Your Trip to Houston: The Complete Guide SEE FULL GUIDE prev next Weather & Climate Houston's Airports Best Hotels in Houston Neighborhoods to Know Driving in Houston Houston's Public Transport 48 Hours in Houston: Itinerary Day Trips From Houston Best Beaches Near Houston Top Things to Do Free Things to Do Things to Do With Kids Houston's Best Parks Museums in Houston Theater in Houston Live Music in Houston Shopping in Houston Houston's Top Festivals Best Food to Try in Houston Best Restaurants in Houston Top Bars in Houston Best Breweries in Houston Your Trip to Houston: The Complete Guide Your Trip to Houston: The Complete Guide close Overview United States Texas Your Trip to Houston: The Complete Guide ••• John Coletti/Getty Images Explore This Guide Planning Your Trip Weather & Climate Houston's Airports Best Hotels in Houston Neighborhoods to Know Driving in Houston Houston's Public Transport Itineraries, Day Trips & Tours 48 Hours in Houston: Itinerary Day Trips From Houston Best Beaches Near Houston Things to Do Top Things to Do Free Things to Do Things to Do With Kids Houston's Best Parks Museums in Houston Theater in Houston Live Music in Houston Shopping in Houston Houston's Top Festivals Where to Eat & Drink Best Food to Try in Houston Best Restaurants in Houston Top Bars in Houston Best Breweries in Houston By Danno Wise Danno Wise Facebook Instagram Danno Wise has lived on the Texas Gulf Coast his entire life, and has been writing about Texas travel, fishing, and the outdoors since 1994. TripSavvy's editorial guidelines Updated on 10/04/20 Fact checked by Jillian Dara Fact checked by Jillian Dara Instagram Emerson College Jillian Dara is a freelance journalist and fact-checker. Her work has appeared in Travel + Leisure, USA Today, Michelin Guides, Hemispheres, DuJour, and Forbes. TripSavvy's fact-checking Houston is Texas’ largest city and attracts hordes of travelers every year. However, the vast majority of these visitors travel to Houston on business. Relatively few travelers see Houston as a vacation destination on par with other top Texas tourist spots. But, believe it or not, Houston has much more to offer visitors than most people realize. Houston actually is home to some of Texas’ most popular attractions. The Johnson Space Center was at the center of the space race during the 1960s and is still active in space exploration. Of course, the San Jacinto Monument marks the very spot where Texas won it’s independence from Mexico and is a must-see for history buffs. Adjacent to the San Jacinto Monument is the Battleship Texas, which fought to maintain America’s freedom during WWII. The Houston Zoo has long been a favorite stop for Houston area residents and visitors alike. More recently, the Downtown Aquarium has also drawn a lot of attention from visitors. Houston also boasts an impressive array of museums, including the Buffalo Soldier Museum, the Holocaust Museum, Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts, and many, many more. Sports fans also have plenty to cheer about while in Houston, regardless of the season. The University of Houston and Rice University each field a full complement of men’s and women’s NCAA Div. I athletic teams. And, Reliant Stadium is home to the Houston Bowl, a DI college football bowl game. On the pro level, the NBA Rockets, NFL Texans, and MLB Astros all call Houston home. Houston is also a popular stop for shoppers. From the upscale Galleria in the heart of the city to the sprawling Katy Mills Mall on the outskirts of town, Houston is home to thousands of retailers. When it comes to dining, Houston offers some of the best – and most diverse – restaurants in the nation. From seafood to steaks, Tex-Mex to Indian, Houston has an eatery with virtually any and every style of food. Throughout the year, Houston also hosts a number of festivals and events. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is by far the biggest of these annual events and draws hundreds of thousands each year. Houston is also home to the Houston International Festival, Houston Hot Sauce Festival, and many, many more. So, whether it is business or pleasure that brings you to Houston, finding plenty to do won’t be a problem. In fact, you’ll probably find you don’t have nearly enough time to squeeze in everything. Weather and Climate Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Share Pin Email Tell us why! Submit Share Pin Email