Houston is one of those cities which thrive with culture, national heritage, and natural wonders. You can never be bored and alone in this magnificent city if you explore what is there to do in Houston. After all, you will be in one of the best cities in Texas. But if you are asking ‘what are the top things to do in Houston today?’ then there is not one but many answers. There is a whole lot of incredible things to do here ranging from sightseeing tour and museum visits to dining in restaurants and exploring green spaces. You may not need to splurge on a lot of money. There are some fun things to do in Houston for free. So what are the top things to do in Houston tonight? Let’s dig right in…

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

One of the top things to do in Houston Texas is to watch a rodeo show. You can visit the NRG Stadium and watch the best rodeo shows like bareback riding, steer wrestling, bull riding, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and other shows. There are events and rodeo competitions that families with kids enjoy so much. There are events such as horse shows, calf scrambles, livestock auctions, and such interesting events. But there are other equally exciting activities to do such as concerts, amusement rides, barbecue contests, parades, trail rides, and more.

Visit Hermann Park

Hermann Park is a 445-acre green park with so many attractions to visit inside. There are playgrounds, parks, lakes, golf courses, natural trails, rail rides for kids, gardens, pavilions, and more. The biggest attraction is the Houston Zoo where you can see various exotic animals, birds, and reptiles from all continents. But other attractions are equally exciting as well. You can watch movies, plays, performances, cultural presentations, and art shows at Miller Outdoor Theatre. If you love to hang out in green environs, you can visit McGovern Centennial Gardens where you can stroll among flowers and a variety of shrubs. There is a rose garden as well, and more than 50 different types of trees.

Houston Museum District

One of the top things to do in Houston this weekend is to visit the various museums in the Houston Museum District. Some of the most famous museums in Houston are located here. You can watch a huge collection of contemporary and medieval art at the Museum of Fine Arts. If you love the natural world, then you will love the exhibits at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. There are over 19 museums in this district, and you can spend an entire day visiting various museums. There are some unique museums like The Health Museum, where you can study the exhibits to better understand the human body and mind. The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum has exhibits that portray the history of the Civil War and the times of slavery in the United States.

Johnson Space Center and Space Center

One of the major tourist attractions in Houston is the Johnson Space Center and Space Center. Visiting this massive place is one of the top things to do in Houston today. The Johnson Space Center is where the mission control of NASA is, and it is one of the major space flight centers in the entire US. The Johnson Space Center trains astronauts, conducts space research, and does more such activities. Tourists can go on guided tours inside and learn more about space research and manned space missions. There is history here, and space science, all rolled into one. The exhibits include wonderful historic things such as a Mars rock. You can go on a narrated tour and learn many things about the role of Mission Control in guiding space rockets. Many itineraries are available here, and you can visit interactive exhibits like the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket booster and a real-life replica of Space Shuttle Independence.

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Visiting the Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the must do things in Houston Texas. The museum is located in Museum District where you can also visit other museums. The Houston Museum of Natural Science has some prehistoric exhibits that showcase the evolution of dinosaurs and humans. You can see fossils of dinosaurs, rubies, emeralds, and other mineral specimens. The paleontology section has skeletons, rainforest recreations, dioramas, and more. Children and adults will find some fun things to do in Houston for adults. They must visit the Burke Baker Planetarium and Cockrell Butterfly Center. These are best to explore celestial bodies and butterflies.

Buffalo Bayou

One of the top things to do in Houston this weekend is to explore the green spaces. Buffalo Bayou is one such place where you can do so many outdoor activities in the vast outdoor spaces. Buffalo Bayou is a waterway that is 52 miles in length. Out of these, the 10-mile-long stretch from Shepherd Drive to Port of Houston Turning Basin is one of the popular outdoor sports and recreation areas. Among the famous places here are a dog park, skateboarding park, and picnic pavilion. Some historic memorials are restored to their original glory, and one such memorial is the Water Works Building. This was an abandoned city, with a complete water system. You will find food trucks, water reservoirs, and many rental facilities here. 

Minute Maid Park

If you are in Houston, one of the best things to do in Houston with friends is to catch a ball game at Minute Maid Park. The air-conditioned stadium is a relief from the hot sun outside. But you can also enjoy the sunny view of the skies from inside the stadium. Fireworks Friday is the best time to visit Minute Maid Park, as you can view the magnificent fireworks display here at the night. There is food too, and you can relish your favorite hot dogs and nachos to healthy salads and more.

The Menil Collection

If you are the artsy kind and love to watch paintings and art, then you are in luck in Houston. The Menil Collection is a huge space where art lovers converge to see a magnificent collection of art. This art collection comprises a huge collection of art gathered over the years by John and Dominique de Menil. It has a priceless collection that ranges from African art to medieval Byzantine art. You will find Native American art, contemporary modern art, impressionist art, sculptures, photography, and other sections to visit. The environs are soothing and the interiors provide a contemplative effect to your viewing. 

Holocaust Museum Houston

You will enjoy Houston for a variety of reasons, and one of the must-visit places is the museums. Holocaust Museum Houston is one of the most unique museums in Houston. The museum has a permanent collection of collection that showcases the holocaust era during World War II. Among the exhibits are film footage, objects of holocaust victims, and life in concentration camps. There are uniforms of soldiers, and a Danish fishing boat, among other things. There are photographs of Texas holocaust survivors and art displays.

Discovery Green

Though this park is located in the business district of Houston, it packs in a lot of entertainment and recreation facilities. Discovery Green is one of the fascinating green spaces in Houston that kids enjoy so much with adults. This is why Discovery Green is one of the top things to do in Houston today. The 12 acres of space has enough amenities and is right next to famous attractions like Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park, and George R. Brown Convention Center. You will find kayak rides, fountains, lawns, reading rooms, picnic spaces, and bocce ball courts, for outdoor activities. There are many promenades, jogging trails, restaurants, and performance spaces. 

Galveston

One of the fun things to do in Houston for free is to visit Galveston. This is a barrier island situated on the Texas Gulf coast. The beaches are special here and they are innumerable here in Galveston. Here you will find the most wonderful and unique things to do in Houston at the beach. Families can have total beach fun at Stewart Beach where there are so many facilities. If you like swimming, then East Beach is best for you. Seawall Boulevard is the place where you will find the historic Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. The pier is full of arcade games, water rides, rollercoaster rides, Ferris Wheel, and more such recreational activities for kids and adults. There are other places like Moody Gardens, an aquarium, and a golf course to spend outdoor time. If natural spaces are more of your sort, then you must visit the Galveston Island State Park. Here there are wild trails, kayak, and canoe rentals which offer you canoes for exploring the various corners of the park.

Gerald D. Hines Waterfall Park

Houston has all the exciting places to visit and Gerald D. Hines Waterfall Park is certainly one of the most exciting. This is an artificial waterfall with an incredible post-modernist design. The waterfall is 64 feet high and water pours out at a whopping 11,000 gallons per minute. This wonderful waterfall is one of the amazing things to do in Houston for couples. You can enjoy snapping photos of the waterfall in the background or enjoy some sprays falling on you. This waterfall is the best place to visit during summer when the sun is hot and you need cool spaces.

San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site

One of the historic places to visit on your trip to Houston is the San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site. A visit to this historic battle site is one of the top things to do in Houston Texas. A major war took place here between the forces of Sam Houston and the Mexican army. The forces of Houston won the battle of San Jacinto, after whom the site is named. Today, there is a museum that you can visit and the San Jacinto monument which is 567 feet and is the world’s tallest masonry memorial structure. You can go up this monument up an elevator from where you can view the place where the actual battle took place and also view the Houston Ship Channel.

National Museum of Funeral History

One of the top things to do in Houston today is to visit the National Museum of Funeral History. The exhibits here are all related to funeral services and you will find caskets, coffins, hearses, and all things related to funerals. You can visit some permanent exhibits and learn about the history of embalming, cremation, and strange funeral practices in countries like China and Japan. You can learn about how people of different civilizations bury their dead, and the funerals of past presidents and popes. If you think the museum is not one for children, you might be mistaken. Children and adults will enjoy their time here in the museum.

The Galleria

You can visit Galleria which is one of the biggest malls in Houston. Visiting Galleria comes on top of the top things to do in Houston today. Galleria is a gigantic shopping mall with around 400 stores and shops. You can explore the entire mall in a day and spend time here shopping and dining. But you can also have an exciting time doing some indoor activities. There is also some recreation and entertainment here. So you can spend some time in the ice rink while you shop around for branded clothes and stuff. There are some famous branded shops and showrooms like Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Louis Vuitton, and other famous designer brands. There are over 60 dining options here, and you can satiate your hunger with pizzas, burgers, hot dogs, and many other food options.

Memorial Park

Hermann Park looks small compared to Memorial Park. But you can escape the city heat of Houston and plan a fun time with family or friends at this enormous green space. A visit to Memorial Park is one of the top things to do in Houston Texas with family. There are wild trails that go deep into the park. The flora of the park is awesome. You can take a bike along and explore the park’s lush greenery from close range. There are a lot of bike rentals you can take. One of these wild trails takes you to Buffalo Bayou, which is just to the south of the park. You can run along a running trail that is 3 miles long. In addition, there is a fitness center, swimming pool, golf course, and picnic areas. You can play indoor sports such as croquet, baseball, tennis, soccer, and volleyball.

Final Words on Top Things To Do in Houston Texas

So plan a trip to Houston and do some exciting indoor and outdoor activities. The top things to do in Houston today range from walks in parks, to visiting museums and watching your favorite team play. But there is so much else that is in store for you in Houston. You will enjoy quality time with your friends when you visit a beach. Take your family along for a memorable time in Houston. The Houston things to do are exciting, relaxing, and recreational, and we hope you find the one that suits you from all the ones we just mentioned.

Whether you are looking for top things to do in Houston in summer season, best things to do in Houston in winter season or most popular things to do in Houston Downtown in rainy season, the above travel guide covers everything. Check out best places to stay in Houston if you are looking for comfortable accommodation in Houston.