Houston, vast and multicultural, is one of the most visited cities in the United States, and offers a rich culture and an immense variety of things to do, with attractions and activities to suit all interests.
The city has some of the best museums and art museums in the country, outdoors activities, historic neighborhoods to explore, and events from family-friendly festivals to concerts, sports fixtures, arts performances and the world-famous rodeo.
Among Houston’s biggest draws are its diversity and its dining scene. Houston is the most diverse city in the United States, having attracted immigrants from most parts of the world — there are said to be more than 10,000 restaurants in the Houston area, representing the foods of more than 70 different cultures.
Houston is ideal for a weekend or long weekend trip, as it is readily accessible from across Texas and the broader United States, but there is no shortage of things to do if you are making a longer visit. A visit to Houston is also easily combined with a beach trip to nearby Galveston.
→ Main page: Things to do in Houston
When it comes to things to do, Houston has something for everyone. from space and science to art and history, shopping, sports, the performing arts, food and drink, animals and birdlife, the outdoors, beaches, and more besides.
Space travel is probably the thing most indelibly associated with Houston in the minds of most travelers, and unsurprisingly the Space Center is the city’s most popular attraction. Houston has several other unique attractions too, including folk art curiosities The Orange Show and Beer Can House.
Museums are a great option for history fans and anyone wanting a respite from the heat of a Texas summer, and Houston has dozens to choose from. There is the flagship Houston Museum of Natural Science, but also museums covering more unusual topics, such as funerals and the human body.
There are many museums highlighting aspects of local culture and history: aviation, the military, Black history, and more. Houston also has several exceptional art collections, with pieces on display ranging from old masters to works by Texan artists.
Houston has several large urban parks (such as Hermann Park – with a zoo, free performances, gardens and miniature railroad – or the arboretum at Memorial Park) and miles of bayou-side trails through interconnected parkways which offer water views, boat tours, urban kayaking and more. There are also botanical gardens, busy downtown parks, and art parks featuring outdoor public art to enjoy, plus a few historic cemeteries.
Nearby Galveston offers the beach, amuseuments, boat tours and other water-based activities and several museums and other attractions of its own, including some spectacular architecture in the form of Gresham’s Castle.
→ Main pages: Houston events and Concerts in Houston
As a large city, Houston puts on an abundant variety of events to suit most tastes, and there is nearly always something to do, including many events suitable for families with children.
Although Houston isn’t necessarily thought of as a prime destination for festival-goers, there are still plenty to choose from most months, from film and arts festivals to celebrations of Texan culture and the traditions of its immigrant groups.
→ See all upcoming festivals in Houston
Houston’s most popular food festivals showcase the best of the region’s chefs and restaurants and the cuisine of the many nations and cultural groups that make up the city’s diverse population. There are also regular wine, beer and other drinks festivals.
As well as regular sporting fixtures and the annual rodeo – a hugely popular event that draws enormous crowds to the city – there are special events at local attractions, seasonal events such as spring and fall community celebrations and holiday events, 5Ks and other races, and more.
Comedy in Houston ranges from international names to local stand-up and improv. Houston also has a strong performance arts scene, with a wide range of plays, musicals and other performances throughout the year — plus holiday performances during the festive season.
→ See Houston’s upcoming events:
Events in January
Events in February
Events in March
Events in April
Events in May
Events in June
Events in July
Events in August
Events in September
Events in October
Events in November
Events in December
Houston hosts a few music festivals too, including several outdoor events in the clement months of spring and fall. Alongside these festivals, the city sees hundreds of concerts throughout the year in a diverse range of genres, from intimate events in small music rooms to packed stadiums seating tens of thousands.
→ See upcoming concerts in Houston:
Concerts in January
Concerts in February
Concerts in March
Concerts in April
Concerts in May
Concerts in June
Concerts in July
Concerts in August
Concerts in September
Concerts in October
Concerts in November
Concerts in December
→ Main page: Houston visitor information
With its wide range of attractions, indoor and outdoor, Houston is a year-round destination, but roughly speaking, the best time of year to visit is late winter to early spring and in fall, when the weather is at its best: warm and sunny but without the high heat and humidity of later spring and summer. Many of the biggest festivals are timed to take advantage of this more favorable weather too.
It is easy to get to Houston by car, train, bus or air, with numerous transport links to nearby Texas and Louisiana cities and to the rest of the country.
Houston is served by two main airports: Hobby Airport (HOU), located approximately 12 miles southeast of Downtown Houston, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), approximately 19 miles north of Downtown.
Houston also receives Amtrak train services, with a passenger station conveniently located just north of the Downtown area. Houston is a stop on the Sunset Limited route, operating between New Orleans and Los Angeles. The Texas Eagle route from San Antonio to Chicago is also available via a connecting service.
Bus services, with direct routes to most major cities in Texas, are offered by several companies, currently including Greyhound, Megabus and RedCoach. Stations or stops are available in or near to Downtown and in a few more outlying Houston neighborhoods.
In Houston itself, public transportation is provided by METRO, with light rail and a supplementary bus network forming the core of Houston’s public transit system.
The METRORail, with three lines, connects Downtown Houston with the neighborhoods to its north, south and east (including the Downtown-Museum District-Hermann Park corridor of most interest to visitors). Buses, operating at a frequency of up to every 15 minutes, serve the more outlying neighborhoods in addition to the central areas.