A charismatic city in Texas, US - Houston. It is near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The city is an anchor of the megaregion called the Texas Triangle. Houston was founded by some land investors in 1836. To know which sites to explore in this city, scroll down and enhance your bucket list with the best places to visit in Houston.
The best part of Houston is its culinary scene. More than 10,000 restaurants represent over 70 different countries and regions. It is a wonderland for food lovers. From Tex-Mex to Vietnamese, Houston's distinct populace has helped in shaping its delicious landscape.
The concentration of museums is unmatched in the United States, making Houston a premier spot for art and culture admirers.
This city is not only famous for its cultural and culinary offerings. It also houses some of the world's largest and most inventive energy companies.
But Houston is not just a city of museums, food, and industry. It is also a city of green spaces, with over 300 parks and more than 50,000 acres of greenery.
Note: If you want to fly cheaply to this city. Then Frontier and Spirit Airlines provide tremendous flights to Houston.
Leading Places to Visit in Houston:
Houston is an outstanding city with an abundance of places to explore. You will never be let down while visiting this charming city.
1. The Houston Museum District
A region in Houston that houses an assortment of 19 galleries, museums, and cultural establishments. The district covers an area of approx 1.5 square miles.
You can see a diversified range of exhibits including art, science, history, and culture. To navigate between the different attractions of this district, you can use METRORail.
2. Hermann Park
A park in the heart of Houston. It covers an area of 445 acres and has many sightseeing attractions. There are serene gardens, a golf course, a lake, picnic areas, and playgrounds. Walking and biking trails are also there in Hermann Park.
If you want to relax in an enchanting natural setting. Then add this park to your list of one of the best places to visit in Houston.
Some prominent attractions in the park are the Japanese Garden, the McGovern Centennial Gardens, etc. The Miller Outdoor Theatre hosts many free performances and events all around the year. It includes concerts, plays, and dance performances.
3. Houston Museum of Natural Science
This is a prime museum in Houston Museum District. Houston Museum of Natural Science was opened in 1909. You can see exhibitions and compilations of dinosaur fossils, gems and minerals, ancient artifacts, and a planetarium.
A popular exhibit in this museum is the Morian Hall of Paleontology. It features a remarkable display of dinosaur skeletons, including the world's largest Tyrannosaurus rex.
The museum also has a butterfly center. You can walk through a rainforest environment filled with hundreds of live butterflies here. In addition, the Burke Baker Planetarium offers many shows and programs that explore the wonders of the universe.
4. Minute Maid Park
A baseball stadium in downtown Houston. The Houston Astros, a Major League Baseball team houses in this park. Minute Maid Park opened in 2000 and has a seating capacity of 41,168.
This park has a retractable roof. It allows games to be played in any weather condition. The stadium also features a unique design that includes a train. It runs along a track on the exterior of the stadium and is a nod to Houston's history as a major railroad hub.
Minute Maid Park also hosts numerous other events throughout the year. Concerts, festivals, and corporate events do take place here.
5. The Galleria
It is a premier location for shopping and entertainment in Houston. The Galleria is also the biggest shopping mall in the whole of Texas. Over 2.4 million square feet of retail space and more than 400 stores and restaurants are here.
Many luxury and high-end brands have houses in the Galleria. Neiman Marcus, Gucci, Chanel, and Louis Vuitton, are to name a few. Some famous departmental stores like Macy's, Nordstrom, and Saks Fifth Avenue are also in this mall.
You can not just do shopping in the Galleria. It also has many dining and entertainment options. You can choose from a variety of diners, coffee shops, and food courts. A movie theater and an ice skating rink are also there for an exciting experience.
6. The Menil Collection
A museum in Houston that houses the private art collection of John and Dominique de Menil. It was opened to the public in 1987. A range of art from different periods and cultures, including African, Byzantine, and modern art is on display here.
The museum's selection holds nearly 19,000 works of art. From paintings and sculptures to drawings, photographs, and prints, you can find almost everything here.
Some of the eminent artists in the collection are Pablo Picasso, Henri Matisse, Jackson Pollock, Mark Rothko, etc.
The Menil Collection is known for its intimate and contemplative atmosphere, with galleries designed to showcase the art in a simple and elegant manner. There is also an amazing park and outdoor sculpture garden.
7. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
A historic mansion and garden in River Oaks, Houston. It was built in the 1920s and 1930s by philanthropist and art collector Ima Hogg. And is now owned by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
The mansion has an assortment of American decorative arts and paintings from the 17th to the mid-19th century. Furniture, ceramics, silver, and textiles are on display here.
You can roam around the mansion with a guide to see the serene collection and learn about its history and significance. This place has earned its spot among the best places to visit in Houston.
The gardens encompassing the estate are equally impressive. Many native and exotic plants, as well as fountains, pools, and sculptures, are featured around. The gardens cover 14 acres and offer a tranquil escape.
8. Johnson Space Center
The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center (JSC) is a NASA facility in Houston. It is the center for human spaceflight training, research, and flight control for the United States space program.
The JSC houses many NASA programs and initiatives. The International Space Station (ISS) program, the Orion spacecraft program, and the Commercial Crew Program are to name a few.
There is Visitor Center too where you can learn about space exploration and NASA's history. You can also see real spacecraft and artifacts here.
What else you can do is see real moon rocks, and touch a piece of Mars. Or even take a tram tour of the center to see the historic Mission Control Center.
9. Houston Zoo
A zoological park within Hermann Park in Houston. There are around 6,000 animals of over 600 species in Houston Zoo. The mission statement of this zoo is "The Houston Zoo connects communities with animals, inspiring action to save wildlife." It is an extensive zoo in the whole of the US.
The zoo's exhibits are coordinated by geological region, with animals from Africa, Asia, Australia, and the Americas.
African Forest has gorillas, white rhinos, chimpanzees, and other primates. The Kipp Aquarium showcases a variety of marine life from all over the globe.
Houston Zoo also has educational programs and events designed to promote conservation and animal welfare.
If you are interested in learning about the animals and their habitats. Then you can attend animal encounters, watch animal feedings, and participate in behind-the-scenes tours.
10. Post HTX
A multiplex in downtown Houston. Post HTX is a renovated warehouse that offers an exclusive industrial-chic setting for different events. Explore this complex as it is one of the best places to visit in Houston.
Post HTX has indoor and outdoor event space. It includes diners, retail places, a large main hall, a rooftop terrace, and a courtyard with a stage. The venue also offers ultramodern lighting and sound systems. And on the rooftop, you can enjoy the performances of live DJs.
With its rare design, modern amenities, and prime location, it offers a memorable and exciting experience for any type of event.
11. National Museum of Funeral History
This is an uncommon museum in Houston. It is devoted to exploring the history and cultural significance of funeral customs and practices around the world.
The museum's aim is to "educate the public and preserve the heritage of death care." You can see hearses, coffins, and other funeral vehicles in this museum.
The museum has exhibits too on the history of embalming, the science of forensics, and the cultural impact of notable funerals throughout history.
12. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
A yearly event in NRG Stadium, Houston. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo honor the city's western heritage and agriculture sector. The event has many activities and attractions. There is a livestock show, rodeo competitions, concerts, and carnival rides.
Several animals like cattle, horses, goats, pigs, etc. are featured. The rodeo competitions have events like bull riding, barrel racing, and steer wrestling.
The livestock show and rodeo also feature a lineup of concerts. Brilliant stars such as Garth Brooks, George Strait, Beyonce, etc. have performed here.
13. Holocaust Museum Houston
This museum is in Houston. It is built to educate people about the horrors of the Holocaust. Stories of survivors and liberators are exhibited in Holocaust Museum.
The museum's permanent exhibit is "Bearing Witness: A Community Remembers." It has artifacts, documents, and testimonies that provide a comprehensive look at the Holocaust and its impact on individuals and communities.
Educational programs for students and teachers are also held. As well as public events and lectures on topics related to the Holocaust and human rights.
The mission of this museum is to ensure that the lessons of the Holocaust are never forgotten. And they continue to inspire people to stand up against prejudice and hatred.
14. Gerarld D. Hines Waterwall Park
A public park in the uptown area of Houston. The park is named after real estate developer Gerald D. Hines, who donated the land for the park's creation.
The main attraction of this park is a stunning 64-foot-tall semi-circular fountain. It features a wall of water cascading down its inner and outer surfaces. The fountain is surrounded by lush greenery and benches.
Waterwall Park is a rare and wonderful oasis in the heart of Houston.
15. San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
This site is a park and museum in Harris County, just outside of Houston. The Battle of San Jacinto took place here in 1836. It was a decisive battle in the Texas Revolution to gain independence from Mexico. It is definitely one of the best places to visit in Houston.
There is a 570-foot-tall monument called the San Jacinto Monument. It is the tallest masonry column in the world and commemorates the battle.
You can take an elevator to the top of the monument and enjoy the extraordinary views of the neighboring suburbs.
The museum here houses a variety of artifacts and exhibits related to the events.
