Houston has plenty to offer anyone who loves culture, whether it's world class art museums, science centers, or quirky one-man expressions of imagination. There's also plenty of places to go when the weather is cooperative, and a good number of options when you just want to stay cool in the summer. Here's a few our favorites things to do in Houston:

1. The Top Attractions in Houston
Houston has plenty to offer anyone who loves culture, whether it's world
class art museums, science centers, or quirky one-man expressions of
imagination. There's also plenty of places to go when the weather is
cooperative, and a good number of options when you just want to stay cool in
the summer.
Here's a few our favorites things to do in Houston:

2. 1. The Menil Collection
The Menil Collection is comprised of the private collection of twentieth-century art
from museum founders John and Dominique de Menil. The Menil Collection museum
opened in 1987 in a building designed by renowned Italian architect Renzo Piano. The
collection ranks among the greatest private assemblages in the United States and
includes works by such renowned artists as Salvador Dali, Max Ernst, Andy Warhol,
Jasper Johns. Also on the grounds is the Rothko Chapel, which features 14 of Mark
Rothko’s final works before his death. The Byzantine Fresco Chapel is also part of the
Menil Collection campus and exhibits two 13th century Byzantine church fresco
paintings.
The Collection began with Surrealist works before expanding to Cubist, Abstract
Expressionism, Pop, and Minimalist. It later expanded further (and backward in time) to
include art works from the Byzantine Empire, Africa, the Pacific Islands, and the Pacific
Northwest. In total, the collection holds 17,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings,
photographs and rare books . Visiting The Menil Collection is free - read more
here (Photo by J E Theriot)

3. 2. Museum of Fine Arts
Museum of Fine Arts in Houston is the oldest art museum in Texas and home to the
largest art collection in the southwest United States. Over 63,000 works of art are spread
across 300,000 square feet of space in two major museum buildings, the Caroline Wiess
Law Building and the Audrey Jones Beck Building. Surrounding the museum buildings
are the Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden; and 18 acres of public gardens.
The Museum of Fine Arts’ collection spans 6000 years and comes from all parts of the
world. It includes everything from African tribal art to Baroque and Impressionist
paintings. Notable exhibits at the Museum of Fine Arts include the Glassell Collection of
African Gold, the Italian Renaissance and French Impressionism paintings, and the
Asian Art - read more here (Photo by Ed Schipul)

4. 3. The Galleria
The Galleria in Houston is a Texas-sized shopping mall – it contains over 400 stores. At
a massive 2.4 million square feet, it is the largest mall in Texas, and it’s eighth-largest
shopping center in the United States. With 26 million visitors annually, it is often cited
as the most visited attraction in Houston.
The Galleria opened in 1970 and is notable for being a pioneer in the development of
indoor shopping malls in American. It was the first to have an indoor ice skating rink
and large skylights letting in natural light. The first anchor tenant was Neiman Marcus,
and today’s tenants include Neiman Marcus (still), Macy’s, Saks Fifth Avenue,
Nordstrom, True Religion, Fendi, Cartier, and Christian Dior, plus numerous restaurants
and hotels - read more here (Photo by Jerald Jackson)

5. 4. Children's Museum of Houston
Children’s Museum of Houston contains 14 galleries of interactive exhibits that are
sure to wow any child. The current facility opened in 1984 and contains 90,000 square
feet. It is located in the Museum District adjacent to Hermann Park. In response to its
popularity, the Museum has expanded and moved to larger spaces several times, and a
new wing that was added to the building in 2007 and essentially doubled its size.
The museum was recently ranked as the best children’s museum in the country
by Parent’s magazine. The Children’s Museum of Houston is designed for kids aged 6
months to 12 years old. The Tot Spot has mirrors and a ball pit and is a favorite of the
younger kids. For older kids, there’s Invention Convention, Kidtropolis and
EcoStation. Outdoor exhibits include the Weather Station, Eco Station, and the watery
Flow Station. The staff is friendly and the facilities are clean and well-maintained. The
Fresh Cafe offers everything from healthy snacks to burgers to ice cream - read more
here (Photo by Sikeri)

6. 5. Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park opened in 2000 and replaced the Astrodome as the home of the
Houston Astros. It features natural grass in a stadium with a retractable roof and air-
conditioning to compensate for the hot Houston summers. The stadium occupies a 25
acre site in downtown next to the historic Union Station rail-passenger terminal. It was
constructed with steel trusses, brick and limestone in an effort to fit in with the historic
neighborhood and adhere to the retro trend of new stadium construction in recent years.
Passenger trains no longer frequent Union Station, but Minute Maid Park does have a
popular model train that runs along west side of the ballpark after every home run by the
Astros. Less popular – with players, at least – is the inclined Tal’s Hill in centerfield.
The food at Minute Maid Park is pricey, but good, and visitors can also bring in outside
water and food (in a clear plastic bag). Tours of Minute Maid Park are available. Check
their web site for schedule of games - read more here (Photo by Bukowsky18)

7. 6. Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the most popular natural history
museums in the United States. The Museum’s beginnings date back to 1909, and the
current facility was built in 1969. It is located in the Houston Museum District on the
northern edge of Hermann Park.
Popular exhibits at the Houston Museum of Natural Science include:
• The Hall of Paleontology – this exhibit was added in 2012 and features over 450
fossils and dinosaur artifacts spanning 3.5 billion years.
• The Wiess Energy Hall – explains how oil and natural gas is formed, extracted and
used.
• The Gem Vault – boasts an extensive collection of gems.
• Cockrell Butterfly Center – very popular tropical forest atrium full of butterflies.
• Burke Baker Planetarium
• Wortham IMAX® Theatre
The Challenger Center was opened in 1988 in honor of the astronauts who lost their
lives on the mission. A brand new Hall of Ancient Egypt exhibits contains hundreds of
artifacts dating back 5,000 years that offer a glimpse into ancient Egyptian life and
culture - read more here (Photo by Adam Baker)

8. 7. Houston Zoo
Houston Zoo is located in Houston’s Hermann Park and houses over 6000 animals –
everything from flamingos to giraffes to ring-tailed lemurs. Over 1.8 million visitors
make a trip to the zoo every year, making it the 7th most visited zoo in the United States.
Popular exhibits at the Houston Zoo include the African Forest, the Carnivores Exhibits
(large cats and bears), the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat, and the John P. McGovern
Children’s Zoo. Snow Leopards were added in 2014, and a new gorilla exhibit will open
in 2015. When it’s hot outside, visit the Kipp Aquarium or one of Houston Zoo’s other
thirteen air-conditioned exhibits. Visitors are allowed to bring in your own food and
drinks - read more here (Photo by Josh Grenier)

9. 8. Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is part of the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center and a must-see
destination for fans of the NASA program. The attraction is located about 27 miles
southeast of Houston. Definite highlights include going inside a full-scale replica of the
Space Shuttle that sits atop a Boeing 747. Visitors will also like seeing the massive
original Saturn V rocket and the original mission control center. Other spacecraft
exhibits include the Mercury 9 capsule, the Gemini 5 capsule, the Apollo 17 command
module, and a Lunar Rover Vehicle trainer.
The NASA tram ride offers a behind the scenes view of the real working areas of the
Johnson Space Center, including the Mission Control Center and the Saturn V Complex
at Rocket Park. The Space Center Theater presents the history of the program on a 5-
story screen. The Blast Off Theater takes the next step and gives viewers an realistic
account of what it feels like to be on a mission blasting off into space and then docking
at the International Space Station - read more here (Photo by Heatheronhertravels.com)

10. 9. Hermann Park
Hermann Park is the center Houston’s outdoor life and the home of many of its cultural
institutions. The park is huge at 445 acres, and it is centrally located adjacent to Rice
University, the Texas Medical Center, and the Museum District just southwest of
downtown Houston. The roots of the park date back to 1914, when George Hermann
donated the land to the city of Houston. Many of the facilities fell into disrepair in the
1980’s, but a concerted effort by the city and park supporters have worked to make it a
beautiful credit to the city, and now it’s popular with both residents and visitors.
Attractions at Hermann Park include:
•Houston Garden Center
•Miller Outdoor Theatre – has offered free outdoor performances since 1923
•Houston Museum of Natural Science and Cockrell Butterfly Center
•Japanese Garden
•Houston Zoo
•Hermann Park Golf Course – the first desegregated golf course in the United
States and one of the first in the South to have grass greens instead of sand
•Hermann Park Railroad
•Mecom-Rockwell Fountain and Colonnade

11. Outdoor amenities at the park include wooded areas, running trails, a dog park, and
McGovern Lake, which offers paddle-boating and fishing - read more here (Photo by Ed
T)
10. Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Saint Arnold Brewing Company was started in 1994 and is the oldest craft brewery in
Texas. The Brewery was named for Saint Arnulf of Metz, a 7th century French bishop
and patron saint of brewing who advised parishioners to drink beer instead of foul local
water. The brewery is located in a historic brick building just north of downtown.
Five year-round and five seasonal beers are made, as well as a very good root
beer. Popular beers include Amber Ale, Elissa IPA, and Fancy Lawnmower German-
style Kölsch. They brew a series of single batch beers under their Divine Reserve
label. Tours begin by getting an “Mmmmm beer” stamp on your hand, and then they
finish with free samples in Texas’ oldest craft brewery. Bring your own food and games
and hang out in the picnic area. The brewery is popular and can get busy on the
weekends - read more here (Photo by Dan Keeney)

12. 11. Buffalo Bayou Park
Buffalo Bayou Park is a 124 greenway and series of smaller parks that straddles both
banks of the Buffalo Bayou basin as it makes its way from Shepherd Drive on the west
side of Houston through downtown and to Allen’s Landing, which was Houston’s
original port, on the East End. The park offers beautiful scenery, some rare Houston
hills, and excellent skyline views along its meandering route. Hiking and biking trails
traverse the whole park and run on both sides of the bayou. Canoes and kayaks for
paddling the bayou are also available for rental. Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive runs
alongside the park.
Features of Buffalo Bayou include:
• Eleanor Tinsley Park
• Lee & Joe Jamail Skatepark
• Wortham Fountain
• Waugh Bridge Bat Colony
• Rosemont Bridge
• Johnny Steele Dog Park
The park is not very crowded, features beautiful landscaping, is well-lit, and is clean.
Parking is readily available, and there are restaurants nearby - read more here (Photo
by Patrick Feller)

13. 12. Holocaust Museum Houston
Holocaust Museum Houston is a significant and moving museum and memorial to the
victims and survivors of the Holocaust. The Museum does not gloss over the tragedies
that occurred. Instead, they use history as a stark reminder of the atrocities that can
fester when hate and prejudice go unchecked. The HMH opened in 1996 and is the
nation’s fourth largest museum dedicated to the Jewish Holocaust. It is located in
Houston’s Museum District.
Visitors to the museum will see exhibits that include vintage WWII film footage, a
Danish rescue boat, a replica gas chamber, and an actual German railroad car that was
used to transport victims to the prison camps. The most moving part of the museum is
perhaps the filmed interviews with Holocaust survivors. The museum also presents the
history of the Jewish religion and the State of Israel. The Boniuk Library is part of the
HMH and holds more than 5,000 volumes related to the Holocaust and World War II,
including books, documents, photos, film footage, and over 250 testimonies from
survivors - read more here (Photo by Laurence Simon)

14. 13. Discovery Green
Discovery Green serves as a village green and central meeting place for the city of
Houston. The downtown park is 12 acres and opened in 2008 - before that, it was a mass
of parking lots and underutilized green space. Today, over 2 million visitors frequent the
small park every year.
Discovery Green provides a space for live music, free yoga, cultural festivals, a weekly
farmers' market, and outdoor movies. Scattered through the park are public art displays,
and the programming schedule features more than 400 events each year. There's a small
lake, gardens, old live oak trees, and an ice skating rink in the winter. There are two
restaurants in the park, as well as lots of food options in the area surrounding Discovery
Green. Kids will love the playgrounds, interactive spray fountain, and mist tree. Dogs
will love the two dog runs. There is underground parking available under the park - read
more here (Photo by Erion Shehaj)

15. 14. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is an extension of Houston’s Museum of Fine
Arts and holds their collection of American decorative arts and paintings in the former
home of civic leader and philanthropist Ima Hogg. Fourteen acres of trails and gardens
surround Ima Hogg’s restored period home, and inside is one of the finest collections of
18th and 19th century decorative arts in the country. The rare and beautiful decorative
art, paintings and furniture in the collection date from approximately 1620 to 1876, and
the are installed throughout the mansion in 28 period room settings.
The Lora Jean Kilroy Visitor and Education Center was built in 2010 and includes
exhibits, videos, a library, and retail shop - read more here (Photo by Brant Kelly)

16. 15. Art Car Museum
The Art Car Museum is well-named it’s full of cars that have been turned into works of
art. The purpose of the Museum is to allow artists to use cars as a means of personal
expression for the way it has changed the American way of life and come to symbolize
America. Houston has evolved a bit of a ground zero for the country’s art car movement.
The first art car exhibition took place in Houston in 1986 and had 11 cars participating.
In 1988, Houston debuted the first Art Car Weekend and had 40 cars participate. The
popular event now takes place annually every Spring and attracts over 250 artistically-
altered cars from across the country.
The museum opened in 1988 in a chrome and is housed in a metal clad building dubbed
the “Garage Mahal.” The museum features displays that rotate every few months as new
artists are invited to participate. Most cars are decorated by having various items glued
to the exterior, such as cd’s, dolls, coins, corks, and trophies. There are also paintings,
sculptures and films from past exhibitions and parades. The Art Car Museum is fun and
quirky. It’s also free. Check their web site for hours - read more
here (Photo by Cali4beach)

17. 16. National Museum of Funeral History
The National Museum of Funeral History is not to be missed, as it only contains the
largest collection of funereal artifacts in the United States. Robert L. Waltrip opened The
National Museum of Funeral History in 1992, and it is located in a nondescript office
building north of downtown. Inside, the collection is both eclectic and comprehensive.
Highlights include:
•Celebrating the Lives and Deaths of the Popes – new $2 million exhibit
includes an exact reproduction of the coffin used for the last three popes that have
died, plus an actual Popemobile.a features many antique hearses and various kinds
of coffins.
•Thanks for the Memories – this popular exhibit examines the funerals of
celebrities such as Marilyn Monroe, Michael Jackson, and Frank Sinatra. It
includes authentic memorabilia.
•History of Embalming – delves into the fascinating history of embalming from
ancient Egypt to until the work of Dr. Thomas Holmes during Civil War times.
The exhibit displays tools and equipment used in the mummification process.
It’s is entertaining and educational, but is it to die for? Souvenir alert – the Museum does
have a gift shop - read more here (Photo by Funeralhistorian)

18. 17. Beer Can House
Beer Can House proves that drinking beer can be productive – because, if you use the
cans to cover and decorate your house, you create art. Along with the Orange Show and
the Art Car Museum, Houston’s Beer Can House is a healthy slice of Americana and a
quirky diversion from normal culture.
John Milkovisch is the genius behind the art. He was a retired upholsterer for the
Southern Pacific Railroad, and he began his project in 1968. Every part of the beer cans
were used to make curtains, wind chimes, siding, etc. It is estimated that John and his
friends drank 50,000 cans of beer over a 20 year period in order to provide the core
material for his art. When visitors stopped by to observe the house, he would often invite
them to have a beer with him. John died in 1988, and his wife Mary welcomed visitors
into the home until her death in 2002. After her death, the Orange Show Foundation
provided funding to restore the home and open it up to the public again.
Either observe the front of the house from the street, or pay the small admission fee for a
chance to take a peek inside and see the video presentation. Guided tours are also
available - read more here (Photo by Clem)

19. 18. The Orange Show
The Orange Show is a quirky celebration of one man’s favorite fruit. Spoiler alert – his
favorite fruit is the orange. Jefferson Davis McKissack, a Houston postal worker, built
his folk art exhibit over many years using everyday discarded objects as his building
material. McKissak began work in 1956 and opened his 3,000 square foot monument to
the public in 1979. He expected large crowds to want to see his extravaganza and learn
about his theories on nutrition, hard work and the benefits of eating oranges. When the
crowds failed to materialize, however, he became disappointed and withdrawn. He died
seven months later in 1980. Upon his death, a diverse group of patrons set up a
foundation to maintain and operate The Orange Show for future generations.
These days the art project is much more popular. The maze-like design features an oasis,
a wishing well, a pond, a stage, a museum, a gift shop, and several upper decks.
Materials used vary from concrete, brick, and steel to old metal pieces, tiles, wheels,
mannequins, and statuettes. Visitors to The Orange Show will learn the history of the
beloved orange and possibly see some live music in the small amphitheater. Visitors are
also likely to come away happier, better, and more inspired - read more here (Photo
by Ed Schipul)

20. Featured photo by Patrick Feller. All photos CC-BY-2.0.
See our list of the 49 best things to do in Houston here.