Houston Tours &
Things to Do
Discover the best Houston tours and things to do in Texas’s biggest city and Space City itself: blast off at NASA’s Space Center Houston with its Mission Control and moon rockets, tour the museum district and downtown murals, ride the rides at Kemah Boardwalk, feast on the city’s celebrated food scene, and day-trip to the beaches of Galveston Island. Compare top-rated experiences and plan the perfect trip.
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Explore Houston by interest
Whatever brings you to Houston — world-class museums, the river, or a long lunch — start with the experiences travellers love most.
Top attractions in Houston
The landmarks that define the city — and the tickets and tours that get you in, often skipping the line.
Space Center
NASA home.
Downtown
Skyline & murals.
Museum District
Nineteen museums.
Kemah Boardwalk
Bayside rides.
Food Scene
Tex-Mex & BBQ.
Galveston
Island beaches.
Buffalo Bayou
City kayaking.
Skyline Flights
Helicopter views.
Houston space & science
- 1Space Center
- 2Mission Control
- 3Natural Science
- 4Tram tour
1 hr awayGalveston
Island beaches.
40 min awaySpace Center
NASA home.
40 min awayKemah
Bayside rides.
City awayDowntown
Skyline & murals.
City awayMuseum District
Nineteen museums.
City awayBuffalo Bayou
Kayaking.
Know before you go
Short, straight answers to the questions every Houston visitor asks before booking.
Spring (Mar–May)
Warm and pleasant, with blooming parks — the best time.
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Hot and very humid; plan indoor and evening activities.
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Warm days ease off — lovely for sightseeing.
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Mild and comfortable, great for the city.
Hurricane season
Storms are possible from June to November on the coast.
Best overall
Spring and autumn are ideal.
One day
The Space Center and downtown.
Two days
Add Kemah and Galveston.
Three days
Add food tours and museums.
For space fans
The Space Center and museums.
For beaches
A Galveston day trip.
With kids
The Space Center and Kemah.
Car & rideshare
A car or rideshare is easiest in this spread-out city.
Light rail
The METRORail links downtown with the Museum District.
Tours
Guided tours handle the Space Center and Galveston.
On foot
The Museum District and downtown pockets are walkable.
Where to stay
Stay downtown or near the Museum District.
US dollar
The USA uses the dollar; cards are widely accepted.
Book the Space Center
Buy Space Center tickets ahead to skip lines.
CityPASS
A CityPASS bundles top attractions and saves money.
Beat the heat
In summer, plan indoor visits for the hot midday hours.
Try Tex-Mex
Don’t miss Houston’s Tex-Mex, barbecue and global food.
Galveston day
Set aside a full day for a Galveston Island trip.
Spring & autumn
Visit in spring or autumn for the best weather.
Space Center
Space Center tours and transport fill up — book ahead.
Galveston trips
Day trips to Galveston sell out — reserve early.
Food tours
Popular food tours have limited spots — book early.
City tours
Private and mural tours fill up — reserve ahead.
Helicopter flights
Skyline helicopter tours book out — reserve early.
Spring season
Spring is busiest — book everything ahead.
Space Center
Around $30–70 for a Space Center ticket with transport.
City tour
About $40–80 for a downtown and mural city tour.
Galveston trip
Roughly $60–120 for a Galveston Island day trip.
Food tour
Around $60–90 for a Houston food tour.
Helicopter
From about $150 for a skyline helicopter flight.
How to save
Use a CityPASS and join group tours to save.
Houston through the seasons
What's best, how busy it gets, and one booking tip for each time of year.
- Best for
- Mild weather.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Best.
- Best for
- Indoor fun.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Humid.
- Best for
- Sightseeing.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Lovely.
- Best for
- City visits.
- Crowds
- Booking tip
- Mild.