In the unique atmosphere of the Texas Triangle, Houston captivates with its rich history and natural wonders. The array of things to do in Houston promises endless discoveries, ensuring that even when you think you've seen it all, there's always something new to uncover.
We know a few must-see attractions and famous landmarks you won’t want to pass up. Find out about our favorite hidden gems in the vibrant city of Houston.
1. Hobbit Cafe
The Hobbit Cafe, which opened in 1972, embodies Tolkien’s vision of the Shire, and became one of the many unique things to do in Houston, offering a whimsical escape not far from the heart of downtown.
Food lovers of that era could make the pilgrimage to Montrose to dine on vegetarian fare for breakfast, second breakfast, elevenses, or any of the other seven meals hobbits eat in a day. As the cafe evolved, it grew out of the confines of the culinary scene of Middle-earth and added meat dishes and a wine list.
- Address: 2243 Richmond Ave., Houston (Approx. 4.5 miles from downtown Houston)
- Why It’s a Gem: The whimsical decor brings Middle-earth to life under a giant oak tree, like you’ve just stepped into a storybook.
- Vibe: Quirky, artsy, and chill
- Best Time to Go: Afternoon
- Cost: Pay for food and drinks only; no cover fee
2. National Museum of Funeral History
The The National Museum of Funeral History showcases some intricate rituals that bring us together when a loved one passes. To cope with the passing of loved ones, humanity has developed some intricate rituals that bring us together in somber recognition of what we’re all facing as a team.
Here, we can peruse the stunning collection of artifacts and funerary rites of peoples long gone and distantly separated. You can even visit an ancient Egyptian tomb relief and a Chinese statuary garden.
The self-guided tour through this museum is surprisingly lighthearted and fun, where you might have expected stillness and grief. Tap into the mindset of Corteo and let loose on your morbid curiosity.
- Address: 415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston (Approx. 18.5 miles from Downtown)
- Why It’s a Gem: The in-depth exhibits on funeral rituals from cultures around the world will fascinate you.
- Vibe: Quirky, educational
- Best Time to Go: Weekday morning
- Cost: Adults $15, Seniors/Veterans $12, Kids (6–11) $7, Under 5 free, SCI employees $10 (with ID)
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3. Smither Park
The Smither Park, known for its quirky maze of walkways, was the vision of the late Stephanie Smither, local artist Dan Phillips and The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art. There, over 300 self-taught artists have contributed installations of recycled material and fresh ideas to the world of artistic expression.
You can get lost in the Houston art scene, where the art galleries in Houston, along with art schools and exhibition events, showcase the glory and grandeur of professional artists' creativity and vision.
Exuberant multicolor towers sprout like mushrooms after a rain shower with oddball expressions and messages to the world written on them. Elaborately decorated gateways to nowhere speak of the way art interacts with our mundane lives, while the ground itself is littered with small and easy to miss tokens of a passing artist’s fancy.
While not as large as Memorial Park or as historic as Market Square Park, you can’t leave without experiencing this bit of secret Houston.
- Address: 2441 Munger St, Houston (Approx. 5 miles from downtown Houston)
- Why It’s a Gem: Look out for the colorful folk-art mosaics built by the community.
- Vibe: Artsy, family-friendly
- Best Time to Go: Morning
- Cost: Free
4. Waugh Drive Bat Colony
Waugh Drive is one of the locations where you can get close to the intriguing animals. The state of Texas is home to the world’s largest colony of bats, and while not quite in Houston, a quick trip to Bracken Cave takes you to one of the world’s best places to see them.
The state adopted them as an official flying mammal in 1995, and the Waugh Bridge has been their home in Houston ever since. These flying critters are an essential part of the local ecosystem, helping regulate insect populations by feasting on an enormous amounts of bugs every night.
- Address: Under Waugh Drive Bridge (Approx. 3 miles from downtown Houston)
- Why It’s a Gem: Watch as thousands of bats emerge at sunset in a natural spectacle like no other.
- Vibe: Quirky, family-friendly
- Best Time to Go: Sunset
- Cost: Free
5. Cypress Trails Ranch
Cypress Trails Ranch, whom offers horseback rides lasting from 1-4 hours, for both group and private individual lessons, is located about 25 minutes outside of urban Houston. Experienced tour guides watch out for you the whole way up the route, which runs from Cypress to Spring Creek. Children too small for the trail can stay at the ranch for pony rides, pony parties, and other special events.
Arrive at the gate and park, and walk to the lodge for a brief familiarization for new riders. Then, head out to the stable to find a mount and get started down the trail.
- Address: 21415 Cypresswood Dr, Humble, TX (Approx. 30 miles north of downtown Houston)
- Why It’s a Gem: Experience authentic horseback rides through the scenic Texan trails around the ranch.
- Vibe: Outdoorsy, adventurous, family-friendly
- Best Time to Go: Morning
- Cost: Varies by ride duration, starting at $65
6. Houston Maritime Center & Museum
The Houston Maritime Center, located in Houston’s East End, is a museum where Houston goes to remember this benefactor, and its curators make sure you learn a lot about what the city owes the sea.
This isn’t just a local museum though. You'll learn more than you ever thought you could about the 100,000 vessels that dock here each year, but there’s much more at the museum about ocean travel. Starting with the ancient Greek navies, there are exhibits from around the world that roll through the Age of Discovery, the Age of Sail, early steamships, and the most recent advances in globalized maritime traffic.
- Address: 2940 Riverby Rd Suite 200, Houston (Approx. 1.6 miles from downtown Houston)
- Why It’s a Gem: Explores exhibits on shipbuilding and navigation history that have contributed Houston’s growth.
- Vibe: Educational
- Best Time to Go: Weekday
- Cost: Paid admission; discounts for seniors, veterans, and children
7. Art in the Park
Hermann Park, became a place for rest and recreation in Houston in 1914, on the eve of the First World War. In a world full of troubles, this park was a place of repose and freedom for all who came to enjoy it. This broad, grassy field is dotted with trees the perfect distance apart. Starting in 2014, the park underwent a landscape revolution, as a series of contemporary art installations has been installed all over the 445-acre site.
While it’s not the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, which is one of the largest art museums in the United States, these are interactive and totally accessible works, engineered to survive for decades in a park full of children and teenagers.
You can stroll around the grounds and gawk at the monumental scale of some, such as Trenton Doyle Hancock’s Destination Mound Town, or gaze in wonder as you try to decipher the intent behind Sharon Engelstein’s Dillidiidae. This is an effort to bring art to the masses in the most literal way possible, by having you walk over it on your way around Houston’s premiere public park.
- Address: 1700 Hermann Drive (Approx. 3 miles from downtown Houston)
- Why It’s a Gem: The free outdoor art exhibitions offer rotating selections of sculptures.
- Vibe: Artsy, chill, family-friendly
- Best Time to Go: Daytime
- Cost: Free
8. 1940 Air Terminal Museum
The 1940 Air Terminal Museum showcases Houston's civil aviation history, from the first flight to the final frontier. Hobby Airport was once just a local airfield, where mail carriers and local cropdusters could rest, relax, and refuel. It grew with the war years and shrank when larger terminals opened elsewhere. Today, it's an unforgettable experience in how humans once took to the sky.
Houston was an early pioneer in air travel, and NASA Mission Control is still headquartered here, which is how it got its nickname, the Space City.
- Address: 8325 Travelair St, Houston (Approx. 9.5 miles from downtown Houston)
- Why It’s a Gem: This art-deco terminal’s architecture is breathtaking and offers live airport views for aviation history buffs.
- Vibe: Historic, educational
- Best Time to Go: Weekday morning
- Cost: Adults $10, kids $5, under 2 free, free admission for military, police, firefighters
9. Rothko Chapel
The Rothko Chapel is an interfaith house of prayer, which is a sacred site not consecrated to any specific religion in the world. Nobody seems to have ever done this before, and when artist Mark Rothko was approached in 1964 to try his hand at the project, he jumped on the opportunity.
Inside, this chapel reflects the essence of Mark Rothko’s visual style. The artist became famous for his use of two-tone blank canvases and absolute minimalist depictions of mood and emotion. He has decorated his chapel with dark and somber panels of his own making. The pews are hard and the ornament is all but missing. This is not a luxury spa; this is a place where you may pray next to others of every faith imaginable.
- Address: 3900 Yupon Street, Houston (Approx. 3.2 miles from downtown Houston
- Why It’s a Gem: Visit this serene space adorned with 14 large Rothko paintings, perfect for a moment of quiet reflection.
- Vibe: Chill, spiritual
- Best Time to Go: Any time
- Cost: Free (donations welcome)
Unearthing the Hidden Heart of Houston: A Journey Beyond the Obvious
Houston is such a rich and vibrant place, where we always find something amazing to explore and new friends to share it with. Come and see us in person, bring your family, and revel in the joy of the most unforgettable performances from our amazing performers at our shows in Houston this season.