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The city of Houston, Texas, offers a wide variety of activities for those from every walk of life. Following are 10 of the most popular activities. This list is based strictly on opinion.
Things to do in Houston
Houston is the most populous city in Texas, fourth-most populous city in the United States, most populous city in the Southern United States, as well as the sixth-most populous in North America, with a population of 2,304,580 in 2020. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, it is the seat and largest city of Harris County and the principal city of the Greater Houston metropolitan area, which is the fifth-most populous metropolitan statistical area in the United States and the second-most populous in Texas (Dallas–Fort Worth is larger). Houston is the southeast anchor of the greater megaregion known as the Texas Triangle.
Children’s Museum of Houston
The Children’s Museum of Houston – is located at 1500 Binz Street. The museum contains nine galleries that cover a variety of topics including history, fine arts, science and geography among others. All galleries contain interactive activities that teach children as they play. The Teacher and Family Resource Center is full of teaching materials to encourage creative pursuits after leaving the museum. There is also a gift shop with educational, but fun toys and snacks.
The Johnson Space Center
The Space Center Houston, 1601 NASA Road One is an extremely popular, unique attraction. A part of the Johnson Space Center, it allows you to look back at the history of space travel. A five-story plaza models a full-size shuttle mock-up including a flight deck. A tram connects the various buildings that make up the complex and is open to tourists. The original Mission Control room is open for viewing and outside are full-size models of the Apollo rocket originally used in space exploration.
The Galleria
The Galleria, 5075 Westheimer Road, is a shopping complex that encompasses more than 375 stores. Shops such as Barney’s of New York and Lord and Taylor can be found there. Novelty shops include Global Ideas and Royal Indian Jewelers. For art and culture shop at Ar Te Fact or the Metropolitan Museum of Art stores. There are a number of restaurants as well as an ice skating rink.
Water Wall
The Water Wall, 2800 Post Oak Blvd, is located near the Galleria. A unique attraction it has thousands of gallons of water that flow 64 feet down the wall every minute. A popular resting spot for locals, it is also favoured as a wedding spot.
Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts, 1001 Bissonnet Street, houses both Modern and Ancient art. All styles can be found here ranging from Frederic Remington to early European masters as well as Medieval art. Weekly a movie is shown that is either a classic or a foreign film. The museum is also home to the Glasell School of Art and the Hirsch Library for Art History.
Six Flags Astroworld
Six Flags AstroWorld, 9001 Kirby Drive, is a theme park with many popular rides and attractions. A two-day pass is recommended in order to see all that is offered. Six Flags is home to one of the country’s best all-wood roller coasters, the Texas Cyclone. There are also cartoon adventures for young children, music and dance shows, magic shows as well as plenty of food and sweets.
The Tunnel Walks
The Tunnel Walks, 1121 Capitol Street, is a distinctive shopping experience. Located in the downtown area, a map is needed so one doesn’t get lost. The Tunnels house a wide variety of shops, restaurants and hotels as well as link One Allen Center, Alley Theatre, Wortham Center and Shell Plaza. Guided tours are available for $5 per person and are highly recommended.
Zoological Gardens
The Houston Zoological Gardens, 1513 North MacGregor Drive, is a 50-acre park with more than 700 species of animals. Among these are vampire bats and a living coral exhibit. There’s a children’s petting area and special sea lion shows and bat feeding demonstrations. Admission is $5 for adults, $2 for children 2-12, and children under 2 free.
Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science, 1 Hermann Circle Drive, is a full day’s experience. There is a three-level butterfly exhibit as wells as a Challenger Learning Center. Other exhibits include those on oil and energy, Native Americans, minerals and gemstones as well as the Hall of Medical Sciences. Also housed there is an IMAX theatre and the Burke Planetarium.
Battleship Texas
Battleship Texas, 3523 Battleground Rd, La Porte Tx., is worth the extra drive. A survivor of World War I, she also served as a flagship for the D-Day invasion in 1944. She has been restored and is now open to visitors.
Image Credit: Depositphotos
