Houston's expansive Museum District is by far the city's greatest cultural asset. What's more, it's considered one of the top things to do in Texas. This district features 19 museums in four walkable zones, which include popular spots like the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, The Menil Collection and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.

Located about 4 miles south of downtown Houston, The Museum District stretches from the southern edge of Midtown and includes Hermann Park. Millions of people visit each year thanks to its diverse array of offerings and the fact that admission to 10 of the 19 museums available is free, year-round. Top museums to see include:

U.S. News Insider Tip: Don’t underestimate Houston's heat and humidity in the summer (May to September). Visitors should take frequent indoor breaks, carry water bottles and wear a hat and sunscreen. – Catherine Parker

Those looking to feel like a local should take a trip to Houston's Hermann Park. The 445-acre park offers green spaces and attractions that will appeal to all ages. Hermann Park boasts a Japanese garden, the Friendship Pavilion from Taipei, a golf course, a miniature train, an edible vegetable, herb, citrus and fruit garden, a sculpture walk, lakes, fountains, pedal boats and trails. What's more, the park is also home to the Houston Zoo. 

U.S. News Insider Tip: Though not located near downtown Houston, this day trip is worth the effort to rent a car, especially if you're staying in Houston for a few days. NASA fans should arrive early for the tram tour. – Catherine Parker

"Houston, we've had a problem." Most Americans have heard of the infamous phrase uttered by the Apollo 13 crew when it encountered a spacecraft explosion mid-flight on its way to the moon (or the modified "Apollo 13" movie version, "Houston, we have a problem"). The astronauts were communicating with Mission Control at this NASA space center, about 25 miles southeast of downtown Houston.

Just so there's no confusion, the name "Buffalo Bayou" refers to an entire 52-mile waterway that starts in Katy, Texas, and winds its way to the Houston Ship Channel. The 10-mile stretch from Shepherd Drive to the Port of Houston Turning Basin – Buffalo Bayou Park – is a popular place for outdoor recreation.

There are a number of attractions within the 160-acre Buffalo Bayou Park, including a 30,000 square-foot in-ground skate park, a nature-inspired playground and picnic pavilion, the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony, a 2-acre dog park, the Houston Police Officers' Memorial and plenty of hiking and biking trails. Plus, it's a popular hub for outdoor events and performances as well as food trucks. It's also home to public restrooms and bike rental facilities. Visitors will also find the Cistern here: Houston's first underground drinking-water reservoir that's been converted into a public space with guided tours. And if you'd like to get out on the waters of the Buffalo Bayou, kayak rentals and tours are available.

U.S. News Insider Tip: This expansive museum could take all day, especially for families. The dinosaurs, the planetarium, the gemstone and mineral hall, and the butterfly center can take an hour each to enjoy. – Catherine Parker

Situated in Hermann Park and the Museum District, near the Houston Zoo, the Museum of Fine Arts and the Holocaust Museum Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science features more than 1.5 million objects in its permanent collection and spans more than 430,000 square feet of space. Founded in 1909, the museum's exhibit halls cover a wide range of subjects, which is why this attraction is such a popular thing to do in Houston.

U.S. News Insider Tip: If you own Western wear, this is the place to wear it, though it's not necessary to have fun. Comfortable, closed-toed shoes are must, especially if walking through the Livestock Show. – Catherine Parker

No trip to Texas is complete without a visit to a rodeo. And there's no better place than the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, where visitors can see rodeo events along with headlining musical acts; past performers have included everyone from Beyoncé and Garth Brooks to Earth, Wind & Fire and June Carter Cash. When rodeo competition season rolls around (typically between late February and early March), crowds descend on NRG Stadium to watch daily rodeo shows that feature a variety of competitions, such as bareback riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing and more. Meanwhile, livestock shows feature traditional events, such as livestock auctions, calf scrambles and horse shows. Beyond the competitions, the event offers a variety of other activities, including dining, carnival rides and shopping (if you're looking for an authentic cowboy hat, this is the place to buy it).

Minute Maid Park, home to Major League Baseball's Houston Astros, is a popular place to be during the summer months in Houston. In addition to housing more than 40,000 seats, the park also features a replica of a 19th-century locomotive that runs about 800 feet along the west side of the ballpark and lights up and makes sounds when the team first takes to the natural grass field, when an Astros player scores a home run and when the team wins. The air-conditioned stadium is a wonderful relief from hot summer days. Yet the stadium also has a fully retractable roof, which allows for fresh air on cooler days. Even when the roof is closed, a 50,000-square-foot glass section keeps the city's skyline visible.

Some visitors suggest trying to catch a game on a Friday fireworks night, as the show is impressive. Those on the lookout for unique ballpark eats won't be disappointed either. The park offers a huge food selection ranging from ballpark classics (like hot dogs and nachos) to healthy salad bars, though several recent visitors commented on the hefty price for a beer.

As the largest shopping mall in Texas, the Galleria features more than 400 stores and restaurants, including several luxury brands like Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada and more. The multilevel shopping center offers over 2.4 million square feet of space with a pair of hotels, a full-size ice skating rink and even a post office. Visitors looking for budget-friendly brands will also find H&M, Urban Outfitters and Gap at the Galleria as well.

Recent visitors cautioned if you plan to do a lot of shopping, anticipate a lot of walking (and wear some comfy shoes). They also point out that there are plenty of upscale accommodation options within walking distance, such as the Hyatt Regency Houston/Galleria and The Westin Galleria Houston. 

In the former home of prominent local philanthropist Ima Hogg, visitors can browse the collection of American decorative arts and paintings of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens display ceramics, furnishings, paintings and silver in each of the mansion's rooms. Some of the pieces on display date back to 1620. In addition to the 14-acre formal gardens in the exclusive River Oaks neighborhood, Bayou Bend also offers various educational programs and resources.

Visitors regularly describe both the gardens and the Hogg house as impressive and lovely. The verdant grounds offer a welcome oasis within the city. Some note that a thorough exploration can require a fair amount of walking, possibly making it a less than ideal attraction for seniors or small children.

This museum, just like its name suggests, is all for the little ones.

Exhibits include the Tot*Spot, for babies up to 24 months old, which is complete with a toddler-sized dress-up area, a scarf blower and an outdoor balcony with pedal cars. Older kids will enjoy exhibits like Invention Convention, a miniature engineering workshop, or EcoStation, an indoor/outdoor area where kids can do everything from observe turtles and other animals in the pond to making leaf rubbings and identifying animal footprints.

As the fourth-largest Holocaust museum in the U.S., the Holocaust Museum Houston spans three stories and 57,000 square feet following a renovation in 2019.

Among the museum's four permanent galleries and two changing exhibition galleries, visitors will find everything from film footage taken during World War II to diaries from young people of the era to a 1942 railcar that was used to transport victims. The museum's permanent collection includes items that belonged to Holocaust victims, survivors and their families (many from the Houston area). The museum also tells of resistance efforts, and to that end, displays a Danish fishing boat that rescued more than 7,000 Danish Jews from their deaths. Exhibits are presented in both English and Spanish.

The Menil Collection is the 30-acre compilation of art gathered by John and Dominique de Menil and consists of a main gallery space along with four additional display spaces. The Menil permanent collection includes nearly 19,000 works of art, started by the couple in the 1940s after fleeing to Houston from Nazi-occupied France. The collection represents a variety of regions and time periods, ranging from Africa, the Pacific Islands and the Americas – particularly the Pacific Northwest – to Byzantine and Medieval art.

The collection also houses an impressive assortment of modern and contemporary art that the de Menils collected soon after they arrived in Houston, including works from Georges Seurat and Pablo Picasso. With a focus on surrealism, the museum showcases works from artists like Salvador Dalí, Marcel Duchamp, Alberto Giacometti and Joan Miró.

For visitors in Houston's Uptown neighborhood, the grand Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park has been a beloved landmark since it was completed in 1985. Postmodernist in design, the Waterwall is 64 feet tall and pours out a whopping 11,000 gallons of recirculated water per minute, creating a spectacular backdrop for photos. Located in a landscaped 2-acre park, visitors will find shade from the towering live oak trees and a lawn area. It's the perfect place to visit on a hot summer's day – the area is typically cooler and visitors can even soak in some of the fountain's spray.

Travelers found the attraction to be incredibly unique and highly recommended a visit. The cascading waterfall – located on all sides of the fountain – is an impressive sight to behold. Not only that, but the park also occupies is a lovely space for kids to run around or for a group picnic. Several mentioned the location was popular for photos. Recent visitors warn that parking is very limited near the park and suggest leaving your vehicle at The Galleria and walking about 10 minutes south to the park.

History aficionados will be intrigued by the San Jacinto Battleground. The State Historic Site is where an important, if not the most important, battle for Texas' independence took place in 1836. When Texas was still part of Mexico, settlers in the region grew to despise Mexico's then-dictator and mobilized to gain independence. After many hard-fought battles were lost by Texans (including the Alamo in San Antonio), Gen. Sam Houston, Houston's namesake, strategically planned his next attack against the Mexican Army. While the Mexican forces were divided and much smaller, Houston and his army attacked and shouted "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad!" as they wiped out most of the Mexican troops. In a battle that lasted 18 minutes, Mexican infantry surrendered after many casualties and Mexican General Santa Anna disguised himself as a private and absconded. He was captured the next day then Houston was able to force the Mexican president to sign a treaty that authorized Texas' independence.

Today, the 1,200-acre San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site is divided into three areas. The 500-acre developed parcel features the San Jacinto Monument, a 567-foot-tall column that's 12 feet higher than the Washington Monument, reflected in a 1,777-foot-long pool. There's an elevator to the top of the monument that offers sweeping views of the battleground, Houston and the Houston Ship Channel. Along with the monument, visitors will also find a museum and interpretive film. The other areas of the historic site include an undeveloped marshland and forest.

Murals can be found splashed on the walls of boutiques, restaurants, parking lots, yoga studios and more all over Houston. What makes these public pieces of art so unique is their diversity. Murals vary from delightfully simple to extraordinarily intricate and from vibrantly colorful to strictly monochromatic, conveying messaging that range from political to universal. The murals have been painted by a variety of different artists, both local and international.

For those limited on time, tour downtown Houston to find a sizeable chunk of the city's murals. Starting at the Houston Graffiti Building, located at the intersection of Chartres and Bell streets, travelers will find several eye-catching murals. "Houston is Inspired" is another top mural destination for visitors thanks to its bright colors that provide a striking backdrop for photos; you'll find it at the corner of Preston and Travis streets.

The Houston Zoo is home to more than 6,000 animals and it is the second most visited zoo in the U.S. Exhibits range from the African Forest, which features rhinos, zebras and giraffes, to the new Galapagos Islands habitat.

Debuted in 2023, the Galápagos Islands exhibit features Galápagos tortoises, the 270,000-gallon One Ocean aquarium and a state-of-the-art habitat for Humboldt penguins. Other must-sees at the Houston Zoo include the Giraffe Feeding Platform, the John P. McGovern Children's Zoo, the McNair Elephant Habitat Area and the Reptile and Amphibian House. The zoo also offers an extensive list of animal encounters (for additional fees) that allow visitors to do everything from help bathe an elephant to feed a Galápagos tortoise its favorite treat.

An urban park located in the heart of downtown Houston, Discovery Green is a gathering place for everyone from downtown workers enjoying their lunches to visitors savoring some green space in the concrete jungle. Originally two large parking lots, Discovery Green now packs its 12 acres with amenities for both the young and old.

Kids will enjoy the playground and splash pads, while all sorts of travelers can take advantage of the putting green, bocce ball courts, picnic lawns and reading rooms. The park also features a 1-acre lake that offers kayak rides, a jogging trail, two dog runs, two restaurants, two performance spaces and multiple promenades. What's more, the park rents a unique Art Cart, a decorated golf cart (by Houston Art Car artists) filled with recreational items like bocce balls and croquet sets for visitors to use. Various pieces of public art adorn the green space as well. Discovery Green also hosts a variety of seasonal events, from exercise classes to markets, as well as live performances.

Billed as the largest urban park in Texas, Memorial Park is the perfect place to find nature within the confines of the city. Compared to Hermann Park, the 1,500-acre Memorial Park is much bigger, but it offers fewer things to do, making the flora its main attraction. And thanks to the park's 30-plus miles of trails, it's easy to take in the scenery. The trails, which travelers can hike or bike on, zigzag through the park's lush, wooded grounds. Some even take visitors to the Buffalo Bayou, which runs along the park's southern border. There's also the 3-mile crushed granite Seymour Lieberman Exer-Trail, which features exercise stations along the trail. Other attractions and activities include an accessible playground, sports fields, an 18-hole golf course, croquet courts, an outdoor swimming pool and tennis courts, among other amenities. Visitors will also find food trucks regularly stationed at the park's Eastern Glades Entrance, the tennis center and the playground.

Recent travelers say that Memorial Park is indeed a beautiful place to take a long walk or go for a run or bike ride. However, if you're looking for activities beyond that, this may not be the park for you. Some travelers noted that there are a lot of people at the park, so if you want the trails to yourself, plan to arrive early.

Not just any Marriott, this is the Marriott with the Texas-shaped lazy river on its rooftop – the world's largest. Located on the sixth floor of the Marriott Marquis Houston, the Altitude Rooftop & Pool offers the Texas-shaped lazy river along with an infinity pool overlooking downtown Houston, plus cabanas, loungers, and food and drink service. During the winter months, the hotel screens classic movies from a screen on the pool deck. For visitors looking for an indoor spa experience, the 5,000-square-foot Pure Spa Houston offers views of the rooftop pool, along with a full menu of spa services ranging from massages to facials.

Recent guests enjoyed their time at the infinity pool, the Texas-shaped lazy river and the lounge area on the rooftop at the Marriott Marquis Houston. Everyone enjoyed the novelty of the pool's shape, along with the skyline views.

Visitors can enjoy a multiuse complex with dining, retail, event space and a rooftop park and farm in the city center at Post HTX. Formally the Barbara Jordan Post Office, the building opened in 1961. The massive federal building was modern in style and many of its signature design elements have been preserved, including its façade and elevated front plaza.

Now, visitors to Post HTX enjoy the first-floor eateries and unique retail. Other options include enjoying a cultural or artistic exhibition, which rotate over the course of the year. Additionally, this complex is home to the 713 Music Hall, a 5,000-seat concert venue located in the East Wing. For downtown skyline views, the 5-acre rooftop park offers an unparalleled backdrop for socializing and enjoying music and regularly features live DJs. There’s even a 1-acre garden on the roof, used for vegetable growing.

U.S. News Insider Tip: To fully enjoy Galveston (a cruise ship port), travelers should spend the night, since traffic to the island can eat up a few hours. – Catherine Parker 

For travelers in Houston long enough to squeeze in a day trip, head to Galveston. Located 50 miles southeast of Houston, Galveston is a barrier island on the Texas Gulf Coast that boasts miles of beaches, a lively amusement park pier and a state park.

Flora and fauna abound at Armand Bayou Nature Center, which is one of the largest urban wilderness preserves in the U.S. Measuring more than 2,500 acres, the nature center features forests, wetlands and prairies, with 370 different species of animals, including birds, mammals, amphibians and reptiles. Plus, there's so much to see and do here – the center offers dozens of various activities, events and programs.

Many of Armand Bayou's guided offerings take place on the weekends, so visitors need to plan accordingly. There are a wide range of tours to choose from, including kayak tours, pontoon boat cruises with options for a day, sunset or moonlight cruise, guided photo hikes, nighttime hikes tailored to spot bats, deer, fireflies and owls, and nature hikes that cover specific animals like fireflies.

For an educational day trip, travelers should consider the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum, which sits a little less than 100 miles northwest of Houston. Located on the campus of Texas A&M University in College Station, Texas, the museum features permanent collections chronicling the former president's life in its entirety, along with rotating exhibits. Visitors will walk through his life, from his time as a World War II aviator to his experience in the U.S. Congress and the road to his eventual presidency, as well as what he and his wife, Barbara Bush, did as private citizens after their time in the White House.

In addition to learning about the lives of George and Barbara Bush, visitors can snap pictures of themselves in the museum's Oval Office replica as well as peer into recreations of his office at Camp David and the White House Situation Room. There are also plenty of incredible artifacts on display, including all the state gifts Bush received as president, a part of the Berlin Wall and a WWII Avenger Torpedo Bomber aircraft, to name a few. In total, the library and museum are home to more than 100,000 artifacts from President Bush's life. The Bush Family Gravesite, where the former president, former first lady and their daughter Robin are interred, are on the center's grounds, which reviewers recommend walking to see.

Part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Cockrell Butterfly Center is a destination in its own right. The three-story glass structure containing a 50-foot waterfall houses anywhere from 1,500 to 2,000 individual butterflies from 60 different species at any given time. Though butterflies get top billing, the center is home to other insects, such as praying mantises and hissing cockroaches, in the Brown Hall of Entomology. Additionally it shelters larger-than-life models and interactive exhibits.

Most visitors enjoyed their time in the Cockrell Butterfly Center and said it was worthy addition to their day at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The rainforest recreation seemed to impress recent visitors, who typically find walking among the numerous butterflies to be great fun. The sanctuary is generally considered enjoyable for adults and children alike.

The National Museum of Funeral History, aptly enough, claims to possess the country's biggest collection of historical funeral service artifacts, such as caskets (including one made from dollar bills and coins) and hearses. Spanning more than 30,000 feet, the museum's permanent exhibits cover such subjects as the history of embalming, the history of cremation, funeral practices in Japan and Ghana, the Day of the Dead/Dia de Los Muertos and jazz funerals in New Orleans. It also has exhibits dedicated to the funerals of popes and presidents.

A virtually unknown museum even for longtime Houstonians, visitors frequently say this museum is not as macabre or depressing as one might anticipate, and that it's unexpectedly interesting, even for children. On average, most commented they spent a couple of hours in the museum. The well-preserved antique hearses are often singled out as particularly memorable.

Top-ranked Rice University dates back to 1912 and merits a visit for its unique architecture alone, though there are also plenty of things to do beyond sightseeing.

Its Department of Visual and Dramatic Arts holds events like lectures and readings that are open to the public, while its Shepherd School of Music stages concerts in several different university venues, including the striking, two-level, pyramidical James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspace. Meanwhile, the Moody Center for the Arts offers art exhibits, and the university has various pieces of public art permanently on display. For those that would rather explore outside, the university’s also houses an arboretum.

With eight months of free programming, the Miller Outdoor Theatre has been a favorite with Houstonians and visitors alike for 100 years. Occupying more than 7 acres in Hermann Park, the theater houses more than 1,700 seats, 20 wheelchair spaces and a lawn that can accommodate up to 4,500 spectators. Events range from jazz and classical music performances to Shakespeare productions and classic film screenings.

Fans of the Miller Outdoor Theatre range from families to seniors and each give the venue and its performances high marks. Some enjoy the relaxed atmosphere of a picnic on the lawn while others like to be closer in reserved seats since the sound is better.

American artist James Turrell explores light, space and sky in an art installation on the campus of Rice University. With the delicate light fading on and off at sunrise and sunset, Turrell adds architectural elements and additional colored light sources to enhance the perception of the morning and evening sky in his Twilight Epiphany Skyscape. Erected in 2012, this installation is one of the largest Turrell works. The space is defined by an angular roof with a square opening that acts like a camera's aperture for visitors to experience light and color twice daily.  

Recent visitors enjoyed the sunset experience a bit more than the sunrise, partly because it provided a relaxing end to the day. Some suggested bringing headphones to listen to music as you enjoy the light sequence, which lasts about 40 minutes.

The Houston Farmers Market has been a destination for fresh produce since 1941. For generations, everyone from local chefs to foodies have walked the stalls and engaged with its purveyors. The selection has expanded, along with the size – the market now takes up more than 18 acres, doubling its original layout. In addition to fresh food, the market is also home to a food truck, as well as several restaurants. The vendors at the Houston Farmers Market mostly sell produce, though specialty stalls and fast-casual eateries will be added in the future, according to the commercial real estate investment company that purchased the market in 2017.

Recent visitors (even long-time market shoppers) noticed the expansion of the market. One shopper commented on the selection of produce, from everyday items to exotic fruits and vegetables. For those looking for Mexican, Central and South American ingredients, one reviewer said the Houston Farmers Market was the best place.

Stretching for more than 130 acres along the banks of the Sims Bayou, the Houston Botanic Garden features walking trails and horticultural displays. A relatively new attraction (it opened in 2020), the garden occupies a vast green space that was once used as a golf course. A variety of themed gardens showcase everything from tropical plants to prairie grasses. The Houston Botanic Garden also features the Susan Garver Family Discovery Garden, which encourages water and nature play through hands-on activities like scavenger hunts and a boardwalk maze.

Past visitors particularly enjoyed the Global Collection Garden, which features plants typically found in the desert like succulents. Others said the garden needs to develop more before it becomes a "must-see."

Overlooking Galveston Bay, this 35-acre theme park features a bevy of rides, restaurants, shops, and arcade games. Among the rides is a double-decker carousel, a Ferris wheel and the Boardwalk Beast, which takes visitors out into Galveston Bay on a speed boat that reaches speeds up to 40 mph. The boardwalk is also home to a 50,000-gallon aquarium.

Recent visitors likened Kemah Boardwalk to a county fair with an ocean view and said it's a great place to visit if you're traveling with kids. However, some reviewers described the boardwalk as overrated with only a handful of open rides.

Spread across 40 acres and featuring more than 2 million gallons of water, Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown is the place to cool down when the Texas heat gets unbearable. It's also one of the best water parks in the U.S. A destination for all ages, the water park offers areas for shallow splashing like Coconut Bay and Tree House, a 500,000-gallon wave pool, a lazy river and plenty of rides ranging from tame to thrilling.

Recent visitors offered mixed reviews of Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, especially in reference to weather closures and customer service. However, other reviewers, especially those traveling with kids, were pleased with the park's variety of water slides and attractions.