A sidewalk lined with trees in a Houston park. Jon Bilous/Shutterstock
Houston is a huge city – the fourth largest by population in the United States – and it has drawn people from all over the world due to its incredible live music, diverse dining and family-friendly fun. But though everything may be bigger in Texas, don't let the scale of this metropolis put you off.
The city maintains a diverse, down-to-earth and inclusive vibe with all sorts of cultural, scientific and outdoor attractions throughout H-town. These are the best things to do in Houston.
1. Take a culinary tour of the city's neighborhoods
Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States, and its food scene reflects that distinction. Taste your way through 70 different countries and US regions at some 10,000 restaurants in the Houston metro. You’ll find great Korean food in Spring Branch, fabulous Chinese cuisine in Chinatown, delicious Vietnamese dishes in Midtown, and the best Venezuelan food in Katy.
Planning tip: If you're on a short break to Houston, enjoy a multitude of cuisines under one roof at POST on Franklin Street. There are also lots of live events and exhibitions in the same venue.
2. Blast off at the Space Center
When Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969, he said, “Houston, the Eagle has landed.” He was speaking to the on-site staff of the NASA Johnson Space Center here in H-town. Today, you can see where history was made and learn all about the moon landing and humanity’s exploration of space with a visit to Space Center Houston. The official visitor center welcomes 1.3 million visitors annually who come to marvel at the largest collection of spacesuits and Moon rocks in the world – over 400 space artifacts are displayed here.
Planning tip: See the major attractions at the Space Center without breaking a sweat by taking one of the four available tram tours. These are very popular and require advance booking to secure your spot.
3. Walk the Museum District
Culture buffs should make their way to the Houston Museum District, which is home to 21 different institutions. To make things easier for visitors, the Museum District has been separated into four different walkable zones. In the first zone, you can dive into a collection of 17,000 paintings, sculptures and rare books at the Menil Collection before walking to the Houston Center for Photography.
The second zone hosts the most museums, including the likes of the Holocaust Museum Houston and Houston Museum of African American Culture. The Contemporary Arts Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts are grouped in the third zone, while the Children's Museum of Houston, Houston Zoo and The Health Museum are just a glimpse of what you can discover in the fourth zone of the Museum District.
Planning tip: If you're visiting Houston on a budget, 11 of the museums in the district are always free to enter.
4. Step into nature in Houston's stunning parks
Houston has 580 parks that cover 66,000 acres of land, making this urban destination a great place for outdoor fun. Not only can you play outside, you can get a different perspective on H-town. See the Houston skyline from the water, for example, on a kayak adventure with Buffalo Bayou Kayak Tours. They’ll take you along the Buffalo Bayou water trail, which runs through the 160-acre Buffalo Bayou Park, which also offers 15 miles of biking and walking trails and public art.
After a morning of sightseeing from the bayou, wander along to Discovery Green, one of the most popular parks in the city. Located in the thriving downtown neighborhood, this 12-acre delight has a lake, fountains, public art, festivals, events and a night-time flea market.
Planning tip: Discovery Green also has wonderful entertainment options for kids, including free family movie nights every month. Pack a picnic and enjoy an excellent evening of entertainment alongside locals without breaking the bank.
5. Take yourself out to the ball game
The city of Houston has a lot of pride for their hometown sports teams and welcomes visitors to join in on the fun. Head downtown to watch the Houston Astros hit home run after home run or to cheer on the Houston Rockets as they dominate the court at the Toyota Center. Soccer fans have the option of watching the Houston Dynamo or the Houston Dash – the men and women’s respective pro soccer teams – while football fans can see the Houston Texans take on opponents of the AFC South division. Rugby is growing in popularity in the United States, but Houston is well ahead of other big cities with their own professional rugby team – the Houston SaberCats.
6. See the Waugh Bridge Bats year-round
Austin doesn't have a monopoly on bat colonies that spice up summer sunsets. Make your way to Waugh Bridge to see some 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats fly out at dusk. Unlike Austin's Congress Avenue Bridge bat colony, Houston's bats live here full-time, so you aren't limited to seeing them during any particular season. You can view them from the Waugh Bridge itself, or across the way as they fly into Buffalo Bayou looking for dinner.
7. Spend the day at the beach
Although Houston doesn’t technically have a beach, it's less than an hour's drive to the Gulf of Mexico. Just 26.2 miles from downtown Houston, Sylvan Beach Park is the closest shore. It’s known as one of the better places to swim because of the lack of seaweed.
If you'd prefer a quieter stretch of sand, make your way to the charming and peaceful El Jardin Beach or head further south to Surfside Beach, also known for its beauty and laid-back atmosphere.
8. Visit the Houston Farmers Market
The Houston Farmers Market is a great introduction to the city's diverse food scene. Though it technically dates back to the 1940s, the market is now housed in a brand-new building that developers hope will be H-towns version of Seattle's Pike Place Market or the San Francisco Ferry Building. Here you will be able to find fresh produce and eateries serving everything from breakfast to Tex-Mex and cajun dishes – and all the restaurants showcase some element of Houston culture.
Planning tip: There's often live music on the weekends between 11am and 2pm.
9. Take a selfie at the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park has an impressive sculpture fountain that is, as the name suggests, a wall of water. It's 64ft high, shaped like a horseshoe, and recycles sheets of water to the tune of 11,000 gallons per minute. A local favorite, the sound of the cascading water as you walk up the oak tree-lined path amidst city buildings is quite the moment. It's especially pretty after dark when the sculpture is illuminated.
Planning tip: Though personal photos are fine, you'll need to get a special permit if you're planning to pop the question or have any professional pics taken.
10. Get introspective at the National Museum of Funeral History
Many major cities have museums dedicated to art, culture and human existence, but Houston is one of the few to boast a museum about the funeral industry. It might sound morbid, but the National Museum of Funeral History is an interesting institution that blends history, science, art and culture with exhibits on everything from embalming and wild and whimsical coffins to the unique jazz funerals of New Orleans. You can see a Victorian hearse, learn about presidential funerals and find out more about Hispanic culture at the Día de los Muertos exhibit.
11. Explore a nature sanctuary
The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is a sanctuary that covers more than 150 acres and yet is close enough to the city that you can see skyscrapers towering above the treetops. Once the site of a WWI Army training camp, the center was designed to help Houstonians of all ages enjoy the benefits of nature without having to leave the city. This urban oasis is home to forests, meadows, ponds and many other habitats native to central Texas. A number of trails crisscross the park and let you choose the length and difficulty level that works best for your needs.
Planning tip: There's no charge for admission but parking costs $6.50 – except on Thursdays, when it's free.