdays, 10 am to 9 pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12 pm to 7 pm on Sundays.

4. Be a Game Show Contestant!

Ever wanted to try being on a game show? Here's your chance!

Great Big Game Show is an immersive game show experience. Two teams will face off in a battle for points and glory! Each round of Great Big Game Show features a different mini-game. Their line-up of rotating mini-games includes strategy, trivia, speed tests, and more.

5. Party hearty in Downtown Houston

Downtown Houston has a lively nightlife scene with a wide range of bars and clubs to suit different tastes. If you are looking for a bar crawl, downtown is for you. Many of the city’s most popular clubs and bars are within walking distance of each other.

You can surely find a place (or several) where you can socialize with each other and maybe even branch out and make your party even bigger! The 806 Lounge is a local favorite with expert bartenders concocting sophisticated drinks. If you prefer wine, then the Bravery Wine Bar is for you. With more than 30 wines by the glass and 100 by the bottle, you and your crew are sure to find some vino that each of you will love. Go back to the ’80s at Cherry, with retro dance parties set to vinyl! Find out more about Downtown Houston.

6. Make your own art

Having a paint-and-sip party is a terrific way to see each other’s creative sides while sipping on your BYOB drinks!! There are a bunch of studios in Houston that have paint-and-sip workshops so you won’t have any trouble finding one in a location convenient to everyone in your group. Painting with a Twist is a well-known company that hosts workshops with themes so you can pick one in advance. How about “Diva Night” or “Paint Your Pet”? At Pinot’s Palette, take the “Golden Goddess” class! At The Rustic Brush, you're not limited to paintings, as you can make wooden signs and other home decor.

7. Cheer for the home team

Sports are for girls too! In Houston, how could it not be, with four great professional sports teams to cheer for? Love baseball? A night at Minute Maid Park seeing the Astros is a classic way to spend a night on the town, replete with hot dogs and beer! Basketball fans can head to the Toyota Center, and soccer fans can head to Shell Energy Stadium. If the forecast looks wet and gray, plan to see the Texans play football. The NRG Stadium has a retractable roof, so even a rainy day in Houston can't spoil the fun!

8. Movie under the stars

See your favorite classics, great 1980s/90s flicks, and recent releases under the stars at the Rooftop Cinema Club. The skyline views are amazing, and you can catch the sunset as your movie begins. Arrive early just to hang out and play lawn games like corn hole and Giant Jenga! You can buy snacks like popcorn, hot dogs, nachos, and candy from the concession stand, as well as soda. If you’re over 21, you can purchase beer, wine, and canned cocktails at the bar.

Another movie under the stars is at the Miller Outdoor Theater in Hermann Park. Movies screen for free, just bring your own lawn chairs, food, and even beverages.

9. Hiking

For a light day of hiking and exploring nature, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is an ideal spot in Houston. Along five miles of trails, you can discover five distinct habitats, including meadows, prairie, woodland, and wetland. A really fun activity is the Arboretum’s night hikes. Enjoy adult beverages on a nocturnal adventure!

10. Biking

Biking together is an awesome way to stay fit and enjoy the outdoors. You can ride off-street at Buffalo Bayou Park, one of the most popular bike paths in the city. Explore new neighborhoods via on-street riding, which is increasingly becoming more popular and safe in Houston. There are downtown bike lanes that can take you from the great public outdoor space, Discovery Green, to the Buffalo Bayou, Sam Houston Park, and the White Oak Bayou Greenway. Find out about other great biking trails here.

11. Golfing

Houston has some great golf courses to choose from, so you need not go far to get in a few holes. The historic Hermann Park Golf Course, built in 1922, is an incredibly scenic 18-hole golf course set among a majestic canopy of old oak trees. The clubhouse has a lovely veranda where you can dine on excellent food and drink.

12. Kayaking

Get out on the water and kayak together! The Buffalo Bayou runs through the city and offers views of Houston’s lush green spaces and the dramatic skyline. Look into rentals from Bayou City Adventures.

13. Swim, surf, and sunbathe

Just a one-hour drive from Houston are 32 beautiful miles of Galveston’s beaches along the Gulf of Mexico. There are many beaches to spend the day at, depending on what kind of vibe you are seeking. East Beach is one of the most popular places, as there are lots of activities in addition to swimming and sunning. You can rent chairs, cabanas, and umbrellas, play volleyball, and enjoy events like sandcastle-building competitions and concerts. Plus, East Beach allows alcohol, if you want to bring along some beer! Going to Galveston's beaches is just one of many ways to stay cool on a hot day in Houston!

Five Delectable Brunch Spots in Houston

14. Squable

From the moment you step inside Squable, you're greeted with a cozy and welcoming atmosphere. But it's the food that steals the show. Whether you're in the mood for something sweet, savory, or a little bit of both, they've got you covered. Freshly baked pastries and bread are delish, and the Dutch baby pancakes are heavenly. The staff is friendly, knowledgeable, and always willing to go the extra mile to make sure you have an amazing experience. Try Squable once, and it may become your weekly go-to with the gals.

15. a’Bouzy

No, the name isn't hinting at a “boozy” brunch, but rather it's the name of a small French village in the Champagne region. That’s not to say that a glass of bubbly won't play a part in your meal together. The brunch/lunch menu is a mix of cuisines, with French classics like Croque Madame and moules frites as well as Texan dishes such as chicken-fried steak and eggs. The atmosphere is just as delightful with a bright and airy space that's perfect for catching up with friends, celebrating a special occasion, or simply enjoying a leisurely weekend brunch.

16. Lucille's

When you come to Lucille’s, you are not just in for a wonderful Southern meal, you are also celebrating the life and accomplishments of fellow female, Lucille Elizabeth Bishop Smith, African-American entrepreneur, chef, educator, inventor, and food corporation founder and president, born in 1892! But now onto the menu! Chicken and waffles, Croissant French Toast, and Shrimp and Grits washed down with a Lucille’s Bloody Mary.

17. Bloom & Bee

The enchanting dining room with a menu focused on locally-inspired cuisine is filled with fresh blooms, giving it the air of a garden. There’s also a lovely outdoor patio for breakfast. Not to be outside by the setting, the food shines. Crab cake Benedict, Brioche French Toast, and Steak and Eggs hit the spot. For the health-conscious, there are smoothies

18. Vibrant

“Food for Feeling Good” is the motto at Vibrant, and with a health-conscious menu, with gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian options, they live up to the name. The food is made with local, organic ingredients and a great deal of creativity to boot. How’s this: Blue Masa Pancakes with blue corn masa, chocolate chips, banana, citrus-cashew cream, cacao nibs, and maple syrup? There’s plenty more where that came from! The space is clean and crisp with a touch of retro-chic. Perfect for a simple Girls’ Brunch.

19. Julep

This bar, known, naturally, for its Mint Juleps, has a cozy and intimate atmosphere with dim lighting, exposed brick walls, and a long wooden bar. Julep's menu features a variety of Southern-inspired cocktails, including variations of the mint julep made with different types of whiskey and botanical ingredients like peach and lavender.

In addition to cocktails, the bar also serves a selection of craft beers, wines, and spirits. There’s a small but delicious food menu with Southern-style snacks and dishes, such as deviled eggs, pimento cheese, and fried chicken sandwiches.

20. La Grange Houston

This Montrose bar has a casual atmosphere and is known for its large outdoor patio area, which is decorated with colorful murals and strung with twinkling lights, to add some sparkle to your Girls' Night Out. Inside, La Grange Houston has a rustic, industrial-chic decor, with exposed brick walls, wooden beams, and metal accents.

Beware that there are several large-screen TVs throughout the bar, so if you aren't in the mood for a sports bar vibe, stick to the patio. The bar also hosts regular events such as live music performances, trivia nights, and even charity fundraisers. Plus there’s a great happy hour!

21. Lei Low

Pretend you are on vacation with your besties at this easy-going bar with tropical decor that transports you to a Polynesian paradise. The interior of Lei Low is dimly lit, with bamboo walls, thatched roofs, and vintage tiki decor. The bar offers a wide selection of tropical cocktails, served in unique tiki mugs and garnished with fresh fruits and exotic flowers.

The menu features classic tiki drinks like Mai Tais, Zombies, and Painkillers, as well as house specialties such as the Lei Low Grog, Jungle Bird, and Shark Eye. There are also non-alcoholic options and a small selection of beers and wines. Lei Low also offers a small selection of snacks and small plates, including Polynesian-style popcorn, spam musubi, and pork belly bao buns, to accompany your drinks.

22. La Carafe

Take a trip back in time at the oldest bar in Houston! This cozy tavern has been around for over 100 years. It’s candlelit and has a jukebox playing tunes that fit the mood like the sultry French chanteuse Edith Piaf. La Carafe only serves wine and beer, though the selection is nice. The atmosphere leans towards romance, but best friends sometimes last longer than relationships! Still, needless to say, La Carafe is an excellent choice for a date night in Houston.

23. Axelrad Beer Garden

For a laid-back night out with an eclectic crowd, Axelrad Beer Garden is the place to go. There are both indoor and outdoor spaces. The expansive patio hosts a variety of video art pieces, film screenings, live music, events, festivals, and more. The surrounding gardens give the bar an airy natural feel.

Though it’s a beer garden with over 30 on draft and 50 more in bottles, there are ten signature cocktails not to be missed. How does this sound: the Sprung On You, made with Rosemary Infused Gin, Lavender Infused Simple, Lemon, and Plum Bitters?! There are mocktails and non-alcoholic beers as well. After all, a Girls' Night Out isn't about drinking, it's about being with each other.

Things to Do Alone 🙋

Houston is a city filled with lots of fun and interesting activities for solo travelers to enjoy. If you visit the city on your own, you’ll find the people welcoming, the green spaces gorgeous, the museums engaging, and the entertainment endless!

1. Go on a kayak tour

Taking a guided tour is an excellent way to get to know Houston in the company of others. Plus, guides are generally attentive to solo travelers to make sure they don’t feel apart from the group. A kayak tour is a unique way to experience Houston, so definitely look into taking one. Buffalo Bayou Kayak Tours offers several tours along the Buffalo Bayou Waterway. Tours last 2 hours.

Choose from a Houston Skyline Tour, where your guide navigates you through this beautiful bayou while telling you about the history of Houston’s noticeable landmarks along the beautiful skyline. Other tours are a Sunset Tour, a Sunrise Tour, and a Full Moon Tour!

2. Play an escape room

At The Escape Game Houston, you can have fun collaborating with others as you play an escape room, hunting for clues to find the way out! Each escape room at The Escape Game Houston accommodates up to 8 players and there’s no requirement that you sign up with someone else. So there’s no reason why you can’t have fun in this group activity! Chances are that you’ll connect with others since it takes a collective effort to solve all the riddles and puzzles you’ll be facing! In fact, you might meet other solo travelers looking to connect, which means you may walk away with a travel buddy! Plus, every room is hosted by a staff member who will be sure to include you in the adventure.

Rooms have unique, fun themes like escaping from a 1950s prison, capturing an art thief, time traveling, hunting for a treasure of gold, and others. The Escape Game Houston has two locations so you choose whichever is convenient to you: at The Galleria and CityCentre. Find out more here.

3. Discover Houston’s Mural Art Scene

Mural art is an increasingly popular and accessible form of artwork that one can see for free. No better place to see mural art exists in Houston than the Houston Graffiti Building. Located at 1503 Chartres Street in Downtown Houston, the building has dozens of quality murals in vibrant colors, some making powerful statements, and others playful messages.

The streets surrounding the Graffiti Building also have some fantastic works as well. If you are already a street mural fan, this Mural and Instagram Tour takes you to 40 murals throughout Downtown, Midtown, and EaDo (East Downtown) on a golf cart! There are lots of opportunities to take photos and post them on Instagram along the way so you can share your adventures with your friends back home!

4. Play as a Game Show Contestant at Great Big Game Show!

Ever wanted to try being on a game show? Here's your chance!

Great Big Game Show is an immersive game show experience. Two teams will face off in a battle for points and glory! Each round of Great Big Game Show features a different mini-game. Their line-up of rotating mini-games includes strategy, trivia, speed tests, and more.

5. See theater under the stars

The Miller Outdoor Theatre inside Hermann Park is a one-of-a-kind theatre in the U.S. in that it offers the public free of charge an eight-month season of performances of all kinds. Take your pick from classical music, jazz, world music and dance, ballet, Shakespeare, musical theatre, classic films, and more! There’s a covered seating area and also a lawn to sit on. Bring some food, a drink and enjoy the show!

6. Relax on the green

Discovery Green is a small 12-acre urban park that is an oasis in Downtown Houston’s hustle and bustle. Surrounded by skyscrapers, it’s regarded by some as “Downtown’s backyard”. That’s not too far off the mark! Self-described as a village green, Discovery Green is a place for the community to gather for lots of activities and events in a relaxed atmosphere. By day you can kayak on the small but pretty Kinder Lake, and take fitness classes both in the mid-morning and early evening, like Tai Chi, Yoha, and a high-energy HIIT workout!

Discovery Green is open until 11 pm every night (and midnight in the summer) and nighttime activities include a Flea Market after dark from 6 pm to 10 pm, movie screenings on the lawn, and a live music series, the UHD Thursday Night concerts. For travelers of any kind, solo or not, Discovery Green is one of the very best places to go at night in Houston for fun!

7. Stroll around 19th Street

Many solo travelers like to blend in with the locals by doing something that everyone who lives down does. Checking out the neighborhood known as 19th Street in the Heights will let you blend right in and make for a pleasant way to spend a few hours. The district goes back to 1890 when a city planner chose Houston Heights to create a planned community where both entrepreneurs and working people could live and work side by side.

A commercial strip at 19th and Ashland Streets was included and stores opened and thrived there. Today 19th Street retains that vision as stores are locally owned and include eclectic shops, charming boutiques, art galleries, and cozy cafes in an area of charming architecture.

8. Take a hike

You don't have to attempt a strenuous hike to see some wonderful things in nature. The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, located in Memorial Park, is a peaceful place with five miles of trails that are easy to walk. What is special about the Arboretum is that you can learn about five distinct natural habitats in one place! On the habitat hikes, see the flora and fauna, as well as some native creatures of prairie, ravine, savanna woodland, and wetland.

Take classes like Painting With Plants or DIY Nature Journals, try nature-inspired cooking and tasting classes, gardening classes, and others. There are evening night events like night hikes, adult howl prowls (beers and beverages sold), and other evening events for adults. The grounds and trails are open from 7 am to dusk, daily. Admission is free! Now that's a perk! Parking costs $5.50 but is free on Thursdays for all guests.

9. Go to the theater

Houston’s Theater District is one of the finest hubs for the performing arts in the country. It spans 17 blocks and is filled with lots of theaters, music venues, movie theaters, and public spaces. The Hobby Center for Performing Arts is at the top of the list, with Broadway musicals and plays performed in a glorious space designed by renowned architect Robert A.M. Stern.

The Wortham Theater Center is home to the superb Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera while Jones Hall is home to the Houston Symphony and the Society for the Performing Arts. The list of theaters and venues doesn't end there! You have even more choices at the Stages Repertory Theater, the Music Box Theater, the Alley Theatre, and the Bayou Music Center Which hosts not only musical concerts, but also comedy, cabaret, and more.

10. Learn about astronauts

The NASA Johnson Space Center is one of the top tourist attractions in Houston, and it’s not surprising why. This is a rare opportunity to see some aspects of how NASA functions. The Astronaut Training Facility Tour lets you peek into the world of astronauts. The Historic Mission Control Tram Tour shows you where NASA led the Gemini and Apollo missions. At the George W.S. Abbey Rocket Park, you’ll see only three of the remaining Saturn V rockets. There are plenty of artifacts of NASA’s space program as well, like the Apollo 17 Command Module, a collection of spacesuits, a Moon rock, and more!

11. Gaze at a masterpiece

The Museum of Fine Arts is definitely worth a visit for its outstanding collection of works numbering nearly 70,000 pieces. See art from antiquity until today. For lovers of modern art, you'll be mesmerized by the collection in the The Kinder Building with over 1,200 works of modern art. See works of the masters of Impressionist, Post-Impressionist, and early Modernist paintings like Picasso, Cezanne, Degas, Gauguin, Van Gogh, and others. Contemporary artists in the collection include Jackson Pollock, Willem de Kooning, Mark Rothko, and so many more.

The MFAH is an especially good choice for solo travelers as it offers free tours led by docents. It’s a nice way to see amazing artworks, learn about them, and also enjoy the company of others.

12. Head underground

If you find yourself in Houston on a hot day, don't flock to air-conditioned museums like every other tourist in town. Instead head underground to Downtown Houston’s tunnels, the largest downtown pedestrian tunnel network in the country, measuring more than 6 miles long and spanning 95 city blocks! The tunnels are a way for downtown workers to get from building to building quickly, dry when raining outside, and cool on a hot day! Take a guided tunnel tour and learn about architecture, art, and history as you travel the tunnels making stops at buildings and other Downtown sights along the way.

13. Go for a bike ride

Houston is bicycle-friendly and, as such, has an easy-to-use bike share program, Houston BCycle. For $5, you can check out a bike at any docking station, use it for 30 minutes, and then return it to any other docking station. Use this Exploring Houston by Bike Guide, which has bike routes and trails throughout the city and includes the closest docking stations. For a longer bike jaunt, take advantage of the large and pleasant Buffalo Bayou Park with its bike trails. Take a leisurely ride with Houston’s skyline as a backdrop. You can rent bikes from Bayou Bike Rentals or join one of their bike tours.

14. See Houston’s bats at sunset

You may already know about Houston’s huge Waugh Bat Colony, and while it isn't as huge as Austin's, these bats still put on a fantastic sunset show! Join the throngs of onlookers at the Houston Waugh Drive Bridge to see 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats fly out from under the bridge as they go searching for dinner. The colony’s size is at its peak between summer and early fall. But if you can only come to Houston in the winter months, there are still more than enough bats to fly as they streak through the orange sky as the sun sets.

15. Take a food tour

Food tours are among the most inclusive tours one can take when traveling alone. These tours always have a few solo travelers. You'll find that guests traveling with others are friendly and happy to talk a bit. Part of this has to do with the fact that you'll be sampling new foods together, inspiring conversation to crop up. In some cases, you may be sharing dishes communally.

The Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston is a three-hour tour that includes sampling foods at three restaurants, plus your guide will talk to you about Houston’s history as well as the sights you will pass on the tour. This tour starts at 6 pm which makes it an ideal, and safe way for you to experience Houston at night as a solo traveler.

16. Have an epiphany

One of Houston’s small treasures is the beautiful Twilight Epiphany Skyspace by artist James Turrell, located on the Rice University campus. This event venue is architecturally designed to enhance the acoustics of the musical performances put on. Skyspace doubles as a work of art as its design includes openings in the roof with an accompanying LED light show, complementing the sunrise and sunset. The show is simply magical. Performances are free to attend. Skyspace is open to the public every day and is free to visit.

17. Say hello to a T.rex

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is THE place for those who love the history of the planet from the time before humans existed to ancient civilizations to the modern world. A major highlight of the museum is the Paleontology Hall, with an outstanding collection of dinosaur fossils, including a T. rex skeleton named Stan! Interactive exhibits and informative panels keep you engaged.

Another highlight is the Hall of Ancient Egypt, featuring lots of mummies and other artifacts from this glorious millennia-old civilization. See living creatures at the Cockrell Butterfly Center where thousands of butterflies circle you! If you are a space enthusiast, and a visit to the NASA Johnson Space Center didn’t scratch that itch, spend time in the Burke Baker Planetarium watching immersive shows that explore the mysteries of the cosmos.

18. Catch a baseball game

From April to October, the Houston Astros play baseball at Minute Maid Park. This stadium has a retractable roof, so if the forecast says it will be a rainy day in Houston, make this a destination! If you prefer other sports, you’ll have the opportunity to see the Houston Rockets shoot hoops at the Toyota Center, the Texans play football at NRG Stadium, and the Dynamo play soccer at the Shell Energy Stadium.

Rainy Days ☔️

Texas may be seen by many as a dry state with long desert roads under clear blue skies. But the state does get ample rain, and Houston sees its fair share. Luckily, Houston has more than enough indoor things to do when it does rain.

Whether you are traveling as a family or not, or even traveling solo, here are things to do on a rainy day in Houston!

1. Learn about space exploration

The Space Center Houston is one of Houston's best indoor activities and rightfully so. Guests can take an indoor tram tour for a behind-the-scenes look at some of NASA’s operations, including the Astronaut Training Facility. You’ll see the actual Mission Control from which NASA led Apollo and Gemini missions. Visiting the Space Center is one of the unique things to do in Houston on a rainy day.

2. Play an escape room

Who said rainy days had to be dull? For a fun and exciting thing to do indoors head to The Escape Game Houston. With just 60 minutes, you must find a way out of a ‘locked’ room by deciphering clues and solving riddles. Break out of a 1950s prison cell. Stop a notorious art thief from getting away with a crime. Investigate ominous happenings at an abandoned lab at the bottom of the ocean! Conveniently The Escape Game Houston has two locations, one in the City Center and the other at The Galleria mall.

3. Explore Downtown Houston’s tunnels

At more than 6 miles long, covering 95 city blocks, Houston's downtown tunnel system is the most extensive downtown tunnel system in the United States. It’s as if Houston’s city planners were thinking about what to do on a rainy day! The tunnels are primarily a way for downtown workers to get from building to building. The tunnels also contain shops, restaurants, and other services. Use this map to explore the tunnels on your own or to learn about the tunnels and Houston itself, take a Tunnel Tour.

4. Play as a Game Show Contestant at Great Big Game Show

Ever wanted to try being on a game show? Here's your chance!

Great Big Game Show is an immersive game show experience. Two teams will face off in a battle for points and glory! Each round of Great Big Game Show features a different mini-game. Their line-up of rotating mini-games includes strategy, trivia, speed tests, and more.

5. See colorful aquatic life

Houston’s Downtown Aquarium is part attraction, part restaurant, which is a bit unusual. But on a rainy day in Houston, you can have fun indoors here looking at bright colorful sea creatures and then sit down for a meal without getting wet! The aquarium has 500,000 gallons worth of aquatic wonders. Looking for a unique dinner date activity in Houston? Try the Aquarium!

6. Satisfy your need for speed

Have high-speed fun at K1 Speed Houston, an indoor go-kart race track. The go-karts at K1 are powered by a 20-horsepower electric motor which means you can race at speeds of up to 45 miles per hour! On Friday nights, go-kart in a disco-like atmosphere when K1 turns down the lights and the LED lighting that lines the track barriers turn bright, neon colors.

7. Go indoor skydiving

Of all the indoor things to do in Houston, indoor sky-diving has got to be the most exhilarating! At iFLY Houston, you can experience what it feels like to defy gravity without leaping out of a plane. Step into a manmade wind tunnel and feel what it's like to freefall while just a few feet off the ground. Whether it’s a rainy day or not, iFly Houston makes for great indoor fun.

8. Immerse yourself in light

Surrounding yourself with colorful lights at the Color Factory is a fantastic rainy-day activity in Houston. This interactive art museum allows guests to experience the joy of color through 14 interactive and immersive light installations. The installations are inspired by the colors of Houston so you can get some sense of the city even though you’re inside.

9. Try indoor rock climbing

Don't let a rainy day in Houston stop you from being active - try indoor rock climbing! This is one of America’s fastest-growing sports. It’s ideal for those who are interested in learning to climb but aren't ready to head up the side of steep rocks.

Indoor rock climbing facilities have options for climbers of all levels of experience so whether you are a novice or an expert, you’ll be challenged. Here are the top places to go indoor rock climbing in Houston that sell day passes.

10. Take a bus tours

So you are in Houston and want to see the city, but it’s raining…what to do? Take a sightseeing bus tour! This is one of the best things to do in Houston on a rainy day. You’ll stay nice and dry while getting an overview of Houston.

If you don't mind getting a little wet, take a hop-on-hop-off bus tour which will drop you off at major attractions, and then when you are done, just hop back on the next bus that comes along the route.

Bus tours are also perfect for a hot day in Houston since they are air-conditioned. Look here for some bus tour options.

11. Say hello to some mummies

One could happily pass hours at the Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the top indoor attractions in Houston. This gigantic complex deals with everything from prehistoric times to the space age.

Some of the highlights of this great museum are the Paleontology Hall, the Hall of Ancient Egypt, the Cabinet of Curiosities, and the Hall of Gems and Minerals. The Cockerell Butterfly Center is also part of the complex and is a lovely place to visit.

12. Museum of Fine Arts

Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts is one of the 10 largest art museums in the United States, with a gigantic collection of nearly 70,000 works of art from antiquity to the present day. Whatever kind of art you like, it’s here. From French Impressionist and Italian Renaissance paintings to European and American decorative arts. Its modern art collection is outstanding and has its own wing which could keep you occupied for hours!

13. Houston Museum of African American Culture

This museum is one of Houston’s unique institutions that showcase thought-provoking temporary exhibits typically related to African-American culture, but not always. Many masters of African American art have been displayed here like Faith Ringgold, Romare Bearden, and Richard Mayhew. The Houston Museum of African American Culture is free to visit, so this should give you something to smile about on a gray day.

14. Menil Collection

For those who love modern art and architecture, a visit to this exceptional museum is one of the best free indoor things to do in Houston. The Menil is one of several Houston museums that has free admission which makes a trip here a bit more enjoyable! The Menil has several buildings with different artists on a large campus.

The airy, naturally lit main building is stunning and was designed by Renzo Piano, who also designed the Whitney in New York. The Menil’s collection is outstanding with works from antiquities to modern art. When the rain dies down, enjoy time in the lush Menil Park, an urban oasis in Houston.

15. Holocaust Museum of Houston

Houston’s Holocaust Museum approaches its mission to educate the public differently from most Holocaust museums. It focuses more on the survivors and their stories, while still honoring those who died. Two immensely interesting objects in the museum are a railcar that transported Jews to concentration camps and an actual small Dutch fishing boat that transported Jews to safety.

16. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

Founded in 1948 by locals, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (CAMH) has established a solid presence in Houston’s arts and culture scene. Rather than collecting artworks for permanent exhibitions, the CAMH presents temporary regional, national, and international art exhibits. There’s always something new to see at CAMH. It also hosts lectures, educational programs, and events.

17. 1940 Air Terminal Museum

For fans of aviation history, a trip to this museum is one of the coolest things to do inside in Houston. The museum is located at the Hobby Airport, a splendidly restored Art Deco building.

The museum has an array of exhibits covering the history of aviation throughout the ages. The Aviation Heritage Gallery has exhibits on the Douglas DC-3, while other galleries and halls have scale aircraft models, original aviation art, and other artifacts from every aspect of aviation.

18. See a Broadway Show

Houston’s Theater District is one of the top districts in the country to see an array of performances including Broadway shows. The Houston Theater District spans 17 blocks and has multiple theaters and performing arts centers. For Broadway shows check out the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, as well as the Wortham Theater Center, Jones Hall, and the Alley Theatre. If you are planning a Girls' Night Out in Houston, why not see a show?

19. Hear Live Music

Big cities have music venues of every genre and Houston is no different! The Toyota Center is Houston’s biggest venue where top performers play, from Justin Bieber to Metallica. Jones Hall hosts performances that run the gamut from the Houston Symphony to comedians. 713 Music Hall holds 5,000 people for blues, jazz, punk, hip-hop you name it 713’s got it!

20. Play Arcade Games

Cidercade is one of Houston’s largest arcades with a staggering 275+ arcade games. You can play the best retro games like Super Pac-Man, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros, and more! Cidercade serves 14 homemade hard ciders by Bishop Inc. and hard seltzers. They don't serve food but it’s BYOF - bring your own food, get delivery or a bite from their roster of rotating food trucks.

21. Go Bowling

This might seem like an old-fashioned rainy-day activity, but Houston’s bowling alleys are anything but old-fashioned. With modern vibes, hip decor, and cool tunes, bowling alleys like Bowlero make it easy to kill a few hours while waiting for the sun to appear. These bowling alleys have state-of-the-art lanes and serve food and drinks as well. For family-friendly alleys, check out Emerald Bowl and Tomball Bowl.

22. Catch a Flick

Movie lovers rejoice! Houston has a lot of movie theaters showing everything from the latest blockbusters to the classics. The AMC Houston 8 in Downtown Houston has 8 screens that show mainstream and indie films. The Alamo Drafthouse serves burger fare right to your seats. At the premium iPic theater, you can have food and drinks brought to your oversized, plush recliner seats. Houstonians like to wine and dine while they watch movies!

23. Children's Museum of Houston

A trip to the Children’s Museum of Houston (CMH) is one of the most fun indoor things to do with kids on a rainy day in Houston. This excellent children’s museum has activities for toddlers, young children, and even infants!

CMH is entirely interactive and seeks to engage children by sparking curiosity and creativity. One exhibit, FlowWorks, educates children about water, while Kidtropolis teaches them about how cities are run. Plus there are inventor labs for every age group.

24. The Health Museum

This hands-on, family-friendly museum lets you explore the inside of a much larger-than-life human body to learn about organs. Walk through a 10-foot-high brain or a 12-foot-high beating heart! Interactive kiosks and videos make learning about the human body more exciting than one could imagine!

25. The Play Space

Without a doubt, this is THE place to bring the kids for fun indoor activities on a rainy day in Houston. With 16,000 square feet on the ground and three levels, this is the largest indoor play space in Texas. This oversized playground has endless tunnels and 20-foot slides, ball blaster arenas, obstacles plus arcade games! The Play Space even has special monitored sections for toddlers and infants.

26. Main Street Theater

The Midtown Arts & Theater Center Houston (MATCH) hosts performances of every kind. While most of the programming is for adults, young adults, and teens, the in-house Main Street Theater puts on shows that are perfect for children. Past shows have included Cinderella, Charlotte's Web, and The Cat in the Hat.

27. Astros Baseball Game

Houston’s Astros play at Minute Maid Park, which has a retractable roof, which means that when rain is in the forecast, the game can go on!

Hot Weather Activities ☀️

It will come as no surprise that Houston can get extremely hot in the summer months. That might be why there are so many great things to do indoors and out to beat the heat!

There are loads of fun recreational activities, museums, and even sports stadiums -- all with air-conditioning! There are also plenty of outdoor activities that are just right when temperatures are high.

1. See the Houston Astros

A highlight of any trip to Houston is seeing the Houston Astros play baseball at home. And hot or not, you can see them play comfortably since Minute Maid Park has a retractable roof and air-conditioning! In the hot months of June, July, and August, you can enjoy a game without sweating.

It may feel like 100 degrees outside, but inside the air-conditioned ballpark, it’ll be in the mid-70s! This is one of the best indoor summer activities in Houston to get into the spirit of the city! With value deals and promos, you can find tickets for as little as $20! See the Astros' schedule here.

2. Play an escape room

Playing an escape room at The Escape Game Houston is a super fun way to escape the heat! It’s also a really thrilling thing to do indoors in Houston as you must race against the clock to escape one of several uniquely themed rooms. You’ll have just 60 minutes to rush and crack codes and decipher clues. This mission will require all you've got if you want to escape in time.

In Timeliner: Train Through Time, hop between centuries, from the Jurassic to the Medieval, and everything in between, in order to restore the past and save the future! In The Heist, you must rescue a priceless Monet painting from an evil mastermind. In The Depths, you’ll investigate ominous activities occurring in an abandoned laboratory at the very bottom of the ocean!

With two Houston locations, one in CityCentre and the other at The Galleria Mall, you can find relief from the heat in a location most convenient to you!

3. Visit Space Center Houston

The Space Center Houston is one of the “coolest” inside places in Houston to visit, not just because of the air conditioning but also because of what you'll see there! On the NASA Tram Tour, which offers a behind-the-scenes peek at space exploration, visitors will get an understanding of NASA's operations.

The tour includes a stroll around the Astronaut Training Facility along an elevated path to look down from. Moreover, you'll go see the actual Mission Control from which NASA ran the Apollo and Gemini flights. Mission Mars, an interactive display, discusses the complexities of traveling to Mars.

4. Play as a Game Show Contestant at Great Big Game Show!

Ever wanted to try being on a game show? Here's your chance!

Great Big Game Show is an immersive game show experience. Two teams will face off in a battle for points and glory! Each round of Great Big Game Show features a different mini-game. Their line-up of rotating mini-games includes strategy, trivia, speed tests, and more.

5. Visit the Downtown Aquarium

At the Downtown Aquarium, visitors can stay cool in its air-conditioned exhibits. Not only will you stay cool, but you’ll see 500,000 gallons worth of aquatic wonders! The aquarium has more than 300 species of marine life from around the globe. The exhibits are organized by natural habitat.

There’s a man-made coral reef with a giant Pacific octopus and a moray eel, plus other species. The tropical rainforest exhibit houses red-bellied piranhas, poisonous freshwater stingrays, colorful rainforest frogs, and beautiful birds.

6. See Houston on a bus tour

A sightseeing bus tour is a great activity on steamy, hot days in Houston, as well as rainy days or any day! These trips take you to Houston's top attractions and last one to two hours. A live tour guide discussed the city's past as well as the present.

If you don't mind being in the sun and heat for small chunks of time, a hop-on-hop-off bus is a good alternative to visit multiple sights of interest. Simply get off the bus at the locations you wish to see, and when you're ready to continue, board the next bus to come along.

Look here for some Houston bus tour options.

7. Shop until you drop

If Houston temps are too hot to handle, it's time to head inside to somewhere with air-conditioning and something fun to do. The solution? Go shopping at The Galleria! It’s the largest shopping mall in Texas, with 400 stores! You’ll be occupied for hours in the cool temps. Many of the stores are high-end, top-of-the-line boutiques like Chanel, Tom Ford, Gucci, Ferragamo, and several other designer stores.

However, you don't need to break the bank to enjoy the cool air. There are many popular chain stores like Urban Outfitters, Gap, Express, Free People, Aeropostale, Adidas, Aldo, and others. Sit down for some food at restaurants like The Cheesecake Factory and Shake Shack.

Planning a Girls’ Night or Day Out? Shop and dine together at The Galleria!

8. See an event at NRG Stadium

This massive, roofed air-conditioned stadium is home to Houston's football team, the Texans, and also the world-famous Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.

NRG hosts concerts with big-name performers like Taylor Swift and Ed Sheeran. If you are in Houston with teens, see who's playing at NRG Stadium. There may just be a band playing that they like!

There are also Monster truck jams, Comicon, and even ThriftCon, a massive vintage clothing convention at NRG. You name it, NRG Stadium’s got it!

See what’s on at NRG Stadium on your hot day in Houston!

9. Play arcade games

With an astounding 275+ arcade games, Cidercade is one of Houston's biggest arcades. The best classic video games are available, including Super Pac-Man, Asteroids, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros., and more. Bishop Inc.'s Cidercade offers 14 handcrafted hard ciders as well as hard seltzers.

Although they don't offer food service, you are welcome to BYOF (bring your own food), order delivery, or grab a bite from one of their many changing food trucks. During the day, Cidercade is family-friendly, but after 8 pm it's 21 and over, making it a great place for adults looking for a fun time in Houston.

10. Explore Downtown Houston’s tunnels

On a hot day, head to Houston’s underground tunnels to keep cool and out of the strong sun. Houston has the largest downtown tunnel network in the country, measuring more than 6 miles long and spanning 95 city blocks.

The tunnels are mostly used by city workers to go between buildings, but there are things to do for visitors as well like shopping and dining. Take a Tunnel Tour to discover more about the tunnels and Houston as a whole, or use this map to explore the tunnels independently.

By the way, if you are traveling on your own in Houston, taking a tour can be an excellent way to meet other solo travelers!

11. Go indoor rock climbing

Why work up a sweat outside walking around, when you can get a healthy workout inside at an air-conditioned indoor Houston rock climbing facility? Indoor rock climbing is very popular across the country and it's a relatively easy indoor sport and fun too! Here are some places to go indoor rock climbing that sell day passes.

12. See a movie

You don't have to be a movie lover to know that seeking refuge in an air-conditioned movie theater is one of the very best indoor activities in Houston. The city has many movie theaters showing everything from blockbusters to classics. At the Alamo Drafthouse, you can sit back and enjoy the film while eating great burger fare and sipping on cocktails served right to your seat.

The AMC Houston 8 in Downtown Houston has 8 screens and features both mainstream and independent films. Plus you can reserve your seat in advance and save money on matinees. The iPic Theater is a premium experience with plush recliner seats and a full menu!

13. Hit the lanes at Bowlero

Although bowling might seem like an old-school activity for a hot day, Houston's bowling alleys are anything but dated. Plus, they are air-conditioned! Bowlero is a modern venue with a full bar, a great American menu, and more than enough lanes to accommodate you. For a retro-style bowling experience, head to Del Mar Lanes. Bowlmor is also a cool place to bowl. If you want family-oriented venues check out Tomball Bowl and Emerald Bowl.

14. Head underground at the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern

The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, an enormous underground former water reservoir, is one of Houston's more intriguing - and naturally cool - tourist sites. In 2010, the cistern was slated for demolition until the Buffalo Bayou Partnership stepped in. The BBP wanted to preserve the cistern so that people could see its amazing architecture.

The cistern is transformed into a spectacular setting by the use of rotating art installations that include vibrant lights and projections. There are several tours available, including an experiential tour with an introduction and opportunity for independent exploration of the Cistern thereafter.

15. Try indoor skydiving

Indoor skydiving has to be one of the most thrilling indoor activities in Houston! Without jumping out of a plane, you can experience what it's like to defy gravity at iFLY Houston. See what it's like to fall free while only a few feet above the ground in iFly’s man-made wind tunnel. You’ll stay cool and even catch a breeze!

15. Waterparks

Going to a waterpark is hands-down one of the most fun things to do on a hot day in Houston! There are loads of options too! They open for the season in April but don't have a full schedule until June and July.

There is the sprawling 48-acre Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown. With towering waterslides, wave pools, and play areas just for young children, it’s one of the most popular water parks in the area. Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventure features the area’s largest lazy river, a wave pool, and other awesome water activities for people of all ages.

Read all about these and other Houston waterparks here.

16. Kemah Boardwalk

Located on Galveston Bay, near the beaches, is Kemah Boardwalk and amusement park. Rides include the one-of-a-kind wooden coaster, which stands nearly 100 feet tall and has a top speed of nearly 51 miles per hour. Do the 140-foot Drop Zone to see how brave you are!

On the 65-foot-tall Century Wheel or the Boardwalk Tower ride, you can take in the view of Galveston Bay. At night, it's an especially fun place to be when the temperatures cool off and the amusement ride lights are sparkling.

Here are some other ideas for things to do at night in Houston.

17. Houston Arboretum

For those who love the great outdoors, a visit to the shady Houston Arboretum is a nice thing to do on hot days in Houston. This 155-acre nature sanctuary lets you explore different habitats like native wetlands, forested areas, meadows, and prairies without leaving Houston.

18. Galveston Beaches

Galveston's 32 magnificent miles of coastline along the Gulf of Mexico are about an hour’s drive from Houston. With 20 beaches, you can choose one that’s right for you. Stewart Beach is a fantastic beach for families, with a whole range of amenities, including showers, lifeguards, chair and umbrella rentals, and a playground.

East Beach has a pavilion, a boardwalk, and an entertainment stage. Unlike other Galveston beaches, alcohol is permitted here, so this might be a better choice for adults. Enjoying a breeze and a dip in cool water is a wonderful thing to do in Houston when it's hot.

Find out about Galveston's Beaches here.

19. Lake Conroe

If you are looking for a full range of water sports, Lake Conroe is worth the 45-minute drive from Houston. It’s one of the largest recreational bodies of water near the city and offers a lot in the way of activities. Visitors can spend the day swimming, jet skiing, kayaking, and more. Rentals are available nearby the lake. Plus there are some lovely lakeside restaurants. A trip to Lake Conroe is a lovely idea for a romantic date activity in Houston.

20. Buffalo Bayou Park

Buffalo Bayou Park lies along a 2.3-mile stretch of the Buffalo Bayou that runs right through Houston. The park has both manicured gardens and natural landscaping. You can hike and bike if the heat isn't unbearable. If you’d prefer to stay cool, you can get out onto the water as kayaking and canoeing are allowed in some parts of the park. You can rent kayaks and canoes from Bayou City Adventures.

Spending a few hours in an air-conditioned museum is another best bet for an indoor activity on a scorching hot day in Houston.

21. Museum of Fine Arts

One of the 10 largest art museums in the U.S., Houston's Museum of Fine Arts has a gigantic collection of almost 70,000 works of art dating back to antiquity up until today. Its modern art collection is superb as is its French Impressionist and Italian Renaissance painting collection.

22. Menil Collection

The Menil Collection doesn’t charge an admission fee making a visit here one of the best free indoor things to do in Houston. The outstanding collection includes art from antiquities to modern art. If the weather cools off while you are in the museum, you can look forward to relaxing nearby Menil Park, a Houston urban oasis.

23. Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is an enormous complex with exhibits from the Paleolithic to the Space Age. The Burke Baker Planetarium, the Cockerell Butterfly Center, and the Wortham IMAX cinema are on the Museum’s campus, though tickets are separate from entry to the museum. The museum has free entry on Thursday!

24. Children's Museum of Houston

One of the best indoor activities for families with young children on a hot day in Houston is a visit to the Children's Museum of Houston (CMH). Young children, toddlers, and even infants can engage in hands-on activities at this wonderful children's museum! CMH is totally interactive and aims to captivate kids by igniting their imaginations. Kidtropolis teaches kids about how cities are run, while FlowWorks teaches kids about water.

25. Hermann Park

This 445-acre park packs a punch! The park is home to the Houston Zoo, a Japanese garden, and the McGovern Centennial Gardens, an eight-acre botanical garden. Wander the park and see public art installations and sculptures, fountains and monuments, picnic areas, playgrounds, and even an 18-hole golf course! Rent pedal boats and observe migratory birds on McGovern Lake. Plus, there’s an open-air mini-train that can take you and your little ones on a 14-minute trip around the park.

26. Memorial Park

This sprawling urban park covers over 1,500 acres with lush greenery, walking trails, and even a golf course. There are so many activities to engage in here: biking, jogging, mountain biking, playing tennis, swimming, and more. In addition, there’s a large playground, making spending time here a very family-friendly activity in Houston. Inside the park is the beautiful Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, where you can connect with nature and enjoy outdoor trails.

Perfect 2-Day Itinerary ✨

Houston, Texas is a wildly fun city that is also steeped in history and culture. When you visit Houston, chances are you will feel a bit overwhelmed by the number of things to do here.

This 2 day Houston itinerary can help narrow down your choices! From museums to outdoor fun, entertainment to tasty food, we’ve got a little bit of everything to make your trip a great one!

Day 1 Morning: Downtown, Street Art, and Tacos

Downtown Houston

Start your day off with breakfast in Downtown Houston. Do as the locals do and get a breakfast taco!

Lone Star Taco at 1001 Texas Avenue serves both simple and delicious breakfast tacos and also some more elaborate breakfast tacos. Order egg, bacon, and cheese, or for a more filling breakfast get the Royal Flush, scrambled eggs, potato, beef brisket, and shredded jack cheese with tomatillo sauce.

Want something less complicated? The Corner Bakery Cafe at 1000 Main St. has egg sandwiches, scrambled eggs, pancakes, and of course, delicious pastries.

Houston’s Street Art

Your introduction to Downtown Houston begins at the Houston Graffiti Building. Located at 1503 Chartres Street, this building is a hub for local artists to show off their creativity through large murals. In EaDo (East of Downtown Houston), discover even more street art and murals using this Houston Mural Map.

Market Square Historic District

If history is your thing, take a stroll around the Market Square Historic District. This charming neighborhood dates back to the 19th century. You can shop, dine, and relax in Market Square Park. There are monuments and landmark buildings as well as public art installations and murals that can be seen on Main Street and Milam Street.

Day 1 Afternoon: Outdoor Fun, Indoor Fun

Hermann Park

For some outside time, Hermann Park cannot be beat! This 450-acre urban green space has plenty of things to do and see. Visit the Houston Zoo and the McGovern Centennial Gardens. Wander and see sculptures, monuments, playgrounds, and even an 18-hole golf course! Look to see if the Miller Outdoor Theatre has a daytime performance to see. It’s free to attend.

For lunch, try Bodegas Taco Shop at 1200 Binz Street for tasty Tex-Mex. It’s conveniently located a few streets away from both the park and the museum district.

Houston Museum District

The Museum of Fine Art has nearly 70,000 works of art from over 6,000 years of human creativity. The French Impressionist collection is outstanding as is its modern art collection of over 1,200 works.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is an excellent place to learn about life from the Paleolithic era to the Space Age. Be sure to check out the dinosaur fossils, the Egyptian Hall, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center.

One of the best family-friendly things to do in Houston is visit the Children's Museum Houston, suited to children ages 10 and younger. Interactive exhibits and hands-on activities spark curiosity and imagination.

Day 1 Evening: Dinner, Games, and a Waterfall

For your first night in Houston, you can do these fun activities in any order.

The Escape Game Houston

From Hermann Park, make your way in just 20 minutes to The Galleria Mall at 5085 Westheimer Road to play an escape room for the ultimate thrill in Houston! Escape rooms are increasingly popular in the U.S. and if you haven't played one, now is the time! Even if you’ve played an escape room, you’ve never experienced any as meticulously designed as those at The Escape Game.

You’ll be ‘locked’ in a room with just 60 minutes to escape! There’s only one way out and it requires you to be creative, crafty, and fast if you want to find the way out in time. Every game has multiple rooms to explore to solve, unique themes, and lots of challenging clues to solve. Feel the exhilaration as you unravel each puzzle and come closer to escaping the room.

Choose your adventure and level of difficulty. Prison Break is the hardest room to escape, followed by Art Heist, and The Depths. The Galleria location has five exciting rooms, and a second Houston location at CityCentre has seven rooms. Whatever location you go to, you’ll have a blast!

Dinner at JOEY Uptown

For dinner, try JOEY Uptown at the Galleria mall for contemporary international and regional cuisine in a spacious modern dining room. Dessert awaits you at Le Macaron or Creamistry. You may be able to squeeze in some shopping at the Galleria’s more than 400 retail stores!

Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park

Stop by this public park open until 9 pm daily for an Instagrammable moment posing in front of the Waterwall, a 64-foot-high semi-circular wall that gushes 11,000 gallons of water per minute!

Day 2 Morning: Sunrise and Astronauts

Twilight Epiphany Skyspace

Early risers are in for a treat! Grab your breakfast to-go and head to the Twilight Epiphany Skyspace on the Rice University campus. Skyspace is a public event venue that, at sunrise and sunset, showcases a beautiful LED light sequence projected onto the ceiling. It’s free to enter, and you can also attend free musical performances there in the evenings.

NASA Space Center Houston

Hit the road and drive half an hour to NASA’s Johnson Space Center Houston, one of Houston's most popular attractions. In addition to seeing a huge array of artifacts from space exploration like the Apollo 17 Command Module, a full-size Skylab Training module, a Moon rock, and more! Choose from three tours to go deeper into the space experience.

On the Astronaut Training Facility Tour, you get the amazing opportunity to get a behind-the-scenes look at what astronauts do. On the Historic Mission Control Tram Tour, you’ll see where NASA led the Gemini and Apollo missions. At the George W.S. Abbey Rocket Park, you’ll see only three of the remaining Saturn V rockets.

If you are feeling peckish, you can get food at The Food Lab at the Space Center. If you can wait a little while, dine in Galveston at one of the many restaurants along Seawall Boulevard.

Day 2 Afternoon: The Beach or The Bayou

Galveston’s beaches

Take your pick of beaches from 32 miles of gorgeous coastline along the Gulf of Mexico. If you find yourself in Houston on a hot day, an afternoon swimming and enjoying the water’s breeze, can beat the heat!

If you are traveling with kids, Stewart Beach in the heart of Galveston, is a family-friendly destination. There you’ll find lifeguards, restrooms, and concessions. The beach is well-maintained, and its calm waters make it a great spot for swimming. Stewart Beach features a pavilion, playground, and volleyball. If you're in Houston with teens, they can learn to surf!

East Beach is known as the "Party Beach'' because of the beach parties and because alcohol is permitted here. It’s a lively place to spend the afternoon, so if you are looking for a peaceful time, head somewhere else! The western end of Galveston Island is home to numerous beaches that are less crowded and offer a more serene atmosphere.

Beaches like Jamaica Beach, Pirates Beach, and Terramar Beach are popular among locals and vacationers who seek a quieter beach experience. Besides sunbathing and swimming, you can go beachcombing and fishing.

Buffalo Bayou Park

If you prefer to head straight back to Houston after the Space Center, you can still enjoy some outdoor time at Buffalo Bayou Park. This 160-acre green space along the Buffalo Bayou Waterway is a lovely place to take a stroll along the trails with the dramatic downtown skyline in the background. The park is also perfect for bike riding, kayaking, and paddleboarding on the Buffalo Bayou Waterway!

Day 2 Evening: A Night of Baseball or Broadway

Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park

For baseball fans, the best time to visit Houston is between April and October, when you can get tickets to see the Houston Astros play baseball at Minute Maid Park.

No need to grab dinner, since the concession stands at the stadium are a notch above your typical sports event fare. You can get Tex-Mex dishes, smoked brisket sandwiches, and other deli food, Southern Style BBQ, and everyone’s favorite, Shake Shack’s outstanding burgers and shakes.

Minute Maid Park has a retractable roof so even a rainy day in Houston can't stop you from having fun!

Football fans should visit Houston from September through January when you can see Texans play football at NRG Stadium. For some good ol’ Texas fun, you can go to NRG Stadium for the Houston Rodeo and Livestock Show between late February and the third week in March. Mid-October to mid-April the Houston Rockets shoot hoops at the Toyota Center.

Houston’s Theater District

Prefer theater to sports? Houston has got you covered. Houston’s Theater District spans 17 city blocks and is second in size only to New York City’s theater district. There's always something great playing at the many theaters and performing arts centers. The lush Hobby Center for the Performing Arts hosts Broadway shows, and the Wortham Theater Center is home to the Houston Grand Opera and the Houston Ballet. At the Bayou Music Center, you can catch a comedy act or musical performance.

Drinks at a Rooftop Bar

Finish up your busy two days gazing at the remarkable Houston skyline and sipping on a hand-crafted cocktail or local brewery beer. This is a perfect thing to do if you are in Houston for a romantic weekend or if you are looking for something fun to do for a Girls’ Night Out!