10 Best Things to Do in Houston

Hang out with Houston locals and fellow visitors at this vibrant public park in the city’s historical district. Though it’s compact, Market Square Park is filled with flower gardens and decorative art, and holds a variety of community events throughout the year. Watch a live music concert or late night film, or join in the open-air fitness classes.

Many features are adorned in colourful tiles, and the intricate fountain and mosaicked benches along Preston Street are particularly eye-catching. There are plenty of shaded spots within the park to sit back and people-watch, and a specific dog-friendly area for your pets to stretch their legs. Don’t miss the garden memorialising all lives lost on September 11 2001.

Houston is inseparable from the history of manned space flight. It’s home to the Space Center Houston, which is the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center. Between the carpark and its massive facility, you can see Independence Plaza: a replica of the space shuttle Independence. It’s become a national landmark as it rides piggyback on top of the historical NASA 905 shuttle-carrier jumbo jet.

Inside the space centre, you’ll find a series of scientific exhibits related to space exploration, suitable for all ages. Journey to the Starship Gallery to marvel at spacecraft and incredible artefacts before discovering how humans may soon live on the red planet at Mission Mars.

To beat the summer heat, you can take the family to Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, Houston’s largest waterpark. Only a half-hour’s drive north from Downtown Houston, Splashtown has the ultimate thrills. Try exhilarating rides such as the gravity defying, high-speed Big Spin, or the Paradise Plunge, which is 7 stories of free-falling excitement.

Milder rides, good for all, include the Paradise River lazy river pool and the tranquil Hurricane Bay, with its artificially generated waves. Don’t worry if you need to refuel before continuing the fun. From Six Flags’ famous funnel cakes to a refreshing fruity cocktail, Splashtown’s snack stalls and bars will provide.

There’s plenty going on in The Houston Museum of Natural Science. You can expect special exhibits held here throughout the year, ranging from scientific exhibitions detailing the awe-inspiring history of Ancient Egypt to impressive photographic showcases and dioramas of Texas wildlife. Don’t miss the Cabinet of Curiosities filled with unusual treasures or the Morian Hall of Palaeontology with its towering dinosaur fossils.

The Wortham Giant Screen Experience shows stunning IMAX documentaries that are suitable for all ages. Here you can learn about the secrets of the Egyptian Pharaohs or discover dinosaurs in breathtaking 3D. The museum hosts a range of events through the year too, from party nights, tea soirees and special interactive exhibits.

For one of Houston’s best modern shopping experiences, head up to The Galleria in the city’s Uptown District. It’s the largest of its kind in the whole of Texas and one of the largest in the States. Inside its massive complex you can find notable anchor stores such as Neiman Marcus and Macy's, as well as independent stores offering the best local wares.

The mall also houses some world-renowned restaurant franchises, including Houston’s own Nobu Sushi and Japanese. You can check out its indoor ice rink that occupies most of its massive main atrium, or come by for incredible events like the Jurassic World exhibition.

Part of Houston’s colourful heritage is well-preserved at Sam Houston Park. This green space in Downtown Houston features neat pathways and lakes, with several historical homes throughout. These include old wooden cabins, a 19th-century church that was built by early German and Swiss immigrants and the prominent Kellum-Noble House which is Houston's oldest known brick house.

The park is overseen by Houston’s Heritage Society, from where you can book guided tours of the park and its interesting structures. Additionally, Sam Houston Park is the home of several events throughout the year, so visit for a chance to experience a livestock show and rodeo, string concerts and the Bayou City Arts Festival.

Try out some original Houston Tex-Mex flavours at Ninfa’s, a rustic restaurant at Houston’s 2704 Navigation Boulevard. Among the tasty signature delights that you can order here are their tacos, jumbo lump crab cakes and fajitas. The fajitas, particularly, are legendary and have long been the main draw here. They use selected skirt steak, and Ninfa’s own original recipe is said to date back to 1973.

Accompanying its Tex-Mex selections are an assortment of handcrafted cocktails. Try the famous Ninfarita, its signature Margarita that uses Agave Tequila Blanco. The food and atmosphere at Ninfa’s is so legendary, it’s often described as a pioneer of Tex-Mex cuisine.

You don’t need to don a parachute or hop on a plane to enjoy the freefall sensation of skydiving. Houston has iFly, a specially designed indoor skydiving facility where both kids and adults can learn the moves and enjoy the sensation in a safe and controlled environment.

The flight chamber is basically a high-powered, upright wind tunnel that provides an experience like no other. Overseen by a team of professional skydiving instructors who provide both tutelage and motivation, you can live your dream of flying in no time. Special gear includes a flight suit, a helmet and protective goggles.

You can enjoy spectacular evening entertainment in Houston at the Music Box Theater, the town’s prime location for cabaret. In this intimate setting, you’ll be delighted by a highly talented cast and band and their original musical productions.

Most shows present a blend of comedy and drama, featuring hits from classics such as The Beatles, Tina Turner and Britney Spears alongside nostalgic songs from the 50s, 60s and 70s. The theatre has gained a reputation for outstanding entertainment over the years and shows regularly sell out, so be sure to grab your tickets before they go.

Enjoy a night out in Houston that’s filled with feel-good music you can sing along to with your old friends and make new ones. Pete’s Dueling Piano Bar is Houston’s most famous piano bar, where 2 pianists on stage strike up a thrilling 'piano battle' almost every night. 

These musical duellists play portions of well-known songs in a fun and exhilarating sequence, while you and the audience sing along. Their playlists can include anything from the 70s to the latest modern hits, so there’s really no excuse for not joining in on the fun. Why not order a funky cocktail to accompany your night? We recommend the Spicy Pineapple ‘Rita, featuring tequila, pineapple juice and YellowBird Habanero.