Looking for the best things to do in Houston? Locals point visitors to Space Center Houston, the Museum District, Hermann Park and the zoo, Buffalo Bayou Park, and one of the most diverse food scenes in the country. Here’s how Houstonians actually spend their time, by area, by night, by budget, and by who you’re with.
Things to do in Houston, by area
The Museum District & Hermann Park
Nineteen museums, including the Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, and the free Menil Collection — plus Hermann Park, the Japanese Garden, and the Houston Zoo.
Space Center Houston
NASA’s official visitor center — mission control, real spacecraft, and astronaut history, southeast of downtown.
Buffalo Bayou & Downtown
Buffalo Bayou Park for trails, kayaking and skyline views, plus Discovery Green and the theater district downtown.
Montrose & The Heights
Houston’s walkable, artsy neighborhoods — murals, bars, boutiques, and some of the city’s best restaurants.
Things to do in Houston at night
Montrose, Midtown, Washington Avenue, EaDo, and Downtown for bars and music — plus Houston’s standout, globe-spanning dinner scene.
Indoor & rainy-day things to do in Houston
The Museum of Natural Science, the MFAH, the free Menil Collection, the Downtown Aquarium, and Space Center Houston.
Free things to do in Houston
- The Menil Collection
- Buffalo Bayou Park
- Hermann Park and Discovery Green
- The Gerald D. Hines Waterwall
- The MFAH (free on Thursdays)
Things to do in Houston for couples
Kayak or walk Buffalo Bayou, wander the Museum District, dine in Montrose or the Heights, and see the Waterwall lit up at night.
Things to do in Houston with kids
Family wins: Space Center Houston, the Children’s Museum of Houston, the Houston Zoo, the Downtown Aquarium, and the Museum of Natural Science.
What Houston locals actually recommend
Where to eat in a city with world-class food, which neighborhoods to explore, how to beat the heat — that comes from people who live here. On Neighborhood Nurturers’ Houston community, real Houston neighbors answer “what should I actually do this weekend?” Join your Houston neighbors free →
Frequently asked questions
What are the top things to do in Houston?
Locals send visitors to Space Center Houston, the Museum District (the Museum of Natural Science, the MFAH and the free Menil Collection), Hermann Park and the Houston Zoo, Buffalo Bayou Park, and the food scene in Montrose and the Heights.
What is there to do in Houston at night?
Houston nights spread across Montrose (bars and LGBTQ nightlife), Midtown, Washington Avenue, EaDo, and Downtown. The city’s incredible, diverse food scene is a night out on its own.
What can you do in Houston when it rains?
Great museum weather: the Museum of Natural Science, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the free Menil Collection, the Health Museum, and the Downtown Aquarium. Space Center Houston is mostly indoors too.
What are free things to do in Houston?
The Menil Collection, Buffalo Bayou Park, Hermann Park, Discovery Green, and the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall are all free — and the Museum of Fine Arts is free on Thursdays.
What are the best things to do in Houston for couples?
A walk or kayak on Buffalo Bayou, the Museum District, dinner in Montrose or the Heights, and the Waterwall at night make a great Houston date.
What are fun things to do in Houston with kids?
Family favorites: Space Center Houston, the Children’s Museum of Houston, the Houston Zoo, the Downtown Aquarium, and the Museum of Natural Science.