9 Fall Things to Do in Houston That Are Un-be-leaf-ably Fun
- Take Part in the Largest Renaissance Festival in the United States
- Admire Over 300 Artists’ Work at the Bayou City Art Festival in Memorial Park
- Celebrate the Season at Dewberry Farm’s Fall Festival in Brookshire
- Visit the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center to Admire Fall Foliage
- Visit the Houston Zoo during Zoo Boo
- Visit the Houston Farmers Market
- 7. Take a Kayak Tour along Buffalo Bayou
- Enjoy a Picnic at Menil Park
There’s just something so nice about fall in Houston!
Maybe it’s the slight coolness in the air that almost feels like sweater weather (until it’s 85°F by noon). Or maybe it’s the festivals, food trucks, and all the pumpkins popping up around the city.
There are so many fall things to do in Houston that really capture the vibe of the season. It’s a time to enjoy good food, fun activities, and spend time with friends, all while pretending the summer is finally over!
So, if you’re ready to enjoy fall in Houston, let’s check out 9 things that’ll make you love the season, no matter the temperature!
1. Take Part in the Largest Renaissance Festival in the United States
Media Credit: texrenfest
Website: https://www.texrenfest.com/
Address: 22014 FM 1774, Todd Mission, TX
Contact Details: +1 281-356-2178
Admission Costs: General admission tickets start at $39; Season passes start at $700; Weekend passes start at $29
For a unique fall activity in Houston, the Texas Renaissance Festival is a must-visit!
Every weekend from mid-October to November, the festival brings you back to a 16th-century British village—except with more turkey legs and no plague.
As soon as we walked in, we were greeted by performers in full Renaissance costumes, vendors selling all kinds of quirky stuff, and visitors who really took the “dress-up” part seriously.
Each weekend has a theme, so we got to enjoy everything from Oktoberfest celebrations to pirate shenanigans. They even had a spooky All Hallows Eve weekend where we almost believed the ghosts were real (okay, maybe just a little).
The food was just as fun. We went straight for the bratwurst and mead—because, why not? There were also lighter options like avocado toast and BLTs for anyone trying to stay “healthy” while surrounded by fried food.
| Pro Tip: The Texas Renaissance Festival is huge, and there’s so much to see and do. A 2-day ticket will give you more time to relax, enjoy the performances, and explore every shop without rushing. |
2. Admire Over 300 Artists’ Work at the Bayou City Art Festival in Memorial Park
Website: https://www.bayoucityartfestival.com/
Address: 6800 Memorial Drive, Houston, TX
Contact Details: +1 713-521-0133
For an enriching fall activity, drop by the Bayou City Art Festival in Memorial Park! This annual event, which has been celebrated for more than 50 years, transforms the park into an open-air art gallery.
This event takes place both in Downtown and Memorial Park and it showcases a wide variety of art, from paintings and photography to handmade jewelry and sculptures. It’s also a great opportunity to meet the artists and learn more about the stories behind their work!
Food is another highlight of the festival. With a range of food trucks to choose from, you’ll find plenty of options when hunger strikes! The Burger Joint is particularly popular, so it’s worth checking out. (Just be sure to pick your food truck wisely–some options may not hit the mark.)
| Pro Tip: It’s a good idea to buy your tickets ahead of time and visit the festival website before you go. The site has helpful details like ticket prices, hours, parking tips, and maps, which can make your visit easier! |
3. Celebrate the Season at Dewberry Farm’s Fall Festival in Brookshire
Media Credit: dewberryfarmtexas
Website: https://www.dewberryfarm.com/
Address: 7705 FM 362, Brookshire, TX
Contact Details: +1 281-934-3276
For a fun fall outing near Houston, Dewberry Farm can’t be missed! It’s a big, festive place with lots to see and do for both kids and adults.
This gem offers more than just pumpkins. You’ll find hayrides, corn mazes, and even a haunted forest trail. Families can ride the DewVille Express Train, play on giant playgrounds, and check out attractions like the Slide Mountain or Phantom’s Revenge.
During Halloween, the farm lights up with thousands of twinkling lights, so it feels magical after dark!
The food is pretty solid, too. Brisket sandwiches, baked potatoes, and, of course, root beer floats are perfect for a quick bite between activities. If you’re staying for a while, the souvenir cup with refills is a lifesaver.
| Pro Tip: Wear light, breathable clothes and shoes that are good for walking and okay to get dusty. It gets very hot during the day, and there’s a lot of walking from place to place. |
4. Visit the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center to Admire Fall Foliage
Media Credit: houstonarboretum
Website: https://houstonarboretum.org/
Address: 4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX
Contact Details: +1 713-681-8433
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 7 AM to 7 PM
Admission Costs: Free entry but parking is $6.50
For a pleasant fall experience without leaving Houston, a walk in the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center may just be the answer.
The arboretum is a peaceful gem tucked inside Memorial Park, right in the middle of the city. This 155-acre nature area is a good spot to visit in the fall, especially for those who want a quiet break outdoors.
The place is big. Like, “we-should-have-brought-snacks” big. There are miles of trails that twist through woods, prairies, ponds, and even a few swampy-looking areas (don’t worry, the walkways are solid). We saw butterflies, turtles, and—believe it or not—an armadillo (he didn’t seem to mind us at all).
The Nature Center itself was a nice break after walking for a while. It’s got AC, clean bathrooms, and some fun displays about local wildlife.
We also stopped by the nature-themed playground, which looked like a hit for kids. It had tree stumps to jump on, little streams to explore, and no plastic slides in sight.
| Pro Tip: Use your phone map to help navigate the winding trails. The Arboretum has many trails that intersect, and a map will help you stay on track so you don’t get lost. |
5. Visit the Houston Zoo during Zoo Boo
Medis Credit: houstonzoo
Website: https://www.houstonzoo.org/
Address: 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX (in Hermann Park)
Contact Details: +1 713-533-6500
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 9 AM to 5 PM
Admission Costs: Adults (ages 13 above): start at $29.95; Kids (ages 3 to 12): start at $17.95
As the fall season sets in and Halloween draws near, one of the best events to experience in Houston is Zoo Boo at the Houston Zoo.
Walking through the Pumpkin Lantern Tunnel was one of the highlights. It’s between the lions and tigers, and the glowing pumpkins and twinkling lights make the place magical.
The pumpkin arch and Peek-a-Boo pumpkins, which hide little animal surprises inside, were a blast to explore. Definitely a great spot for a picture!
Seeing the animals enjoy their Halloween treats was another fun highlight. It was cute to watch lions munching on pumpkins. The elephants, tortoises, and other animals got in on the action too!
For an extra spooky vibe, Zoo Boo After Hours is a must. The zoo stays open later, and everything takes on a whole new charm in the dark. The Spooky Forest was fantastic, and we even jumped into the Spooky Dance Party (we may not be the best dancers, but we sure had a great time).
| Pro Tip: If you’re a Houston Zoo member, you get free access to Zoo Boo, which means you can skip the ticket lines and enjoy all the spooky fun without paying extra. If you’re not a member yet, consider signing up for future events and perks! |
6. Visit the Houston Farmers Market
Media Credit: houstonfarmersmarket
Website: https://thehoustonfarmersmarket.com/
Address: 2520 Airline Dr, Houston, TX
Contact Details: +1 713-862-8866
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 6 AM to 7 PM
For those looking for a perfect way to spend a fall day in Houston, a visit to the Houston Farmers Market is an excellent choice!
Located in the Greater Northside District, this 18-acre market has been a staple in Houston since 1941 and offers a sensory experience like no other for anyone who loves fresh food, cultural exploration, and making community connections.
We spent an afternoon and left with bags of produce, full bellies, and probably too many jars of spices we convinced ourselves we “needed.”
The produce here is something else–the green beans were crisp, the corn was sweet, and we saw fruits we couldn’t even name. It’s the kind of market where everything looks like it came straight from the farm—because it pretty much did!
After the produce run, we grabbed coffee and sat outside. The food stalls were tempting, so we caved (no regrets). For those who love handmade goods, there’s jewelry, baked goods too!
| Pro Tip: Many of the vendors grow the food themselves or know a lot about how to cook it, so they’re happy to share tips. If you see a fruit or spice you don’t recognize, just ask—they might even give you an easy recipe to try at home. |
7. Take a Kayak Tour along Buffalo Bayou
Media Credit: buffalobayou
Website: https://buffalobayoukayak.com/
Address: 105 Sabine St, Houston, TX
Contact Details: +1 (832) 305-5794
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 6 AM to 11 PM
Admission Costs: Tours start at $55 per person
If you want a fun and relaxing way to see Houston every fall, try kayaking along the Buffalo Bayou. This activity will give you a whole new view of the city as you float alongside tall buildings, trees, and more!
One of the tours starts near Allen’s Landing, where there’s no fancy dock—just a set of stone steps into the water. The staff was super helpful and didn’t laugh (too much) when one of us almost fell in before we even got started.
The guides know everything about the bayou–from Houston’s old history to the new buildings going up downtown. We paddled past the Theater District, learned about a few hidden landmarks, and saw a part of the city we’d never really noticed before.
Somehow, being on the water made it all feel more peaceful—even the highways nearby didn’t seem as loud.
Yes, the water’s not exactly crystal clear—it’s a bayou in the middle of the city, after all. There was some litter. Still, the vibe was laid-back, the kayak was surprisingly comfortable!
| Pro Tip: Wear shoes or sandals that can get wet and won’t slip easily. There’s no dock, just some stone steps into the bayou, so good grip makes getting in and out much easier. |
8. Enjoy a Picnic at Menil Park
Media Credit: menilcollection
Website: https://www.menil.org/visit/campus/menil-park
Address: 1423 Branard St, Houston, TX
Contact Details: +1 713-525-9400
Operating Hours: Monday to Sunday – 7 AM to 7 PM
If you want a quiet and easy way to enjoy Houston’s cooler fall weather, visit Menil Park for a peaceful afternoon picnic!
Located in the Montrose neighborhood, the park is a big, open space—about 30 acres—with lots of trees, soft grass, and even a few random sculptures that had us pretending to be art critics for a minute.
The whole place has this calm, artsy vibe. We brought a blanket, some snacks, and tried to forget the world for a little while. For families, couples, or solo visitors, it’s a lovely spot to spread out a blanket, sip some iced tea, and enjoy the fresh air. Kids love the low tree branches perfect for climbing!
If you need a break from the sun, the Menil Collection or Rothko Chapel are just steps away! Restrooms are available in the museum buildings (a quick thank-you to the staff is always appreciated), and the surrounding streets often have free parking.
| Pro Tip: Dogs are welcome at Menil Park, and we saw plenty of happy pups running around on the grass. Just make sure to keep your dog on a leash and bring your own waste bags, since there aren’t any pet stations. |
