The 15 Most Instagrammable Spots in Houston
- Explore a World of Color in the Color Factory
- Take Pics in Front of The Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
- View Contemporary Art in Graffiti Park
- See A Different Side of Houston At Waugh Drive Bat Colony
- Explore a Different World in Space Center Houston
- See Houston’s Little India at BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
- Enjoy Nature at Buffalo Bayou Park
- See Nature Differently in the Mercer Botanic Gardens
- Witness Visionary Art in the Smither Park
- See Anish Kapoor’s Masterpiece in the Cloud Column
- Enjoy A Quaint Coffee at Bebidas
- Get Down at The Downtown Houston Tunnel System
- Catch Major Events at The Houston Toyota Center
- Explore The Marvin Taylor Trail
- Pass By the Southampton Live Oaks
With Houston being the biggest city in Texas, there’s bound to be one or two Insta-worthy places for you to discover. An example of that is Memorial Park (free things to do Houston), aka the largest park in the entire United States.
But what if we tell you that there are plenty of other, underrated Instagrammable places in Houston for you to discover?
That’s right – there’s so much more to Houston than just parks and cowboys! Watch as we give you the best Instagrammable spots to make your followers visit these hidden tourist gems in the Lone Star City!
1. Explore a World of Color in the Color Factory
Address: 3303 Kirby Drive Houston TX 77098
Phone Number: 347-378-4071
Hours: Monday, Wednesday, Thursday: 11 AM–5 PM
Tuesday: Closed
Friday: 10 AM–7 PM
Saturday: 9 AM–8 PM
Sunday: 10 AM–6 PM
Color Factory is the perfect, go-to place if you’re looking to add a dash of color to your Insta feed – and it’s a fun place, too!
The Color Factory is a museum that offers an immersive art experience that lets visitors enjoy the joy of color through thoughtful installations and immersive rooms”. You won’t get bored, too with their 14 displays that you can check out, like their giant ball pit!
Out of all their 14 displays, we recommend visiting A Royal (Disco) Ball! It features music by the 12 most famous Texas-based female musicians like Erykah Badu, Selena Quintanilla, and Beyonce in a royal purple disco-inspired room!
But if you don’t feel like taking your own pictures, then The Color Factory can do that for you! They have plenty of cameras inside, and if you scan the QR code that comes with your ticket there, you can get your pictures sent to your email for free!
| Pro Tips: Though the Color Factory is fun, we do not suggest visiting them during the weekends, since it can get very crowded and you won’t enjoy the space. The weekdays are a lot more fun, and you won’t have to deal with as many people. |
2. Take Pics in Front of The 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
Houston never fails to amaze us with their man-made structures, and Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is just one of those places you just HAVE to take a photo with.
Though there’s nothing much to do in the park itself, the stunning construction is still a breathtaking view. And with the right breeze, you can even get a drizzle of water that’s perfect for your Insta feed!
The park itself has a good view of Houston’s metropolitan area since it’s also constructed near Williams Tower. It also has lots of Oak Trees surrounding it, and those can be a good background for your Instagram, too!
The parking situation is bad, but you can always opt for the Williams Tower parking for a fee. The nearby Galleria parking is free, but you will have to walk for a couple of minutes.
| Pro Tips: If there’s not enough wind to get that perfect Instagram pic, then you can take a picture of the nearby Williams Tower for a more city-inspired snap. But if you’re not a fan of that, then there are also lots of Texas Live Oak Trees in the vicinity for a more nature-inspired feel! |
3. View Contemporary Art in Graffiti Park
Address: 2011 Leeland St, Houston, TX 77003
Phone Number: 409-245-3778
Hours: Open 24 hours
Fun fact, though graffiti is illegal in Houston, artist Daniel Anguilu himself has been granted permission to paint the Graffiti Park by the business owners themselves. Think of it as art the way it’s intended to be, smack-dab in the middle of Houston.
Angullu himself said that the park sees “more foot traffic than a lot of museums.” And for a good reason – the art is breathtaking. Their homage to George Floyd is a powerful piece that stands out in a predominantly Red State.
But if you want to snap a more casual picture, then there’s space-themed graffiti in the nearby McDonald’s. It depicts an astronaut, with the typical McDonald’s heart. It even has a sizeable social media presence with the #McDHoustonWall!
| Pro Tips: If you’re a fan of Selena Quintanilla, then you can snap a picture with her mural nearby as well! It’s a hop and a skip away from the George Floyd mural, and it’s a beautiful piece commemorating the late great Latina pop-star. |
4. See A Different Side of Houston At Waugh Drive Bat Colony
Address: Buffalo Bayou Park, Waugh Dr, Houston, TX 77002
Phone Number: 713-752-0314
Hours: Open 24 hours
If you’re looking for a unique place for your Insta feed, then we got the place for you! Waugh Drive Bat Colony lets you take snaps of the bats living underneath the bridge. Best of all, it costs as little as $30 for a boat ride (boat rides in Houston), too.
The bats in question are Mexican Free-Tailed Bats, and they don’t pose an immediate danger so long as you don’t do anything rash.
The viewing starts at 7 PM, but we recommend going there at least 40 minutes earlier to witness the bats flying in the sunset. We also don’t recommend using flash – it’ll be a bit dark, but it’ll be a hit Insta post, for sure!
| Pro Tips: If $30 for a boat ride seems a bit extreme to you, you can also take a picture of the bats on their viewing area or the sidewalk. It’s also ADA-certified too! |
5. Explore a Different World in Space Center Houston
Address: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058
Phone Number: 281-244-2100
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 10 AM–5 PM
If you don’t want to go all the way to Florida to experience the Space Station, then you can always visit the Houston branch. And if you ask us, the experience there is just the same!
Space Center Houston is an affiliate of the Smithsonian, and the pieces on display are all breathtaking and educational at the same time. We recommend visiting their Mission Mars Exhibit since it shows a perspective of what it’s like to live on the red planet.
If you’re a fan of Elon Musk, then you can take a picture with the SpaceX Falcon 9! It’s up on display outdoors so that you can take a quick snap of the marvels of reusable space technology!
| Pro Tips: Space Station Houston is huge, so don’t be afraid to try out their Tram Tours. The Tram Tours also lets you tour a lot more than the regular attractions, with the Historic Mission Control Tour being the best of them all. |
6. See Houston’s Little India at BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha
Address: 1150 Brand Ln, Stafford, TX 77477
Phone Number: 281-765-2277
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 9 AM–12 PM, 4–6 PM
Did you know that there’s an entire street in Houston dedicated to Indian culture? If you want to immerse yourself even further in the culture, then you can visit BAPS (Bochasanwasi Shri Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha) Swaminarayan Sanstha.
It’s a beautifully constructed temple that you can visit for free! If you’re lucky, then you just might visit the temple during one of their colorful events that’s perfect for your Instagram feed.
BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is still a traditional temple, so remember to wear longer casual wear, and not to show a lot of skin. Strictly no tank tops, and shorts and skirts should be above the knee.
Note that they will provide some garments for you if you’re wearing shorts and tank tops. Also, you’re not allowed to take pictures inside the temple, but they can still provide photos of your trip in their souvenir shop.
| Pro Tips: Remember, BAPS Swaminarayan Sanstha is still a temple! Always remember to respect the culture and take notes on what the monks and locals of Little India say! |
7. Enjoy Nature at Buffalo Bayou Park
Address: Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street between Allen Parkway and, Memorial Dr, Houston, TX
Phone Number: 713-752-0314
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6 AM–11 PM
A Houston staple that has been posted on Instagram to the moon and back, Buffalo Bayou Park is an untouched example of Houston’s past.
Buffalo Bayou Park was once every Houstonian’s source of freshwater, along with being the main shipping route as well. You can learn more about it and take some great pics for your feed if you take part in their Historical Tour as well.
The natural beauty of the bayou is something to behold – and you can even enter it for free, too. It even has free art you can check out, with the Spindle and the Tolerance being the most Insta-worthy ones out there.
| Pro Tips: If you’re adventurous, then there’s a little button in Buffalo Bayou Park colloquially called The Big Buggle. Push it, and well – we’ll leave that part to your imagination! |
8. See Nature Differently in the Mercer Botanic Gardens
Address: 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, TX 77338
Phone Number:713-274-4160
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 8 AM–5 PM
A sight that will surely leave your Instagram followers agape, Mercer Botanic Gardens’ beauty makes you feel like you’re somewhere else.
With a rare collection of plants from all over the world, Mercer Botanic Gardens is a go-to for plant enthusiasts and Instagram influencers alike. Best of all, you can enter the park for free, so you can snap some pics for your feed, without spending a dime!
it’s not just for casual Insta posts, too! If you want to use Mercer Botanic Gardens as a backdrop for wedding or birthday photos, you won’t need any reservations and just go there. You must wrap them up by 4:30 PM, but it should be enough.
| Pro Tips: For those with pollen allergies, we suggest scheduling your shoot during the summer. The colder seasons aren’t ideal since it will just lead to worse allergy attacks! |
9. Witness Visionary Art in the Smither Park
Address: 2441 Munger St, Houston, TX 77023
Phone Number: 713-926-6368
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7 AM–7 PM
If you’ve ever wanted a different kind of art park in Houston, then we suggest visiting Smither Park. After all, the place’s vibrant and positive atmosphere lets you see artworks from both newbie and professional artists alike!
On the weekends, you can even see artists continuing their own mosaic piece too. You can also approach them and volunteer to help them with their art piece to help them finish the piece if you’re interested!
The vibrant atmosphere just adds more charm to the place, especially the Shell Plaza & Walkways. And even though it’s a bit on the somber side, we suggest taking a picture next to the Oshman Meditation Wall.
But at the end of the day, Smither Park is not just a colorful space. It’s made by artist Dan Phillips with the designs of the late Stephanie H. Smither as a tribute to her late husband to show that art is for everyone!
| Pro Tips: Every now and then, Smither Park will host live music and arts and crafts for kids. You can check out their website to check out the events that will be happening on the time of your visit! |
10. See Anish Kapoor’s Masterpiece in the Cloud Column
Address: Glassell School of Art, 5101 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
Phone Number: 713-639-7300
Hours: Open 24 hours
An art piece placed in front of the Glassell School of Art, The Cloud Column is a museum piece was made by the world-renowned Anish Kapoor and is completely different from what you can expect from him.
The piece echoes Kapoor’s previous works like the Cloud Gate in Chicago’s Millennium Park and Sky Mirror in the UK’s Houghton Park. It’s on a smaller scale compared to the aforementioned pieces, while managing to evoke a similar sense of beauty..
The Cloud Column is open 24 hours a day but we suggest visiting it at night!
| Pro Tips: If you really want to snap a picture of the Cloud Column during the day, then we won’t stop you! Just remember to either wear sunglasses and make sure that you’re in the right angle to get a proper picture. |
11. Enjoy A Quaint Coffee at Bebidas
Address: 2606 Edloe St, Houston, TX 77027
Phone Number: 713-554-0023
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 7 AM – 6 PM
An Insta-worthy restaurant that’s beautiful both inside and out, Bebidas has great food and a wonderful atmosphere to boot.
The large Oak Tree outside provides good shade and a beautiful atmosphere with the orange parasols if you’re dining outside. Their indoor is just as calming too with its pastel-pink walls and minimalist-style decor.
But the atmosphere is only half of Bebidas’ appeal – their affordable, delicious food and drink choices are also Insta-worthy, too! Their drinks come in pretty cups, and add that to their beautiful indoor decor and you’ll have the perfect Insta picture!
| Pro Tips: The two giant Oak trees on their property provides decent shade, especially during the summertime. Since Bebidas is on the smaller side compared to other restaurants, you can hang around there while waiting for seats! |
12. Get Down at The Downtown Houston Tunnel System
Address: 1221 McKinney Street, Suite 4250 Houston, Texas 77010
Phone Number: 713-650-3022
Hours: Monday – Friday: 8 AM – 6 PM
Saturday – Sunday: Closed
A unique, modernized tunnel that has been repurposed for modern times, the Downtown Houston Tunnel System has since been turned into a mall with plenty of stalls that every Houstonian can enjoy!
Fun fact, the tunnels were devised in the 1900s to connect two of former Texas Governor Ross Sterling’s buildings and made by his son-in-law Wyatt C. Hendrick.
Today, these once-historic tunnels are malls with plenty of food and lifestyle stalls. But there are still remnants of the old tunnel system that you can take nice pictures of, especially the long, stretching hallway near the entrance.
| Pro Tips: The Downtown Houston Tunnel System has lots of food and drink stalls that you can try out! The Smoothie Factory on the E. McKinney Tunnel is good for a quick pick-me-up during your stroll, but Hines is the more picturesque option. |
13. Catch Major Events at The Houston Toyota Center
Address: 1510 Polk St, Houston, TX 77002
Phone Number: 713-758-7200
Hours: Depends on events
One of Houston’s most famous stadiums,Houston Toyota Center has been one of the de facto events for most of the city’s sporting and concerts since 2003.
The exterior alone is worth taking a snap for your Insta feed, but the interior sees the most change when there’s an event! For example, they matched Adele’s album during her 2016 tour, and they do ambient red lighting when Cirque du Soleil is in town!
We also recommend visiting them during a Rockets game for that deep red lighting and electrifying atmosphere.
| Pro Tips: .As you’d expect from a major stadium, the area around Houston Toyota Center can get congested when there’s an ongoing major performance. That’s why to avoid traffic, we suggest going there an hour or two early. Or take a bus. |
14. Explore The Marvin Taylor Trail
Address: Hermann Park, 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030
Phone Number: 713-526-2183
Hours: Monday – Sunday: 6 AM – 11 PM
The Marvin Taylor Trail is an ideal place to get your steps in AND take pictures! Fun fact – it was once a carriage trail that’s since been refurbished to give Houstonians a place to walk around in while taking in some nature views, too.
The sheer amount of trees gives the park ample shade, and the plants and flowers nearby can make for a pretty background for your Instagram photo. But if you’re lucky enough, then you might come across some of the ducks that roam around the park!
| Pro Tips: If you’re planning to go for a run, we would recommend going there right after they open at 6 AM or sometime after that to make sure that it’s nice and quiet. |
15. Pass By the Southampton Live Oaks
Address: Southampton, Houston, TX 77006
Phone Number: N/A
Website: N/A
Hours: Open 24 hours
What makes Southampton Live Oaks unique compared to other items on the list is the fact that it’s not a landmark. It’s a row of trees that have grown to make a beautiful arch along Southampton’s Boulevard Oaks area!
It’s the perfect Insta-worthy spot if you’re looking for a more nature-inspired photo sesh. The trees’ cover also makes sure that you have the right amount of light on and you’re not being blasted on your photos, too!
| Pro Tips: If you ever pass by and you want to have your photos taken, we suggest doing so during the fall season so that the leaves will take on an orange hue. Also, make sure you’re not obstructing traffic in the middle of the road, too! |
