Top 10 Things to Do in Houston on a First Visit, USA

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While Houston, Texas is the fourth largest city in the USA, it’s possibly one of the country‘s best kept secrets — and one well worth getting in on.

This is not a destination Aussies know particularly well, but it should be on your US travel radar. Situated in the southern half of the Lone Star State (roughly 400 kilometres south of Dallas) and big on southern charm and hospitality, Houston is packed with attractions and things to do — including the must-visit Space Center (part of NASA’s Johnson Space Center). Culture vultures will be in their element (the city is home to more than a hundred museums and galleries), as will history buffs, foodies (think Texas BBQ, Tex-Mex, and Creole cuisine), and sun worshippers — thanks to the 50 kilometres of beachfront at Galveston Island on the Gulf of Mexico.

Special mention to Houston’s diverse nightlife. Those looking to sightsee during the day, then shake it on the dance floor at night are going to love their stay here. More on that coming up. In fact, this city has it all, and the famous ‘Houston is Inspired’ mural in Market Square Park sums it up best: ‘Inspired, hip, tasty, funky, savvy’. Now that sounds like our sort of holiday!

Here’s a checklist of our top ten things to do in Houston on a first visit.

1. Choose a museum, any museum

If you want to get amongst the city’s many museums, make a beeline for the Houston Museum District — which sits on the doorstep of Hermann Park, just south of the Downtown area. There are close to twenty cultural facilities within walking distance of this spot, including the preeminent Museum of Fine Arts, the Contemporary Arts Museum, and the popular Houston Museum of Natural Science. You’ll also find the Health Museum, Children’s Museum, and emotive Holocaust Museum in nearby streets. The Museum of Fine Arts holds a collection of over 70,000 pieces, encompassing paintings, sculptures, and decorative artefacts from America’s colonial and federal periods.

• Purchase a Houston Museum Pass

2. See The Menil Collection

It’s a seven-or-so-minute Uber ride from the Museum District to The Menil Collection museum and campus in Montrose. The private art cache of French born immigrant philanthropists John and Dominique de Menil — which was built on the proceeds of oil production in the mid 20th century — forms the basis of the collection of modern art, drawings, photographic works, and rare manuscripts on display today. The Renzo Piano-designed modernist-style museum building is located on Sol Russ Street, but it’s surrounded by an entire campus of associated institutions, bungalows, and green space, all of which draw on the Menil aesthetic. It’s well worth seeing and admission to the museum is free.

3. Shop, eat, repeat in Montrose

While you’re in Montrose, take the opportunity to explore what is one of Houston’s most characterful neighbourhoods — and a great spot to shop, eat, caffeinate, and bar-hop — and people-watch while you’re at it! Vintage and thrifting (op-shopping) are big in this part of town, and you never know what you’ll turn up on the racks. Head to the Leopard Lounge on Westheimer Road for starters and dive in. If you’re up for a beverage afterwards, Bar Boheme on Fairview Street is a hoot!

4. Do a tour of the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern

North of Montrose, parklands frame the Buffalo Bayou (river), which winds its way right across the city en route to Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. Buffalo Bayou Park hosts a range of recreational activities, including a skate park, nature-inspired playground, and picnic areas with awesome views of the city skyline. At the eastern end of the park (which is basically just before you hit the Downtown area) is one of the city’s quirkier attractions. The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern was constructed in 1926 to hold Houston’s water supply; it’s now an exhibition and performance space and can be accessed on a guided tour. The cavernous space is a photographer’s dream.

5. Pedal your way around Memorial Park

Further west and bordered by the Buffalo Bayou on its southern side, Memorial Park is Houston’s answer to Central Park in New York. A century old and covering almost 1,500 acres, it’s one of the largest urban parks in the US and a revitalising retreat from the hubbub of the surrounding city. One of the best ways to explore Memorial Park is on two wheels. Hire a bike from Houston B-Cycle (the city’s bike share scheme) and tackle the ten-or-so kilometres of biking trails that crisscross the park. Check out the recently completed Eastern Glades project — which turned one hundred acres of inaccessible terrain into a wetland habitat bordered by trails, boardwalks, and picnic areas.

6. Learn about space travel at Space Center Houston

The much-quoted line: ‘Houston, we have a problem’ originated from the Apollo 13 space mission of 1970 and was immortalised in popular culture in the film Apollo 13. Houston is the home of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s Johnson Space Center, which incorporates NASA Mission Control and its astronaut training centre. Space Center Houston is the facility’s visitor center and public museum, and is arguably Houston’s top attraction. See real spacecraft (including the Apollo 17 space shuttle and command module), a lunar rover vehicle, and many other fascinating pieces of spacefaring hardware. And it’s not every day that you get to handle a piece of moon rock. The standard entrance ticket includes a tram tour of the Johnson Space Center itself.

7. Get a guided introduction to Downtown

Spend some time exploring Downtown Houston, which is easily walkable and peppered with memorable period edifices. The Spanish Renaissance-style Julia Ideson Building at the Houston Public Library is one example, as are the Houston Cotton Exchange (built in 1884) and the old Harris County Courthouse (circa 1910). Designed by Austrian born architect Joseph Finger, City Hall is a striking example of industrial-scale Art Deco elegance and simplicity. For a broader introduction to Downtown, including its intriguing network of subterranean tunnels (sections of which date back to the 1930s), join Houston Historical Tours on one of their four walking tour itineraries.

8. See a show

Directly opposite City Hall, The Hobby Center designates one corner of Houston’s Theater District, which is home to several performing arts venues. The Hobby Center hosts full scale touring Broadway musicals and plays, while the Wortham Theater stages productions by the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet. Nearby, Alley Theater is one of America’s most prestigious independent theatre companies and mounts sixteen productions a year — a mix of reimagined classical pieces and contemporary works. Check websites like Today Tix to find last minute deals on unsold show tickets.

9. Enjoy a night on the town

If you’re looking for fun night spots in Houston, there are plenty! The bar and club scene is centred around the Midtown and Montrose neighborhoods, and along the Washington Avenue strip in the city’s north. The live music scene is also alive and well, and venues such as House of Blues and The Continental Club host regular gigs by local and national acts. Here are a handful of our favourite venues to check out.

Make yourself at home at The Flat — a popular bar occupying what was originally a private home. The interior is cozy and intimate, and features low lighting and comfortable seating. This is a great place to go if you’re looking for a laid-back, relaxed atmosphere.

Situated on the edge of Downtown, The Rustic restaurant and bar serves delicious Southern-inspired dishes, craft beers, and cocktails. The interior does indeed have a rustic feel and resembles a large barn with a modern twist. There’s regular live music, and this is a great all-rounder for dinner, drinks, and entertainment.

Just a short walk from there, The Secret Group in the East Village is a quirky club and live venue, and hosts comedy shows, bands, and karaoke. The space is open and airy, and features plenty of seating. Head up to the rooftop patio and chill out with newfound friends.

10. Hit the beach

Gorgeous Galveston Island is situated an hour’s drive south-east of Houston and offers the opportunity to add some beach time to your holiday to-do list. The island is made up of a handful of compact neighbourhoods — each totally geared towards taking advantage of the coastal setting. Chill out on the beach, hit the amusement park, explore by bike, or ride the popular trolley (for the princely sum of one dollar per trip!). Keep an eye out for the ornate Victorian-era Bishop’s Palace (it’s hard to miss!). While it’s relatively close to Houston, there are no public transport options for getting to and from the island at the time of writing. The cheapest option is the airport shuttle service.

This post was published thanks to Houstoning.com.

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Do you have any suggestions to add to our list of the top things to do in Houston on a first visit? We would love to hear from you. Please leave a comment below.

Cover image: Space Center Houston. Image: Houston First Corporation. Additional images: Envato