We Tried Six Unique Activities in Houston And We Can’t Stop Raving About Them

When I first set foot in Houston, I just expected the usual cityscape: towering skyscrapers, bustling streets, and standard attractions.
I didn’t expect the city to be so full of surprises!
I’ve explored the city over the years, so when I have visitors, I’m ready with a list of all the unique Houston experiences I want them to remember.
Want to know what’s on my list? Check out our top picks for the most unique things to do in Houston.
1. Go on a Space Adventure at the Space Center
Media Credit: spacecenterhou
Website: https://spacecenter.org/
Address: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (281) 244-2100
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Saturday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
If there is one thing that Houston is famous for, it’s this iconic line: “Houston, we have a problem.”
Houston is home to NASA Johnson Space Center, a major player in the space exploration efforts and human spaceflight programs of the United States. It houses the Astronaut Training Facility and Mission Control Center.
The Space Center offers guests a chance to explore space and astronaut life through out-of-this-world exhibits. Our favorite is the Starship Gallery that has actual flown spacecraft and Moon rocks on display.
The most famous gallery is the Independence Plaza, which has a shuttle replica of the Independence mounted on the original NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft. Guests can enter the replica and visualize how it’s like to be an astronaut.
But the biggest highlight is the Tram Tour! General admission ticket holders can explore the Astronaut Training Facility and George W.S. Abbey Rocket Park. For an additional cost, guests can also visit the historic Mission Control Center.
Ticket prices start at $29.95 for adults and $24.95 for kids. Children between the ages 0-3 get free admission.
*Pro tip: Arrive early! It takes about 4 hours to explore. Tram tours are first-come, first-served, so grab a boarding pass as soon as you arrive. |
2. Volunteer at the Beer Can House
Media Credit: theorangeshow
Website: https://www.full.orangeshow.org/beer-can-house
Address: 222 Malone Street, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 926-6368
Business Hours:
- Monday to Tuesday: Closed
- Wednesday to Sunday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
The Beer Can House is a quirky landmark created by John Milkovisch, a retiree who began transforming his home in the 1960s. Taking decades to complete, his house is covered by more than 50,000 beer cans and other recycled materials.
The outside walls are covered with flattened beer cans, and the roof has garlands of beer can rims that make a tinkling sound. Inside, you’ll see the original appliances and fixtures, giving a glimpse of life in Houston 60 years ago.
The Beer Can House is no longer what it used to be, so visitors can volunteer to help preserve this landmark. For those who want to be part of Houston’s art history, The Beer Can House Conservation & Crafts Crew accepts volunteers from anywhere in the world.
And for those who don’t feel like volunteering, guided and self-guided tours of the Beer Can House are available as well!
Pro tip: The Beer Can House Conservation & Crafts Crew meets one Sunday monthly from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM. You can sign up online to attend! |
3. Enjoy a Weekend Afternoon at Smither Park
Media Credit: smitherpark
Website: https://www.full.orangeshow.org/smither-park
Address: 2441 Munger St, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 926-6368
Business Hours:
- Monday to Sunday: 7:00 AM to 7:00 PM
At the corner of Third Ward and East, you’ll find Smither Park, a colorful and exciting gem in Houston you won’t want to miss.
The park features amazing mosaic art created by over 300 local artists in Houston. With a commitment to sustainability, the artists used repurposed and recycled materials such as broken ceramic, tiles, bottle caps, and even seashells.
It’s a whimsical yet functional space that allows visitors to interact with and use the art pieces. Our favorite is the colorful and fish-inspired Lindley Fish Amphitheater, which hosts concerts in the park.
Another favorite is the Marilyn Oshman Meditation Wall, the only art installation in the park without any color. A bench is provided to allow guests to rest and meditate.
Every first Sunday of the month, Smither Park has free live music and crafting activities for kids and adults. On Saturdays (if you’re lucky), you can see artists working on their mosaics and you can even volunteer to help them out.
Admission to the park is free.
Pro tip: There’s no restroom at the park, so you’ll need to plan your bathroom break ahead! |
4. Have Drinks and Go Roller Skating at Seismique
Media Credit: seismique
Website: https://seismique.com/
Address: 2306 S Texas 6, Houston, TX (in Village at West Oaks)
Contact Details: (346) 202-6006
Business Hours:
Monday: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday to Thursday: 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 PM to 11:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM to 9:00 PM
Seismique is mind-blowing art museum featuring 40 galleries with dazzling lights, sounds, and interactive exhibits. It includes 12 galleries spotlighting Houston-based artists, adding a local touch to its immersive experience.
But this place isn’t just an art museum–within its walls are a cocktail bar and roller skating rink. Outside, it has a garden filled with unique sculptures and murals (and another bar too)!
The Drinque is the bar and pool lounge within the museum where you’ll find a mesmerizing glow-in-the-dark ambiance and galaxy-themed cocktails such as the Nebula Night Cap and Star Moon Sour–our personal favorites!
Another attraction is The Rinque, Seismique’s indoor roller skating attraction that offers a vibrant, neon-lit roller skating experience like no other! With larger-than-life art by local artists, it’s a great spot for fun photos and celebrating Houston’s creative talent.
And lastly, outside the museum is The Parque, Seismique’s newest addition. It’s a garden filled with quirky sculptures and murals inspired by the museum’s exhibits. Enjoy a leisurely stroll or relax with a cold drink from the walk-up bar while watching the sunset!
Pro Tip: The Rinque offers free skating and skate rentals every Thursday if you purchase a regular admission ticket to the museum! |
5. Meditate in the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern
Media Credit: thecistern
Website: https://buffalobayou.org/location/the-cistern/
Address: 105-B Sabine St, Houston, TX
Contact Details: (713) 752-0314
Business Hours:
Monday to Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Saturday to Sunday: 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM
The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern is a remarkable Houston landmark. What was once a drinking water reservoir is now an art space hosting jaw-dropping exhibitions and musical performances.
But did you know that, thanks to its cavernous and spacious structure, the Cistern is also the perfect venue to do Sound Healing Meditation exercises in the city?
For a peaceful escape from city chaos, the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern offers Sound Healing Meditation. At $15 for a 45-minute session, guests can meditate to the soothing sounds of singing bowls and wind chimes, calming the mind and reducing stress.
Not into meditating? For those who find peace in visual arts and music instead, the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern regularly hosts art exhibits that capitalize on the acoustics and reflective surface of the cistern’s water, such as Rachel Rossins’ “Haha Real” exhibit.
And for those who want to connect to the city’s history, the Cistern has something to offer too! They offer a History Tour that explores the cistern’s architecture and history of Houston’s water system.
Pro Tip: Private History Tours are available for groups of up to 30—book ahead! |
6. Celebrate Life at the National Museum of Funeral History
Media Credit: funeralmuseum
Website: https://www.nmfh.org/
Address: 415 Barren Springs Dr, Houston, TX (in Commonwealth Institute-Funeral)
Contact Details: (281) 876-3063
Business Hours:
- Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
- Saturday: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
- Sunday: 12:00 PM to 5:00 PM
Houston has a lot of museums (there’s a Museum District after all) but the National Museum of Funeral History stands out.
One of the museum’s unique features is its impressive collection of funeral service artifacts. It has the largest collection of its kind in the country, showcasing everything from ancient Egyptian burial practices to modern hearses and unique coffins.
If it sounds a little morbid, it’s really not! The museum celebrates life by giving visitors a fascinating look at the history and traditions of funerals.
A highlight for us is the “Celebrating the Lives and Deaths of the Popes” exhibit, which was created in collaboration with the Vatican. It showcases the ceremonies and traditions surrounding papal funerals and gives an in-depth look at these important rituals.
A day pass to the museum starts at $15 for adults and $7 for children between the ages of 6 to 11. Kids below the age of 5 get to enter for free.
Pro Tip: Sign up for the museum’s free guided tours when you drop by! Just make sure to schedule in advance. |