Fun Things to Do in Houston

April 27, 2023

Are you a regular visitor or Houstonian that would like to try out new things to do within our city? If so, you are in the right place! With Houston being one of the largest and diverse cities, we came up with a list that you can check out of 25 fun things to do in Houston and let us know which one interested you the most within our chosen places.

25 Cool and Fun Things to Do in Houston

Here are 25 fun things to do in Houston that are sure to make your day:

Museum of Natural Science
Children’s Museum
Space Center Houston
Discovery Green
Downtown Aquarium
The Health Museum
Speedy’s Fast Track
Museum of Fine Arts
Minute Maid Park
Cockrell Butterfly Center
The Galleria
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
Hines Waterwall Park
Texas Rock Gym
Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Toyota Center
The Music Box Theater
JPMorgan Chase Tower
Miller Outdoor Theatre
Buffalo Bayou Park
1940 Air Terminal Museum
Topgolf
iFLY Indoor Skydiving
Pinto Ranch Fine Western Wear
Battlefield Houston

1. Museum of Natural Science

The Museum of Natural established in 1909, is extremely known for bringing family hangouts together and is good for kids. Adults can also accompany their children to explore and become educated about the natural history of science in creative ways, which makes the experience so special and worth remembering.

The Museum’s mission also ties into a lot of their visitors’ experience; to preserve and advance the knowledge of natural science. They love to see their visitors learn about outer space and the ancient dinosaurs, explore Africa’s Serengeti, and see their most extravagant minerals up close. The reason to take something out of this experience brings them joy.

Admission

Schedule your visit here at their Online Box Office.

Location

5555 Hermann Park Dr
Houston, TX 77030

Hours

Sunday – Saturday: 9 AM – 5 PM

2. Children’s Museum of Houston

The Children’s Museum was designed in a fantastic building by Robert Venturi, who happened to be an internationally acclaimed architect. Established in 1980 by a group of Houstonian parents who dreamed of increasing early childhood development in communities. Their mission of transforming communities through innovative and child-centered learning rapidly grew to serve about 750,000 annually.

The Museum offers the ultimate learning experience and programs for kids aged from birth up to twelve years old, along with workshops in math, science, literacy, health, engineering, civic engagement, culture, and social studies bilingually in English and Spanish since being officially opened on March 14, 2009.

Admission

Book your tickets to the Children’s Museum here.

Location

1500 Binz St
Houston, TX 77004

Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Wednesday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Thursday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Friday – Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Sunday: 12 PM – 6 PM

3. Space Center Houston

With the purpose being to continuously working hard to bring people and space closer together by experiencing its space and science exploration, the Space Center Houston has represented its identity with the future and has welcomed more than 24 million visitors since they opened their doors on October 16, 1992.

The center has since then offered three specific items within them from its opening; new facilities plan, which is where they would like to give a new opportunity to its public, educational planning in expanding their guests to all ages and inspiring them to learn more about space, lastly the lunar mars surface integration facility where surfaces of the Moon and Mars are shown.

Admission

Buy and review tickets to the Space Center here.

Location

1601 E NASA Pkwy
Houston, TX 77058

Hours

Monday – Friday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Saturday – Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM

4. Discovery Green

Located in Downtown Houston, Discovery Green is famously known as a park that offers venues and event spaces. Established in 2004, their mission is to operate as an inner-city park that serves its visitors not only as a village green but as a source of health and happiness that bring an enriched and traditional feeling to Houston.

With the beautiful shared vision of the heart of Houston, a lot of local Houstonians can explore Discovery Green and discover more about a number of communities and themselves together step by step, and that is what their mission and team are driven to achieve for themselves and their visitors.

Admission

Admission is free to enter the park.
More information on events can be found here.

Location

1500 McKinney St
Houston, TX 77010

Hours

Sunday – Saturday: 6 AM – 11 PM

5. Downtown Aquarium

Experience an underwater adventure with Downtown Aquarium, with a touristy, classy, and casual feel for visitors. You can also dive into the underwater adventure with the fun food that the aquarium restaurant offers, with happy hour specials with drinks at the full bar. There are other experiences that complement the food and adventures.

The Downtown Aquarium offers the unique opportunity to experience the dive lounge and Nautilus ballroom when you are going around their places when touring. Visitors can also see all the sea creatures like sharks, stingrays (where you are able to touch and feed them!), and white tigers at their located temple.

Admission

Tickets to the Aquarium can be found here.

Location

410 Bagby St
Houston, TX 77002

Hours

Sunday – Thursday: 10 AM – 8:30 PM
Friday – Saturday: 10 AM – 10 PM

6. The Health Museum

The John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science, better known as the Health Museum, was established and opened its doors to public visitors on November 16, 1969. Since its opening, this museum has become a significantly valued community resource within having a well-built presence. Visitors can explore their interactive exhibitions, which will be mentioned below.

Located in the city’s Museum District, the extraordinary museum is excellent to learn more about and get a tour of a lot of parts of the human body, like our brain along with its specific functions. Demonstrations of an eyeball, having access to their lab area, to even having the experience of enjoying and being educated in their 4D theater!

Admission

General admission into the museum can be bought here.

Location

1515 Hermann Dr
Houston, TX 77004

Hours

Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM
Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Wednesday: 10 AM – 5 PM
Thursday: 10 AM – 7 PM
Friday – Saturday: 10 AM – 5 PM

7. Speedy’s Fast Track

Located near the Houston area in the Heights or Spring Branch, the fast track was established in 1994. This family entertainment center offers the fun opportunity of using four different types of go-karts. There are also other fun activities that families can enjoy, like the following: Speedy’s Fast Track carries over 150 arcade and video games along with laser tag and an 18-hole miniature golf course.

Visitors can enjoy these incredible activities with the selection between two packages, the regular package, and the combo package. The regular package includes four types for golf, laser tag, super karts, and go-karts. The combo package includes two different types of super karts and go-karts. Both packages depend on how many people are going to enjoy the attractions, whether it is only one person or more than one.

Admission

All attraction tickets can be found on their website.

Location

11440 Hempstead Rd
Houston, TX 77092

Hours

Sunday: 12 PM – 10 PM
Monday – Thursday: 12 PM – 10 PM
Friday – Saturday: 12 PM – 12 AM

8. Museum of Fine Arts Houston

Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts, better known as MFAH, was established in 1900. With its being one of the top 10 biggest museums in the United States, they offer two special exhibitions that are included in their special ticket package. The first exhibition is known as “Pipilotti Rist: Pixel Forest and Worry Will Vanish” which brings into their collection of modern and contemporary art.

The second special exhibition is titled as “Impressionist and Post-Impressionist Masterpieces from the Pearlman Foundation”. This artistic collection shows visitors the friendships between four famous painters, such as Van Gogh, Cezanne, Degas, and Manet in Paris together and how they built their own styles individually. General Admission is also offered, which includes the Museum Admission, Rienzi which showcases European art, and the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens.

Admission

Tickets can be bought to exhibitions here.

Location

5500 Main Street
Houston, TX 77004

Hours

Sunday: 12:30 PM – 6 PM
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday: 11 AM – 5 PM
Thursday: 11 AM – 9 PM
Friday – Saturday: 11 AM – 6 PM

9. Minute Maid Park

Opened in the 2000s, the Minute Maid Park was first previously known as The Ballpark at Union Station since built-in 1965. Located in the downtown area, it is famous within Houstonians as the heart of the Houston Astros. The Minute Maid Park is for baseball fields and a lot of stadiums or arenas like concerts as well.

Since 2016, many changes have been announced, and now sitting with a capacity of around a total of 41,168 visitors which includes 5,197 club seating and 63 luxury suites for those who would like to enjoy that accommodation. A lot of additional seating, concession stands, and escalators were added for Astros fans to enjoy with its 409 feet in center field dimensions.

Admission

Tickets for games at the park can be found here.

Location

501 Crawford St
Houston, TX 77002

Hours

2 hours prior to Game Time!

10. Cockrell Butterfly Center

Famously known for being a museum and having botanical gardens, open everyday from Monday to Sunday from 9 AM until 5 PM. Located in the Museum District, this exhibition was established in 1994 where it was added to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Visitors can experience beautiful live flying butterflies in a rain forest setting.

Along with seeing the free flying butterflies, there are other insects that are on display, such as spiders and a beehive, where you can see what the bees are doing. Not only do the center’s visitors can learn about the thousands of insects by seeing them, but they can also educate themselves by going through the Cockrell Butterfly Center’s interactive activities like a number of exhibitions and games where it teaches you more about the world!

Admission

Tickets for the Butterfly Center can be found here.

Location

5555 Hermann Park Dr
Houston, TX 77030

Hours

Monday: 12 PM – 5 PM
Tuesday – Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM

11. The Galleria

Located in uptown Westheimer, The Galleria shopping center is most known for all of the stores you can visit, along with having a fine dining experience. Connected directly within the center is the West Collection modern hotel at the heart of Houston which holds more than 850 guest rooms and space of 90,000 square feet.

Offering luxury stores like Saint Laurent, Gucci, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Balenciaga, and many more. Along with its stores, visitors can also enjoy a lot of restaurant options such as Chick-Fil-A, The Cheesecake Factory, Burger King, CC’s Cajun Seafood, Chipotle Mexican Grill, and even Philly Steaks. You would not want to miss out on this experience that is open from 12 PM to 7 PM. Visit the Galleria as soon as you can!

Location

5085 Westheimer Rd
Houston, TX 77056

Hours

Sunday: 12 PM – 7 PM
Monday – Thursday: 10 AM – 8 PM
Friday – Saturday: 10 AM – 9 PM

12. Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

This performing arts center located in downtown Houston stands as one of the most famous premiere entertainment complex within the Houston District. The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts offers two unique distinguished theater hall (Sarofim and Zilkha Hall), a delightful grand lobby, and their own built-in restaurant that you can enjoy afterwards.

The center’s restaurant complements the style of contemporary American cuisine. Visitors can enjoy this from a first-class perspective. All are open to enjoy their 10 different types of events or genres ranging from broadway shows to special engagements while dining their delicious course meals in Diana American Grill with a gorgeous view of the downtown area of Houston.

Admission

Show and ticket information can be found here.

Location

800 Bagby St
Houston, TX 77002

Hours

Vary with each event/show.

13. Hines Waterwall Park

The Gerald D Hines Waterwall Park, better known as the Hines Waterwall Park is a landmark and historical building where it is located in Uptown Houston around The Galleria area. Open from 8 AM to 9 PM, visitors can enjoy their calm nature atmosphere where their waterfall can be seen and having a walk beside oak trees. This beloved landmark is appreciated by a lot of Houstonians due to all ages being able to live this relaxing experience.

The Hines Waterwall Park has always stood by this statement with their mission and vision statements. Their mission is to “serve as a catalyst to create, preserve, and enhance value by developing an urban community of uncommon beauty, gracious character, and dynamic spirit.” The park’s vision connects with this statement showing that they would like to achieve the goal of being one of the world’s greatest urban centers.

Admission

Admission to view the Waterwall is free.

Location

2800 Post Oak Blvd
Houston, TX 77056

Hours

Sunday – Saturday: 8 AM – 10 PM

14. Texas Rock Gym

The Texas Rock Gym is known specialties for gyms, rock climbing, and kids activities. They have been around in the business field since 26 years ago. Since established in 1996, the mission of Texas Rock Gym has been to provide all Houstonians with access to indoor rock climbing in a professional, high-quality climbing gym with a fun atmosphere for climbers of all ages.

The employees at the indoor gym emphasize friendly customer service while striving to promote the growth of the sport through a safe and enjoyable environment from using bouldering, top-ropes, yoga classes, and other fitness classes. Join their family-friendly community to experience indoor climbing!

Admission

Memberships, first visits, and other information can be found on their website.

Location

1526 Campbell Rd
Houston, TX 77055

Hours

Sunday: 10 AM – 6 PM
Monday – Saturday: 10 AM – 10 PM

15. Saint Arnold Brewing Company

Located in Houston’s Northside Village, The Saint Arnold Brewing Company was established on June 9, 1994, by Brock Wagner and Kevin Bartol, making it the oldest craft brewery in Texas. Brock and Kevin’s goal since founding the Saint Arnold Brewing Company is to brew the best world-class beers and serve them as fresh as possible to visitors who are also beer lovers!

Customers enjoy different beer selections of single batch brews from bars, grocery stores, restaurants, and warehouse stores along with many other places. This brew can be experienced from the Saint Arnold team members brewing, filtering, keg, and bottling the beer. They are open on a daily basis for all to enjoy the loving community within their fresh and cool drinks.

Location

2000 Lyons Ave
Houston, TX 77020

Hours

Sunday – Thursday: 11 AM – 10 PM
Friday – Saturday: 11 AM – 11 PM

16. Toyota Center

Since its opening in October 2003, Toyota Center quickly became known as the home for the Houston Rockets. Winning a lot of awards and recognition within the first year alone since opening, the center has welcomed more than 1.5 million fanatics during the same time period. In 2010, Toyota Center then became the first sports facility within Texas to earn the award of the Silver Certification of Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design.

Toyota Center is loved by visitors for its environment, which includes large open windows and the most comfortable seating, whether you are enjoying a sporting event or a concert of your favorite musician! With the stage surface is set at 32 feet, which makes it ample for both the artist and the fans. Enjoy the coolest spot for sports and entertainment in Houston today.

Admission

Get tickets to upcoming events at the venue here.

Location

1510 Polk St
Houston, TX 77002

Hours

Vary with each event/show.

17. The Music Box Theater

Established in 2011, The Music Box Theater was made into a venue that is known for its unique mix of comedy clubs, performing arts, and live music in a relaxed club environment! Located at the Queensbury Theatre, The Music Box Theater always had a goal in mind, which was to give Houstonians what they deserved: a comfortable place where they can relax and have some drinks with family or friends.

The Theater consists of 5 professional singers and actors from Houston along with their incredible band, which all can come in and experience with songs everyone is familiar with and their various musical themes. The Music Box Theater is open from Tuesdays to Sundays for you to listen to music and sing your heart out with your close ones.

Admission

Tickets to performances can be found here.

Location

2623 Colquitt St
Houston, TX 77098

Hours

Vary with each event/show.

18. JP Morgan Chase Tower

With views out in all directions, the JP Morgan Chase Tower is the tallest building in Houston, with a total of 75 stories. With the windows being open where you can see all the Houston area, visitors can enjoy the natural lighting that comes within, along with the extravagant designs in the building’s lobbies.

Apart from enjoying the open-windowed area and lobbies in the 75 floors, visitors can also experience an underground tour led by an expert guide. In this tour, the following 9 attractions will be shown: Astroville Underground Tour of Downtown Houston, Astroville Food Tour, Audio Tour, Private Houston City Tour, Galveston Day Trip, Howdy H-Town Walking Tour, Houston’s Official City Tour, and their Skyline Tour!

Location

600 Travis Street
Houston, TX 77002

Hours

Monday – Friday: 6:30 AM – 6 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed

19. Miller Outdoor Theatre

Established in 1923, the Miller Outdoor Theatre open its space daily from 11 AM to 11 PM and is a casual performing arts and music venue that offers a free diverse style of entertainment. The live entertainment ranges from jazz, classical, ethnic and dance music to Shakespeare, musical theatre, and classic films.

With approximately 7.5 acres of land in the famous site of the Houston Zoo, Garden Center, and the Museum of Natural Science, Hermann Park gives visitors the opportunity to experience all these various ranges in a covered outdoor seating area with a picnic on the hillside! The seating is provided for about 1,705 people.

Admission

Seating and ticket information can be found here.

Location

6000 Hermann Park Dr
Houston, TX 77030

Hours

Vary with each event/show.

20. Buffalo Bayou Park

Known as Houston’s most significant natural resource with its establishment in 1986. When founded, Buffalo Bayou Park had a goal to focus on the 10-mile stretch from the park to the Port of Houston Turning Basin. Its completed project includes water features, bridges, natural landscaping, footpaths, trail lighting, along with many more accommodations.

Visitors can enjoy the park for free with volunteer activities, art installations, and ranging tours and events that thousands of visitors engage in every year. If you are around the Houston area, visit Buffalo Bayou Park, where you can sit and relax in the nature of all the things the project offered within the two different centers.

Admission

Admission to the park is free.

Location

1800 Allen Pkwy & Memorial Dr
Houston, TX 77019

Hours

Sunday – Saturday: 6 AM – 11 PM

21. 1940 Air Terminal Museum

Established in January 2004 with two stories, the 1940 Air Terminal Museum is located in Houston’s original William P. Hobby Airport. When visited, a lot can experience the history behind the heritage of civil aviation, which includes the airlines, the general and business side of the aviation with newly stored historic aircrafts such as the 1928 Carter Field Airmail Hangar.

The mission of the 1940 Air Terminal Museum is to educate visitors by demonstrating “the impact of aviation on Houston’s history and economic development through the prism of architectural beauty.” Plan your visit today with the opportunity to have a front-row view within the Houston Municipal Airport or the WR-4 Hangar!

Admission

Museum events and ticket information can be found here.

Location

8325 Travelair St
Houston, TX 77061

Hours

Monday: Closed
Tuesday – Sunday: 10 AM – 5 PM

22. Topgolf

Topgolf was established in 2012 by two brothers that originally thought of living up their experience and improve their skills in golf. With being named one of Houston’s fun things to do due to being perfect for any age, skill level, or any time of day. It can also be enjoyed for any occasion as well like a date, hangout with family or friends, a birthday party, with many more events!

The members at Topgolf’s goal is for visitors to create unique and unforgettable experiences with friends and family. Each venue features fun and competitive golf games for all ages, impressive food and drink menus that include a full service to its restaurant and bar, and even private spaces for groups of any size.

Admission

Online booking for tickets can be found here.

Location

1030 Memorial Brook Blvd
Houston, TX 77084

Hours

Sunday – Thursday: 10 AM- 11 PM
Friday – Saturday: 10 AM – 1 AM

23. iFLY Indoor Skydiving

This indoor skydiving can be experienced by all ages, and enjoy the sensation of flying through their tunnels! iFLY Indoor Skydiving is perfect for a number of family-friendly occasions as your children’s birthday party, team-building activities, or even corporate events in a group or even school field trips such as STEM trips for the students.

Join the living experience by booking a flight on their website (iflyworld.com), where you can choose the location and how many flyers are going, whether it’s one to more than six. Usually, it would show visitors two different packages depending on what they would like to do and what they feel comfortable experiencing, so do not wait and book now!

Admission

Book tickets to their flight here.

Location

9540 Katy Fwy
Houston, TX 77055

Hours

Sunday: 11 AM – 7 PM
Monday – Friday: 12 PM – 7 PM
Saturday: 9 AM – 8 PM

24. Pinto Ranch Fine Western Wear

Located within the uptown area of Houston around The Galleria, The Pinto Ranch Fine Western Wear was established in 2004. The shop is a tribute to the ranches of the American West lifestyle. With the store opening in February 2004 with square feet of 11,000, its comers can look for their collections and crafts from the Old West.

More specifically, the luxury collection of the Pinto Ranch Fine Western Wear offers true handmade boots, southwestern apparel, hats, artisan jewelry, belts with buckles, and many more that make the vision of Pinto Rance Fine Western Wear what they truly stand for! Visit this western store today at the Post Oak Boulevard.

Location

1717 Post Oak Blvd
Houston, TX 77056

Hours

Sunday: 12 PM – 5 PM
Monday – Saturday: 10 AM – 6 PM

25. Battlefield Houston

Established in 2008, Battlefield Houston is known as the best combat laser tag. Whether you would like to plan a birthday party, teambuilding event, corporate outing, or just look for fun in Houston, you should play laser tag at the largest indoor battlefield in the United States. Now, they are offering more new options within the Battlefield.

Battlefield Houston came out with new Virtual Reality (VR) Games and Escape Rooms along with prioritizing comfort for a lot of their visitors with having a mobile laser tag experience where they can come all the way to your location, whether you would like to celebrate indoor or outdoor depending on your preferences. They are your best place to have fun and enjoy as soon as possible at their location or at the comfort of your home.

Admission

Admission information and attraction times can be found here.

Location

11755 W Little York Rd Ste 202
Houston, TX 77041

Hours

Sunday: 1 PM – 8 PM
Monday – Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Thursday: 5 PM – 9 PM
Friday: 5 PM – 11 PM
Saturday: 12 PM – 11 PM

Conclusion

Houston is known for the various things that visitors can do on a daily. Here we narrowed that list down to 25 fun things to do in Houston whether you are a fellow Houstonian or visiting. We hope you found something adventurous you can look forward to. If you would like to learn more about what other cool things you can try in Houston, you can check out our other Houston posts for new food, events, places, and many more!

Eva Rogers

A Texan through and through, her passion for the Lone Star State is evident in every word she writes.Hailing from the vast plains of West Texas, Eva has a deep appreciation for the unique blend of tradition and innovation that defines the Texan spirit. Eva crafts articles that celebrate the diverse tapestry of Texas, from its bustling urban centers to its serene rural landscapes.