Cheap Thrills: A Guide On The Free Things To Do In Houston
- Enjoy Art in Houston’s Fine Arts Museum
- Take a Chill Pill in The Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark
- Experience a Different Art Form in The Art Car Museum
- Enjoy the Scenery in Hermann Park
- Explore Houston’s History in The Sam Houston Park
- Experience James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace’s Beauty
- Visit the Iconic Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
- Explore The Arts At The Menil Collection
- A Free Theatre Experience at Miller Outdoor
- Experience an Urban Greenscape at The Memorial Park
Did you know that the average cost for a trip in Houston will set you back anywhere from the ballpark of $111 – $680?
But what if we tell you that there are lots of things you can do in Houston for free?
From museum tours to leisurely walks in the park, you can do plenty of things in Houston for free. If you want to find out more, read on!!
1. Enjoy Art in Houston’s Fine Arts Museum
Address: 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005
Phone Number: 713-639-7300
Hours: Wednesday: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday: 11 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday, Saturday: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Sunday: 12:30 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Art connoisseurs of Houston, rejoice – you can visit The Museum of Fine Arts for free! Though it’s only free to visit on Thursdays, it’s open until 9 PM too, so the working crowd can take a visit if they’re interested in their pieces, too.
You can check out their beautiful Cullen Sculpture Garden made by Isamu Noguchi. It’s also just walking distance from the PNC Roof Garden, which is filled with beautiful sculptures – and free seating!
But if you’re there for their art pieces, then they also have permanent Impressionist and Post-impressionist works on display by Audrey Beck. They also change displays regularly and as of the time of writing, they have American Landscapes on display.
Fun fact: those pieces were originally loaned to the Museum, but eventually became a mainstay after the building was named in her honor.
| Pro Tips: The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston also has Euro-centric decorative arts in the Rienzi, which is also free to access. And if you don’t know anything about the arts, then you can get a free guide, too! |
2. Take a Chill Pill in The Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark
Address: 103 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007
Phone Number: 713-639-7300
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9 a.m. to 10 p.m.
A heaven for skaters and those who want a little bit of a thrill, Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark is the perfect place to go. The park is spacious, comes with plenty of ramps for tricks, and has picturesque views to boot, too!
Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark is one of the largest parks in the entire country. Since its renovation in 2017, it has had a lot more space for seating, a rest area, and some uniquely shaped shade structures, too!
If you’re interested in learning about skating, Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark occasionally have free skating classes for you to learn as well. And it’s perfectly safe too, since they have office staff who supervise their events..
| Pro Tips: The park is beautiful, but visiting it during the summertime can be hard if you don’t have sunscreen with you. But if you want a better view of the park, then we suggest visiting them during the night for a different view! |
3. Experience a Different Art Form in The Art Car Museum
Address: 140 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
Phone Number: 713-639-7300
Hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
If you’re a fan of cars and art, then we suggest visiting The Art Car Museum! The automotive history on display is fabulous, and the mix of engineering and art display will be appreciated by both art connoisseurs and gearheads alike.
Yes, some areas look like it’s taken straight out of Liberace’s garage, but it’s a different kind of art that can be appreciated by anyone. Best of all, Houston’s Art Car Museum’s entrance is always free, giving them an advantage compared to other museums!
| Pro Tips: The Art Car Museum has lots of displays up at any given moment, but The Creative Era of Ann Harithas is always open, and you will learn a lot from it, along with being eye candy, too! |
4. Enjoy the Scenery in Hermann Park
Address: 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030
Phone Number: 713-526-2183
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6 am – 11 pm
One of Houston’s most well-known spots to hang out, Houston’s Hermann Park is the perfect slice of nature in the middle of the city. That, and the picturesque views can seal the deal for nature lovers!
From the relaxing Japanese Gardens to the 80-acre Bayou Parkland that’s surrounded by foliage that’s native to Houston, there are plenty of activities for you to try out in Hermann Park, all without spending a dime.
Our top recommendation of things to do at Hermann Park would be to go there on Thursdays for a free visit to Houston Zoo. But if you’re more of a nature person, then the Family Garden is a beautiful taste of nature in the middle of Houston!
| Pro Tips: If you’re looking for a good resting place, we suggest stopping by the Hawkins Sculpture Walk – and the sculptures give it a nice, aesthetic touch to it, too! |
5. Explore Houston’s History in The Sam Houston Park
Address: 1000 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Phone Number: 832-394-8805
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7 am – 9 pm
What makes Sam Houston Park different from the others in Houston is that it’s not just a park – it’s also a piece of Houston’s history that you can visit for free.
The greenery and the shade give it a peaceful vibe, and the USS Houston Memorial Sculpture is a breathtaking piece. It’s also located right beside the freeway and just a couple blocks away from the City Hall.
If you’re interested in learning more about Houston’s heritage, then you can also visit The Heritage Society Museum inside Sam Houston Park. General admission to the museum is free, but you will have to pay for guided tours.
It’s a beautiful display of Texas’ rich history, along with plenty of paintings and displays. You can check out the history of Rodeo, or view paintings by prolific Texas artists. But so far, the most powerful exhibit goes to the Life and Times of Charles Goodnight.
Charles Goodnight invented the chuckwagon, which helped American pioneers find a new start with the dangerous Oregon Trail. Charles did join the Confederacy before that, but his contribution to society with his invention will always be remembered.
| Pro tips: Though Sam Houston Park is more of a historical site, the Neuhaus Fountain Coyotes by Gwynn Murrill is also a beautiful sculpture that you’ll need to take a picture of, too! |
6. Experience James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace’s Beauty
Address: Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion, Houston, TX 77005
Phone Number: 713-348-2787
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6 am – 8 pm
A futuristic art piece that everyone can visit for free, James Turrell’s Twilight Epiphany Skyspace is what can be described as “functional art”. This is because if you’re lucky, you can catch some musical performances there, too!
It’s the perfect way to end your day if you’re visiting Houston too! The 40-minute sunset and sunset light sequence is a breathtaking view that anyone can definitely enjoy,even if you’re not an art person yourself!
| Pro Tips: If you want to see the spectacular lighting show, we suggest visiting them at least an hour or 30 minutes earlier since each show occurs 10 minutes before sunrise and sunset. Each show also lasts 40 minutes each, too! |
7. Visit the Iconic Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
Address: 2800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056
Phone Number: 713-850-8841
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8 am – 9 pm
One of Houston’s most famous waterfalls, Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is a multi-story, man-made beautiful water attraction that’s one of Houston’s most iconic sights!
It’s like seeing a waterfall in the middle of the city. The view is astounding, and you can picnic in their beautiful green fields, as well. Plus if there’s a nice breeze, then you’ll feel a little shower, too!
It’s the perfect spot for a quick snap, not just because it’s really pretty but also thanks to its proximity to the city center. Plus, the little shower that you’ll get with the right breeze will land you that Insta-worthy sunshower pic for your feed, too!
| Pro Tips: The park is great – but the parking situation is not. If you want free parking, then your best bet would be to park in The Galleria’s Nordstrom for free. Otherwise, their regular parking fee would cost you $5. |
8. Explore The Arts At The Menil Collection
Address: 1533 Sul Ross St, Houston, TX 77006
Phone Number: 713-525-9400
Hours: Wednesday – Sunday: 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
If you want to view great art from all over the years, then we suggest visiting The Mentil Collection for their astounding collection. They have art pieces from all over the world, along with some more modern, contemporary art pieces.
Admission is free for all of the days as well, and they open until 7 PM, which is a plus if you want to visit them after work and admire their art pieces.
As of the time of writing, The Mentil Collection has Janet Sobet’s artworks on display. However, they have at least 19,000 collections on display, so there’s something for everyone to check out – especially their Medieval and Byzantine Art Collection.
| Pro Tips: If you check their website for their limited-time exhibitions, you will see some limited-time art pieces they have on display. We also suggest visiting their website if they’re still there by the time you visit! |
9. A Free Theatre Experience at Miller Outdoor
Address: 6000 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Phone Number: 832-487-7102
Hours: depends on schedule
A Houston staple that has been around since The Great Depression, Miller Outdoor Theatre gives Houstonians free access to the arts. They have since hosted everything from musical events to plays over the years, all to bring the arts to the public.
Miller Outdoor has hosted plenty of iconic events over the years, and they can seat thousands of people in there as well. They do not have any performances as of the time of writing though, but the Theatre’s overall architecture is still Instagram-worthy!
| Pro Tips: Their performance season starts in March 2024 – and they have a list of all of their upcoming performances on their website! We suggest checking their website beforehand to make sure that you’ll be catching the performance you want! |
10. Experience an Urban Greenscape at The Memorial Park
Address: 6501 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Phone Number: 713-863-8403
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 5 am – 11 pm
One of the largest parks in the entirety of the United States, Houston’s Memorial Park offers beautiful views that have detached from Houston’s hustle and bustle. Plus, it also comes with lots of free activities for you to try out, too!
The Memorial Park has everything for everyone! If you’re in the mood to run, then the 3-mile Seymour Lieberman Exer Trail should be your next running path, and your kids will also have a great time in their playground, too.
But if you’re a fan of cycling or skating, then you can always visit their Picnic Loop. You will need to be a bit careful if you plan to bike or skate there though, since the space is also open for cars.
Adults aren’t the only ones who can have a fun time at The Memorial Park! They also have a playground for your kids, and it’s perfectly accessible, even for kids with disabilities.
| Pro Tips: Most activities in the Memorial Park are free – but for some (Golfing, reserving a sports field), you will need to either reserve a spot early or get their membership, so you’ll need to check their website ahead of time. They also have free Wellness Walks with Urban Paths on Friday mornings! All you need to do to sign up on their website to secure your free spot. |
