10 Best Things to Do in Houston Museum District
What is Houston Museum District Most Famous For?
If you are heading to Houston, you might be wondering what the best things to do in the Houston Museum District are. Think of the Museum District as the pulse of the city’s art and culture scene. You’ll find a variety of family-friendly interactive spots, fine art museums, and outdoor spaces to explore.
The Houston Museum District is located southwest of the city’s center and features museums, hotels, and restaurants. The tree-lined neighborhood is walkable and easily accessed by public transportation. From discovering dinosaurs and gems at the museums to soaking in the abundant outdoor gardens, you’ll probably need more than a day to take it all in.
1. Houston Museum of Natural Science
Dinosaurs, gems, and STEM activities
Good for: Families, History
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is a great place for families to visit. Take a “prehistoric safari” through time and space as you explore the Morian Hall of Paleontology where you’ll find dinosaurs galore. You can also see a huge purple amethyst, weighing an astounding 850 lb (386 kg).
Explore the science and history of Ancient Egypt, coastal ecology, Texas wildlife, and many others. There’s a planetarium, an 8-story theater with 3-D showings, and a butterfly center where one may land on you as you explore. The museum also has food on site if you need to refuel. It’s located in Hermann Park.
Location: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 713-639-4629
Houston Museum of Natural Science
2. Menil Collection
Always free fine art museum with ancient to contemporary art
Good for: Couples, Families, Budget
The Menil Collection is a free, fine art museum spread throughout 5 buildings. The main gallery anchors the campus. The collections are vast and span history from ancient times to art of today. The permanent collection is in the main gallery and features art from Africa and the Americas, as well as modern, contemporary, and Surrealist works.
The mission of the Menil Collection is to provide free access to art, so it’s always free to visit. Artists you might see include Cy Twombly, Joan Miró, Robert Rauschenberg, Andy Warhol, and Henri Matisse. The museum also features changing exhibits, so check the website to see what’s on display during your visit.
Location: 1533 Sul Ross St, Houston, TX 77006, USA
Open: Wednesday–Sunday from 11 am to 7 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Phone: +1 713-525-9400
Menil Collection
3. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Houston’s premiere fine art museum
Good for: Couples, Families
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston has nearly 70,000 works of art. Located near Hermann Park, this museum is one of the most visited in the district. Their art collections span from antiquities to the art of today. It’s free for children 12 and under all the time, and visiting the permanent collection is free for all on Thursdays.
The MFAH has a huge permanent collection, featuring art from around the world. Some areas of the collection include classic European and American art, decorative arts and crafts, art of the Islamic world, and modern and contemporary art. Some representative artists include Monet, Renoir, Cassatt, Degas, Bellows, and Picasso. Check the website to see what’s on exhibit during your visit.
Location: 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Open: Wednesday from 11 am to 5 pm, Thursday from 11 am to 9 pm, Friday–Saturday from 11 am to 6 pm, Sunday from 12.30 pm to 6 pm (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Phone: +1 713-639-7300
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
4. Hermann Park
A huge park with a golf course, picnic spots, and a lake
Good for: Couples, Families, Budget
The sprawling Hermann Park is located at the southern end of the Houston Museum District. It’s a must-visit destination because it has so many fun things to do all in one space. The Houston Zoo, Miller Outdoor Theatre, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the McGovern Centennial Gardens all call the park home.
In addition to the cultural institutions, Hermann Park also has a golf course, a Japanese garden, and the McGovern Lake. The lake area has fishing and boating as well as hiking and biking trails. There are also tons of spots for a picnic on a sunny day.
Location: 6001 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Open: Daily from 6 am to 11 pm
Phone: +1 713-526-2183
Hermann Park
5. Miller Outdoor Theatre
Concerts and performances at a free outdoor venue
Good for: Couples, Families, Budget
One of the many things to do in Hermann Park is to visit the Miller Outdoor Theatre. It’s in the northern section of the park, not far from the lake. The Miller Outdoor Theatre benefits from the warm Houston weather; they offer an 8-month outdoor season of events. Events here are always free to attend.
The Miller Outdoor Theatre has a wide variety of show offerings. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to listen to live classical, world, or jazz music, take in a dance performance, or watch Shakespeare in the park. They also have musical theater and showings of classic films. Check out the calendar to see what’s scheduled during your visit.
Location: 6000 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 832-487-7102
Miller Outdoor Theatre
6. Houston Zoo
Galapagos tortoises, elephants, and other exotic animals
Good for: Families, Photo
The Houston Zoo also calls Hermann Park home. It’s located in the center of the park. The zoo is home to exotic animals from all over the world, from lions and giraffes to gorillas and elephants. There’s also a children’s zoo, where kids can get up close to goats and otters.
There’s a section devoted to the Galapagos Islands, where the zoo allows visitors to feed one of their tortoises. There are tons of things for kids to do, like taking a ride on the wildlife carousel. Kids can also climb rock walls and build with tree branches in the “wild” play area. Parents can rent strollers for the day. There are snack spots throughout the zoo.
Location: 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030, USA
Open: Daily from 9 am to 5 pm
Phone: +1 713-533-6500
Houston Zoo
7. The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
Museum honoring the African American military experience
Good for: Families, History
History buffs will enjoy a visit to The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum. It’s located just minutes away from downtown Houston. The museum tells the story of the African American military experience throughout history. In addition to exhibits, the museum also has performing arts and educational programs.
Exhibit topics include civil rights in the military and a section about women who served. They’ve also got a section devoted to the “modern buffalo soldiers” in NASA and Space Force. There’s also a section dedicated to military-inspired art. Visitors can also experience stories through reenactments.
Location: 3816 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004, USA
Open: Tuesday–Wednesday and Friday–Saturday from 10 am to 4 pm, Thursday from 10 am to 5 pm (closed on Sundays and Mondays)
Phone: +1 713-942-8920
The Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
8. Holocaust Museum Houston
Educational museum with interactive exhibits
Good for: Families, History
The Holocaust Museum of Houston is one of the country’s largest museums dedicated to honoring the memory of the Holocaust and educating the public about the dangers of hate. It was begun by a Holocaust survivor in 1996 and has been continually growing. The museum has all exhibit information in English and Spanish.
The museum experience takes you through the welcome center and 4 permanent galleries. The exhibits will immerse visitors in the stories of survivors and issues of human rights. There are some interactive exhibits throughout, and 2 changing exhibits. The museum is understandably very popular with school groups, and it’s free for all to visit on Thursday afternoons.
Location: 5401 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004, USA
Open: Tuesday–Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 5 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 713-942-8000
Holocaust Museum Houston
9. Children’s Museum of Houston
Abundant hands-on activities for tiny travelers
Good for: Families, Adventure
While most museums are hands-off, the Children’s Museum of Houston has a hands-on policy. This is the place for kids to spend the day playing and burning energy. Tiny visitors can feel like grown-ups as they experience Kidtropolis, where kids can pick a job and run the city. Or they might get a bit wet learning about the properties of water.
STEM is huge at the Children’s Museum of Houston, and young inventors can build endless gadgets and gizmos. The activities are arranged by age group, so there’s something for babies through children age 12. Older kids can learn how to use 3D printers and laser cutters. There’s a café inside for snacks and lunches.
Location: 1500 Binz St, Houston, TX 77004, USA
Open: Tuesday–Wednesday and Friday–Saturday from 10 am to 6 pm, Thursday from 10 am to 8 pm, Sunday from 12 pm to 6 pm (closed on Mondays)
Phone: +1 713-522-1138
Children's Museum of Houston
10. McGovern Centennial Gardens
Part of Hermann Park featuring sprawling lawns and gardens
Good for: Couples, Families, Budget
The McGovern Centennial Gardens were built for the 100-year celebration of Hermann Park in 2014. The 8-acre (3-hectare) garden space has a central lawn surrounded by “garden rooms” with themed plantings. If you’re visiting in spring, you’ll enjoy the thousands of flowers bursting from their bulbs and the hundreds of blooming azaleas.
There’s also a rose garden, an arid garden featuring plants that thrive in hot, dry Houston weather, a woodland garden, and a family garden. The hours of entry to the gardens vary by season, with gates staying open later in the spring and summer months.
Location: 1500 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004, USA
Open: Hours vary by season
Phone: +1 713-524-5876
McGovern Centennial Gardens
This article includes opinions of the Go Guides editorial team. Hotels.com compensates authors for their writing appearing on this site; such compensation may include travel and other costs.