Jet-set on Your IAH Layover Like a Pro
- Bask in Nature at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
- Bounce Around at the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
- Check Out the National Museum of Funeral History
- Dive into the Downtown Aquarium
- Drop by the SpindleTap Brewery
- Explore Beautiful Blossoms at Mercer Botanic Gardens
- Eye Art at the Menil Collection
- Find Peace and Quiet at the Rothko Chapel
- Get Cultured at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston
- Go Wild at the Houston Zoo
- Grab Classic Houston Barbecue
- Have a Fun Learning at the Museum of Natural Sciences
- Saddle Up at the Cypress Trails Ranch
- Shop Til You Drop at the Deerbrook Mall
- Step Back in Time at the Heritage Society
- Taste the Best of Both Worlds at Gumbo Jeaux’s
- Tee Off!
- Test Your Skills at Escape It Houston
- Try the Farm Life at the Old MacDonald’s Farm
- Visit the Iconic Buffalo Bayou Park
Have you ever found yourself in George Bush Intercontinental Airport with a few hours to spare during a layover and not knowing what to do with yourself? Don’t fret, fellow traveler, because this Houston airport is not just a place to catch connecting flights
Just like the rest of the city, there are loads of places just waiting to be explored around the IAH. For the seasoned globetrotters, first-time fliers, and everyone in between, this guide is your passport to making the most of your layover in Houston.
Get ready to discover a world of entertainment, delicious dining, and unexpected adventures, all conveniently nestled within the terminals and just beyond the runway. So, fasten your seatbelt and prepare for takeoff on a trip around Houston’s IAH.
Bask in Nature at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
Image Source: Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
Address: 20634 Kenswick Dr, Humble, TX 77338, United States
Phone Number: +1 281 446 8588
Hours: Every Day – 7 am to 7 pm
You can immerse yourself in the tranquility of nature just a stone’s throw away from the airport at Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center. In this nature preserve along Spring Creek, you get to explore the huge green space for a dose of fresh air and sunlight.
Aside from having the common amenities in a park like children’s playgrounds with slides and swings that they can play on, they also have walking trails which are easy enough to enjoy without breaking a sweat.
The preserve also has areas that were left mostly untouched like primitive trails and swamps open for public exploration.
| Pro Tip: Make sure you check out the wide array of plants you can find here. The swamp area features a whole trove of cypress trees which are centuries old. The towering heights, wide canopy of branches, and the extensive network of roots are rare sites to see. |
Bounce Around at the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park
Image Source: Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park Website
Address: 19304 US-59, Humble, TX 77338, United States
Phone Number: +1 832 916 3093
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 4 pm to 9 pm
- Saturday – 10 am to 9 pm
- Sunday – 12 pm to 8 pm
For an adrenaline rush during your layover, you should go on and head over to the Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park. This massive indoor trampoline center offers everything from classic trampolines and tumble tracks to bumper cars and virtual reality.
Here, the kids can have fun with a game of dodgeball, feel like an NBA star in the Slam Dunk Zone, or live out their NinjaWarrior dreams on the obstacle course. It’s great for the kids to use up all of the excess energy for a peaceful connecting flight later on!
Plus, adults are also allowed to play on the trampolines. So, it’s a great chance to reconnect with your inner child!
| Pro Tip: They have tickets from $17.99 to $32.99 depending on how many attractions you want access to. If your layover is only a few hours long, we recommend getting the basic pass since you won’t have time to experience everything even if you get the more expensive ones. |
Check Out the National Museum of Funeral History
Image Source: National Museum of Funeral History
Address: 415 Barren Springs Dr, Houston, TX 77090, United States
Phone Number: +1 281 876 3063
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 10 am to 4 pm
- Saturday – 10 am to 5 pm
- Sunday – 12 pm to 5 pm
If you’re looking to experience a one-of-a-kind museum, The National Museum of Funeral History which is just a short drive away from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport is a great quirky place to visit during your layover.
The museum which delves into the history of everything connected to funeral traditions and displays an incredible collection of artifacts from ancient times like Egyptian burial paraphernalia to modern day caskets and hearses.
You’ll even find memorabilia from the funerals of famous figures like Dwight Eisenhower, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Elvis Presley.
| Pro Tip: After enjoying the exhibits in the museum, don’t forget to drop by the gift shop for some souvenirs and keepsakes that are truly unique and a little creepy like business card holders in the shape of a casket or an Egyptian sarcophagus gypsum. |
Dive into the Downtown Aquarium
Image Source: Downtown Aquarium Website
Address: 410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 223 3474
Hours:
- Sunday to Thursday – 10 am to 9 pm
- Friday to Saturday – 10 am to 10 pm
For a great aquatic adventure, you don’t have to make your way to the beach! The Downtown Aquarium is a great destination to kill time while you wait for your next flight.
The aquarium isn’t your typical run of the mill fish tanks, the tourist spot features themed areas with each one focusing on a specific habitat. They have a bayou, rainforest, and even a shipwreck site with all the species of sea animals that call each one home.
If you want to get up close and personal with the marine animals, their stingray touch tank is a great way to interact with the creatures in a safe and controlled space. You cna even feed them!
| Pro Tip: You can’t leave the Downtown Aquarium without having a meal at the Aquarium Restaurant that features a 150,000 gallon aquarium filled with over 100 species of marine life. Plus, you can grab a drink at the Dive Lounge just next to it! |
Drop by the SpindleTap Brewery
Image Source: SpindleTap Brewery Website
Address: 10622 Hirsch Rd Houston, TX 77016, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 3251477
Hours:
- Monday and Saturday – Closed
- Tuesday and Wednesday – 4 pm to 9 pm
- Thursday to Friday – 11 am to 10 pm
- Sunday – 11 am to 7 pm
With just a quick 15-minute ride south of the airport, you’ll discover the SpindleTap Brewery, where some of the city’s finest brews await you. They have craft beer like the Long Island Peach Teas, Houston Hustle IPA, and a Czech Pilsner.
You can even visit their tap rooms where they hold barrels of their beer. In some cases, they’ll let you pour your own pint while they guide you on how to do it right!
But what makes SpindlePark Brewery such a hotspot for tourists and locals alike is the open air sports complex connected to it. They have a minigolf course and various sports areas like a soccer field, a basketball court, and a kickball field.
| Pro Tip: Although SpindlePark Brewery is mostly known for their beer and malt drinks, they also have a line of Spindletap Coffee that’s just as great. You can even take home some by buying their ground beans that they have on hand. |
Explore Beautiful Blossoms at Mercer Botanic Gardens
Address: 22306 Aldine Westfield Rd, Humble, TX 77338, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 274 4160
Hours: Every day – 8 am to 7 pm
In Humble, which is highly accessible from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, the Mercer Botanic Gardens is spread across 300 acres of outdoor green space. This collection of gardens offers trails for hiking and great spots for barbecues and picnics.
The location features the biggest assortment of local and imported plants with a whole swamp inside. You can explore the gardens for free and participate in ongoing and seasonal programs, including plant sales if you want to take some home with you.
The gardens are known to have a diverse population of wildlife which can be a good or bad thing depending if you like them or not.
| Pro Tip: The Mercer Botanic Gardens welcomes guests year-round, except on Thanksgiving Day, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year’s Day. So, make sure your visit to the Garden doesn’t fall on those days. |
Eye Art at the Menil Collection
Image Source: The Menil Collection Website
Address: 1533 Sul Ross St, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 525 9400
Hours:
- Wednesday to Sunday – 11 am to 7 pm
- Monday and Tuesday – Closed
You get to delve into a treasure trove of art history at the Menil Collection which plays host to an impressive collection of 19,000 artworks spanning from the different parts of the world and various significant time periods in art.
The museum also has 20th Century art mainly featuring surrealist artworks. Majority of the art displayed here is from the personal collection of John and Dominique de Menil.
The main collections are the Antiquities from the Paleolithic to pre-Christian times, the Byzantine and Medieval collection, tribal artworks, and American postwar art.
| Pro Tip: Although the entire collection is housed indoors, there are also outdoor sculptures that you shouldn’t miss during your visit, including Jim Love’s giant Jackstone and Michale Heizer’s Rift which is a literal crack he gouged into the ground. |
Find Peace and Quiet at the Rothko Chapel
Image Source: Rothko Chapel Website
Address: 3900 Yupon St, Houston, TX 77006, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-524-9839
Hours: Tuesday to Sunday – 10 am to 6 pm; Monday – Closed
The Rothko Chapel is largely considered by both regular visitors and first-timers alike as a serene haven that welcomes visitors from all walks of life. The chapel was built in dedication to promoting spiritual growth regardless of religion.
The chapel houses 14 of Mark Rothko’s paintings which actually seem like plain black canvases at first glance. But, with a closer look, the paintings reveal themselves to be painted in different shades of black, dark blues, deep purples, and maroons.
When you see the paintings sort of shift because of the skylight installed in the ceiling inside the chapel where they are displayed, it evokes a unique sense of calmness.
| Pro Tip: The Rothko Chapel hosts guided meditation classes that are open and free for the public to join almost every day, so try to inquire at the front desk once you get there if you want to try out meditating in the middle of the chapel amongst the paintings. |
Get Cultured at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston
Image Source: Museum of Fine Arts Houston Website
Address: 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 639 7300
Hours:
- Wednesday – 11 am to 5 pm
- Thursday – 11 am to 9 pm
- Friday and Saturday – 11 am to 6 pm
- Sunday 12:30 pm to 6 pm
- Monday and Tuesday – Closed
Founded in 1900, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, has an extensive collection of over 70,000 artworks spanning from ancient times to the contemporary era. As one of the 10 biggest museums dedicated to art in the country, this is definitely a must visit.
The museum compound features the CAroline Wiess Law Building which houses their collection of Islamic art, Australian, Asian, and Mesoamerican art. You can see antiquities from Europe and art from America in the Audrey Jones Beck Building.
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is also home to its own art school, a cinema, and 2 libraries all dedicated to making art more accessible to the general public.
| Pro Tip: Keep an eye out for the concrete-framed Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden just outside the main museum buildings where you can find sculptures by famous artists like Pietro Consagra and Joan Miro amongst bamboo and native trees. |
Go Wild at the Houston Zoo
Image Source: Houston Zoo Website
Address: 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Phone Number: +1 713-533-6500
Hours: Every Day – 9 am to 5 pm
If you’re looking for a fun place to take the entire family during a long layover in Houston with the perfect balance of activities and relaxation, the Houston Zoo is the perfect place to go. Especially if you’re animal lovers like us!
This 55-cre zoo is the home of over 6,000 animals and is the second most visited one in the entire United States. You can see an assortment of animals from rhinos and giraffes in the African Forest to the birds in the aviary.
Don’t miss out on the more exciting enclosures including the reptile and amphibian houses and the carnivore exhibits with black bears, leopards, and Malayan tigers.
| Pro Tip: If you’re with the kids, make sure you drop by the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat which features a boardwalk you can cross for a 360-degree view of the elephants. Just make sure you stay away when it’s bath time for them, they can spray water fairly high with their trunks! |
Grab Classic Houston Barbecue
Image Source: Corkscrew BBQ Website
Address: 26608 Keith St, Spring, TX 77373, United States
Phone Number: +1 281 330 2178
Hours:
- Wednesday to Saturday – 11 am to 4 pm
- Sunday to Tuesday – Closed
Located just a 10-minute drive from the IAH, Corkscrew BBQ is a must-visit for barbecue aficionados. Housed in a tiny pink trailer turned brick-and-mortar, this hidden gem serves up the best pork ribs and smoked brisket we’ve tried.
All of their smoked meats already come with onions, jalapenos, pickles, and bread, but if you really want to fill up on the good stuff, try their famous stuffed potato salad for the perfect side dish.
| Pro Tip: Keep in mind that they smoke everything daily. Nothing is frozen, so the items are served until they run out (which happens sometimes). Try to visit before the dinner rush to make sure you can still get a taste of that famous Houston barbecue. |
Have a Fun Learning at the Museum of Natural Sciences
Image Source: Museum of Natural Science Houston Website
Address: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, United States
Phone Number :+1 713 639 4629
Hours: Every Day – 9 am to 5 pm
The Museum of Natural Science Houston is one of our favorite museums in the entire city (maybe the whole state or the country if we’re being honest). This museum plays host to multiple buildings each with their own sections of history.
You can explore space in the Burke Baker Planetarium or catch a science show at the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre.
There are over a dozen permanent exhibit areas delving into subjects like American culture, space, dinosaurs, and geology for you to explore. Not to mention a Texas Wildlife hall with over 425 preserved specimens, including extinct animals!
| Pro Tip: Don’t forget to drop by the Cockrell Butterfly Center with a huge waterfall at the center and a temperature and climate controlled environment to make sure that the 60 species of butterflies calling it home are comfortable. |
Saddle Up at the Cypress Trails Ranch
Image Source: Cypress Trails Ranch Website
Address: 21415 Cypresswood Dr, Humble, TX 77338, United States
Phone Number: +1 281 446 7232
Hours: Every Day – 8 am to 7 pm
For those who want to live out their Texas cowboy (or cowgirl) fantasies, you can do it at the Cypress Trails Ranch. And, since they’re located very near the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, you can go, have fun, and come back just in time for your flight.
At the ranch, you’ll encounter horses and you can go on thrilling trail rides which are suitable for riders of all skill levels. For younger riders, they have pony rides while adult beginners can ride with a staff guiding the horses slowly through the forests.
They also have adventure trails for more experienced riders where you can freely ride around the more challenging tracks.
| Pro Tip: The bookings are on a first come first serve basis through their website. Slots tend to fill up fast so we suggest booking your trip there at least a week in advance. |
Shop Til You Drop at the Deerbrook Mall
Image Source: Deerbrook Mall Website
Address: 20131 US-59, Humble, TX 77338, United States
Phone Number: +1 281-446-6626
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 11 am to 8 pm
- Friday to Saturday – 11 to 9 pm
- Sunday – 11 am to 6 pm
If you prefer to spend your layovers in a relaxed and air conditioned environment far away from the Houston heat, then you can consider the Deerbrook Mall, a 5 minute drive away from the George Bush Intercontinental Airport your temporary stopover.
This shopping mall has everything you need to keep you entertained while waiting. You can catch a movie at the cinema or enjoy your time shopping at the department stores or at the wide array of retail outlets for clothing, toys, jewelry, electronics, and more.
| Pro Tip: Our favorite place to eat when we’re here is at Pappasito’s Cantina. Their grilled quail brochettes are great starters for the enchiladas and fajitas that they make fresh Every Day. We never leave here without getting their homemade tres leches cake too! |
Step Back in Time at the Heritage Society
Image Source: The Heritage Society Website
Address: 1100 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 655 1912
Hours:
- Tuesday to Saturday – 10 am to 4 pm
- Sunday and Monday – Closed
Nestled within 10 acres of lush green parkland at the Sam Houston Park, the Heritage Society stands as the city’s sole outdoor interactive historic museum and park. Here, they let you explore nine meticulously preserved historic structures.
One of the houses, the 1847 Kellum Noble House is the oldest building constructed within the city that is still standing. What’s more amazing is that it’s still standing on the original foundations it was built on.
If you’re interested in old houses and antiquities, this is a great place to visit during your layover.
| Pro Tip: Although exploring the park and historic buildings by yourself is doable and actually quite fun, if you’re short on time or just don’t want to miss anything worth seeing and visiting, try signing up for one of their tours on the website or on site! |
Taste the Best of Both Worlds at Gumbo Jeaux’s
Image Source: Gumbo Jeaux’s Website
Address: 15655 John F Kennedy Blvd, Houston, TX 77032, United States
Phone Number: +1 281 227 7138
Hours:
- Monday to Friday – 11 am to 8 pm
For those like us who prefer to explore the city through our taste buds, stopping by for a visit at Gumbo Jeaux’s is a must if you’re in Houston, even if it’s just for a short layover in between flights.
The city is known for cajun cuisine, and this restaurant serves up some of the best!
Some of the well-loved classics they serve are from their seafood menu including double fried catfish, blackened shrimp, and tilapia filets.
Don’t miss their rich and hearty gumbo, served with andouille and in-house smoked sausages, and dirty rice. For sandwich lovers, they also have ones filled with smoked meat!
| Pro Tip: We recommend ordering from the Little Jeaux’s Corner for kids under 12 years old. For $7, they can get a whole meal plus a side and a drink. For the meals, they can choose from the Baby Bayou Burger, fried shrimp, catfish bites, or chicken tenders. |
Tee Off!
Image Source: Top Golf Website
Address: 560 Spring Park Center Blvd, Spring, TX 77373, United States
Phone Number: +1 832 200 0106
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10 am to 11 pm
- Friday – 10 am to 12 am
- Saturday – 9 am to 12 am
- Sunday – 9 am to 11 pm
If you can’t leave your clubs at home or you always itch to hit a few golf balls every day even on vacation, then Top Golf is the place to let the hours fly by while on your Houston layover.
This sports entertainment spot lets you experience golf in a whole new way with their ultimate interactive driving range that’s perfect for a leisurely day (or a fun night out).
You can relax completely and forget about keeping score manually. Microchips and sensors handle the tallying for you. While you aim for the outfield targets, why not try their bacon and cheese fries too!
| Pro Tip: If you prefer a more traditional golf experience, head over to Cypresswood Golf Club, boasting two exceptional public courses sprawled across 600 picturesque acres of rolling hills. |
Test Your Skills at Escape It Houston
Image Source: Escape It Houston Website
Address: 11501 N Sam Houston Pkwy E # B, Humble, TX 77396, United States
Phone Number: +1 281 741 7533
Hours:
- Tuesday to Thursday – 3:30 pm to 9 pm
- Friday – 11 am to 11 pm
- Saturday – 11:30 am to 11 pm
- Sunday 11 am to 9 pm
- Monday – Closed.
Escape It Houston takes the escape room concept to a whole new level. They allow you to completely immerse yourself in a series of themed and hyper-realistic rooms that make you internalize your predicament.
With only 60 minutes on the clock, you and your team will have a great time working together while using logic and critical thinking skills to solve puzzles and find your way out of the rooms. This is especially fun if you’re waiting out your layovers with friends!
| Pro Tip: You get to choose the rooms you like, for horror movie lovers, we recommend you try the Screams from Below room for one of the most intense escape rooms they have. The room is set in an abandoned warehouse where you try to escape from a killer hiding inside. |
Try the Farm Life at the Old MacDonald’s Farm
Image Source: Old MacDonald’s Farm Website
Address: 3203 Farm to Market 1960 Rd E, Humble, TX 77338, United States
Phone Number: +1 281 446 4001
Hours:
- Monday to Thursday – 10 am to 5 pm
- Friday to Sunday – 10 am to 6 pm
If you’re looking for a unique take on some outdoor fun for you and the kids, the Old MacDonald’s Farm just a 5 minute-drive from the IAH terminal is a great place to pass the time during your layover.
This working farm houses all sorts of animals that are kept in a petting zoo style ranch so that the kids can interact with the animals. They also have a mini-train that can take visitors around the whole farm.
| Pro Tip: The kids can take a dip in the outdoor pool during the summer months. And, during the fall season, they have a lively and fun pumpkin patch where you can take pictures or choose some for carving. |
Visit the Iconic Buffalo Bayou Park
Image Source: Buffalo Bayou Park Website
Address: Shepherd Drive to Sabine Street between Allen Parkway and, Memorial Dr, Houston, TX, United States
Phone Number: +1 713 752 0314
Hours: Every Day – 6 am to 11pm
You can relax outdoors at the Buffalo Bayou Park which runs 2.3 miles along the banks of the Buffalo Bayou.
Aside from the amazing views combining the water, the trees, and the cityscape, there are loads of fun things to do at the park as well as you wait out the hours.
There are numerous art installations along the park where you can take photos of the sculptures and pieces or take one alongside them. If you love dogs, you can head to the dog park to watch them play freely!
| Pro Tip: Right underneath the park grounds, you can find and check out the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern which was once a water reservoir. It has now been repurposed for visitors to check out the unique structure and it’s also an art installation venue. |
