The Best Things to do in Houston, Texas

Title Image via Flickr by Katie Haugland Bowen

The Best Things to Do in Houston, Texas

Houston, Texas, is a laid-back but cosmopolitan and cultured city with many activities to do including visiting museums, shopping, dining, and taking in the nightlife.

In addition to its museums and art galleries, families will find plenty of outdoor activities to keep children entertained. Plus, don’t miss sampling some of the tasty Tex-Mex food while you’re in Houston.

Did you know that Houston is the fourth most populous city in America? Since the city is so large, it’s a good idea to choose a centrally located Houston hotel to make the most of your visit. Take a look below at some of what you shouldn’t miss during your time in Texas.

Visit the NASA Space Center

Image via Flickr by vagueonthehow

Everyone has heard of Houston because of the famous line in the “Apollo 13” movie: “Houston we have a problem.” Visiting the NASA Space Center is one of the top things to do in Houston.

You can take a 90-minute narrated tram tour of the space center and visit the sprawling educational entertainment complex to learn about the human space flight program. You’ll also see space artifacts, science and space shows, and displays of shuttle launches and get to play with interactive exhibits.

The Space Center is in Clear Lake, 30 minutes outside Houston. Visit the website for more information.

Eat Tex-Mex Food and Go Clubbing

Houston holds a distinction for one of the top cities for food in the United States, and when you’re in the South, you can’t miss filling up on delicious and tasty Tex-Mex food. You’ll find a list of the best Tex-Mex restaurants in Houston in Houstonia magazine. Barbecue food is also popular in Houston, and the city has one of the most vibrant nightlife and clubbing scenes in the country.

Enjoy the Great Outdoors at Buffalo Bayou

Buffalo Bayou is a 52-mile waterway and park. The 10-mile stretch from Shepherd Drive to the Port of Houston Turning Basin is a popular place for outdoor recreation and is also a great spot for taking photos of the Houston skyline. You’ll also find playgrounds, picnic areas, pavilions, dog parks, a skateboard park, food trucks, and bikes for rent. Buffalo Bayou is also a venue for outdoor events and performances.

Visit Houston’s Museums

Image via Flickr by BPPrrice

Houston’s Museum District has 20 museums and holds a distinction as one of the best museum scenes in America. These excellent museums make for an interesting, fun, and educational day out for everyone in the family.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the best museums in Houston where you can see dinosaur fossils and precious gems, gaze at the stars in the planetarium, see exotic flora and colourful butterflies at the Cockrell Butterfly Center, and enjoy hands-on interactive exhibits.

The Houston Zoo is another popular attraction; creative types will love the Museum of Fine Arts and the Menil Collection. Don’t forget about the Children’s Museum of Houston, the Art Car Museum, and the Holocaust Museum Houston.

The above attractions are only a quick taste of the things to do in Houston. For more information about visiting Houston, explore visithoustontexas.com.

Have you been to Houston? What was your favourite thing to do?

This post was written in collaboration with InterContinental Hotel Group but all tips and opinions are my own.