We went to Houston’s 9 touristy hotspots and we’ve got a new perspective!

- Experience Being an Astronaut at Space Center Houston
- Get to Know Some Animals at Houston Zoo
- Appreciate Art at The Museum of Fine Arts Houston
- Get Up Close with the Aquatic Life at Downtown Aquarium
- Watch a Game with a View at Minute Maid Park
- Admire Colorful Butterflies at Cockrell Butterfly Center
- Learn About the Dangers of Prejudice at the Holocaust Museum Houston
- Take a Deep Dive at the National Museum of Funeral History
- Watch a Festive Rodeo at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
I could hear you say “I’m a local and I’ve been there, I don’t ever need to go back to those places!”. Well, guess what, we said that too, and we’re wrong!
As Houstonians, we’ve been blessed with several touristy places that will never bore us, as these establishments update their exhibits to encourage us to visit more than once. After all, each visit will surely give you a different perspective
Ready to discover new favorites? Let’s go over Houston’s touristy places today.
1. Experience Being an Astronaut at Space Center Houston
Media credit: @spacecenterhou
Website: https://www.spacecenter.org/
Address: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058
Contact Details: +1 281-244-2100
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Those of you who are curious about space exploration should consider visiting Space Center Houston.
There are different itineraries to choose from, depending on your schedule and the type of mission you wish to take. Here, you can take a full-day itinerary which includes 7 hours of exploring the galleries.
You can also opt for a more straightforward tour with their 4-hour itinerary. And if you’re in a rush and wish to hop on to another touristy tour in Houston then you can opt for their Lightspeed itinerary which will show you an overview for 2 hours.
What’s great about Space Center Houston is that you can even engage with the astronauts, allowing you to have more in-depth information from their interesting insights.
There are also new collections from time to time so if you’ve been here the previous month, don’t hesitate to check out their website for the highlighted new collections.
Meanwhile, you’ll love that there’s a food lab inside, allowing you to refuel, especially if you choose to roam around the area for the entire day.
Pro tip: If you want your children to learn more about space, including other lessons related to science, technology, and engineering, you can enroll them at Space Center Houston’s Explorer Camps. |
2. Get to Know Some Animals at Houston Zoo
Media credit: @houstonzoo
Website: https://www.houstonzoo.org/
Address: 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Contact Details: +1 713-533-6500
Operating Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
For families with little kids in tow, a trip to Houston Zoo is a great tourist thing to do in Houston.
Here, you can enjoy exploring over 15 areas filled with different species such as American alligators, African-painted dogs, a Black bear, an Eastern bongo, and a cheetah.
You can also enjoy different animal encounters with gorillas or giant anteaters. You can also experience bathing elephants, so don’t forget to bring an extra set of clothes if you wish to do this!
Meanwhile, you can let your kids feel like managing a farm with Houston Zoo’s Children Zoo Farm Encounter program. This will allow them to know more about animal care as they get up close with llamas.
For those who wish to take in-depth learning about different community groups, overnight programs could be one of the best activities for families who would like to try night hikes and other unique activities with the animals after-hours.
Pro tip: Consider enrolling your kids at Camp Zoofari. This will allow them to learn more about wildlife, as well as how to protect these animals moving forward. |
3. Appreciate Art at The Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Media credit: @lejardinierhouston
Website: https://www.mfah.org/
Address: 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005
Contact Details: +1 713-639-7300
Operating Hours: Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Thursday – Friday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM; Saturday: 11:00 AM – 6:00 PM; Sunday: 12:30 PM – 6:00 PM
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston has over 70,000 artworks that involve over 6,000 years worth of history. Because of this, this museum has been one the favorite touristy things to in Houston–it’s too large, you need more days to explore!
Moreover, The Museum of Fine Arts Houston always hosts different exhibits across the globe, so you’ll surely find something new whenever you visit this touristy spot.
You’ll appreciate exploring the place since they’ve been divided and organized well. You can even explore areas dedicated to artwork from Asia, America, Europe, or Africa.
If you want to take a break from checking The Museum of Fine Arts Houston’s galleries, you can step outside and see the curated gardens at Cullen Sculpture Garden.
When it comes to dining, The Museum of Fine Arts Houston has an onsite cafe called Cafe Leonelli. Here, you can refuel with their salads and meals, and even enjoy their happy hour deal specials!
Meanwhile, if you wish to grab some snacks, you can eat at the Shark Voyage, where you can enjoy a wall-to-wall aquarium view while enjoying their surf and turf menu.
Pro tip: If you wish to bring your young babies with you, be reminded that only front-facing baby carriers and strollers are permitted. Additionally, large bags aren’t allowed to be brought inside so plan your visit accordingly. |
4. Get Up Close with the Aquatic Life at Downtown Aquarium
Media credit: @aquariumhouston
Website: http://www.downtownaquarium.com/
Address: 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Contact Details: +1 713-223-3474
Operating Hours: Sunday – Thursday: 10:00 AM – 8:30 PM; Friday – Saturday: 10:00 AM – 10:00 PM
If you want to see what Houston built out of the old Central Waterworks Building and Fire Station No. 1 then don’t miss your chance to visit Downtown Aquarium.
In this 500,000-gallon aquatic heaven, you can get up close and personal to over 300 species of aquatic life.
You’ll love to see various exhibits showcasing different marine life. Some of the exhibits you can see are the Louisiana Swamp where you can encounter alligator snapping turtles and American alligators.
You can also see the Shipwreck where you’ll be introduced to the sunken 17th-century Spanish galleon, allowing you to check out coral reefs made by the talented biologists of Downtown Aquarium.
If you’re curious about the Ios Mayan civilization, you can head to the Sunken Temple. Here, you can see tarantulas, scorpions, and a 20-foot-long python.
Downtown Aquarium also has a Ferris wheel and an aquatic carousel inside, so you can let your kids play around this area in between their aquatic exploration.
Meanwhile, if you wish to grab some snacks, you can eat at the Shark Voyage, where you can enjoy a wall-to-wall aquarium view while enjoying their surf and turf menu.
Pro tip: Consider having dinner at Shark Voyage in Downtown Aquarium. This will allow you to catch scuba divers feeding some fish in the restaurant’s wall aquarium tank. |
5. Watch a Game with a View at Minute Maid Park
Media credit: @minutemaidpark
Website: http://houston.astros.mlb.com/hou/ballpark/index.jsp
Address: 501 Crawford St, Houston, TX 77002
Contact Details: +1 713-259-8000
Home for the Houston Astros, Minute Maid Park has been the famous stadium in downtown Houston. You can take on a baseball tour so you won’t need to wait for a scheduled game to see the place.
One of the attractions in Minute Maid Park is its retractable roof, allowing you to watch baseball in an open-air setting for the first time in 35 years. This also lets you take in a great view of the Houston skyline while getting yourself excited for the game.
Aside from games, Minute Maid Park has been a famous place for concerts and events.
Pro tips: Opt for seats at the upper deck if you want better views of the skyline while you get a good view of the field. Check out the All-Star alley inside Minute Maid Park if you want to see historical memorabilia about the stadium and the baseball players. |
6. Admire Colorful Butterflies at Cockrell Butterfly Center
Website: http://www.hmns.org/cockrell-butterfly-center/
Address: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Contact Details: +1 713-639-4629
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:30 PM; Saturday – Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:30 PM
Cockrell Butterfly Center will surely remind you of your childhood when you used to wait for your caterpillars to transform into colorful butterflies. Except that at Cockrell Butterfly, you’ll get a chance to see how the butterflies live in their habitat.
If you want to learn more about arthropods, you can also check the Cockrell Butterfly Center’s rainforest conservatory. You can even see how they sip on nectar, and even catch them landing on your body!
Meanwhile, for those who want to learn more about gardening and migration, you can ask the staff about their monarch resources.
And if you’re curious about being a butterfly pilot, you can train at Cockrell Butterfly Center’s flight school where you’ll be taught about releasing a butterfly into the center’s rainforest.
Pro tips: Strollers are off-limits at Cockrell Butterfly Center as they pose an escape risk for butterflies. While taking photos is allowed inside the butterfly center, the use of tripods and selfie sticks is strictly prohibited. |
7. Learn About the Dangers of Prejudice at the Holocaust Museum Houston
Media credit: @hmhou
Website: https://hmh.org/
Address: 5401 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004
Contact Details: +1 713-942-8000
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you’re searching for a touristy thing to do in Houston that’s both educational and emotional, then a visit to the Holocaust Museum Houston (holocaust museum) is a must.
Here, you’ll learn more about the history of the Holocaust. You can check the Holocaust Gallery for personal artifacts and photos during and after the holocaust.
You’ll probably be moved when you see artworks at the children’s gallery, reflecting the stories and their lost innocence during the tragic moments of their lives.
A trip to the Holocaust Museum Houston will bring you further understanding and respect for all people, allowing you to embrace life-changing thoughts by visiting this facility.
The place is also bilingual, allowing our Mexican neighbors to appreciate the stories in this three-story museum.
Pro tip: If you wish to take a moment of silence or need a quiet place to process what you see inside the Holocaust Museum Houston, you can head to the memorial garden located outside the museum. |
8. Take a Deep Dive at the National Museum of Funeral History
Media credit: @funeralmuseum
Website: http://www.nmfh.org/
Address: 415 Barren Springs Dr, Houston, TX 77090
Contact Details: +1 281-876-3063
Operating Hours: Monday – Friday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM; Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM; Sunday: 12:00 AM – 5:00 PM
If you’re curious about how different cultures honor and remember their loved ones after passing, then we recommend a trip to the National Museum of Funeral History.
Here, you’ll learn more about the funeral service through the National Museum of Funeral History’s exhibits. This even allows you to learn about cultural traditions and funeral practices for Jewish, Asian, and African Americans.
You’ll also get a chance to see caskets and coffins from previous generations to the present. Additionally, you’ll discover more about the process of embalming dead bodies, as well as how cremation works.
Meanwhile, the museum will also showcase famous funerals of known personalities such as Presidents and Popes.
Pro tip: If you want a unique item that will remind you of your visit to the National Museum of Funeral History’s exhibit, you can purchase a death certificate at the gift shop. |
9. Watch a Festive Rodeo at Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Media credit: @rodeohouston
Website: https://www.rodeohouston.com/
Address: 3 NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054
Contact Details: +1 832-667-1000
Operating Hours: Monday: 8:30 AM – 4:25 PM; Tuesday – Friday: 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM
A trip to Texas won’t be complete without you watching an actual festive rodeo at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This allows you to celebrate Texas culture and agriculture among your fellow Houstonians.
Aside from learning about livestock and agriculture, you’ll love watching rodeo competitions such as barrel racing and bull riding. You can also catch various athletes from all over the world as they try to compete for world recognition and prizes.
Meanwhile, your kids will also love spending their time at the carnival where they can enjoy some games and rides.
And if you feel hungry, there are several food vendors inside the facility!
Pro tip: If you want to be more involved during the event, there are several volunteer opportunities posted by Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo that you can check months before the main event. |