I've lived in Houston for over 15 years now, and I'm still surprised that our city gets a bad rap for not having a lot of activities for visitors. In one way, I can see why people believe this. We don't have a major amusement park (anymore... RIP six flags), and our city isn't as historic or iconic as New York or Chicago. But we are the fourth largest city in the country, and we are full of diversity and unique things to do that you won't find in any other American city.
I think they key to exploring Houston is to be familiar with the city, at least on some level. A tourist would probably only think to start with the obvious - The Houston Space Center, or the iconic Galleria mall. But Houston has so much more to offer than these famous spots. After living here for so many years, I have learned this first hand. So, here's my guide on a few unique ways to spend an awesome day in Houston. I tried to include things that for some reason, I don't usually see in most Houston city guides.
Shop in the Rice Village Area
The Galleria is great if you love crowded malls and doing all your shopping in one place. It's probably worth visiting during the holidays (just maybe not on a crazy packed Saturday) to see the lovely setup of the tree on the ice skating rink. But the rest of the year, it's not really worth it unless you love malls. If you want to do some shopping, I'd recommend Rice Village instead, which is full of local boutiques as well as chain stores, and cute restaurants/dessert shops (for truly high end shopping, however, the River Oaks shopping center is your best bet). Another great thing about Rice Village is that it's right next to Rice University, which, while I'm a UH grad, I will admit has incredible views. If you can find good parking at or near Rice (just make sure you're not in a tow away zone!), it's so worth walking through the university, which is designated a top tree campus in the country.
Tour the Museum District
If you're one of those people who'd rather not visit a museum in a new city, feel free to completely skip this section. However, if you are a museum lover like me, you should know that we've got some great options here in Houston. I've been to the Houston Museum of Fine Arts so many times (it's free on Thursdays, along with a bunch of other museums), and yet I love it every time I go back. Another awesome option is our Museum of Natural Science, which has everything from all sorts of dinosaur displays to hundreds of gemstones and a butterfly center that pretty much guarantees that a lovely butterfly will, at some point, land on you. Their Imax movies are also always phenomenal. I also love this museum's gift shop.
Explore the Heights
One of my absolute favorite parts of Houston is the Heights district. We are a very modern city full of large buildings and big companies, but you'd never know it in the Heights area, because this place looks exactly like a charming small town. Park on 19th street near Yale, and you'll be able to walk down the many local shops there, including antique stores, a record store, and Boomtown Coffee shop, which is one of the most widely used coffee brands in Houston. Most of the houses in this area also have that small town feel, with gazebos and benches lining the streets. My sister and I once did a Gilmore Girls inspired photoshoot in the Heights, because it absolutely feels like Stars Hollow. Some of my favorite spots in the Heights are Kaboom Books (a bookstore lined from wall to wall with hundreds of books), Steel City Pops, and Kraftsmen Baking, a coffee shop/brunch place with my favorite decor in the city (pictured below).
Catch up on Work at a Local Coffee Shop
One of the most underrated things in Houston (by non-Houstonians, anyway) is the local coffee shop scene. During my last few years of college I made it my mission to explore coffee shops all over the city, and I was amazed at how much of a variety we have. The best ones, I think, are the local ones that you can't find in any other city. Here's a short list of my favorites in different areas of Houston:
Tout Suite (downtown Houston) - I love this place for its atmosphere and cozy, hipster vibe. it's a great spot to meet up with a friend and chat, but probably not for long haul studying because wifi can be spotty and the food is pricey.
Barbarossa Coffee (north Houston) - If this wasn't so far from where I live, I would practically live at this coffee shop. It's got amazing drinks and treats, great customer service, and wonderful decor and atmosphere.
Dunn Brothers Coffee (Pearland, southeast Houston) - I don't think it's originally local, but this is another shop I would visit all the time if it wasn't so far. It's so spacious and not super crowded, plus the lighting is soft just how I like it.
Bebidas (River Oaks area, central Houston) - More of a tea/drinks place than a coffee shop, but it's one of the most beautifully decorated spots in Houston, with tons of natural light, an outside patio, and an iconic neon sign. Come here if you want a cute Instagram photo, basically.
A 2nd Cup (Heights district, central Houston) - a very relaxed coffee shop with great coffee, and best of all, proceeds go towards ending human trafficking here in Houston.
If you have any other favorites in Houston, please comment them below!
Relax in Nature in North Houston
People often think of Galveston when they think of water near Houston, but true Houstonians know that's not the only option. About a year ago my sister and I spent memorial day in Sam Houston National Forest and Lake Conroe, and it was one of my favorite day trips I've taken around here. Only about 45 minutes from central Houston, Lake Conroe is beautiful and serene, and perfect for fishing or a boat ride if you'd like to rent one. If you drive up to this area, you should also take advantage of the local antique shops in north Houston, which are full of charm and unique finds. Another smaller place I love is the Woodlands Pavillion, where you can rent a kayak, and then enjoy the shade with a picnic.
Catch a Play/Movie
We might not be Broadway, but the Houston theater district consistently ranks as one of the best in the country (and the world). The nine major theater companies in our theater district often feature famous plays (such as Hamilton, which will be here next month), and ticket prices are usually nothing compared to what you'd pay somewhere like New York. Look for shows from Theatre Under the Stars or the Alley Theatre, which has won multiple Tonys.
But if you're looking for something more budget friendly, a great option is the Miller Outdoor Theatre. If you visit Houston during the warmer months (March - October), you might have time to catch a completely free play at Miller, where you can either sit in the seated area by picking up free tickets early in the day, or bring a picnic blanket and enjoy snacks on the lawn that overlooks the theatre (this is the true Houstonian way). The shows might be free, but I can honestly tell you that every show I've ever watched here has been amazing. The theatre also shows movies for free sometimes, such as La La Land, which I recently enjoyed watching literally under the stars.
Enjoy the Beach Town Vibes in Galveston
One of the running jokes here in Houston is the color of Galveston's water, which is, admittedly, closer to brown than blue. Though this island less than an hour from us is a beach town, the greatest attraction about Galveston is definitely not the water (I can't remember the last time I actually swam in it haha). But don't let the haters fool you - I still love Galveston for other reasons. It's got a true beach town vibe, and it's always relaxing to walk along the seawall and explore the little beach souvenir shops along it. I'd recommend starting with The Strand, which is a street on the north side of the island full of small boutiques and ice cream shops. Spend a couple hours exploring (one of my favorites near here is Board Game Island, which is full of hundreds of board games that you can play while you eat) and then head to the seawall (or another Galveston beach) to catch the sunset views over the water. This island has such a different pace than busy Houston, which is why I love it.
As you can see, Houston is so much more than a large business city. To me, Houston feels more like a bunch of small cities and towns in one, which is amazing because there's a great variety of things to do depending on your interests.
These are some of my favorite things to do in Houston, but this is by no means a complete list. Other activities include exploring our unique food scene (you can amazing food from anywhere in the world here. I'm not a huge foodie so I didn't add that, but here's one article that touches on it), the Rodeo in late February/March, and stopping by the Lanier Theological Library, which has beautiful architecture (and a tardis!). If you have any favorite Houston activities, feel free to add them in the comments below. :)