10 Best Things to Do in Houston [Must-Visit Tourist Spots]

Experience the best things to do in Houston, Texas. Explore these top tourist attractions in this popular city in America! Featured photo by eflon under creative commons.

Home to historic architecture, awe-inspiring museums, and a thriving restaurant scene, the sprawling metropolis of Houston has something for every tourist. But which six attractions are absolute musts for any Houston visitor’s list? Read on to find out our top six things to do in this Texan city – if you’re pressed for time on your trip, these will show you the best of Houston!

Space Center Houston

This science museum is NASA Johnson Space Center’s official visitor center, and it houses a wealth of permanent and traveling exhibits, live shows, the NASA Tram Tour, and over 400 space artifacts. It also has theaters focusing on the history of the human spaceflight program. You’ll gasp in amazement at the sight of the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which is over 156 feet long!

Downtown Aquarium

Immerse in the incredible sights of the sea when you go for an adventure at Houston’s Downtown Aquarium! Home to over 200 species in 500,000 gallons of water, the Downtown Aquarium is famous for its exhibits and themed areas: the Louisiana Swamp, the Shipwreck, the Rainforest, the Sunken Temple, the Gulf of Mexico, the Discovery Rig, the White Tiger of the Maharaja Temple, and the Stingray Reef.  

Houston Museum of Natural Science

With multiple paleontological exhibits and a breathtaking indoor rainforest, the Houston Museum of Natural Science is not to be missed! Marvel at their displays recreating actual encounters between dinosaurs, or take snaps of their incredible gem vault. Make sure you see all their permanent exhibits, such as the Cabinet of Curiosities and Weiss Energy Hall! Our hot tip is to see what’s new in their special exhibition section: recent ones include a close look at Pompeii, and one taking an inside look into the human body.

Houston Zoo

This 55-acre zoological park is the second most visited zoo in the country! Caring for over 6,000 animals from 900 species, the Houston Zoo receives an average of over 2.1 million visitors each year. Gaze at rhinos and giraffes at the African Forest exhibit, or go to the Allen H. and Ethel G. Carruth Natural Encounters Exhibit to treat yourself to a simulated adventure through an entire continent, from rainforests to deserts!

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

One of the largest museums in the country, Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts boasts an incredible collection of over 70,000 artworks from around the world. The paintings of Botticelli, Rembrandt, and Monet are just some of the antiquities that can be spotted here. Stroll through the sprawling sculpture garden or check out any of their rotating exhibitions – they frequently do historical retrospectives on different art movements!

Kemah Boardwalk

This theme park offers a charming boardwalk and waterfront experience, with a 400-slip marina and 96-foot-tall roller coaster known as the Boardwalk Bullet! Visit the Observation Tower, snack on shrimp and tacos, or go for a dizzying spin on the Hypno Spin. For those looking for a more leisurely boardwalk trip, fret not: it has a double-decker carousel, a charter yacht, and several restaurants for those who want a calmer pace.

James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace

Located adjacent to the Shepherd School of Music on the Rice University campus, James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace, was built in 2012. It is a pyramidal structure that can accommodate 120 people. It features a light sequence that can be viewed every day, except Tuesdays.

The Sunrise light sequence starts approximately 40 minutes before sunrise while the Sunset light sequence begins about 10 minutes before sunset. Each sequence lasts approximately 40 minutes.

San Jacinto Monument and Museum

The San Jacinto Museum of History, within the base of the San Jacinto Monument, holds one of the largest collections of Texas art, artifacts, and history. The monument is located next to the historic Battle Ship Texas in La Porte, Texas (Harris County).

The San Jacinto Monument, on the other hand, is the world’s tallest war memorial, standing 15 feet taller than the Washington Monument, and honors all those who fought for Texas’ independence.

Houston Chinatown

Houston hosts a large and vibrant Chinatown which features Chinese shops, restaurants, cultural centers, and more.

Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park

Designed and created in 1985 by the architectural team of Philip Johnson and John Burgee, the Water Wall pumps 78,500 gallons of recycled water every three hours and 20 minutes. It is probably the most photographed tourist attraction in Houston with its 64-foot U-shaped fountain that has water rushing down its inside and outside walls.