Houston is famous for having the most outstanding museums. One of the greatest features of this city is the museum district. This is where most of the best museums in Houston are located and are just a walking distance from each other.
The museum district comprises the museum of fine arts, museum of natural science, contemporary art museum, and holocaust museum, among others. Nonetheless, there are other quirky museums that have their uniqueness but are less traditional.
The best thing about Houston museums is that some are free to enter. Meaning you can still enjoy the museums on any budget. The most visited and popular museum for all ages in Houston is the museum of natural science. Read on to discover some of these amazing and enjoyable places to visit and enjoy in Houston.
1. Space Center Houston
The space center is a great place for people interested in space travel, science fiction books, or space movies. At this place, you will enjoy the space shuttle replica independence perched on the huge shuttle carrier. Also, you can explore the replica of Skylab, the first American space station.
The space center is not only a historical look at space travel but also a place where you can find detailed information and plans on NASA’s upcoming missions. This place is also the gateway to the Johnson space center. Johnson space center is a mission control where astronauts train for their next mission in space.
Location: 1601 E NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058
Hours: weekdays 10 am-5 pm; hours vary on weekends
Admission: $27-$30; there are available packages for extra activities.
2. Houston Museum of Natural Science
Houston museum of natural science is the most visited museum in Houston, Hermann Park. Here you will see everything from dinosaurs’ skeletons to the space age. This huge complex has so much to explore and learn. There is an array of interactive exhibits, fossils, stuffed creatures, and ancient artifacts. You will also watch an IMAX movie and marvel at the butterfly garden.
Location: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Hours: open from 9 am -5 pm every day
Admission: Thursday is free entry from 2-5 pm; other days’ fee of $10-25
3. The Museum Of Fine Art
This is one f the largest establishments in Houston. It contains over 64000 pieces of art collected all over America, Africa, Europe, and the far east. Some of these arts are over 6000 years. You will find artwork like French and renaissance impressionist paintings, a collection of African and pre-Columbian gold, American and European decorative arts, and other fine sculptures.
Location: 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005
Hours: closed on Mondays. Hours vary the rest of the week
Admission: free entry for kids below 12 years and military. The rest pay $12-19
4. The Menil Collection
It was founded and donated by John and Dominique de Menil. Whitney designed this remarkable building in New York as a collection house. The rooms have large glass windows that open the view to lush atriums. The huge windows allow natural light to enter, giving an aesthetic experience and a wonderful atmosphere that compliments the outstanding collection.
The collections vary from modern art to antiquities and are grouped by themes. The rooms in this place are dedicated to abstract, contemporary, surrealist, and byzantine design forms. Also, the museum possesses the largest collection of max Ernst’s works.
Location: 1533 Sul Ross St, Houston, TX 77006
Hours: closed on Monday and Tuesday; hours vary throughout the week
Admission: free
5. The Children’s Museum of Houston
Speaking of fun, colorful and energetic, this place is all that and more. In 1980 a group of parents founded this place for their kids to enjoy. The place offers youngsters plenty of opportunities to explore interesting, large-scale exhibits. It is all about science and technology, health, history, culture, and human development.
Location: 1500 Binz St, Houston, TX 77004
Hours: closed on Mondays, hours vary throughout the week
Admission: $10-$12, free for family nights on Thursday, but you must bring one child only.
6. Holocaust Museum Houston
It was founded in 1996 to provide a chilling spot to account for the persecution of people during World War 2. They educate people on the importance of love and unity as they highlight the dangers of prejudice and hatred in society by focusing on the stories of survivors.
Among the collection, you will also find a railcar used to transport victims, a small Dutch fishing boat that transported Jews to safety, and the Boniuk library with over 5000 volumes related to the Holocaust. Also, there are hundreds of artifacts, photos, films, and documents.
Location: 5401 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004
Hours: every day, 9 am-5 pm; hours vary on the weekend
Admission: free for members, others $10-$15
7. Art Car Museum
An art car museum is a unique place for local favorites that is worth checking out. Here the cars are used for creating art. They are decorated with outlandish and eccentric fashions and painted with beautiful designs. The designs for each car follow different themes.
Location: 140 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
Hours: closed Monday and Tuesday; the rest of the week, they are open from 11 am to 6 pm.
Admission: free
8. National Museum of Funeral History
This museum contains unique exhibits from caskets and coffins, celebrity funerals, hearses, diverse funeral traditions from all over the world, and the funeral service industry’s cultural heritage in the United States. This is a space where you get to know the science and history of death, which is part of us, a true celebration of life.
Location: 415 Barren Springs Dr, Houston, TX 77090, United States
Hours: opened from 10 am – 4 pm Monday to Friday; hours vary on the weekends
Admission: Adults: $10, Seniors (55+) / Veterans: $9, Children (ages 6 to 11): $7,Children (5 and under): Free,SCI Employees:$8 with ID badge or business card
Conclusion
Houston has the top-quality museums in Texas. Some are free to enter with free days or a discounted fee. Therefore, while in Houston, crawl into this great museums and interact with the spaces as you explore and learn more about galaxies, life, and nature.
