Top 50 Houston Attractions for Tourists and Locals

PreFlight is proud to call Houston one of our homes. And what better way to celebrate a wonderful relationship with Houstonians than to show off the amazing features of our amazing city by compiling a list of the top 50 Houston attractions for tourists and locals alike.

Houston Museums and Educational Centers

The Museum of Fine Arts

An immense building, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is the 12th largest Museum by gallery space in the world. Containing more than 70,000 pieces as part of the permanent collection, the MFAH spreads its robust inventory over nine beautiful facilities.

Holocaust Museum Houston

To educate the public about the dangers of prejudice and hatred, the Holocaust Museum Houston is the fourth largest in the United States. Following a massive renovation, the Museum reopened in 2019 after doubling in size and is now fully bilingual in English and Spanish.

1940 Air Terminal Museum

Housed in the historic art deco terminal building, which once served as Houston's Municipal Airport, the Air Terminal Museum demonstrates the impact of aviation on Houston's development.

Children's Museum Houston

Founded 40 years ago by a group of local parents, the Children's Museum officially opened its doors in 1984. Since then, it has racked up many accolades, including inclusion on Forbes' list of "Best Children's Museums in the U.S."

Houston Museum of African American Culture

Welcoming 50,000 visitors last year, the Houston Museum of African Culture is one of the most visited African American cultural assets in Texas. Displaying the vibrancy of African and African American culture and art forms, the Museum also preserves the culture's rich history in Houston.

The Health Museum

Technically the John P McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science, the Museum has been welcoming visitors since 1969. The Museum also contains the only bilingual science lab exhibit in the country.

Cockrell Butterfly Center

If you ever need to emerge from your cocoon, visiting the Cockrell Butterfly Center may not be a bad idea. For around 10 dollars, you can enjoy a three-story glass structure built around a waterfall and plenty of butterflies.

Houston Museum of Natural Science

An astounding two million visitors walk the halls of his 100+-year-old Museum each year. One of the primary reasons for the Houston Museum of Natural Science's popularity is a steady rotation of special and guest exhibits. It also contains the Burke Baker Planetarium to extend natural science into space.

Asia Society Texas Center

Former First Lady Barbara Bush and former Ambassador Roy M. Huffington established the first Asia Society Texas Center in 1979. In 2012, a new center was opened in Houston's Museum District, designed by the famed Toshio Taniguchi.

Menil Collection Art Museum

Housed in a rather ordinary building, this collection is anything but ordinary. Seventeen thousand paintings comprise the Menil Collection, including works by Jackson Pollock and Pablo Picasso.

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

This subsection of the Museum of Fine Arts earns its own place for a perfectly manicured 14-acre facility that houses a collection of decorative art, paintings, and furniture.

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

Celebrating 75 years, the Houston Contemporary Arts Museum welcomes curated exhibits that best exemplify the present world of art.

Downtown Aquarium

Repurposed from a fire station and waterwork building, the downtown aquarium is a 500,000-gallon aquatic attraction in the heart of the downtown area, home to over 300 species from around the world.

Space Center Houston

Houston, this is anything but a problem. The Space Center serves as the visitor center for the NASA Johnson Space Center, which is Mission Control and houses astronaut training. Since 1992, the Center has represented one of the many facets that makes Houston a globally known city.

Houston Landmarks and Public Spaces

Underground Cistern

Built in 1926 for the city of Houston, this cistern is a former drinking water reservoir that fell into disrepair in 2007. Decommissioned, the Underground Cistern was restored, repurposed, and made public as an architectural attraction in 2016.

Kinder Lake

An oasis in the middle of downtown Houston, Kinder Lake is a highlight of the much larger Discover Green Park. Go kayaking, sail boating, or take a model boat out in a shallow pool and whirl it around.

Run the Memorial Park Trail

Need to lace up the running shoes and find a great trail while you're in town for a quick getaway? Check out the Memorial Park Trial, which slices through Houston and provides a scenic route during exercise.

Urban Harvest Farmers Market

Open only on Saturdays from 8 am to 12 pm, the Urban Harvest Farmers Market is a beautiful place to support local vendors while finding the freshest, in-season ingredients around.

McGovern Centennial Gardens

A sprawling eight-acre garden, visitors can check out various themed garden rooms on the spacious central lawn. The McGovern Centennial Gardens also boast a mind-blowing 55,00 perennial bulbs to bloom each year, making this a top Houston attraction.

Hermann Park

A vast swath of land in downtown Houston, Hermann Park consists of a golf course, Japanese Garden, Plaza, and railroad, among many other attractions.

Waugh Bat Bridge

Famous for its dusk-timed display of over 250,000 bats emerging for a night of bug-hunting, the Wau Bat Bridge is a top year-round Houston attraction for tourists and locals alike.

Broadacres District Oak-Shade Esplanades

Long treasured for picturesque canopies of majestic oak trees shading the esplanade of North Boulevard in Broadacres, this area is now steeped in controversy, with the neighborhood banning photography in 2017.

The Campus of Rice University

Established in 1912, this esteemed University has an impressive 290-acre footprint in one of the largest U.S. cities. Located east of Rice Village, the campus is southwest of the downtown area.

Kemah Boardwalk

A bit of a journey away from the downtown area, the Kemah Boardwalk is 30-miles southeast of the city. Built along the shores of Galveston Bay and Clear Lake, it is among the best boardwalks in the country.

Buffalo Bayou Park

This 2.3-mile-long municipal park hugs the banks of the Buffalo Bayou near downtown Houston. The green space is a wonderful place to frequent to escape the busy city life in Houston.

San Jacinto Monument

This soaring 567-foot-high column commemorates the site of the Battle of San Jacinto, the decisive battle of the Texas Revolution.

Discovery Green & Avenida Houston

Avenida Houston is the perfect place to take a walk on a warm, sunny day. The Park spans 11.78 acres and has been a staple for outdoor enthusiasts in Houston for 14 years.

Beaches on Galveston Island

Technically not in Houston, the short drive is certainly worth it to visit any number of wonderful beaches that line Galveston.

JPMorgan Chase Tower

The crown jewel of the Houston skyline, the JPMorgan Chase Tower is the tallest building west of the Mississippi. The 75-story building was completed in 1982 and sparkles in the northern portion of the downtown area.

Hines Waterwall Park

This stunning multi-story sculptural fountain gives the Uptown District a serene slice of calm. Visitors have the unique opportunity to stand face-to-base with a 64-foot-tall wall and feel the mist—perfect for a hot summer day.

BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir

The sprawling and majestic BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a traditional Hindu temple consecrated in 2004. Towering peaks punctuate this 25,620-square-foot open-air temple.

Top Houston Activities, Restaurants, and Drinks

Miller Outdoor Theatre

An amphitheater-style hillside, the Miller Outdoor Theatre hosts musical acts and musical theater from March through November. Located in Hermann Park, the Theatre boasts seating for 1,705, with an additional room for 4,500 patrons on a sloping lawn.

Pete's Dueling Piano Bar

What's better than specialty cocktails and a raucous environment? A lively set of dueling baby grand pianos! A Texas chain that started in 1992, Pete's Dueling Piano Bar is a perfect place to find live music and a party.

Caracol

A sensational homage to neighboring Mexico, Caracol is a Coastal Mexican restaurant serving up fine seafood and premium cocktails.

Hobby Center for the Performing Arts

While 60-foot-high glass walls may attempt to steal the show inside the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, the facility also boasts a 2,650-seat theater, Sarofim Hall, perfect for Broadway productions. There is also a more intimate 500-seat hall, Zilkha Hall, for small and mid-sized performances.

Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Once a year, for three weeks, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo rocks the city and claims the title of the world's largest livestock show and the richest regular-season rodeo.

The Galleria Shopping Mall

Have an itch to flex the credit card and put it to use? The Galleria Shopping Mall is the destination with over 400 stores and 60 restaurants.

Killen's Barbecue

Texas barbecue at its finest. Consistently ranked at or near the top of every list of best BBQ joints, Killen's Barbecue is a must-visit for tourists and townies alike.

Go to the Houston Zoo

Home to over 6,000 animals representing 900 species, there are countless attractions visitors can soak in at the Houston Zoo, including the ability to feed and pet animals throughout the trip.

Revival Market

A butcher shop and café, the Revival Market serves up breakfast and lunch daily, closing its doors at 4 pm each day before the dinner rush.

Outdoor Movies at Market Square Park

Recently installed artificial turf is just the newest reason to attend a showing of a late-night movie in Market Square Park. Flicks range from classics to new releases, making this a fantastic night of fun for the whole family.

House of Pies

Churning out delectable treats since 1967, House of Pies is no one-trick pony. Not only does this cornerstone bakery produce perfect puff pastries, but it also has a robust brunch menu.

Whiskey River

Whether you need a crash course on dancing or are a seasoned pro, Whiskey River's two Houston locations are a perfect spot to cut loose Thursday-Saturday.

Coltivare

This neighborhood restaurant is a go-to destination for Italian fare with a gulf coast twist in Houston Heights. Just make sure to plan and get a reservation.

Shopping on 19th Street in The Heights

Antique shops, cafes, and galleries line 19th street, ready to explore anyone wandering through. This location also occasionally has themed evenings and events, so stay up to date on their website.

Twilight Epiphany Skyspace

A truly tranquil piece of architecture, the Twilight Epiphany Skyspace can accommodate 120 people between two levels as it hosts musical and theater performances.

Afrikiko

Serving up Ghanaian cuisine on Bissonnet Street, Afrikiko is a beloved staple in the Houston restaurant scene while offering up a relaxed and casual atmosphere.

Saint Arnold Brewing Company

This brewery brews, filters, kegs, bottles, sells, and yes, even drinks the beer. In 1994, the Saint Arnolds Brewing Company became Houston's first-ever microbrewery.

Concert Venues

Houston is home to some of the best music venues and is always a stop for artists on tour. Whether it is Warehouse Live, Stereo Live Houston, or the House of Blues, you cannot go wrong taking in a show.

Sporting Event

No matter what sports you are interested in, Houston has a team for you. The Astros, Rockets, Texans, Comets, Dynamo, and Dash all play home games in Houston.

Whether you are traveling taking in the top 50 Houston attractions as a tourist or local, reserving your parking space in advance means you have one less thing to worry about when it is time to fly. With open-air, covered, and even valet parking, PreFlight can get you the off-site airport parking spot you need to make your trip that much easier.

For additional travel tips for airline travel, see our safety tips and tips on 9 Tips for a Happier Flight.