“Houston, we have a problem” is so well known it has its own Wikipedia article. But what else is Houston known for? If you’re in town for a few days, do one or more of our top 10 fun things to do in Houston and we promise you will have a blast. But first, getting there.
Of course you can take your car, but you’ll have to struggle with parking. Busbud lets you compare bus tickets from Houston to anywhere you want to go. Give it a try. Visit Bus from Houston on our website to search for destinations and compare fares from different bus companies. You can even download our bus travel app for iOS and Android. You’ll get all your tickets directly on your phone.
Don’t forget to have some fun on the way! Here is our top 6 games to play on a road trip or on the bus. Once you’re there, you can dive into these 10 super fun things to do in Houston. Onwards.
If you are going to do one touristy thing in Houston, this has got to be it! Also known as the Twilight Epiphany, the James Turrell Skyspace is located on the Rice University campus – right next to the Shepherd School of Music. It’s a beautiful building with an unusual structure made from glass, concrete, stone and composite steel. What’s more, the venue is lit up with LED lights, emphasizing its spectacular appearance. Coined “rare and spectacular” by many, the James Turrell Skyspace puts on a colourful light show at sunrise and sunset you simply shouldn’t miss. And it’s free.
Insider tip: reservations are not required, but we suggest you arrive 10 to 15 minutes early to secure a seat. Each sequence lasts approximately 40 minutes.
Oh yes – Houston’s got an amazing tex mex food scene to discover. Although there are great affordable restaurants all over the city, here are two favourites that won’t set you back too much.
Ninfa’s Mexican restaurant is definitely a staple in Houston’s Tex Mex scene. Known as one of the best restaurants in Houston, Ninfa’s restaurant was founded by “Mama” Ninfa Laurenzo in 1973. At the time, Mama Ninfa was serving grilled skirt steak in tortillas, which she called “Tacos al Carbon”. These quickly became famous and are now known as fajitas. Today, Ninfa’s menu includes mouth-watering fajitas and extensive drink list.
Insider tip: Ninfa’s Navigation offers a free shuttle to and from various events in Houston, such as Astros, Rockets and Dynamo games, and much more. Contact them for more info: 713 228-1175.
One of the best Mexican restaurants in Houston, Hugo’s is known for its innovative renditions of Mexican classics. A little pricier than Ninfa’s, Hugo’s Restaurant boasts an award-winning wine program, extensive cocktail list and vast selection of tequilas. And, if you’re feeling adventurous, be sure to taste their fried grasshoppers!
Insider tip: Hugo’s brunch is definitely worth the detour. At $35 per person with an all you can eat formula, you’re sure to leave with a full stomach. If that’s not enough to convince you, perhaps the live music from 11 AM to 2 PM will. It sure did the trick for us!
Once you’re full from a delightful Mexican meal, you might want to head down to McGonigel’s Muck Duck or Cactus Music to listen to live music!
Known as a hotspot for singer songwriters, country music and folk artists, this Houston Irish pub features live music every night. It’s one of Houston’s most popular music venues since 1990. The cool thing is that there are no bad seats in the house! And, they offer yummy food, quality beer and flat out fantastic tunes. Be sure to check out their full calendar!
Insider tip: the venue welcomes groups, so don’t be shy if you’re travelling with your pack.
Cactus Music is Houston’s oldest independent music store. It’s the best place to buy vinyl records and one of the preferred locations to sample Houston’s local music scene, while sipping Saint Arnold beer. Check their calendar for complete details! And if you just want to shop, Cactus also boasts a vast selection of records, CDs and movies.
Insider tip: Most live music events at Cactus are free and take place on the weekend. No food is available on premises.
Although you may not have been doing too much serious exploration so far, you might still want to unwind and explore the parks in Houston. Thankfully, the city’s got many. Surrounding yourself in greenery is the perfect way to escape the Texas heat, without leaving the city or hiding out indoors, with air conditioning. Plus, most activities are free! In our opinion, the two best parks in Houston are Buffalo Bayou and Hermann Park.
The Buffalo Bayou Park is a 10-square-mile park that stretches out along the Bayou river that flows all the way from the heart of downtown Houston to the city’s east end. The park is not only breathtaking, it’s also full of fun things to do. In fact, you could make it a day trip and not even get bored.
This gorgeous green space offers a large range of activities, including restaurants and picnic areas. You can rent bicycles on site, but also kayaks and canoes if the weather permits. Reservations can be made in-person or online. If you’re looking for some historic action, you can also visit an old underground cistern within the park – the size of one and a half football fields! The complete tour will set you back $5, but it is well worth the investment.
Insider tip: If you’re planning on taking the cistern tour, be sure to reserve your tickets online.
Located at the southern end of the Museum District, Houston’s Hermann Park is an urban park whose beauty attracts some six million visitors every year! In terms of amusement, you can either pedal boat across Lake Plaza or ride a small train across the park.
Insider tip: Tickets for both activities can be purchased at the Hermann Park Conservancy Gift Shop at Kinder Station – where you can also do some park-related souvenir shopping along the way.
If you’re a beer fan, you’ll know that the local beer scene is burgeoning in Houston. In fact, there are awesome places to do some serious beer tasting, many of which are equipped with an outdoor space (hence, the beer gardens!). Oh – and we’re sure you’ll find something to your taste, what with the great variety of local and imported beers most serve. Definitely in our top 5 fun things to do in Houston list!
If you’re into beer—and power naps—you’ve found heaven. The Axelrad Beer Garden serves not only a selection of more than 30 local and imported craft beers on tap, with full drinks and wine menu. But that’s not all! You can also enjoy their delicious beverages… Wait for it… Lying down in a hammock. The venue also offers tables, if you’re more of a “sit-and-drink” person. And if you get hungry, the Axelrad is right next door to Luigi’s Pizzeria and you’re welcome to feast on their pizzas right there and then in the beer garden. Oh – and did we say? The outdoor space is huge. Huge!
Insider tip: The Axelrad Beer Garden promote a carless environment – so you’ll automatically receive a 5% discount if you come by bike, public transport or walk!
Houston’s historic district is located on the northern edge of downtown – a few blocks away from the city’s imposing skyscrapers. Suddenly, you are surrounded by quaint, historical buildings with their beautiful facades – each showing off their own personality and charm. The district is rather residential and has that comforting neighborhood feel, even though various commercial centres and tall buildings are so close by. While you’re wandering, you might want to stop at the Market Square Park and perhaps even take an architecture tour!
Located at the heart of the historic district, Houston’s Market Square Park is rather small, but fun to explore. It’s home to one of Houston’s famous Greek restaurants: Niko Niko – but also art installations and historic remnants of the city in the 1800s.
Insider tip: If you’re lucky, you might catch one of the monthly events… Movie night or bingo on blankets! Check out their calendar.
Discover the architecture and design that have shaped the look of Houston! Taking a tour may not usually be your thing, but trust us – it’s a great way to learn more about the area and since these are walking or biking tours, you won’t feel ridiculous. The tours are organized by the ACH (Architecture Center of Houston) and include various itineraries. You can opt for a Tour of Montrose, the Museum District or Rice University, keeping in mind that the tours are offered on specific Saturdays of each month, from 10 AM to noon.
Insider tip: Be sure to check upcoming tour dates, since tours usually start late August and last through fall. Also, make sure you are on time, since the tours begin at 10 AM sharp.
If you’re visiting Houston in the summer, you might want to escape the heat of the city and take a day trip down to the beach, or go for a hike and explore a new part of Texas. Thankfully, we’ve got two fun plans to satisfy your itch for a good dose of adventure.
If you travel to Galveston on a day trip, you’ll want to plan enough time to enjoy the beach. Galveston is an island, with some 32 miles of beaches all around… Enough space to ensure you find the perfect spot to set up for the day! In fact, Galveston beaches go from super-popular stretches filled with amenities and services to wild, secluded spots. Although it can be quite crowded on summer weekends, Stewart Beach is a great area to set up if you’re travelling with your family.
The cool thing about Galveston is that it’s also a fun destination to visit if you get bored easily. Indeed, Galveston also has a historic district that’s well worth discovering. Browse art galleries, beach bars and cozy restaurants – and perhaps even take home a souvenir from one of the local shops.
If beach towns aren’t your thing, a day trip to Beaumont might just fulfill your need for adventure! With its southwestern feel, this Texan town is a short bus ride away from Houston. In Beaumont, Texas hospitality meets Louisiana’s joie de vivre. Indulge in one of the delicious barbecue joints and, once you’re full, discover the town’s wild side by taking a hike and following one of the amazing local trails. We recommend heading to Cattail Marsh – a wildlife refuge and home to more than 250 different species of birds. You can walk through 900 acres of scenic wetlands and be awed by the abundance of nature.
If you feel the need for some thrills, know that Beaumont is also home to Gator Country, Texas’s only alligator themed park. There, you can feed live alligators – and, if you’re feeling extra frisky, you can even swim with them!
Houston has one of the most vibrant street art scenes in the world! The city even possesses its own graffiti museum and a mural festival. We recommend strolling in the downtown area, where most murals can be found and looking for two fantastic works of art that caught our eye: the Biscuit Paint Wall and the Abstract Happy Beach Wall. And while you’re exploring the area, be sure to check out other local murals, cool bars, restaurants and awesome breweries in East Downtown.
The Biscuit Paint Wall is one of the most popular murals in Houston. Painted by artist Sebastien Boileau, it depicts multi colored dripping bands on a black backdrop.
Painted by Barcelona-based couple Zosen and Mina, the Abstract Happy Beach Wall is a lovely patterned and joyful mural, featuring pastel hues.
Paradise for sports fans, Houston boasts a rich sporting culture and numerous loyal supporters! The city is home to six professional sports team, including:
Whatever your favourite sports may be, these local teams are all worth checking out.
If you’re lucky and they’re playing while you are in town, we recommend you catch an Astro’s game at the Minute Maid Park. Why? Because the games take place from March to September, when the weather is usually nice and warm – and because you can enjoy happy hour and an excellent barbecue at the stadium.
Insider Tip: Look for the Happy Hour Beer Outlet in Left Field as they offer a great selection! There are also plenty of options for food – and even an excellent BBQ to stock up on calories.
You may have spotted Houston’s Miller Outdoor Theatre while wandering around Hermann Park! This fantastic exterior venue offers a great source of professional entertainment, eight months a year. And the best part? You can enjoy live music, ballet and various plays… And all shows are free!
Insider Tip: The Miller Theatre holds a seating capacity of 1,705 covered seats and 20 wheelchair spaces. It also includes an uncovered sloping lawn that accommodates approximately 4,500 more people on blankets or lawn chairs.
What else did we miss in Houston? What was your favourite attraction? Let us know in the comments and share and tag your friend you’d go with do one of these fun things in Houston!
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