As the fourth-largest city in the U.S., Houston offers top activities for all types of travelers. There are the best places in Houston to keep visitors busy no matter how long they’re in town. It makes an excellent place to visit for a weekend, with direct flights from all over North America.
Everything about Houston sounds major, and that is especially true when it comes to attractions. Suppose you want culture, dining, shopping, unique attractions, and fun experiences. In that case, you’ll find no shortage of the best places in Houston.
You can choose the best seasons to visit in Houston and can explore all the best places in Houston. While choosing places you can also visit the best restaurants in Las Vegas.
Depending on your travel dates, you may even be able to attend a sport or enjoy some of Houston’s signature events, the Livestock Show and Rodeo. Things will get busy in H-town, so fuel up and explore till you drop.
For a complete look at things to do, Continue Today is here with a list of the best places in Houston:
- Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Space Center Houston
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
- Houston Zoo
- Minute Maid Park
- The Galleria
- The Music Box Theater
- Children’s Museum Houston
- National Museum of Funeral History
- Cockrell Butterfly Center
- The Menil Collection
1. Houston Museum of Natural Science in Houston
It is one of the oldest cultural institutions in the Museum District. The museum has several interactive permanent displays, as well as traveling exhibitions. It also has a planetarium and an indoor butterfly garden. But the most popular stop inside the HMNS is the Marian Hall of Paleontology.
More than 450 fossils and replicas exist in the Marian Hall of Paleontology. Also, more than 750 mineral specimens are in the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals. In addition, there are 425 specimens representing approximately 250 species in the Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife.
The massive exhibit spans 3.5 billion years of history. It features dozens of mounted fossils and realistic renderings of the animals. Visitors can marvel at a megalodon chasing an elephant, multiple Tyrannosaurus rexes, and even a giant prehistoric sloth. It’s a dinosaur lover’s dream.
2. Space Center Houston in Houston
Space Center Houston, the official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, is a must-see attraction in Houston. The complex includes a space shuttle replica and an enormous carrier aircraft mounted on it.
Inside the visitor center, you can explore a replica of Skylab, which was America’s first space station. It’s a replica of the original and allows you to experience what it was like. Additionally, you have the opportunity to touch a rock from the moon, which is an exciting and memorable experience.
It is also the place to learn about NASA’s upcoming missions, including Mars travel. You can even meet an astronaut if you are here on Friday at noon.
Visitors can explore Space Center Houston‘s interactive exhibits and learn about the current human spaceflight program in “The Artemis Exhibit.” Other attractions include the “Mission Mars” exhibit, which allows visitors to touch a Mars rock. Other interactive elements include the International Space Station Gallery, a SpaceX Falcon 9, spacesuit exhibits, and Mission Control tours.
3. Museum of Fine Arts in Houston
The Museum of Fine Arts is among the 10 largest art museums in the United States. There are several buildings on the main campus, including the Audrey Jones Beck Building, the Caroline Wiess Law Building, the Glassell School of Art, the Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden, the Brown Foundation, etc.
The 63,000 pieces are spread out over the Audrey Jones Beck Building and the Caroline Wiess Law Building, connected by the unique and interesting Wilson Tunnel.
The museum’s focus is on French and Italian Impressionist Renaissance paintings, fine sculptures, and European and American decorative arts. Be sure to check out the wonderful collection of pre-Colombian and African gold items.
If you enjoy wandering at your own pace, you’ll find lots to keep you interested and entertained here; however, if it all seems overwhelming, sign up for a tour to see the highlights.
4. Houston Zoo in Houston
The Houston Zoo is a home to over 6,000 animals. It is the second most visited Zoo in the U.S. Exhibits range from the African Forest, which features rhinos, zebras, and giraffes, to the updated Galapagos Islands habitat. Visit the Giraffe Feeding Platform, the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo, and the McNair Elephant Habitat Area at Houston Zoo. Visitors can also bathe an elephant and feed a Galápagos tortoise their favorite treat at the Zoo.
Recent visitors were impressed with the number of animals housed here and the zoo habitats. Other visitors commented on the abundance of shady areas across the property and the manicured landscaping. Many reviewers said this was an ideal activity for Houston families.
In addition to world-class animal care, the Zoo is a small city, employing electricians, plumbers, accountants, and more to keep it running smoothly for the safety and well-being of its residents and guests. From maintaining facilities for massive elephants to finding the right trimmings for tiny leafcutter ants, it takes a lot to care for animals.
5. Minute Maid Park in Houston
Minute Maid Park, is a stadium in Houston, United States. It opened in 2000 as the Houston Astros’ ballpark. It has a seating capacity of 41,168, including 5,197 club seats and 63 luxury suites. Even when the roof is closed, a 50,000-square-foot glass section keeps the city’s skyline visible.
It has a natural grass playing field. It was built to replace the Astrodome, the first dome sports stadium built, which opened in 1965.
Some visitors suggest catching a game on Friday fireworks night, as the show is impressive. Those looking for unique ballpark fare won’t be disappointed either. The park offers a huge food selection ranging from ballpark classics (like hot dogs and nachos) to healthy salad bars. However, several recent visitors commented on the hefty beer price.
6. The Galleria in Houston
The Galleria is stylized as the Galleria and is also known as the Houston Galleria. It is an upscale shopping mall located in the Uptown District of Houston, United States. The development includes:
- A retail complex.
- The Galleria Office Towers complex.
- Two Westin hotels.
- A private health club.
Mall office towers and hotels are separately owned and managed. The anchor tenants are Neiman Marcus, Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, and Macy’s.
Recent visitors cautioned that if you plan to do a lot of shopping, wear comfortable shoes. They also pointed out plenty of upscale accommodation options within walking distance, such as the Hyatt Regency Houston/Galleria and The Westin Galleria Houston.
7. The Music Box Theater in Houston
The Music Box Theater provides audiences with an exciting mix of live popular music and also original comedy in a relaxed club environment. You’ll hear songs you know and sung by people you should know. Appropriate for all ages.
One of the most enjoyable pleasures of Music Box Theater’s celebrated entertainment is that you never know what you’ll hear. Each artist shines in a solo, blends seamlessly with the stunning quintet, or serves as a backup to the others, doo-wopping and dancing in the background.
But there’s more. Among the songs are Dolly Parton’s “Here You Come Again,” Streisand and Neil Diamond’s “You Don’t Bring Me Flowers,” an early Elvis tribute; Gordon Lightfoot, Stevie Wonder, and John Denver’s triptych of sun songs; Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody,” Pharrell’s “Happy,” Garth Brooks’ “The Dance,” and Billy Joel’s “River of Dreams.” All are exceptional performances.
8. Children’s Museum Houston in Houston
The Children’s Museum of Houston is located in the Museum District, 3 miles south of downtown Houston. It is a block north of Hermann Park and the Houston Zoo.
A great way to beat the heat in summer and one of the best places in Houston for families is the Houston Children’s Museum. This colorful, noisy place is guaranteed to put a smile on everyone’s face. All the hands-on and interactive displays will keep the kids busy.
One of the major highlights is the How Does it Work exhibit. Here, you and your kids will learn how things operate. The FlowWorks wet zone is also a fascinating place to turn the water on, off, adjust the flow, and watch the effects.
If your kids ever want to pretend they are secret agents, send them to the SECRETS Spy Game exhibit. They will put their skills to the test to crack codes and locate clues while competing against nefarious characters.
9. National Museum of Funeral History in Houston
The National Museum of Funeral History is an educational experience and offers something for everyone. You can discover America’s largest collection of authentic, historical funeral service items.
Thousands of visitors each year explore 15 different permanent exhibits housed in over 30,500 square feet of exhibit space. You can learn about caskets and coffins, hearses through history, the funerals of Presidents, Popes, and celebrities. In addition, witness the cultural heritage of the funeral service industry and its time-honored compassion tradition.
A virtually unknown museum even for long-time Houstonians, visitors say this museum is not as macabre or depressing as one might anticipate. They also say it’s unexpectedly interesting, even for children. On average, most spent a couple of hours in the museum. Antique hearses are often remembered.
10. Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston
The Cockrell Butterfly Center provide entertainment and education for the whole family. You can walk through a living butterfly habitat, and marvel at spectacular live and preserved specimens of some of the world’s largest and weirdest arthropods. You can also enjoy interactive games and quizzes.
Though butterflies get top billing, the center also houses other insects, such as praying mantis and hissing cockroaches, in the Brown Hall of Entomology. In addition, it houses larger-than-life models and interactive exhibits.
Most visitors were satisfied with their time at the Cockrell Butterfly Center. They said it was a worthy addition to their Houston Museum of Natural Science day. The rainforest recreation impressed recent visitors, who typically find walking among the numerous butterflies enjoyable. The sanctuary is generally enjoyable for adults and children alike.
11. The Menil Collection in Houston
The Menil Collection is a museum and art neighborhood spanning 30 acres in Houston. The main gallery building anchors the campus and is surrounded by four additional museum buildings:
- the Menil Drawing Institute
- Cy Twombly Gallery
- Richmond Hall
- Byzantine Fresco Chapel
The Menil houses nearly 19,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photographs, and rare books. Masterpieces from antiquity, the Byzantine and medieval worlds, Africa, Oceania, the American Pacific Northwest, and the 20th century are particularly well represented.
The collection also houses an impressive assortment of modern and contemporary art that the de Menils collected soon after arriving in Houston. It includes works by Georges Seurat and Pablo Picasso. With a focus on surrealism, the museum showcases works by artists like Salvador DalÃ, Marcel Duchamp, Alberto Giacometti, and Joan Miró.
Recent visitors said the modern art collection was a highlight and praised the museum’s serene atmosphere. The park-like setting of the complex was also praised.
Conclusion
In conclusion, Houston offers many attractions and experiences, making it one of the best places to visit. With its vibrant cultural scene, diverse culinary offerings, and rich history, there is something for everyone in this dynamic city.
Overall, you must visit to experience the best places in Houston. Its diverse cultural scene, culinary delights, historical significance, and outdoor recreational opportunities make it a captivating destination for travelers from all walks of life. Whether you’re a history buff, a foodie, an art lover, or simply seeking a vibrant and dynamic city to explore, Houston has something to offer everyone.
This best places in Houston guide will help you explore the city’s top attractions.
