The 18 best things to do in Houston

10.09.2024 - 09:09 / lonelyplanet.com

Sep 9, 2024 • 6 min read

Houston is a massive metropolis – the fourth largest in the United States – which has drawn people from all over the world for its rich music, food, and business offerings. But don’t let Houston’s size fool you, it isn't all hustle and bustle. The city maintains a diverse, down-to-earth and inclusive vibe with all sorts of cultural, scientific and outdoor offerings throughout H-town. These are 18 of the best things to do in Houston.

When Neil Armstrong set foot on the moon on July 20, 1969, he said, “Houston, the Eagle has landed.” He was referring to the on-site staff of the NASA Johnson Space Center here in H-town. Today, you can go where history was made and learn all about the moon landing and humanity’s exploration of space with a visit to Space Center Houston. The official visitor center of the NASA Johnson Space Center welcomes 1.25 million visitors each year who come to marvel at the largest collection of spacesuits and Moon rocks in the world there are over 400 space artifacts here in Houston.

Houston is one of the most ethnically diverse cities in the United States, and its food scene reflects that distinction. Taste your way through 70 different countries and US regions at some 10,000 restaurants in the Houston metro. Foodies will love eating their way through Houston's diverse neighborhoods. For instance, you’ll find great Korean food in Spring Branch, fabulous Chinese in Chinatown, Vietnamese in Midtown, and the best Venezuelan food in Katy. Starting in the autumn of 2021, you’ll be able to experience POST Houston, a huge food hall with live music and event spaces that will showcase Houston’s culinary scene.

Culture buffs should make their way to the Houston Museum District which is home to 19 different institutions. To make things easier for travelers, the Museum District has been separated into four different walkable zones. In the first zone, you can dive into a collection of 17,000 paintings, sculptures and rare books at the Menil Collection before walking to the Houston Center for Photography. 

The second zone hosts the most museums, including the likes of the Holocaust Museum Houston and Houston Museum of African American Culture. The Contemporary Arts Museum and the Museum of Fine Arts are grouped in the third zone, while the Children's Museum of Houston, Houston Zoo and The Health Museum are just a glimpse of what you can discover in the fourth zone of the Museum District.   

Texas has its cowboy reputation, and you can experience a taste of that culture for yourself at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo. This rodeo, which has been around since 1932, is held over a couple of weeks in February and March and is known for having the world’s largest livestock show.