Houston is an excellent destination to visit for a weekend trip because it is one of Texas’ most famous cities. It’s also one of the best places to visit in the USA for a weekend trip, with its location along the Gulf of Mexico, decades of history, and a slew of fascinating tiny gourmet eateries. Not only that, but Houston and the surrounding areas have a plethora of the best things to do.

Houston, a major metropolis, provides a highly awesome atmosphere. It’s jam-packed with one-of-a-kind and stunning views, each one more lovely than the last. The exciting downtown area, the highly desirable Museum District, and the ever-popular Asiatown are just a few examples. 

Houston, called for military Commander Sam Houston, who won the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, granting Texas secession from the union, is the fourth most populous city in North America, with a population of around 2.5 million people.

It is a tourism magnet due to its proximity to the Space Center Houston, NASA’s astronaut training and flight control complex, and numerous other attractive sites. Here are some of the top things to do and best places to visit in Houston that will assist you and your family in planning a fun-filled, thrilling vacation:

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Museum of Natural Science: The Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) boasts an incredible collection of nutrient specimens, orbiter models, 60 enormous bone mounts (include four Tyrannosaurus Rex and three large Quetzalcoatlus), a planetarium, and more to keep the entire family delighted for the day. The museum’s appeal stems from the large number of special and guest exhibits it hosts. It was founded in 1909 and is now one of the most popular tourist spots in Houston. The grasshopper clock, which can be found at the museum’s dramatic entryway and whose legs sync with the passing seconds, will delight the children.

Children’s Museum: Houston Children’s Museum was formed in 1980 by a group of parents who sought to promote early childhood development in the community. The museum features several fascinating hands-on interactive exhibits in science and technology, history and culture, and other topics. The Market, for instance, is a place where youngsters can have fun while learning how to apply for employment, receive payments, and use their ATM cards. In addition, there is a prominent tourist area with toy boats and water pipes to explore. 

Menil Park & Neighborhood: Menil Park & Neighborhood has been one of the best tourist attractions in Houston. This is a 30-acre attraction with a wide range of stunning sights. It’s a haven of peace amid a bustling metropolis, but it also offers its brand of thrills. The Menil Collection is a must-see for art aficionados. Picasso and Duchamp are two of the most famous artists in history, and their works can be found here. It’s one of the top places to visit in Houston, with over 15,000 artifacts in the collection. Otherwise, the Menil Park &Neighborhood area is a terrific place to visit. It’s one of Texas’ most picturesque locations.

Visit the Houston Zoo: The Houston Zoo, located on 55 acres in Hermann Park, is one of the top tourist attractions of Houston, drawing both locals and visitors. The zoo has about 6,000 exotic and native species, as well as an education center and a children’s zoo. Feeding giraffes, viewing marine life up close inside the aquarium, and watching sea lions and otters play are just a few of the highlights.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science, Miller Outdoor Theatre, a Japanese Garden, and the McGovern Centenary Garden are among the other attractions in Hermann Park. A paddleboat ride on McGovern Lake or a stroll all along the park’s walking pathways is both enjoyable activities.

Discovery Green: This is one of the most popular places to go in Houston if you’re undecided on what to visit in Houston. Green is the color of discovery. Discovery Green lives up to its name by allowing visitors to relax, sit among the green grass, and take in the sights and sounds of nature.

What’s even wonderful is that the garden has recently undergone improvements. As a result, the garden has stepped up its game and given us the thumbs up. You can now enjoy the garden’s twelve acres of lush greenery in all of its beauty. Many activities, such as yoga classes, toddler storytime, movie evenings, and periodic concerts, are available at Discovery Green.

Downtown Aquarium: The Downtown Aquarium offers a unique experience that you will remember for the rest of your life. The aquarium is ideal for romantic evenings or even huge family gatherings because of this experience. You’ll also be pleased to learn that the aquarium is well-equipped with several important facilities nearby. A shopping center, full-service restaurant, elegant bar, and a fully equipped ballroom are among the amenities.

The Downtown Aquarium also has geographic and aquatic exhibits for individuals who appreciate being in the company of nature. Adults may enjoy that experience as their children have a blast on their distinctive game rides like Shark Voyage, Frog Hopper, Aquatic Carousel, and others.

The Health Museum: This is the place to go if you have any aspiring scientists in your family or simply appreciate learning about science. The Health Museum receives over 180,000 visitors per year (over 2.5 million total), with over 22,000 schools visiting as part of a field trip. The museum’s exceptional dynamic health and science teaching experiences, such as a hands-on walk through the human body, genuine organ dissections, and a myriad of ever-changing fresh and intriguing displays, are one explanation for this allure. For a modest fee, your children can visit the cell lab and participate in some basic and entertaining activities.

Twilight Epiphany Skyspace: “Twilight Epiphany” seems like the title of a poem, and this attraction has the sensation of a place where you can get creative ideas. It’s at Rice University’s Shepherd School of Music, and it blends several forms of sensory delight. It’s cool in a way that can’t be expressed in words; it has to be experienced.

Twilight Epiphany Skyspace, the creation of artist James Turrell, can make you feel as though you’re experiencing an epiphany. It has a fantastic pyramid shape and is designed with a highly precise sound design. The lights match with those of the sky at dawn and night. It’s both a work of art and a work of pure wonder.

Visiting the Twilight Epiphany Skyspace in Houston, Texas, could be one of the most unique experiences you can have. It’s open from 5 a.m. to 10 p.m. from Wednesday through Monday. To have the finest experience, come here while the sun is rising or setting.

Cockrell Butterfly Center: The Cockrell Butterfly Center and Brown Hall of Entomology feature a large range of species and acts as an instructive opportunity for children and anybody interested in bugs, giving fun and instruction for the whole family.

A living butterfly habitat, as well as beautiful specimens of some of the world’s oddest arthropods and interesting interactive quizzes and activities, may be found at the center. Here are some helpful hints: as you move around the region, peek under leaves and read about the life cycle – which can be found at the center’s entrance – where you can view chrysalis in different phases. Also, bold colors are recommended. The butterflies will most likely settle on you at that point.

Minute Maid Park: Maid in a Minute! Minute Maid Park, one of the best places to see in Houston, Texas, provides an unforgettable experience. After all, it is the home of the Houston Astros, a Major League Baseball franchise. And if there’s one thing you must do when in the United States, it’s going to a baseball game. If you’re going to do it, you might as well do it in a cool environment like Minute Maid Park.

It also provides an exciting experience for the entire family because there is so much to do. In the Left Field, they have a Happy Hour Beet outlet for the adults. They provide some of the best beer you’ll ever taste here.

Fast Track Amusements: This family entertainment hub is ideal for people who want to let off steam, demonstrate their abilities, or simply have a good time. This site includes both indoor and outdoor amusement to satisfy everyone, with arcade games, miniature golf, laser tag, and Formula 1 style go-karts.

Fast Track Amusements is one of the places to go in Houston for the whole family, with pleasant and helpful staff, ultra-clean surroundings, table, video, and pinball games, and also highly fun games for the kids like Godzilla Wars JR, Wacky Gator Super Speedway, and Awesome Rat, to mention a few.

Hermann Park:  Hermann Park, which spans more than 400 acres, is a true marvel. It has a lot to offer, from spectacular installations to breathtaking flora and fauna. It demonstrates how much studying can be done both inside and outside of Houston, Texas, near the city’s museum sector.

Hermann Park has been meticulously designed, particularly in terms of its gardens. There’s also a magnificent sculpture display, including one dedicated to General Sam Houston. Take a ride on the Hermann Park railroad or paddle around in one of the pedal boats on a good day. Come to Hermann Park and spend as long as possible. There isn’t likely to be a time when you’re bored.

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens: The Houston Museum of Fine Arts includes the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. It has a lot of beautiful paintings and other items. Not to mention the gardens, which contribute to this being one of Houston’s greatest tourist attractions.

The Bayou Bend Collection is presently housed in the former home of Ima Hogg, a famous Houstonian. The pieces inside should make you admire both the effort that went into creating them and the effort that went into conserving them.

San Jacinto Park: Are you leaving Houston’s downtown area? Visit San Jacinto Park to learn more about this beautiful portion of town. The park’s grounds are not only beautiful to wander through on a bright day, but it also has a lot of history.

Right here, you’ll find the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, which includes a museum and a monument. You can browse around the displays and learn more about Texas’s independence from Mexico in 1939 after paying a nominal entrance fee.

Moreover, from the top, you’ll enjoy some spectacular views! Simply because of this, it is unquestionably one of the best things to do in Houston.

Galveston: If you like to get away from Houston’s downtown region, get in your car and drive to Galveston Beach. It’s the kind of place where you can spend the whole day, with stunning beaches, a kitsch amusement park, and a pleasure pier. Galveston, to be honest, has a lot of cool things to do and see, and it’s a great place to get away from it all.

Some of Galveston’s nicest beaches are not to be missed once you arrive. East Beach, Stewart Beach, Porretto Beach, and San Luis Beach are some of the most popular tourist attractions in Houston. Just remember to bring your sunscreen; the wind can deceive you into thinking the sun isn’t as powerful as it appears!

House of Pies: House of Pies is one of the ideal places to go in Houston, Texas if you want to have a good time. Although we could just as easily call it a “Palace of Pies,” we think the term is a little too modest. If you were born with an insatiable sweet taste, you should pay a visit to House of Pies. House of Pies welcomes both early risers and late-night owls, thanks to its flexible hours. Its food is likewise all-inclusive. No wonder it is one of the most famous places to visit in Houston that are worth exploring.

Revival Market: Going to Revival Market is a different kind of shopping experience thereby making it one of the ideal places to visit in Houston. You won’t discover any new clothes, but you will come across some delectable meals. If you want to see how much Houston values itself, this is what you should do. Revival Market’s various food vendors cater to a wide range of preferences. It’s particularly fantastic if you want to sample some delicious local meats. At Revival Market, you’ll find a wide variety of delectable desserts and cheeses.

What’s next waiting for you?

At first glance, a list of the best places to visit and top things to do in Houston, Texas, could appear excessive. But believe us when we say that we could easily increase the number of items on this list to 100 without sacrificing quality. This town is a lot of fun. There are numerous exciting activities and sights to see, both ancient and new. Investigate topics that interest you in addition to these. We didn’t have time to visit all of the historical sites, restaurants, and natural wonders. You may have so much fun here that you’ll start making tentative preparations to move here. The most memorable moments in this city may be among the most memorable of your entire life. 

Now you know where to go and what to visit in Houston, you can plan your travel with utmost enthusiasm. Check out our other travel guides to explore best places to visit near Houston.