Houston is one of the largest cities in the United States and features many interesting attractions, including the world-famous Johnson Space Center. Houston is full of parks, museums, galleries, historic landmarks, and cultural opportunities. Houston is convenient for both short getaways and extended travel because of its convenient airport. It is possible to spend time here learning about the city’s history in space travel or visiting some of the best art museums in the world. It’s guaranteed to be a once-in-a-lifetime experience in Houston, made even better by a trip to Galveston or the Rodeo.
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1. Children’s Museum of Houston
The Children’s Museum is a great place to take kids in Houston, as it was founded by a group of concerned parents who wanted to promote healthy growth and development in young children. Children can explore the fascinating world of science and technology through the museum’s many engaging interactive exhibits. The cultural and historical context is also extensively explored. Kids can fill out job applications, withdraw money from an ATM, and even cash in their paychecks at the Market exhibit. While the outdoors offers more lively play with water pipes and toy boats.
2. Galveston
Galveston appears to be the ideal getaway from Houston, with its white sand beaches, famous pier, and historic downtown. You can get away from it all and bask in the sun in a tranquil setting just an hour from the city. The pier is open all day and there are endless beaches for swimming. In addition to the rides and games, there are also some very good museums to visit. The fascinating Offshore Drilling Rig and Museum and the Seaport Museum are two such examples. You must not leave without first experiencing the many cafes, restaurants, and bars that line the Strand Historic District.
3. The Galleria
The Galleria is one of Houston’s most visited shopping centers. The Galleria was inspired by a similar shopping mall in Milan, which is where the name originates. When you’re in the mood to splurge, the Galleria also has a fantastic array of high-end shops to choose from. You can also ice skate on a full-sized rink, eat at one of several food courts or sit down at one of the many restaurants, and let the kids run wild in a massive play area.
4. Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park, where the world-famous Houston Astros play, is always jam-packed from March through October. Baseball games and too many hot dogs are the quintessential summer activities. There are many themed nights at Minute Maid Park that keep baseball games entertaining throughout the season. With a retractable roof, inclement weather is never an issue, guaranteeing that the game will go on as planned. If the home team hits a home run, find a good seat and watch the model train go around the track.
5. Houston Zoo
Houston is home to a fantastic zoo, which is a major tourist draw. The zoo, located in the spacious Hermann Park, is a popular destination for Houstonians and visitors alike. Besides having over 6,000 native and exotic animals, the zoo also has a great education center and a zoo specifically designed for kids. All the guests love to feed the giraffes and watch the marine life play just a few feet away. The Houston Museum of Natural Science is also located in Hermann Park, so you can combine two of Houston’s top attractions into one trip.
6. Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts is a sight to behold, with its two main buildings and outdoor sculpture garden. One of the best things to do here is to stroll through the gardens that separate the buildings. Objects from all corners of the globe are on display at the Museum of Fine Arts, covering a period of 6,000 years of human history. Among the many incredible works of art housed in these museums are a portrait by Memling, a painting by Monet, and a number of sculptures from the Roman era that are truly breathtaking.
7. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The city’s Livestock Show and Rodeo is the most anticipated event of the year in cowboy country. The 19-day celebration is more than just a rodeo and auction; it unites the entire city of Houston. It’s like being at a huge carnival with all your favorite games and rides included in the show. You could spend all day at the rides, but the rodeo events have incredible energy and show off incredible skill. The evening concerts are a great way to cap off the event, as they feature major musical acts due to the scale of the show.
8. Buffalo Bayou Park
Buffalo Bayou is more than just a huge city park; it also has plenty of opportunities for outdoor fun. Visitors can rent kayaks, canoes, or stand-up paddleboards and paddle down the Buffalo Bayou, which runs through the park. The park also features numerous trails for hikers and cyclists to get some exercise and take in the beautiful scenery. Multiple bike tours through the Bayou and walking tours of the historic Cistern are also available. At sunset, you can watch as roughly 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats take to the sky.
9. Space Center Houston
When in Houston, you must visit the Johnson Space Center, NASA’s official visitor center. As part of its massive Space Center Houston complex, Houston is home to a full-scale replica of the space shuttle Independence, complete with its own shuttle carrier. In addition to walking through a replica of America’s first space station, visitors can also touch real Moon rocks. An open-air tram tour is a great way to learn about the facility and see where astronauts train before missions into space.
10. Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the most visited in the United States, and has been drawing visitors since it first opened in 1909. The entrance, which showcases the recognizable Grasshopper Clock, is an instant hit with young visitors. Rare mineral specimens and an impressive collection of skeleton mounts are also on display at the museum. There were a total of six dinosaurs, four T. rex, and three massive Quetzalcoatlus. Due to Houston’s rich space heritage, the Museum of Natural Science is home to not only a planetarium but also a number of scale models of orbiting space stations. In addition, there will be a number of temporary displays that will be updated regularly throughout the year to ensure that the museum remains fresh and interesting.