There’s more to Texas than huge cities and cowboy culture. Houston is Texas’ largest city, with a rich history, culture, and modernity. Houston has something for everyone, from top museums and food to thriving arts and sports. The 15 must-dos in Houston will make your visit to this bustling metropolis unforgettable.
1. Visit Space Centre Houston
When visiting Houston, Space Centre Houston should be your top destination. The official visitor centre of NASA’s Johnson Space Centre offers a fascinating look into space exploration.
You’ll be enveloped in rockets, astronauts, and space wonders upon arrival. Numerous exhibits make the centre instructive and enjoyable for all ages.
The tram excursion behind the Johnson Space Centre is a highlight. You’ll visit NASA’s Mission Control Centre, where professionals have managed space flights for decades. Tour participants can witness previous space capsules and feel the Saturn V rocket’s power.
Interactive exhibitions like “Living in Space” and “NASA Tram Tour” show astronaut life in space at the centre. You can meet astronauts on specified occasions.
The Space Centre Houston is more than a tourist destination—you can see humanity’s space exploration. It will wow you with space exploration’s endless possibilities.
2. Tour the Houston Museum of Fine Arts
Art and history lovers flock to Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts. This museum in downtown Houston represents Houston’s dedication to conserving and enjoying art.
The museum has a large collection of classical and modern art. A world of artistic delights awaits you in the museum. Human innovation is woven into the collections across nations and millennia.
The Glassell School of Art, which trains young artists, is a centrepiece of this museum. It also has the Cullen Sculpture Garden, a tranquil space with sculptures surrounded by flora.
3. Explore the Houston Natural Science Museum
Anyone interested in nature and learning will love the Houston Museum of Natural Science. This Houston museum offers a variety of exhibits, interactive displays, and educational programs for all ages.
The museum’s permanent and seasonal exhibitions are full with scientific surprises. In the Palaeontology Hall, life-sized dinosaur skeletons and fossils transport you to prehistoric times.
The museum’s astronomy area delights space fans. The George Observatory offers stargazing with powerful telescopes, while the Burke Baker Planetarium presentations take you into the cosmos.
The lush tropical rainforest conservatory Cockrell Butterfly Centre, full of exotic butterflies and other species, is a top attraction. The museum’s Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals displays rare gems and minerals in brilliant light.
Interactive learning is available at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. From hands-on activities for kids to thought-provoking exhibitions for adults, it encourages a profound appreciation for nature and the scientific discoveries that affect our understanding of it.
4. Walk around Hermann Park
Hermann Park, a lush oasis in Houston, offers a peaceful respite from the city and several attractions for nature and leisure lovers. At 445 acres, it wonderfully mixes natural beauty, recreational activities, and cultural encounters.
McGovern Centennial Gardens, a beautifully designed location with flower beds, fountains and winding walks, is a park highlight. It’s great for picnics, strolls, and peaceful thought.
The Houston Zoo in Hermann Park is popular with families. It has stately large cats and playful primates. Discovery at this zoo is a fun way to engage with animals.
Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park is a performing arts venue. This outdoor amphitheatre presents free concerts, theatre, and dance shows, letting you experience the local arts scene.
5. Enjoy the Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo in Hermann Park is a magical place for animal lovers of all ages. This 55-acre zoological park focuses on conservation and education and offers close-up views of several animals from throughout the world.
You’ll be amazed and excited when you enter the zoo. More than 6,000 creatures from 900 species live there. Its stunning large animals like tigers and lions and entertaining primates make the zoo an immersive experience.
The Houston Zoo’s animal welfare and conservation efforts are notable. Many endangered species breeding and conservation programmes are run by the zoo. Their meticulously created shelters replicate the animals’ native environs showing their dedication.
The zoo’s displays are well-curated, entertaining and educating visitors. The African Forest, Gorilla Habitat, and Rainforest Conservancy are must-sees.
Along with its extensive animal collections, the zoo offers wildlife presentations, feeding demonstrations, and interactive displays to bring you closer to animals. Families and animal lovers will love this educational and entertaining event.
6. Try Local Flavours:
Houston has a dynamic cuisine scene due to its different cultures and flavours. Houston’s unique cuisine provides a delicious sample of Texan and international culture.
Texas-Mex, a mix of Mexican and Texan flavours, is the city’s speciality. Tacos, enchiladas, queso, and delicious salsas are only the start. Local favourites like Ninfa’s on Navigation and The Original Ninfa’s offer real Tex-Mex.
Houston’s cuisine goes beyond Tex-Mex. Dining options reflect the city’s worldwide variety. Houston has a large Vietnamese community, so try Pho Binh or Pho Saigon for pho or spring rolls. Spicy craving? Houston Indian eateries like Pondicheri and Himalaya serve delicious food.
Soul food fans must visit barbecue establishments and soul kitchens for smokey ribs, crunchy fried chicken, and cosy sides. Burns Original BBQ and The Breakfast Klub are famous for this.
The Gulf Coast influences Houston’s seafood culture. Local seafood restaurants like Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen serve Gulf oysters, prawns and gumbo.
7. Admire Rothko Chapel
In Houston’s Museum District, the Rothko Chapel is a meditative space that celebrates art, spirituality, and human rights. This tranquil room is an architectural marvel and a profound artistic masterpiece with a basic yet moving design.
The Rothko Chapel, opened in 1971, houses 14 huge, monochrome Mark Rothko artworks. Black canvases without images encourage reflection and meditation. The chapel’s roof skylight makes the paintings appear to shift during the day, adding to the otherworldly atmosphere.
In addition to its art, the Rothko Chapel is a place of reflection and human rights activism. It has hosted many interfaith meetings, discussions, and lectures on peace, social justice, and civil rights. The chapel promotes discourse, empathy, and unity.
