Home to NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Houston is known to everyone as the Space City. Moreover, being a global city, it has earned many more nicknames, such as Bayou City, Magnolia City, Hustle Town, and the Big Heart. With an ethnically and religiously varied population, Houston is one of the most diverse metropolitan areas in Texas. And whether you’re planning to move here, or just visiting, there are many places to visit in Houston. So, here’s your complete guide for the best things to do in Houston, from outdoor activities to the best restaurants in Houston.

Related: Find Rooms For Rent In Houston

Explore the Outdoors in Houston

1. Kayak through Buffalo Bayou

A state-designated paddling trail, Buffalo Bayou is 26 miles long, and you can do all kinds of outdoor activities here, including kayaking. Kayaking here is one of the best things to do in Houston. But there’s also lots more to do, from canoeing and boating to just walking around the area to enjoy a slow evening.

Kayaking Costs: Single: $30; Tandem: $40 Timings: Saturday and Sunday: 10am – 5pm

2. Surfing at Surfside Beach

Deep water and long jetties make Surfside Beach the perfect spot to catch some waves. And if you don’t know how to surf, don’t worry about it! As long as you want to, you can learn right here! Enrol in surfing lessons that guarantee most beginners will be surfing on day one.

Surfing lessons costs: $50 for 1-hour lesson

3. Stargazing at George Observatory

Fancy some stargazing in Space City? Then, this is one of the best places to visit in Houston. The George Observatory hosts Saturday night stargazing events every week. Real-time camera feeds from telescopes, expert interactions with astronomers, and a laser tour of the night sky await you! Additionally, you can bring your own telescope or binoculars for personal viewing.

Costs: $10
Timings: Saturday: 3 – 10pm

Game on in Houston

4. Topgolf

Top Golf makes the sport one of the best things to do in Houston regardless of your ability. They offer micro-chipped golf balls that keep track of every shot, with a display of your accuracy and distance of each ball that you hit!

Costs: $27 – $49/hr per bay
Timings: 12 – 5pm

5. Minute Maid Park

Looking for the best places in Houston to catch a ball game? Well, then, there’s no other place to go but the Minute Maid Park downtown. Opened in 2000 as the home stadium of the Houston Astros, it was known as the Ballpark at Union Station, Enron Field, and Astros Field before finally settling onto its current name.

Timings: Gates open 2 hours prior to the game

6. Sam Houston Race Park

If you’re a horse racing fan, then this is one of the best things to do in Houston for you. Head over to the Sam Houston Racing Park to experience and enjoy premier live horse racing, dining, and concerts! The racing track hosts thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse racing each year.

Costs: $8+
Timings: Wednesday – Sunday: 10: 30am – 10/11pm; Monday – Tuesday: Closed

Visit the Museums in Houston

7. Space Center, Houston

A leading science and space exploration learning center, the Space Center is one of the best places to visit in Houston, and it gives the city its most popular nickname! When in Houston, you shouldn’t miss out on one of the sites of the greatest human endeavor.

Costs: $30+
Timings: 10am – 6pm (varies with weather and seasons)

8. Houston Museum of Natural Science

Founded in 1909, the Houston Museum of Natural Science promotes the idea that science can enhance everyone’s life. If you’re interested in natural science, then a trip here is one of the best things to do in Houston. Explore projects, programs, and exhibitions on display for a fun day out!

Costs: $16 – $25
Timings: 9am – 6pm

9. The Museum of Fine Arts

One of the largest museums in the US, the Museum of Fine Arts hosts over 70,000 works from 6 continents, displaying about 6,000 years of art history from around the world. From Monet to Matisse, Impressionism to Modernism, it features works on canvas from the magnificent collection of late philanthropist Georges Bemberg, and is one of the best places to visit in Houston.

Costs: $12 – $19
Timings: Wednesday: 11am – 5pm; Thursday: 11am – 9pm; Friday – Saturday: 11am – 6pm; Sunday: 12:30pm – 6pm; Monday – Tuesday: Closed

Explore the Culture in Houston

10. Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

On the edge of the Houston Theater District sits the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts. Featuring 60-foot high glass walls with Houston’s skyscrapers in view, it has two acoustically distinguished theaters to host acclaimed theatrical performances and special events. So, when looking for the best things to do in Houston, look no further than this beautiful and cultural attraction.

Timings: Monday – Friday 10am – 6pm; Saturday – Sunday: Closed

11. Miller Outdoor Theatre

In the mood for some great (free) performance art? Then, this is one of the best things you can do in Houston. Visit the Miller Outdoor Theatre for performances of a professional caliber, completely free of cost! They offer a diverse season of shows which includes classical music, jazz, world music, dance, ballet, Shakespeare, movie screenings, and more!

Costs: Free

12. Mural Tour

Going on a mural tour is one of the best things to do in Houston! Get a guide, walk around on your own to explore, or hop onto a Joyride. However you do it, we know you are going to be inspired! Wonders await you at every corner when in Downtown, Midtown, and EaDo!

Costs for Joyride: $28 – $60

Eat, Drink and Be Merry in Houston

13. Squable

Delicious food, shareable plates, French cheeseburgers, bolognese lasagna … do we need to say more? When looking for restaurants in Houston, head straight to Squabble.

Timings: Tuesday – Saturday 4pm – 10pm; Sunday 11am – 10pm; Monday: Closed

14. Olde City Pub

Wingback chairs, cozy nooks, and all kinds of food, from pub classics like fish and chips to comfort food like homemade shepherd’s pie. This pub cum restaurant in Houston offers a great selection of British beer and awesome live music. Needless to say, you’ll have a good time at Olde City Pub.

Timings: Monday-Saturday: 11am – 2am; Sunday: 12pm – 2am

15. The Heights 19th Street

Keeping up with developer Oscar Martin Carter’s vision for a community where successful entrepreneurs and working people could live and work as neighbors, 19th Street is now one of the best places to visit in Houston. With its curation of locally owned stores, it is also one of the coolest shopping blocks in the city for you to enjoy.

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