The Best Things to Do in Houston

Eleanor Tinsley Park in Houston is a great place to spend time outdoors. There’s the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony, hiking and biking trails, and tons of green space to enjoy.

What started as one man’s simple hobby has turned into a Houston landmark that attracts visitors from across the country: The Beer Can House. Back in 1968, owner John Milkovisch, a retired upholsterer for Southern Pacific Railroad, realized he really enjoyed drinking beer but was tired of throwing his cans away. Instead, he decided to recycle them as decorations for his house, from aluminum beer-can siding to beer can garland that hangs from the roof’s edge. Now, 50,000 cans later, it’s a stunning work of art that stands as a testament to, well, beer. Admission is $5; children 12 and under are free. From June through August, the Beer Can House is open Wednesdays through Sundays from 12-5pm. From September through May, it’s open Saturdays and Sundays from 2-6pm. The Beer Can House is closed on most major holidays.

Who hasn’t daydreamed about being an astronaut at least once? Thankfully, Space Center Houston makes it easy to learn about the great beyond. It’s the area’s No. 1 attraction for international visitors and the first Smithsonian Affiliate in the greater Houston area. The center features more than 400 space artifacts and several exhibits related to the past, present, and future of America’s human spaceflight program. It’s also home to the world’s largest collection of moon rocks and lunar samples for public view, and offers guests the opportunity to go behind the scenes to see NASA’s Johnson Space Center.

Lawndale is probably the best Houston art space that the average Houstonian has never heard of. It’s also one of the only institutions in Houston that is dedicated to the presentation of contemporary art with an emphasis on work by regional artists. Popular annual shows here are the summer Big Show and the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) festivities in November. Admission is free, and Lawndale is just a few minutes from the MFAH and Contemporary Craft Museum. Photo via Lawndale Art Center Facebook page.

Since opening to the public in April 2008, this 12-acre park has quickly become the heartbeat of downtown. Here you’ll find a playground, a man-made lake, a dog park, and the Grace Event Lawn, which frequently hosts events like yoga classes, concerts, movie screenings, art shows, and farmers’ markets. The new adjacent Marriott Marquis Houston even features a lazy river in the shape of Texas! It may look familiar from TV: Discovery Green was one of the main event zones during 2017’s Super Bowl LI.

The Wortham Center will remain closed until September 2018 while it recovers from Hurricane Harvey flood damage.

Wortham Center is home to the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera, the only opera company in the country to win Tony, Emmy, and Grammy awards.

The CAMH, whose exhibits are always compelling and sometimes disturbing, fun, interesting, or emotional, is the only Texas museum dedicated solely to exhibiting and interpreting contemporary art. And the gift shop has the coolest toys, bags, jewelry, and other random gifts.

Many people consider Anderson Fair – Houston‘s legendary folk and acoustic music “listening room"– an unsung cultural treasure. Grammy Award-winning artists like Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, and Lucinda Williams have all played here. It began as a coffee shop and restaurant, hence the name. Doors are usually open on Thursdays at 8 p.m. for a $10 cover (bring cash). Photo via Flickr user Nieve44/Luz

No matter how old you are, you’re bound to find something to do at Hermann Park, which is located near downtown Houston and is bustling with activity any time of day. Pack a picnic or rest a while on a wooden bench to watch the miniature train that chugs through the park. There’s also the Japanese Garden, pedal-boat rentals, and the McGovern Centennial Gardens. The Miller Outdoor Theatre features a variety of shows, from Houston Symphony performances and concerts to plays and musicals, throughout the year. The Houston Zoo and the Houston Museum of Natural Science are also located just a short walk away.