Things To Do
Houston Zoo
The Houston Zoo is home to more than 6,000 animals and it is the second most visited zoo in the U.S. Exhibits range from the African Forest, which features rhinos, zebras and giraffes, to the new Galapagos Islands habitat. Debuted in 2023, the Galápagos Islands exhibit features Galápagos tortoises, the 270,000-gallon One Ocean aquarium and a state-of-the-art habitat for Humboldt penguins. Other must-sees at the Houston Zoo include the Giraffe Feeding Platform, the John P. McGovern Children's Zoo, the McNair Elephant Habitat Area and the Reptile and Amphibian House. The zoo also offers an extensive list of animal encounters (for additional fees) that allow visitors to do everything from help bathe an elephant to feed a Galápagos tortoise its favorite treat.
Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
For visitors in Houston's Uptown neighborhood, the grand Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park has been a beloved landmark since it was completed in 1985. Postmodernist in design, the Waterwall is 64 feet tall and pours out a whopping 11,000 gallons of recirculated water per minute, creating a spectacular backdrop for photos. Located in a landscaped 2-acre park, visitors will find shade from the towering live oak trees and a lawn area. It's the perfect place to visit on a hot summer's day – the area is typically cooler and visitors can even soak in some of the fountain's spray.
The Galleria
As the largest shopping mall in Texas, the Galleria features more than 400 stores and restaurants, including several luxury brands like Chanel, Christian Louboutin, Gucci, Louis Vuitton, Prada and more. The multilevel shopping center offers over 2.4 million square feet of space with a pair of hotels, a full-size ice skating rink and even a post office. Visitors looking for budget-friendly brands will also find H&M, Urban Outfitters and Gap at the Galleria as well.
Discovery Green
An urban park located in the heart of downtown Houston, Discovery Green is a gathering place for everyone from downtown workers enjoying their lunches to visitors savoring some green space in the concrete jungle. Discovery Green now packs its 12 acres with amenities for both the young and old. Kids will enjoy the playground and splash pads, while all sorts of travelers can take advantage of the putting green, bocce ball courts, picnic lawns and reading rooms. The park also features a 1-acre lake that offers kayak rides, a jogging trail, two dog runs, two restaurants, two performance spaces and multiple promenades. What's more, the park rents a unique Art Cart, a decorated golf cart (by Houston Art Car artists) filled with recreational items like bocce balls and croquet sets for visitors to use. Various pieces of public art adorn the green space as well. Discovery Green also hosts a variety of seasonal events, from exercise classes to markets, as well as live performances.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
There are more than 450 fossils and fossil replicas in the Morian Hall of Paleontology, more than 750 mineral specimens in the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals and 425 specimens representing approximately 250 species in the Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife. The museum is also home to the McFerrin Faberge Collection – the world's largest private collection of Fabergé – with more than 600 pieces. The gem vault is another draw for visitors as it's home to a variety of spectacular jewels, including one of the world's largest blue sapphires. The Hall of Ancient Egypt is another well-received exhibit that covers 4,000 years of Egyptian history. In addition to the exhibits, the museum is also home to additional attractions, such as the Burke Baker Planetarium and the Cockrell Butterfly Center.
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
In the former home of prominent local philanthropist Ima Hogg, visitors can browse the collection of American decorative arts and paintings of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens display ceramics, furnishings, paintings and silver in each of the mansion's rooms. Some of the pieces on display date back to 1620. In addition to the 14-acre formal gardens in the exclusive River Oaks neighborhood, Bayou Bend also offers various educational programs and resources.
Astros at Daikin Park
Crossing fingers and toes we make it to playoffs ;) In addition to housing more than 40,000 seats, the park also features a replica of a 19th-century locomotive that runs about 800 feet along the west side of the ballpark and lights up and makes sounds when the team first takes to the natural grass field, when an Astros player scores a home run and when the team wins. The air-conditioned stadium is a wonderful relief from hot summer days. Yet the stadium also has a fully retractable roof, which allows for fresh air on cooler days. Even when the roof is closed, a 50,000-square-foot glass section keeps the city's skyline visible.
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
History aficionados will be intrigued by the San Jacinto Battleground. The State Historic Site is where an important, battle for Texas' independence took place in 1836. When Texas was still part of Mexico, settlers in the region grew to despise Mexico's then-dictator and mobilized to gain independence. After many hard-fought battles were lost by Texans (including the Alamo in San Antonio), Gen. Sam Houston, Houston's namesake, strategically planned his next attack against the Mexican Army. While the Mexican forces were divided and much smaller, Houston and his army attacked and shouted "Remember the Alamo" and "Remember Goliad!" as they wiped out most of the Mexican troops. In a battle that lasted 18 minutes, Mexican infantry surrendered after many casualties and Mexican General Santa Anna disguised himself as a private and absconded. He was captured the next day then Houston was able to force the Mexican president to sign a treaty that authorized Texas' independence.