Things to do in Houston

Q: What are the top things to do in Houston?

The top things to do in Houston are: Space Center Houston Downtown Aquarium Houston Museum of Natural Science Market Square Park Houston Zoo

Q: What are the top activities in Houston?

Top activities in Houston include: Houston CityPASS NASA's Space Center Admission Plus Houston City Tour Houston's Official City Tour Astroville Air-Conditioned Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston Houston Sightseeing Tour and Galveston Day Trip

Q: What are the top things to do near Houston?

Check out things to do near Houston: Texas Galveston San Antonio Dallas South Padre Island

Q: What do I need to know before visiting Houston?

Check out these top Houston travel ideas: How to Spend 2 Days in Houston Food Lover's Guide to Houston How to Barbecue at Home: Top Tips and Dishes from Two Houston Pitmasters

Welcome to Houston

Houston earns all of Texas’ superlatives: biggest, hottest, and—thanks to the NASA Space Center—most out of this world. A guided tour of the city offers insider insight into the city’s wacky and wonderful attractions, from the old-school amusement park rides at Kemah Boardwalk to the USS Texas and San Jacinto Monument commemorating the Texas Revolution with a 220-ton (200-metric ton) star. Spend some time browsing the 60,000 works on display at the Museum of Fine Arts; travel underground on a tour of the city’s vast tunnel system; or eat and drink your way through the day on pub, brewery, and food tours that showcase the city’s historic, haunted, and straight-up honky-tonk charms. Those who prefer fashion to food can explore funky thrift stores and high-end boutiques on a shopping tour, while those looking to beat the heat can fill an afternoon of family fun at the Downtown Aquarium or the Houston Museum of Natural Science. For a fully customized itinerary, choose a private tour; or save money on a group sightseeing tour, including options to roll in style on Segways or hop-on hop-off buses. Finally, be sure to check out nearby haunts such as historic Galveston Island, known for its Victorian mansions and white-sand beaches.

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Top 15 attractions in Houston

Tours & Tickets

Space Center Houston

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Space Center Houston, the official visitor center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, offers visitors some out-of-this-world experiences. Watch astronauts train for missions, touch a real moon rock, and tour NASA’s control center. Anyone with an interest in aeronautics and space will appreciate Space Center Houston’s interactive exhibits, presentations, and attractions that dive into the past, present, and future of our universe.More

Tours & Tickets

Downtown Aquarium

1,165

Houston’s Downtown Aquarium is a fun and educational attraction, especially for families. Children can get up close and personal with more than 200 types of underwater creatures, including myriad fish, eels, rays in a touch tank, sharks, and white tigers. Kids also love the amusement rides and dining in the underwater aquarium restaurant.More

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Houston Museum of Natural Science

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Located in Houston’s sprawling Hermann Park, Houston Museum of Natural Science features four floors of exhibit halls; a planetarium; giant-screen theater; and a butterfly center. The museum is known for its stellar lineup of special exhibitions, which cover topics far beyond the scope of traditional natural science.More

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Market Square Park

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Set in the heart of downtown Houston at the site of the city’s original founding, Market Square Park is the greenest, hippest, and most historic square block in town. The urban park is popular with picnickers, cyclists, and anyone looking for quiet reflection in the middle of the bustling city.More

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Houston Zoo

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Located in Hermann Park, the 55-acre (22-hectare) Houston Zoo is home to more than 6,000 animals that span hundreds of species. Spacious enclosures, educational activities, and seasonal events have earned Houston Zoo the accolade of one of the US’ most-visited zoos.More

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Minute Maid Park

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Minute Maid Park opened in 2000 as the home of the Houston Astros baseball team. Hitters love how the left-field wall is only 315 feet (96 meters away, and spectators enjoy a retractable roof to create ideal conditions for a game, no matter the weather. A train chugs along the outfield every time the Astros hit a home run.More

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JPMorgan Chase Tower

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If "everything is bigger in Texas," JPMorganChase Tower in central Houston is no exception. This skyscraper stands 75 stories tall and tops out at just over 1,000 feet (305 meters), making it the tallest building in Texas. It boasts a unique five-sided design, built with expansive 85-foot-wide (26-meter) glass, and serves as a Houston icon.More

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Children's Museum of Houston

183

Whether carrying out science experiments, discovering foreign cultures, or constructing elaborate LEGO inventions—kids will be in their element at the Children's Museum of Houston. Designed as a ‘Playground for the Mind’, the museum focuses on child-centered learning through hands-on workshops, interactive exhibitions, and fun activities.More

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Houston City Hall

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A prime example of southwestern architecture of the late 1930s, Houston’s City Hall was built to house the local government and state officials who do business within the city of Houston – but its long history doesn’t stop there. Originally built above a crowded fish market, City Hall has always entertained a lively commercial market, and today the towering structure sits relatively small among downtown's massive skyscrapers. Remnants of that long and lively history can be seen at the City Hall Farmers' Market located just outside the City Hall Reflecting Pool on Wednesdays in the spring from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., where local farmers sell everything from coffee to broccoli.Inside Houston City Hall you’ll find various notable items all harkening back to the great lawgivers that came before us. From the aluminum medallions featuring Julius Caesar, Moses, Charlemagne, Thomas Jefferson and more, to the great marble stairways and specially cast aluminum doors, City Hall is both a step back in time and a contemporary look at modern law making.More

Tours & Tickets

#10

Tours & Tickets

Tranquility Park

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Since Houston is known as “Space City” for its affiliation with NASA, it only makes sense that a downtown park commemorates the day that U.S. astronauts first landed on the moon. Named after the lunar Sea of Tranquility—a basaltic plain on the surface of the moon where the Apollo astronauts landed—the park today features a replica of a footprint that Neil Armstrong left on the moon.The first words that the astronaut transmitted from up there are posted in 15 languages, so nearly everyone who visits can read the phrase: “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The eagle has landed.” Most impressive is the park’s fountain, which is designed in large, cylindrical formations to resemble the rocket boosters used on Apollo to get the men to the moon. The park also features craters and mounds meant to mimic the moon’s topography. Although, all lunar connections aside, this is a peaceful place for a pensive moment in the middle of bustling, downtown Houston, just steps from City Hall.More

Tours & Tickets

#11

Tours & Tickets

Sam Houston Park

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Texas has a history as long as fascinating as the United States itself, and Sam Houston Park is where history and green space combine in the heart of Houston. Established back in 1900, Sam Houston Park is not only the oldest park in the Houston, but also a time portal to the 1800s when the city was first being founded. Wander past the Kellum Noble house that dates to 1847, and is believed to be the oldest brick house in the entire Houston area. Even older is the Old Place Cabin that dates to 1823, and was relocated to the park to join the collection of preserved, historic buildings. Credit for all of the preservation can be attributed to the Heritage Society—a group that was founded in 1954 to preserve the city’s heritage. If visiting the park in the middle of the day, stop in to the The Heritage Society Museum for a look at artifacts and memorabilia from Houston’s lengthy past. The museum is modeled after a 19th-century, small-town general store, and tells the story of how the largest city in Texas started from small town roots.More

Tours & Tickets

#12

Tours & Tickets

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

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The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) displays some 6,000 years of art history through a collection of nearly 70,000 works from six continents—one of the largest museums in the United States. The collection is spread across seven facilities plus two nearby house museums showcasing the decorative arts.More

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#13

Tours & Tickets

Kemah Boardwalk

182

Bordering Galveston Bay, Kemah Boardwalk transformed what was once a small fishing community into a popular tourist destination: today, it’s home to an amusement park, and frequent live music and festivals enhance the lively atmosphere.More

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#14

Tours & Tickets

Houston Museum District

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Whether you want to delve into World War II history, admire contemporary art masterpieces, or spot lions and elephants at Houston Zoo—the Houston Museum District has something to suit all ages and interests. The district is home to 19 museums, galleries, and cultural centers, linked by tree-lined boulevards and leafy parks.More

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#15

Tours & Tickets

Hermann Park

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Marking the southern border of Houston’s Museum District, Hermann Park offers 445 acres (180 hectares) of urban parklands just minutes from downtown. With a lake, golf course, gardens, and plenty of space for outdoor activities, the park is an idyllic spot for city dwellers to escape the crowds or spread out a picnic blanket.More

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Explore Houston by interest

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How to Spend 2 Days in Houston

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How to Barbecue at Home: Top Tips and Dishes from Two Houston Pitmasters

Barbecue is serious business in Houston, where each smokehouse has its signature flair and flavor. But even if you can’t make it to Space City, you can still cook up seriously tasty dishes at home—even without a smoker. We asked two of Houston's most creative pitmasters to weigh in.

See all Houston articles

Top activities in Houston

Houston CityPASS

136

From

HK$545.88

NASA's Space Center Admission Plus Houston City Tour

474

From

HK$794.33

Houston's Official City Tour

245

From

HK$320.70

Astroville Air-Conditioned Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston

284

From

HK$280.97

Houston Sightseeing Tour and Galveston Day Trip

From

HK$1,123.46

Haunted Houston Ghost and Pub Walking Tour

141

From

HK$293.17

Houston City Tour and Downtown Aquarium All Rides Pass

From

HK$521.39

Houston Museum of Natural Science General Admission

489

From

HK$110.38

Houston City Tour 2.5 hour

105

From

HK$497.71

Astroville Best of Houston City Driving Tour with Live Guide

From

HK$361.24

Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access

103

From

HK$642.21

Private 3-in-1 Sightseeing, Brewery, and Mural Tour of Houston by Cart

From

HK$923.17

The Cockrell Butterfly Center Admission in Houston

From

HK$85.90

Private Arrival Transfer from Houston George Bush Airport (IAH)

From

HK$411.01

Astroville Private Best of Houston City Driving Tour with Guide

From

HK$3,090.63

per group

Private Houston Brewery Tour by Cart

From

HK$457.57

Private Sightseeing Cart Tour of Houston

From

HK$434.21

Private Houston Party Shuttle

From

HK$4,696.15

per group

Private Houston Mural Instagram Tour by Cart

From

HK$521.31

SUV Airport Transfer in Houston

From

HK$1,485.11

per group

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Explore our promoted experiences

Astroville Best of Houston City Driving Tour with Live Guide

2 hours 30 minutes
Free Cancellation

From

HK$361.24

Astroville Air-Conditioned Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston

2 hours
Free Cancellation

From

HK$280.97

Howdy H-Town Downtown Walking Tour

2 hours
Free Cancellation

From

HK$240.83

Private Houston City Tour 2.5 hour

3 hours
Free Cancellation

From

HK$3,170.90

per group

Houston Museum of Natural Science General Admission

3 hours
Free Cancellation

From

HK$110.38

Astroville Food Tour of Downtown Houston with Tunnel Access

15 minutes

From

HK$642.21

The Escape Game Houston - The Galleria: 60-Minute Adventures

1 hour 15 minutes
Free Cancellation

From

HK$330.09

Houston Outdoor Escape Game: Haunted City

2 hours
Free Cancellation

From

HK$67.39

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What people are saying about Houston

Highly recommend this tour if you want to see Houston

Astroville Best of Houston City Driving Tour with Live Guide

Josef_H

, May 2023

Highly recommend this tour if you want to see Houston

Great tour of downtown Houston Vanessa was our guide and we truly enjoyed the tour even though it was pouring Vanessa made some good recommendations for things to do and places to eat

Polaris Slingshot Guided Tour in Houston

Amber_R

, Mar 2023

Great Spring Break!

This was a highlight of our trip to Houston for Spring Break!

Polaris Slingshot Guided Tour in Houston

Latoya_M

, Mar 2023

Fun Fun Fun!

One you definitely want to visit if you in Houston

Space Center Houston Admission Ticket

Kath_R

, Mar 2023

A fun and informative experience

There was so much information for adults to read and lots of fun interactive activities for kids and the young at heart.

Private Sightseeing Cart Tour of Houston

Betsy_B

, Mar 2023

Wonderful guide - very...

Wonderful guide - very knowledgeable and friendly - the golf cart was a fun way to see the city of Houston.

Howdy H-Town EADO Food Tour

Susan_R

, Feb 2023

Loved EADO food tour!

It's a great way to see a city.

Houston City Tour 2.5 hour

Telmo_L

, Feb 2023

First visit to houston

5 h helps a lot to plan the order of visits to attractions

Houston's Official City Tour

Tricia_A

, Jan 2023

Wonderful ride!

The tour guide, bus, sights all great Took the 11:30-1:00 tour so much to see and learned a lot about Houston

Houston Museum of Natural Science General Admission

Vicky_F

, Dec 2022

Wonderful adventure.

Went to see the National Science Museum in Houston, so enjoyable for us.

Astroville Best of Houston City Driving Tour with Live Guide

JohnFrancis_J

, Dec 2022

Best Tour in Houston

Great way to see different parts of Houston.

Polaris Slingshot Guided Tour in Houston

Mark_N

, Mar 2023

Fun Houston excursion.

This was an exciting way to see the scenery around Houston.

Houston City Tour 2.5 hour

Francoise_C

, Apr 2023

Frenchy

His younger brother came to visit us from Florida so I thought a bus tour of Houston would be a great idea and it was!!

Space Center Houston Admission Ticket

Jason_C

, Jan 2023

Great time had by adults and kids alike

We were looking forward to visiting since booking our trip to Houston months ago.

Astroville Air-Conditioned Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston

Donna_N

, Dec 2022

Underground Tunnel Tour

We highly recommend this experience for anyone who wants to see and do something that teaches you about the city and some of the elements that make it so unique.

Sharing this experience with family is the best way to go!

Houston CityPASS

Dianne_C

, Nov 2022

Sharing this experience with family is the best way to go!

This also gave us the chance to see things we were putting off but would like to do.

Astroville Air-Conditioned Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston

Britney_L

, Aug 2022

Tunnels of Houston

Would recommend this tour if you’d like to see Houston in a very unique way.

Private Sightseeing Cart Tour of Houston

silecis_H

, Aug 2022

Great Tour

The guides gave great suggestions on places to eat and activities.

Houston Scavenger Hunt: Houston's Museum District

Crystal_H

, Jul 2022

Summer Conference Fun

We did this event as part of an explore Houston excursion for our summer conference.

NASA's Space Center Admission Plus Houston City Tour

Barbara_M

, Jun 2022

Overall whole gday very good.

Please let people know the entrance fee does not cover all the activities inside the hall.

Houston's Official City Tour

Brenda_L

, Mar 2022

“Reconnecting”

It was a great activity to see Houston after many years of living here.

When to visit

Spring in Houston is packed with events such as the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, Buffalo Bayou Regatta, Southeast Texas State Fair, and Bayou City Art Festival—all of which are made even more enjoyable by the pleasant weather. While summer brings higher temperatures and more crowds, it's a great time to discover Houston's Gulf Coast beaches.

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US Dollar ($)

Time Zone

CDT (UTC -6)

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Language(s)

English

Houston information

Number of Attractions	26
Number of Tours	149
Number of Reviews	3,998
Currency	USD

Frequently Asked Questions

The answers provided below are based on answers previously given by the tour provider to customers’ questions.

What are the top things to do in Houston?

The top things to do in Houston are:

What are the top activities in Houston?

Top activities in Houston include:

What are the top things to do near Houston?

Check out things to do near Houston:

What do I need to know before visiting Houston?

Check out these top Houston travel ideas:

Things to do in Houston

Welcome to Houston

Top 15 attractions in Houston

Explore Houston by interest

Trip ideas

Top activities in Houston

Explore our promoted experiences

What people are saying about Houston

All about Houston

When to visit

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Houston information

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Number of Reviews

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