The largest city in Texas, Houston is a cosmopolitan destination where space-faring NASA, thrilling sport, innovate cuisine and incredible live music blend together.
With both a vibrant Downtown area and 19th-century historical streets to explore, there’s plenty to experience in a destination that embraces the old and the new.
Stroll through the more than 200 square kilometres of green spaces that add a touch of nature between the skyscrapers, and enjoy exciting festival, fantastic museums and world-famous sites. Find many of the best things to do in Houston with our in-depth guide.
Space Centre Houston
While in Houston, pay a visit to the famous Space Centre museum, which is next door to the NASA Johnson Space Centre. Follow the USA’s journey to the cosmos to learn more about their past successes and future projects, and marvel over the fascinating exhibits where more than 400 artifacts are on display.
Peer up at a real spacecraft, look closer at samples taken from the moon and experience a virtual sunset on Mars. There’s a lot to see and do here in the shape of interactive activities too – one of the best will take you into the NASA Johnson Space Center for a guided behind-the-scenes tour. Visit Mission Control from the Apollo mission and marvel at the remaining Saturn V Rockets.
Both literally and figuratively, this is an attraction that’s truly out of this world.
From Downtown Houston, drive along the Golf 45 Freeway southeast out of the city to the NASA Bypass. The journey should take you just over 30 minutes, and there’s parking onsite.
Minute Maid Park
Houston is famous for its sports teams, from American Football legends the Houston Texans to basketball giants the Houston Rockets. But if baseball is more your thing, visit the Minute Maid Park off Eastex 69 Freeway in East Downtown Houston, on Texas Avenue.
Able to house more than 40,000 spectators, the park is always buzzing with activity when its team is swinging and pitching away. Take your seat and watch the Astros play a rip-roaring game of baseball in their exciting home stadium.
The Downtown Aquarium
Boasting millions of litres of water across its numerous tanks, and home to hundreds of species of phenomenal sea life, this aquarium is a wonderful place to gain a greater appreciation for the creatures that swim and nestle in our oceans. But there’s even more to savour than you might expect.
Inside the Downtown building, there’s a vibrant restaurant and bar area. In this serene setting, you can relax as you dine and enjoy a tropical, under the sea view. After dinner, plan a leisurely stroll around the marine and geography exhibits, taking in the compelling facts as you go.
This area is bustling both day and night with a small carnival outside. Stroll around the amusement stalls and take a ride on the vintage carousel or the towering Ferris wheel. Set beside the gently-flowing Buffalo Bayou, you can take in the city views from a great height. In the summer, there’s even a splash park to enjoy.
You can find these attractions between Prairie and Franklin Street just off the Gulf 45 Freeway that flows through Downtown.
Buffalo Bayou Park
We’ve already mentioned the city’s iconic river, and the beloved park that shares its name is hard to miss, situated downstream and under the Memorial Parkway. It’s a relaxing retreat from the excitement of the centre, with remarkable views of the skyline too.
Stroll along the valley of trees through the park and take in the spectacular sight of the towering skyscrapers over the canopy of leaves. This area is brimming with nature walks and wildlife trails. Spot fish in the quaint ponds, see birds flying overhead – and watch out for a large colony of bats under the Waugh Drive Bridge (just remember to follow ‘bat-viewing etiquette’ when doing so).
Like most of Houston’s parks, you’ll often find something special here throughout the year, with regular events, public art exhibits and music festivals. The Downtown Park is also a regular picnic spot for locals and visitors alike.
Houston Zoo
Set in the lush Houston Park, and home to more than 6,000 animals, Houston Zoo is a place to see remarkable wildlife including elephants, meerkats, tigers and bears. Learn about the conservation efforts that are going on here, the sustainability programs that are being undertaken, and see the magnificent creatures up close.
There’s parking available in the lower Museum Park, which gives you the opportunity to stroll through the green space to this family favourite.
The zoo is also next to a challenging 18-hole championship golf course with flourishing trees and sand bunkers.
Menil Collection
Culture vultures will be spellbound by the artwork and artifacts on display in the sprawling Menil Collection.
Curated from the personal acquisitions of proficient art devotees John and Dominique de Menil, here you can peruse thousands of pieces from world-renowned artists such as ground-breaking surrealist Salvador Dali and pop art trailblazer Andy Warhol.
As well as admiring the art, the building itself is a masterpiece to marvel at. With its low-rise roof and stylish, contemporary structure designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, enjoy walking through the steel-roofed entrance before venturing inside for the wealth of art on show.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is truly huge, with several permanent exhibits that will see you walking through the idols, artifacts and mummies of Ancient Egypt, and gazing upon far-flung wildlife – with more than70 species of African birds and mammals to learn about.
Some of the replicas that are on display here are rare and even endangered species. In the Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife, you can also discover more than 400 specimens of wildlife found in the local region, including whooping cranes, Jaguars and rattlesnakes.
Located in the northern corner of Hermann Park, just off Main Street in Downtown Houston, you can spend hours exploring this fantastic museum. Park up in the onsite lot and marvel over the vast exhibits such as the ancient Mayan Civilisation.
View extraordinary relics and take in the sheer scale of the dinosaur skeletons, learning more about the prehistoric era and enjoying the interactive exhibits as you go.
To round off your trip to Space City, you can also fittingly explore the universe in the planetarium, which is driven by the George Observatory – one of the largest in America.
Whatever your plans, car rental in Houston is a great way to get around – and experience all the best things to do in the area.
