150 Things to Do When You First Visit Houston

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Houston has been my home for the majority of my life, and I feel like this city has grown more reasons for locals and tourists to visit. I always wondered what I would feel if I had visited Houston, as a solo traveler, for the first time. Would I actually enjoy my home city? While Houston is popularly known for NASA and the world’s largest medical center, there is so much more to offer when it comes to this populous Texas city.

However, not everyone knows all the local hot spots in Houston, and it is arguable to say that there are so many endless possibilities on what you can do while you’re in my home city. In fact, In fact, there are at least 150 things to do when you first visit Houston! The most popular question I get asked on my Instagram is what people should do when they visit my home city. So, this post is for you, my dear readers. If I could virtually give every single first-time tourist advice on where to go, what to eat, what to do here, etc., these are the exact tips I would tell you. I’ll be sharing with you 150 things to do when you’re first visiting Houston – and trust me, this list has something for every type of traveler.

150 Things to Do When You First Visit Houston

1. Snap a photo with the huge astronaut cow statue located in the George Bush Intercontinental Airport. I promise you that when you see it, you won’t miss it. It’s the most popular “Welcome to Houston” landmark at IAH when you first arrive.
2. Immediately eat Tex-Mex. Anywhere, but preferably Pappasito’s Cantina.
3. Try any combo meal at Whataburger with the fabulous spicy ketchup sauce.
4. Take the Houston METRORail Red Line for $1.25 and hop off and on different districts in Houston.
5. Visit the Houston Museum District and go to museums for free on Thursdays (just bring an ID).
6. Check out the James Turrell: The Light Inside exhibit at the Museum of Fine Arts Houston.
7. Take a photo in front of the Cloud Column sculpture in front of the Glassell School of Art across MFAH.
8. Walk through Main Street in Downtown Houston and take photos with the street art.
9. Buy a resort pass and swim at the Texas-shaped lazy river in Marriott Marquis Houston.
10. Have a picnic at Discovery Green park and take a photo in front of the Synchronicity of Color art installation.
11. Find the underground tunnel in Downtown Houston and enjoy the shops and restaurants there.
12. Check out the Downtown Aquarium and dine inside their underwater restaurant.
13. Visit Hermann Park and watch a free play at the Miller Outdoor Theater.
14. Take a quick mini train ride around Hermann Park and walk around the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool.
15. Relax at the McGovern Centennial Gardens and walk to the top of  The Mount.
16. Visit the Turrell Skyspace inside Rice University and watch the changing lights.
17. Spend time with your children at the Children’s Museum of Houston.
18. Enjoy a walk around Market Square Park.
19. Have a drink at La Carafe, a candlelit tavern, and expect some ghost watching.
20. Take a photo in front of the “Houston is Inspired” mural.
21. Do a fun tourist photoshoot around Graffiti Park.
22. Ride a bike around Buffalo Bayou Park.
23. Splurge for a hotel stay at the Post Oak Hotel in Uptown Houston.
24. Shop ’til you drop and go ice skating at the Houston Galleria Mall.
25. Take a selfie at the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park.
26. Enjoy a concert from the Grammy-award winning Houston Symphony.
27. Visit Smither Park and take tons of photos with the mosaic sculptures!
28. Learn more about wildlife at the Houston Zoo.
29. Stroll around the Bayou Bend Collections and Gardens.
30. Experience world-class luxury Italian cuisine dining at Tony’s.
31. Watch a Rockets basketball game at the Toyota Center.
32. Listen to live music at Avenida Houston.
33. Spend a day at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.
34. Go to a Houston Texans football game at the NRG Center.
35. Check the fun art displays at The Orange Show.
36. Photograph yourself inside Seismique.
37. Discover the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir.
38. Feel like a kid again at the Houston Funplex.
39. Eat BBQ at the award winning Killen’s Barbecue.
40. Drink delicious coffee at the Pearland Coffee Roasters.
41. Have a quick jog at Tom Bass Regional Parks.
42. Walk in a rainforest habitat and find beautiful butterflies at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
43. Attend a Houston Dynamo game at the BBVA Stadium.
44. Experience the fun, lively nightlife at the Montrose district.
45. Go to Holocaust Museum Houston and learn about Holocaust survivors.
46. Photograph you and your loved ones at Color Factory Houston.
47. Watch a musical at The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.
48. Walk around the Houston Medical Center – the largest medical center in the world.
49. Try a fresh baked pastry at Common Bond Bistro & Bakery.
50. Take a morning jog at Eleanor Tinsley Park.
51. Have a taste of the delicious artisan ice cream at Flower & Cream.
52. Escape inside the #1 Escape Room in the United States: The Escape Game Houston.
53. Relax outdoors at Sam Houston Park during the evenings.
54. Get some coffee at Agora’s and enjoy the ambiance.
55. Go to a Houston Astros game and buy some frozen lemonade.
56. Pay a visit to Present Company and get a refreshing cocktail.
57. Go bird watching at Cullinan Park.
58. Attend an event at the Smart Financial Centre.
59. Shop at the First Colony Mall.
60. Go on a mountain bike trail at the Sugar Land Memorial Park at the Brazos River Corridor.
61. Discover the beautiful flowers at the Houston Botanic Garden.
62. Boba drink hop around Chinatown – trust me, they all taste amazing!
63. Try some amazing crawfish at Crawfish & Noodles.
64. Visit the iconic Space Center Houston and ride the trolley!
65. Have some family-friendly fun at the Kemah Boardwalk.
66. Learn about the history of Texas Longhorn and cattle at the Butler Longhorn Museum.
67. Walk around the League City Historic District.
68. Go kayaking at the Clear Creek Water Trail.
69. Check out the Beer Can House and take photos of the largest beer can art house in the world.
70. Discover the visual and modern art at the Asia Society Texas Center.
71. Look at the multi-sensory and interactive experiences at The Health Museum.
72. Have a lavish overnight stay at the C. Baldwin Hotel.
73. Go to Happy Hour at Biggio’s.
74. Enjoy a play at the Alley Theatre.
75. Buy a cupcake at the Sprinkles ATM machine.
76. Shop all the luxury stores at the River Oaks shopping center.
77. Eat Indian vegan cuisine at Maharaja Bhog.
78. Attend a Houston Children’s Chorus concert.
79. Take a photo at the Biscuit Paint Wall.
80. Learn about African American history at the Houston Museum of African American Culture.
81. Watch a music concert at the White Oak Music Hall.
82. Visit the Houston City Hall and learn the history of Houston.
83. Dine at the Spindletop and have 360 degree views of the city!
84. Watch a movie at the drive-in Rooftop Cinema Club.
85. Take a hike at the George Mitchell Nature Preserve.
86. Ride the Waterway Trolley around the Woodlands.
87. Shop the local shops at Rice Village.
88. Take a photo of the Texas bluebonnets at Memorial Park.
89. Rent a bike with B-cycle and explore neighboring Houston streets.
90. Learn how to ballroom dance at the Dance With Me Houston studio.
91. Have brunch at Hugo’s and try all the wonderful Mexican cuisine.
92. Discover the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern.
93. Try a refreshing speciality drink at the Secret Garden.
94. Get fresh produce at The Houston Farmer’s market, the oldest and largest market in the state of Texas!
95. Take a photography class at the Houston Center for Photography.
96. Stroll around Helen’s Park (and take some scenic photos there, too).
97. Watch a comedy show at the Houston Improv Comedy Club.
98. Listen to live jazz music (or perform at open mic night) at AvantGarden Houston.
99. Eat some amazing seafood cuisine at Goode Company Seafood.
100. Have a fancy shopping experience at the BLVD Place.
101. Take a dance choreography class at Dance House Fitness.
102. Take you and your family bowling at the Emerald Bowl!
103. Have an overnight stay at The Woodlands Resort, which is family-friendly (and pet-friendly too)!
104. Photography yourself in front of the What Lifts You angel wings – an original Houston mural by Kelsey Montague.
105. Support the local businesses around Heights Mercantile.
106. Have a fun culinary class experience at Cooking with a Twist!
107. Buy some cowboy boots and a hat at the Cavender’s Boot City.
108. Visit the Art Car Museum and look at the elaborate art car designs.
109. Drive by the Eclectic Menagerie Park and view the big metal sculptures.
110. Have a fun beach day at Galveston Beaches.
111. Look at the nature and plant life at the Moody Gardens.
112. Take a walk around the Strand Historic District and shop at the local-owned stores.
113. Enjoy a day at the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier.
114. Go for a swim at the Schlitterbahn Waterpark Galveston.
115. Watch a rock concert or stand up comedy at the Bayou Music Center.
116. Discover the waterfall at the Sesquicentennial Park.
117. Play some indoor soccer and drink some great tasting beer at Pitch 25 Beer Park.
118. Have some family fun at the Flip N’ Fun Trampoline Park!
119. Go for a sophisticated dining and shopping experience at the CityCentre.
120. Visit the 1940 Air Terminal Museum – which is a close drive from the Hobby Airport.
121. Check out the free art (365 days a year) at The Menil Collection.
122. Attend an art festival at Sawyer Yards.
123. Look at the bat flying out (with caution) at the Waugh bat Bridge.
124. Eat delicious Malaysian street food at Phat Eatery.
125. Watch the largest battle reenactment that celebrates Texas victory at the San Jacinto Day Festival.
126. Take photos in The Umbrella Alley at Baytown.
127. Buy a giant frozen dessert during spring/summer season at Brain Freeze (don’t forget to pay with cash only).
128. Check out the nostalgic artsy room installations at the FOMO Factory.
129. Visit the Houston Comicpalooza – Texas’s Largest Pop Culture Festival!
130. Try some delicious oysters at State of Grace.
131. Go on a boat tour at the Sam Houston Boat Tour.
132. Experience a vibrant and artsy bar at Wonder Bar Houston.
133. Take a photo in front of the giant Beatles Statues sculpted by David Adickes nearby 8th Wonder Brewery.
134. Ride on classic go-karts at Speedy’s Fast Track, which is considered the ultimate family entertainment center.
135. Attend the annual Pride Houston parade.
136. Have a sophisticated evening at the Houston Grand Opera.
137. Check out the Project Row Houses and look at the modern art and multi-interactive media there.
138. Build your own burritos when you eat at Bodegas Taco Shop!
139. Eat breakfast at Lebanese bakery, We’re-Dough and try their pastries.
140. Make a visit to the Chapel of St. Basil.
141. Enjoy a British style pub at the Black Labrador.
142. Go indoor skydiving at iFLY Houston!
143. Take a photo at the Houston Rainbow Telephone Booth at Levy Park.
144. Visit the National Museum of Funeral History.
145. Shop unique thrift and boutique shops along Westheimer Road.
146. Check out the seasonal exhibits displayed at Art League Houston.
147. Eat aesthetic and quality tasting dessert while looking at trendy art inside Honey Art Cafe.
148. Make a big splash at the one and only Typhoon Texas Houston water park!
149. Try indoor rock climbing at Momentum Indoor Climbing.
150. Take a photo with the Houston skyline for free at the secret downtown parking garage.

What do you think about this long Houston travel to-do list? Let me know in the comments below! If you end up using this list, please tag me and mention me via @reesarei. You can always keep up with me and my travel content by following me on my social media as well:
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Until next time!