Top Things To Do In Houston

If you’ve ever been to Houston, you know there’s much to do and see… and now, with five Michelin Restaurants!

Houston is Big! I thought Dallas was big until I visited this city. Houston, TX, has over 6.4 million people living there, and when visitors arrive, that number increases even more. If you just moved to the city or are visiting for the first time, put these top things to do in Houston on your must-see list.

You can now add a few Michelin award-winning restaurants to your list to visit. See below.

There are more than enough activities and attractions to keep you busy for a full day. So, bookmark this page and refer back when you have time to explore the best things to do on the Gulf Coast.

And if Houston doesn’t already have massive attractions, it just got another one. Have you heard of Meow Wolf? The first one opened in Santa Fe, the second in Grapevine, a few more have opened up, and now the 5th Meow Wolf has opened in Houston.

Houston’s newest frequency has hit the airwaves! Radio Tave, Meow Wolf’s fifth immersive art journey, is now open in Houston’s Fifth Ward.

Top Things To Do In Houston, Texas

Houston’s arts scene is vibrant. Many performing arts venues, museums, and galleries are around the city. It is also home to some of Texas’s most popular tourist attractions, including the Johnson Space Center, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Houston Zoo. You can spend days exploring all that the city has to offer!

The city is brimming with culture, diversity, and history. It also offers a variety of activities for every type of traveler—from sports enthusiasts to history buffs, families seeking enjoyable experiences, or foodies looking to try new restaurants. Here are our suggestions for what to do in Houston, especially for the first-timer.

A Houston CityPass is worth mentioning here. It offers several attractions for one great price.

Busy In Houston, Texas

Here is a list of the top things to do in Houston if you have only a day. Take your pick.

• Museum of Fine Arts
• Houston Museum of African American Culture
• Sam Houston National Forest (north of Houston)
• Houston Zoo
• Galleria Mall
• Hermann Park
• Buffalo Bayou Park
• Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
• Historic Downtown Houston
• Space Center Houston—Johnson Space Center—Space exploration—Space City—Before heading out, you may want to swing by NASA’s official visitor center.
• Minute Maid Park
• Houston Museum of Natural Science
• San Jacinto Monument & Museum (La Porte, TX)
• Miller Outdoor Theatre
• Discovery Green Outdoor Ice Skating Rink (wintertime)
• Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
• Cockrell Butterfly Center
• Toyota Center
• Japanese Garden
• Galveston Island
• As a reader told me, “A street art tour is another must-do activity —the murals in Houston are some of the best in the world.”

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Museum District

Located downtown next to Hermann Park, HMNS offers interactive exhibits, a planetarium, a butterfly exhibit, a theater, and more. When my son was young, I purchased a membership to the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History, and we visited frequently. I renewed my membership every year for at least five years. He loved it so much. I’m sure this museum is just as sweet! I’ve not been.

Hermann Park

Downtown

Located in the heart of Houston, Hermann Park is one of the largest city parks in America. It has lush greenery and walking paths that wind through beautiful trees. The park offers a variety of activities, including boating on Lake Plaza, hiking trails in the wooded areas, and playing golf or tennis. There are also numerous picnic areas for families looking to spend time outdoors. If I could tell first-timers in Houston what to do in a day, it would be to visit Hermann Park.

This park is also home to the Houston Zoo and Japanese Garden, and features ample green space for picnics and family outings. It also hosts festivals throughout the year, including Juneteenth and the Greek Festival.

The zoo is open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Prices vary and are cheaper during the week.

Japanese Garden – 5 acres of mouth-watering strolling gardens and elegant landscapes.

Tip: Take a full day to explore this park.

 

Space Center Houston

Open year-round and located in Clear Lake, TX. (27 miles from the city)

Space Center Houston is a science museum that serves as the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center in Houston. It welcomes visitors from all over the world. The museum shows our country’s greatest space exploration and engineering achievements over the past years. It offers a variety of exhibits and activities, including IMAX theater and flight simulators.

General admission, as of the date, includes the Mission Control Tour – the open-air tram tour – priced from $39.95 to $44.95.

Michelin Restaurants in Houston

BCN Taste & Tradition

Michelin 1 Star – Seafood for the win. Tucked away off Richmond Ave in a 1920s white stucco bungalow. It sounds like the atmosphere is just as good as the food. Pricy. Address: 4210 Roseland St.

Le Jardinier Houston

Michelin 1 Star – French cuisine just like the chef’s other restaurants in Manhattan and Miami. Pricy. Address: 5500 Main St.

March

Michelin 1 Star – A creative Mediterranean vibe inspired by Africa, Spain, and Greece. Pricy. Address: 1624 Westheimer Rd.

Musaafer

Michelin 1 Star – Don’t let its location fool you. Locked inside a shopping mall with beautiful arches, towering windows, and elaborate patterns that feel like a palace serving up Indian cuisine. Pricy. Address: 5115 Westheimer Rd., Ste C-3500.

Tatemo

Michelin 1 Star – Again, don’t let the location turn you astray. Enjoy a Mexican tortilleria-turned-tasting menu in its place in an empty strip mall. You just never know where the Michelin Guide people will find good-tasting food! Pricy. Address: 4740 Dacoma St.

 

Things To Do In Downtown Houston

If you’re looking for fun family activities in downtown Houston, you have many options. You can enjoy its many restaurants, bars, and clubs while also taking advantage of its great shopping opportunities at places like Macy’s or Neiman Marcus—or take advantage of its excellent public transportation system by riding METRORail!

Minute Maid Park is the home of Major League Baseball’s Houston Astros and has been since 2000. The Astros are not just any baseball team but the World Series champions!  You can also catch a game or concert at NRG Stadium, across from Minute Maid Park.

 

Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park

Uptown Houston

With its multi-story sculptural fountain, this park is one of Houston’s iconic landmarks where the local community sits and stares in the mist while listening to the rapid waterfalls. Waterwall Park spans nearly 3 acres of land, with live oak trees serving as its backdrop. This will be the perfect spot to take the kids when summer rolls around. Nothing’s better than getting cooled off from the mist. It is one of the most visited attractions in Houston, so I suggest packing a lunch and setting out early.

 

Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo

NRG Park

From the end of February to mid-March, the rodeo is in town. Grab a cowboy hat, boots, and a belt or not, and head to see young cowboys and cowgirls compete for a trophy and the big kids (adults) compete for the title. If you’re filling it, hop on the mechanical bull and go for a ride! See all events at the NRG Stadium.

 

Buffalo Bayou

Downtown Houston

Buffalo Bayou Park offers visitors a chance to enjoy nature in all its glory by canoeing or kayaking through Buffalo Bayou and other water sports activities such as fishing and bird watching. It also has wonderful playgrounds where kids can play safely while their parents relax nearby and a dog park.

• Dog Park
• Skatepark
• Bike & Boat Rentals
• Hike & bike trails
• and more

 

Memorial Park Conservancy

Memorial Park is one of the largest urban parks in the United States. It is a great place to bike, hike, run, walk, and jog. The park features a 3-mile jogging trail. But there are another 10 miles of trails at the park’s south end. You’ll find lots of shade on the trails and free exercise classes at the park. Leashed dogs are welcome at the park.

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is out there, too.

 

Toyota Center in Houston

Downtown Houston

Toyota Center is the home of the Houston Rockets, who have won more games than any other NBA team in history. They are one of the best teams in the league and have a great roster this season. The Rockets will be a force to be reckoned with this season! It’s also an arena for many live music performances and special events.

The Galleria Houston

Downtown Houston

Is shopping on your mind? The Galleria has it all, with luxury shops and restaurants galore. And when the kids get antsy, or you’re looking to do something besides spending money, Discovery Green offers plenty of green space perfect for picnics or outdoor time in the city. It’s right next door to the mall.

These are my top picks for things to do in Houston, especially if it’s your first visit. If, after perusing this list, you’re looking for something more low-key, consider visiting some local museums, such as the Health Museum or the Children’s Museum of Houston.

 

Dog Parks In Houston

All Over Houston

We wouldn’t want to leave out your pets. Houston has roughly 20 dog parks throughout the city, most right in the heart of the town. As noted above, one is Johnny Steel Dog Park, inside Buffalo Bayou Park. Memorial Park (above) also allows leashed dogs. But there are plenty more – Houston has your best friends covered!

And if you have more than a day, you may want to read our article about weekend getaways from Houston.

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