Best Things To Do In Houston,TX

Houston, named after former General Sam Houston who, in 1836, won the Battle of San Jacinto which gained Texas its independence from Mexico, is the fourth most populated city in North America. It is a magnet for tourism, being closely linked with the Space Center Houston, and NASA’s astronaut training and flight control complex together with many other interesting attractions.

Museum of Natural Science

The Houston Museum of Natural Science has an amazing collection of mineral specimens, space station models, 60 large skeleton mounts – which include four Tyrannosaurus Rex and three large Quetzalcoatlus – a planetarium, and lots more to occupy the family for the day. Established in 1909, it is now one of the most popular in North America. The kids will love the grasshopper clock situated at the museum’s striking entrance, whose legs harmonize with the passing seconds

Children’s Museum

Houston Children’s Museum is one of 190 children’s museums in the United States, founded by a group of parents who wanted to raise early childhood development within the community. The museum has some absorbing hands-on interactive exhibits in subjects such as science and technology, history and culture, and more. In particular, The Market, an area where the kids will have fun – and learn at the same time – how to apply for jobs, get paychecks and use their ATM card.
There is also a popular outdoor area that has toy boats and water pipes to enjoy too.

Space Center Houston

The space center is home to more than 400 artifacts The whole family will be spellbound as they look through the museum’s collection of movies and interactive consoles. The International Space Station Mission Control, and home of NASA Mission Control and astronaut training, as additional treat guests are then taken behind the scenes to see NASA Johnson Space Center where history was made.

Discovery Green

The public city park is thought of by locals as a much needed urban oasis. It is very community spirited, offering free yoga classes, toddler storytimes as well as movie nights and regular concerts. It also has a playground, free WiFi, open-air reading rooms and an area from which you can borrow games and balls when the family feels like getting active. Alternatively, just enjoy a picnic as you laze on the upward sloping green, relax and watch everyone else.

Downtown Aquarium

The Downtown Aquarium is a 500,000-gallon aquatic wonderland with 200 species of exotic global residents, it is a great attraction for all the family, and especially the kiddies as they can enjoy the fun aquarium’s rides, from Frog Hopper to Shark Voyage and Aquatic Carousel. There are plenty of treats for the adults too as the venue includes shopping, an upscale bar, full-service restaurant, a fully equipped ballroom and geographic and aquatic exhibits.

The Health Museum

The Health Museum welcomes over 180,000 visitors a year, (over 2.5 million so far.), partly made up of more than 22,000 schoolchildren as part of their field trip. One reason for this draw is the museum’s excellent interactive health and science educational experiences, which include things like a hands-on walk through the human body, real organ dissections, and a multitude of ever-changing new and exciting exhibits.

Fast Track Amusements

Made up of arcade games, miniature golf, laser tag and Formula 1 style go-karts; this venue has both indoor and outdoor entertainment to suit everyone. With friendly and helpful staff, super clean facilities and table, video and pinball games together with super enjoyable games Godzilla Wars JR, Wacky Gator Super Speedway and Awesome Rat for the kids – to name just a few

Museum of Fine Arts

The MFAH not only benefit the never-ending visitors who come to enjoy the museum’s stunning collection of over 6,000 years of history and approximately 64,000 works from six continents. This world-class museum takes great pride in being home to treasures such as Gleizes’s La Femme, Memling’s portrait, Monet’s Water Lilies and an impressive amount of Roman period sculptures and paintings. If you want to make sure you’re not going to miss anything, there are 45 minute guided tours for the family to enjoy. There is also a great café with well above average refreshments.

Minute Maid Park

Minute Maid Park is home to Houston’s Major League Baseball team the Astros and is now famous for seeing a major league team playing on natural grass outdoors. This exciting renovation was approved of by their 3 million fans, who now come to take advantage of the 242 ft high retractable roof.A super attraction for all the family as there will be lots of fun to be had whether it be rain or shine.

Cockrell Butterfly Center

The Cockrell Butterfly Center and Brown Hall of Entomology has a huge variety of species and serves as a teachable moment for kids and anyone interested in bugs, providing entertainment and education for the entire family. The center is home to a living butterfly habitat with spectacular specimens of some of the world’s strangest arthropods as well as fun interactive quizzes and games. And here are some useful hints; as you walk through the area, have a look under leaves and take the time to read about the life cycle – found at the entrance to the center – where you can see chrysalis in their various stages. And wear bright colors. The butterflies are more than likely to land on you then.

The Galleria

Modeled after Milan’s stunning Galleria Vittorio Emanuele, it is home to over 400 high-end stores, wonderful restaurants and food outlets such as Cheesecake Factory, Chili’s and White Oaks Kitchen, a full-size ice rink, state of the art children’s play area, seven beauty salons and lots more besides. It won’t be any surprise to hear that it is Texas’ largest mall. From Valentino and Gucci to Prada and La Perla there is something here to keep every member of the family happy.

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

Opened in 2002, the Hobby Center is made up of 60 ft high glass walls with stunning views of the city’s skyscrapers, located on the edge of the theatre district. There are some wonderful shows and plays performed here and a visit to the center would be a lovely outing for all the family as there are often children-friendly shows to see.

Hines Waterwall Park

The Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is a great place for the family to obtain some really good downtime within a stunning backdrop. The park features a 64 ft semi-circular fountain that re-circulates 11,000 gallons of water per minute that tumbles down the structure’s inner and outer walls. Pretty awesome to watch, I’d say. This landmark park is surrounded by 186 oak trees and is a popular spot for its locals to meet up with friends, enjoy a Frisbee game, picnic, walk or even a fabulous photographic opportunity.

Toyota Center

Named after Japanese automobile manufacturers Toyota (who had paid $100 million for the naming rights), the center’s arena is home to the Houston Rockets of the National Basketball Association as well as being the former home of the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League. The arena has spacious seating together with clean facilities.

1940 Air Terminal Museum

This is a must see for all the aviation addicts in the family. The museum is housed in the original art deco Houston Municipal Airport and showcases a truly wonderful display of all things airline related, including Houston’s own aviation history. The Museum occupies the entire ground floor (with the renovation of the upper floors including the observation decks and tower cab pending) and holds airline treasures such as the ticket desks for Braniff and Eastern Airlines and many more wonderful displays of architecture and aviation from a time gone by.