20 Unmissable Tourist Attractions to Visit and Things to Do in Houston, Texas


Houston is the capital city of the Harris country in Texas state of the USA. Some of the most fun things to do in Houston include exploring history museums, art museums, urban parks, nature conservation centers, and historical buildings.

It was established in 1836 by land investors. The birthplace of the city, called Allen’s Landing, is one of the most popular Houston, Texas attractions. It is situated at the confluence of Buffalo and White Oak Bayou. The city is named after General Houston, who won the independence of Texas in the battle of Jacinto. The San Jacinto Monument and Museum of History are the best places to visit in Houston to learn about the city’s early history.

Other historical things to see in Houston, Texas include George Ranch Historical Park, Magnolia, Heritage Society, Battleship Texas State Historical Site, Freedmen’s Town, and so on. Houston tourist attractions also include amazing museums such as the NASA Space Center, Holocaust Museum, Children’s Museum, Museum of Natural Science, Health Museum, and so on.

You can also explore several artworks during Houston travel. The city is home to the Museum of Fine Arts, The Menil Collection, the Contemporary Arts Museum, the Art Car Museum, the Czech Center Museum, the Museum of African American Culture, the Center for Photography, the Lawndale Art Center, the Center for Contemporary Craft, and so on.

You can also explore wonderful parks, entertainment venues, and nature conservation centers when you visit Houston. The best places for outdoor activities to do in Houston include Buffalo Bayou Park, Herman Par, Houston Zoo, Sam Houston National Forest, Arboretum and Nature Center, Bayou Bend Collection and Garden, McGovern Centennial Garden, and more.

Aside from Houston tourist spots, the city is also well known for its food and culture. It is home to people from different ethnicities resulting in a melting-pot culinary scene. You can explore several award-winning restaurants during Houston sightseeing including the popular Tex-Mex cuisine venues.

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Top 20 Tourist Places to Visit in Houston in 5 Days (Trip Itinerary)

Day 1

1. Space Center Houston

This educational science museum is spread over 250,000 square feet. It is one of the best places to visit in Houston for those interested in astronomy, space tech, and science. You will learn about NASA space expeditions as well as fascinating things about the universe. You will also see types of equipment, space suits, shuttles, rovers, and more. The park also has fun things to do in Houston, Texas for children. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

I suggest you should get your Admission Ticket to Space Center Houston in advance.

Space Center Houston

2. Holocaust Museum Houston

This museum focuses on the history and aftermath of the Holocaust. Trigger Warning! This place has some of the most horrific and shock-inducing things to see in Houston. It sheds light on the rise of the Nazis, communal hatred, and inhuman treatment of Jewish people. The museum also relates the stories of Holocaust survivors through films. You will need 2 hours or so from Houston travel to tour this museum.

I suggest that you should book your Ticket to the Holocaust Museum Houston in advance.

Holocaust Museum Houston

3. Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park

The waterwall is 20 meters high and 64 meters wide. It is designed in a horseshoe shape. Each minute 11 gallons of water flows through this fountain. It is one of the most wonderful Houston tourist attractions. The park also has green spaces, sports facilities, picnic areas, and more. You will need 20 to 30 minutes to tour this park when you visit Houston.

Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park

4. The Galleria

This is the largest shopping center in Texas state and the 4th largest in the USA. You come here if you are looking for fun things to do in downtown Houston, Texas like shopping, dining, leisure, or entertainment. The mall is spread over 2.4 million sq. ft. and has more than 400 stores. Aside from retail stores this place also has swimming pools, ice skating rinks, spas, salons, game arcades, cafes, restaurants, and more. You can easily spend an hour or so to explore The Galleria.

The Galleria

Day 2

1. The Health Museum

This museum is dedicated to human health, medical science, diseases, and so on. It is one of the most interesting Houston attractions for people of all ages. You will learn a lot about how your body functions and ways to keep yourself fit and healthy. It also focuses on advancements in medical science including discoveries, types of equipment, inventions, specimens, and more. The museum also has fun activities in Houston for children and adults in form of practical lab experiments. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

The Health Museum

2. Museum of Fine Arts

This museum has a collection of European, American, and Latin American artworks. It is one of the best Houston tourist spots for art aficionados. The collection includes modern and contemporary artworks including paintings, sculptures, prints, photographs, drawings, and more. You will need 2 to 3 hours from Houston sightseeing to tour this museum.

Museum of Fine Arts

3. Menil Collection

This art museum was established by John and Dominique de Menil. The collection is spread over several buildings spread over 30 acres and focuses on different aspects of how art influences people. One of the buildings is dedicated exclusively to Cy Twombly’s artworks, while one is dedicated to Dan Flavin’s. This vast art museum is quite popular in Houston, Texas attractions for art lovers and need at least a couple of hours to explore.

I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket to The Menil Collection in advance.

Menil Collection

4. Rothko Chapel

This chapel is also found by the De Menils and is part of the Menil collection. This chapel is one of the most interesting places to see in Houston for the 14 paintings by Mark Rothko that were commissioned by the De Menils. You will need 30 to 45 minutes to explore this chapel and the artwork in it.

Rothko Chapel

Day 3

1. Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

This is one of the best places for outdoor activities to do in Houston, Texas. You can explore nature trails through interesting habitats including meadows, wetlands, and forests. You will also see butterflies, birds, and small animals in this park. The place also has interactive stuff to do in Houston for children. You will need about 2 hours to tour this center.

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

2. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

This house once belonged to Houston philanthropist Ima Hogg and is included in the National Register of Historic Places. The compound of this house has 14 landscaped gardens. Inside the house, you will see a collection of paintings, sculptures, silver items, ceramics, and more. The majority of the items were part of Ima Hogg’s own collection. It is one of the top things to do in Houston for people interested in Art, Antiques, and History. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

3. Art Car Museum

This museum is dedicated to peculiar and unusual artworks. This is one of the most fun places to go in Houston as you will see quirky art pieces made from car parts. You will also see restored and modified cars. You will need an hour to tour this museum.

Art Car Museum

4. Buffalo Bayou Park

Spread over 160 acres, this park is built around a lake and is popular for a variety of outdoor activities to do in Houston. You can come here for canoeing, kayaking, paddle boarding, biking, nature trails, picnics, and sports. You can easily spend an hour or so at this park when you visit Houston.

Buffalo Bayou Park

5. Downtown Aquarium

This museum has more than 200 species of marine and freshwater creatures including turtles, alligators, crayfish, bulldogs, clownfish, octopuses, sharks, stingrays, and more. It is one of the best things to do in Houston, Texas for tourists with children. The place has fun activities including interaction with a few animals. You will need about 2 hours from Houston travel to explore this aquarium.

I suggest you should get your Entrance Ticket to Downtown Aquarium in advance.

Downtown Aquarium

Day 4

1. Cockrell Butterfly Center

This center recreates a tropical rainforest environment and is a home to hundreds of species of insects. You will see several types of butterflies and some of these you can see up close through a glass structure. If you are lucky, you can also witness a butterfly emerging from its cocoon in the Chrysalis Center. It is one of the most wonderful things to see in Houston. You will need about an hour to explore this place.

Cockrell Butterfly Center

2. Houston Museum of Natural Science

Though the name says natural science, this museum has exhibits concerning evolution, zoology, archeology, culture, and more. It is one of the most fun things to do in Houston, Texas. The exhibit galleries include Texas Wildlife, African Wildlife,  Cabinet of Curiosities (unusual objects & innovations), Hall of Gems and Minerals, Faberge Eggs, Hall of Ancient Egypt, Hall of Americas, Hall of Paleontology, and more. You will need 2 to 3 hours from Houston sightseeing to tour this museum.

I suggest you should get your Entry Ticket for the Houston Museum of Natural Science in advance.

Houston Museum of Natural Science

3. McGovern Centennial Gardens

This park is spread over 8 acres and is divided into several themed gardens including an arid garden, rose garden, woodland garden, and more. This is one of the best places to visit in Houston for families. You can explore themed trails such as sculpture walk, pergola walk, Tudor family pine hill walk, garden mount spiral trail, and so on. You will need about an hour to tour this garden when you visit Houston.

McGovern Centennial Gardens

4. Herman Park

Spread over 445 acres, this park is home to several Houston tourist attractions including Miller Outdoor Theatre, Museum of Natural Science, McGovern Centennial Gardens, and more. The park also has fountains, green spaces, picnic areas, fountains, themed attractions, and so on. You can also enjoy a variety of outdoor activities to do in Houston at this park including hiking, boating, cycling, toy train ride, sports activities, and more. You can easily spend a couple of hours from Houston travel exploring this park.

Herman Park

Day 5

1. Children’s Museum of Houston

This museum educates children about science, art, and culture. It is popular for indoor activities to do in Houston for children. They can enjoy activities, and interactive exhibits concerning origami, painting, chemistry experiments, zoology, craftsmanship, and more. You will need about 2 hours to tour this museum.

You should get your Ticket to Houston Children’s Museum in advance.

Children’s Museum of Houston

2. Discovery Green

This park has green spaces, a lake, sports facilities, leisure activities, a children’s playground, a skating rink, and more. People come here for picnics, jogging, kayaking, and so on. It is also one of the most fun places to go in Houston for public events and activities. You need an hour or so to explore this park.

Discovery Green

3. Houston Zoo

This zoo houses a variety of animals including alligators, anacondas, bald eagles, black bears, capybaras, cheetahs, elephants, giraffes, jaguars, lions, clouded leopards, orangutans, tigers, zebra, gorillas, and more. It is also among the popular Houston tourist spots for animal interaction experiences with elephants, tortoises, gorillas, and anteaters. You will need 2 to 3 hours to tour this zoo.

Houston Zoo

If you are looking for more places to see in Houston, check out the sections below. We have put together an exhaustive list of attractions and activities in and around the city.

Things to do in Houston

Monuments, Museums & Historical Places to Visit in Houston

  1. The Museum of Fine Arts
  2. Houston Space Center
  3. Museum of Natural Science
  4. The Menil Collection
  5. Children’s Museum
  6. NASA Johnson Space Center
  7. Contemporary Arts Museum
  8. National Museum of Funeral History
  9. Art Car Museum
  10. Rothko Chapel
  11. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
  12. San jacinto Monument
  13. San Jacinto Museum of History
  14. The Health Museum
  15. Lone Star Flight Museum
  16. Holocaust Museum
  17. Battleship Texas
  18. Beer Can House
  19. Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
  20. 1940 Air Terminal Museum
  21. Blaffer Art Museum
  22. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
  23. The Heritage Society Museum
  24. Asia Society Texas Center
  25. Houston Center for Photography
  26. Lawndale Art Center
  27. Seismique Art Gallery
  28. Houston Museum of African American Culture
  29. Nancy and Rich Kinder Building
  30. Rienzi Museum of Fine Arts
  31. Burke Baker Planetarium
  32. Cullen Sculpture Museum
  33. Diverse Works
  34. Glenwood Cemetery
  35. Audrey Jones Beck Building
  36. Pearl Fincher Museum of Fine Arts

Nature & Wildlife Tourist Spots in Houston

  1. Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
  2. Armand Bayou Nature Center
  3. Lake Houston
  4. Lake Houston Wilderness Park
  5. Clear Lake
  6. Jesse H. Jones Park and Nature Center
  7. Cullinan Park
  8. Sheldon Lake

Entertainment & Leisure Tourist Spots in Houston

  1. Houston Zoo
  2. Downtown Aquarium
  3. Discovery Green
  4. Kemah Boardwalk
  5. Herman Park
  6. Buffalo Bayou Park
  7. Minute Maid Park
  8. Hurricane Harbour Splashtown
  9. Memorial Park
  10. Miller Outdoor Theatre
  11. Cockrell Butterfly Center
  12. Market Square Park
  13. McGovern Centennial Gardens
  14. Typhoon Texas Waterpark
  15. The Orange Show
  16. Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
  17. Levy Park
  18. Japanese Garden
  19. Mercer Botanic Gardens
  20. Houston Botanic Garden
  21. Smither Park
  22. Pirates Bay Waterpark
  23. Sheldon Lake State Park & Environmental Learning Center
  24. Emancipation Park
  25. Houston Funplex
  26. Eleanor Tinsley Park
  27. Nature Discovery Center
  28. Boardwalk Bullet Roller Coaster
  29. Terry Hershey Park
  30. iFly Indoor Skydiving
  31. Congressmand Bill Archer Dog Park
  32. Millie Bush Dog Park
  33. Old MacDonald’s Farm
  34. Baytown Nature Center
  35. Sesquicentennial Park

Shopping in Houston

  1. The Galleria
  2. Market Square
  3. River Oaks District
  4. Woodlands Mall
  5. Westheimer Road
  6. Houston Premium Outlets
  7. Houston Farmers Market
  8. Katy Mills
  9. Traders Village
  10. River Oaks Shopping Center
  11. Highland Village Shopping Center
  12. Harwin Central Market
  13. Historic Heights
  14. Rive Village
  15. Memorial City Mall
  16. Main Street Square

Beaches & Islands in Houston

  1. Sylvan Beach
  2. El Jardin Beach
  3. Jamaica Beach
  4. Stewart Beach
  5. East Beach
  6. Galveston Island
  7. Surfside Beach
  8. Crystal Beach
  9. Quintana Beach

Offbeat Places, Tours, & Adventures in Houston

  1. Hiking
  2. Trekking
  3. Kayaking
  4. Camping
  5. Boat Tours
  6. Fishing
  7. Swimming
  8. Canoeing

Sightseeing in Houston

  1. Houston Waterwall
  2. Sam Houston Park
  3. Westheimer Road
  4. Downtown Houston Tunnel System
  5. Williams Tower
  6. Houston is Inspired Mural
  7. Waugh Drive Bat Colony
  8. Hermann Park Drive

Food, Dining, Restaurants, & Street Food in Houston

  1. Squable
  2. The Breakfast Klub
  3. Feges BBQ Spring Branch
  4. 93 Til
  5. Phat Eatery
  6. Nobie’s
  7. Truth BBQ
  8. The Pit Room
  9. Xin Chao
  10. Kata Robata
  11. Post Market
  12. The Hobbit Cafe
  13. Bludorn Restaurant
  14. Taste of Nigeria
  15. The Original Nifa’s
  16. Sparkle’s Hamburger Spot
  17. Pizaro’s Pizza Napoletana
  18. Turkey Leg Hut
  19. Nancy’s Hustle
  20. Himalaya
  21. Traveler’s Table
  22. Mala Suchuan Bistro
  23. Cali Sandwich
  24. Blood Bros BBQ
  25. Street to Kitchen
  26. Afrikiko

Where to Stay in Houston?

Here we have listed Top Rated Luxurious, Mid-Range, and Budget Hotels in Houston. You can check the below-listed hotels for your perfect stay in Houston.

Luxurious Hotels

  1. Hotel ICON, Autograph Collection
  2. Hotel ZaZa Houston Museum District
  3. The Westin Houston Downtown
  4. Marriott Marquis Houston
  5. Four Seasons Hotel Houston
  6. The Moran Hotel
  7. Hotel Granduca Houston
  8. Magnolia Hotel Houston, A Tribute Portfolio Hotel
  9. Hilton Americas-Houston
  10. JW Marriott Houston Downtown

Mid-Range Hotels

  1. Holiday Inn Houston-InterContinental Arpt, an IHG Hotel
  2. Hotel Ylem
  3. HYATT House Houston/Galleria
  4. Residence Inn Houston I-10 West/Park Row
  5. Homewood Suites by Hilton Houston Near the Galleria
  6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Houston West at Clay Road
  7. Hampton Inn Houston I-10W Energy Corridor
  8. Courtyard by Marriott Houston Westchase
  9. Four Points by Sheraton Houston Energy Corridor
  10. Hampton Inn Houston-Brookhollow

Budget Hotels

  1. Comfort Suites Northwest Houston At Beltway 8
  2. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Houston Bush IAH South
  3. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Houston NW Beltway8/WestRD
  4. Holiday Inn Express & Suites Houston North – IAH Area, an IHG Hotel
  5. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Houston – Westchase
  6. La Quinta Inn & Suites by Wyndham Houston Energy Corridor
  7. Hampton Inn & Suites Houston North IAH
  8. Best Western Plus Houston Energy Corridor
  9. Super 8 by Wyndham Houston/Webster/NASA
  10. TownePlace Suites Houston NASA/Clear Lake

TripAdvisor

Custom Tours Package in Houston

How to Reach Houston?

By Air

The city is served by George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. Through these airports, you can get direct flights to visit Houston from Mexico City, Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, Paris, Auckland, Tokyo, Charlotte, Los Angeles, Chicago, Miami, New York, Philadelphia, London, Dubai, Taipei, Las Vegas, Denver, Boston, Amsterdam, Frankfurt, Doha, Manchester, Singapore, New Orleans, Calgary, and many more. You can get buses and cabs to get to the city from the airport.

By Road

You can get a direct train for Houston travel through Amtrak route Sunset Limited. This route connects Houston to New Orleans, San Antonio, Los Angeles, El Paso, Palm Springs, and Tucson.

The bus network is more widespread and connects the city to several places in Texas state and the USA.

If you are planning to reach Houston by road, you should head for highway routes IH 45, IH 10, US 290, SH 249, and SH 99.

By Water

There are no direct water routes to reach Houston.


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