It can be difficult to always work on a budget, more so with kids on a family day out during holiday breaks or weekends. However, you can cut the cost and only have to worry about spending on food and drinks.
You can begin by cutting off the entry fee of the venue and the rest will fall in to place. Houston is a city that offers a wide variety of free activities for visitors and residents alike. Whether you are interested in art, history, or nature, there is a place for you to enjoy and explore. Here is a more detailed look at some of the free things to do in Houston that won’t cost you a cent:
1. Visit the Buffalo Bayou Park
Address: 1019 Commerce Street Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-752-0314
This 160-acre park is a great place to walk, bike, or kayak along the scenic Buffalo Bayou. The park features a variety of walking trails, bike paths, and other outdoor activities. You can also take a paddle boat ride or rent a kayak and explore the Bayou.
In addition, there is an underground cistern which is a unique and interesting place to explore. The cistern is a former underground drinking water reservoir that has been repurposed as a public space.
2. Take a stroll through the Menil Collection
Address: 1533 Sul Ross St Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 713-525-9400
This museum features an impressive collection of ancient artifacts, medieval manuscripts, and contemporary art. The collection includes works by artists such as Picasso, Matisse, and Warhol. The museum also features a Rothko Chapel, which is a non-denominational chapel that features 14 large-scale works by Mark Rothko.
3. Explore the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
Address:2800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056, United States
phone: 713-850-8841
This park features a large water wall that is a popular spot for photos and picnics. The water wall is a beautiful architectural feature that is perfect for a relaxing stroll or a picnic. Visitors can also enjoy the playgrounds and the dog park within the park.
4. See the works of art at the Rothko Chapel
Address: 3900 Yupon St Houston, TX 77006
Phone: 713-524-9839
This non-denominational chapel features 14 large-scale works by Mark Rothko. The chapel is a peaceful and contemplative space, and the artworks on display are truly stunning.
5. Check out the Houston Museum of Natural Science
Address: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 713-639-4629
This museum features a variety of exhibits on topics such as space, paleontology, and the environment. The museum is a great place to learn about science and the natural world.
6. Visit the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
Address: 3816 Caroline St Houston, TX 77004
Phone: 713-942-8920
This museum is dedicated to the history of the Buffalo Soldiers, the African American soldiers who served in the US Army after the Civil War. The museum is a great place to learn about the contributions of these soldiers to American history.
The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum is a museum that honors the contributions of African American soldiers, particularly the Buffalo Soldiers, in American history. Admission to the museum is free. Visitors can learn about the history and legacy of the Buffalo Soldiers through exhibits, artifacts, and interactive displays.
7. Take a tour of the San Jacinto Monument
Address: 1 Monument Cir, La Porte, TX 77571, United States
phone: 281-479-2421
This monument is dedicated to the Texan soldiers who fought for independence from Mexico in 1836. The monument is a beautiful and impressive structure, and the views from the top are spectacular. Visitors can take an elevator to the top of the monument to see the views and learn about the history of the battle of San Jacinto.
8. See the works of art at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Address: 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-639-7300
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is one of the largest art museums in the United States, and it features a diverse collection of art from around the world. Admission to the museum is free every Thursday from 6pm to 9pm.
The collection includes works by Monet, Degas, and van Gogh, as well as ancient art from ancient Greece, Rome, and Egypt. Visitors can also enjoy temporary exhibitions and special events throughout the year.
9. Visit the Children’s Museum of Houston (CMH)
Address: 1500 Binz St Houston, TX 77004 –
Phone: 713-522-1138
This Children’s museum of Houston features interactive exhibits that are fun for kids of all ages. The exhibits are designed to be educational and entertaining, and they cover a wide range of topics such as science, art, and culture. Visitors can enjoy hands-on activities and interactive displays, and it’s a great way to spend time with family and friends.
10. Take a tour of the Space Center Houston
Address: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058, United States
phone: 281-244-2100
This museum is dedicated to the history of space exploration. Visitors can take a tram tour of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, see real spacecraft and space artifacts, and learn about the history of space travel.
11. Visit the Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park
Address: 1000 Bagby St Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 832-394-8805
This outdoor museum features a collection of historic homes and buildings that have been preserved and restored. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the buildings and learn about the history of Houston.
12. Attend a free concert or event at Miller Outdoor Theatre
Address: 6000 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Phone: 832-487-7102
Miller Outdoor Theatre hosts a variety of free concerts, plays, and other events throughout the year. Visitors can check the schedule and enjoy live music and performances.
13. Visit the market square park
Address: 301 Milam St, Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 713-650-3022
Market Square Park is a historic park located in downtown Houston that features a variety of amenities including a playground, dog park, and a splash pad. Visitors can enjoy free live music and movie nights, take a stroll through the gardens, or simply relax on the park’s lawns.
14. Have Some Fun in the Discovery Green Park
Address: 1500 McKinney St Houston, TX 77010
Phone: 713-400-7336
Discovery Green Park is a 12-acre urban park in downtown Houston that offers a variety of free activities for visitors. The park features a playground, splash pad, dog park, and a variety of gardens. Visitors can also enjoy free fitness classes, live music, and cultural events throughout the year.
15. Visit the Glenwood Cemetery
Address: 2525 Washington Ave Houston, TX 77007
Phone: 713-864-7886
Glenwood Cemetery is a historic cemetery in Houston that offers visitors the opportunity to explore the graves of some of the city’s most notable residents. Visitors can take a self-guided tour of the cemetery, which is open to the public for free.
16. Explore the Houston boat tour
Address: 7300 Clinton Dr Houston, TX 77020
Phone: 713-670-2631
Houston Boat Tour offers visitors the chance to explore the city from the water. Visitors can take a free boat tour of the city’s waterways, including Buffalo Bayou, to see the city’s skyline and learn about its history.
17. Visit the galleria
Address: 5085 westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056
Phone: 713-622-0663
The Galleria is a large shopping mall in Houston that offers a variety of free activities for visitors. Visitors can enjoy free live music and cultural events, take a stroll through the mall’s gardens, or simply window-shop.
18. Go skating at Lee and Joe Jimail Skate Park
Address: 103 Sabine St Houston, TX 77007
Phone: 713-222-5500
Lee and Joe Jamail Skate Park is a public skate park located in Houston that offers visitors the chance to skateboard, BMX, and in-line skate for free.
19. Get Some Insight of How A Human Body Functions At The Health Museum
Address: 1515 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004
Phone: 713-521-1515
The Health Museum is a museum located in Houston that offers visitors the chance to learn about the human body and health. Admission is free every Thursday from 2-5pm
20. Watch live theater performance at Wortham Theater
Address: 501 Texas Ave Houston, TX 77002
Phone: 832-487-7000
Wortham Theater is a theater located in Houston that hosts a variety of performing arts events including ballet, opera, and theater performances. Visitors can attend free performances and events throughout the year. Check their website for the schedule.
21. Take a Stroll at the Waugh Drive Bridge
Address: Houston, TX 77019,
Phone: 832-395-7000
The Waugh Drive Bridge is a historic bridge located in Houston that spans Buffalo Bayou. The bridge offers visitors beautiful views of the bayou and the city skyline. Visitors can take a leisurely stroll or bike ride on the bridge and enjoy the scenery for free. The bridge also features a bat colony that emerges from under the bridge at sunset, which is a popular attraction for visitors.
22. Experience the twilight epiphany at James Turrell’s skyspace
Address: Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-348-2787
James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace is an architectural installation located on the Rice University campus in Houston. The installation features a pyramid-shaped structure that opens to the sky, and features a light show that changes with the natural light and time of day. Admission is free.
Visitors can experience the light show during the day, evening and night time, and on certain days of the week and can have a peaceful time sitting inside the pyramid enjoying the light and sound show.
23. Enjoy live music performance and cooking shows at the urban harvest farmers market
Address: 2752 Buffalo Speedway Houston, TX 77027
Phone: 713-880-5540
Urban Harvest Farmers Market is a farmers market located in Houston that features a wide variety of local and organic produce, as well as handmade crafts and artisanal foods. Admission is free. Visitors can browse the market and sample products for free, and also can enjoy live music and cooking demonstrations, which are often held on weekends.
24. Visit the moody center for arts
Address: 6100 Main Street, MS-480 Houston, TX 77005
Phone: 713-348-2787
The Moody Center for the Arts is a contemporary arts center located on the Rice University campus in Houston. The center features rotating exhibitions, installations, and performances by local, national, and international artists. Admission is free.
Visitors can explore the exhibits and installations, and also can participate in free artist talks, lectures, and workshops. The center also offers free tours of the exhibitions and installations, which are led by trained docents.
25. Visit the art car museum
Address: 140 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007, United States
Phone: 713-861-5526
The Art Car Museum in Houston, Texas is a non-profit art space that features a collection of decorated vehicles, including cars, bicycles, and other modes of transportation. The museum also features rotating exhibitions of contemporary art, both inside the museum and on the grounds.
Visitors can view the art cars and exhibitions for free, and they can also participate in a number of free activities at the museum such as scavenger hunts and coloring pages, which are designed to help visitors of all ages engage with the art and the museum.
On that car-note, are you a car enthusiast? Check out the best car shows in Houston, Tx.
In conclusion
Houston is a city that offers a wide variety of free activities for visitors and residents. From visiting museums and parks to taking a stroll in the historic district, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. These activities are a great way to explore the city without spending a lot of money, and they are a perfect way to learn about the history, art, and culture of Houston.