The Best Things to Do When Visiting Houston

mars rover prototype at johnson space center in houston texas

Situated on the eastern side of the Lone Star State, Houston is a dazzling city about an hour away from Waller that offers a myriad of fun activities for both locals and tourists alike. From a trip to the Space Center to an evening at the opera, there’s no end to the number of interesting discoveries you can make. This city is home to many unique attractions, including world-class dining, entertainment, and shopping options. Keep reading to learn more about the best places to visit in Houston.

Johnson Space Center

One of the must-visit places in Houston is the Johnson Space Center, which offers a glimpse into the wonders of space exploration, technology, and science. Here, you can see an excellent exhibition of artifacts and manned mission capsules. Tours offer an opportunity to explore the shuttle carrier aircraft and the first U.S. space station, Skylab. You’ll feel like an astronaut for a while!

Hermann Park

If you want to get a taste of the beautiful outdoors, Hermann Park is a stunning place. This 445-acre area features rolling hills, lakes, beautiful little bridges, and gardens — all blending together to create a perfect park. To get a different view of the park, you can even rent a pedal boat to explore the area. No matter what time of day you visit Hermann Park, you’re sure to have a wonderful time.

Downtown Aquarium

Catering to people of all ages, the Downtown Aquarium is also one of the best places to visit in Houston. The complex offers an educational and entertaining experience that showcases more than 400 species of aquatic animals in Texas’ largest freshwater aquarium display. If you want to get your adrenaline pumping, you can ride a train through the Shark Voyage, too. After a fun-filled day, experience a seafood feast and decadent desserts at the in-house restaurant.

Bayou Place

Bayou Place is the premier entertainment, dining, and retail destination in downtown Houston. It is a mixed-use complex with iconic attractions and venues, including the AMC Houston 8, the Hard Rock Cafe, and the Revention Music Center. With multiple performance spaces, Bayou Place combines chic shopping and dining with the best in live entertainment in downtown Houston.

The Galleria

For shopaholics, The Galleria is Houston’s premier shopping, dining, and entertainment destination. With more than 400 stores and restaurants, including Neiman Marcus, Macy’s, Chanel, and other luxury brands, the mall is known for being an epicenter for major brands. However, you can find mid-priced brands, too, such as Forever 21 and the Gap. The Galleria also offers more than 60 dining options, so foodies can re-energize after a great shopping spree.