Things to do in Houston

Explore Space Center Houston with its 400 space artifacts as well as permanent and traveling exhibits. Discover attractions and theaters related to the exciting future and remarkable past of America’s human space-flight program, all for one admission price. See the world’s largest collection of moon rocks and lunar samples for public view. Go behind-the-scenes to see NASA Johnson Space Center (based on availability). Learn about the world-renowned home of NASA Mission Control, International Space Station Mission Control, and astronaut training. Experience the newest permanent exhibit, the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, displayed outside the center. Walk around and underneath the first-stage booster spanning more than 156 feet long. See the only Falcon 9 on public display outside of SpaceX’s headquarters which is the same type of rocket that launched NASA astronauts Robert Behnken and Douglas Hurley on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft on May 30 for the Demo-2 mission. It marked the first time since 2011 that astronauts have launched from American soil.

Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of natural science with an entrance ticket to the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, one of the United States most-visited museums. See spectacular mineral specimens, dinosaur skeletons, space-station models, and much more. Gaze at dozens of prehistoric beasts in the Morian Hall of Paleontology brought to life in lively displays that animate their struggle to survive. See a blue topaz crystal of more than 2,000 carats in the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals. Celebrate the diversity of America’s indigenous peoples in the John P. McGovern Hall of the Americas. Come face to face with wildlife ecology at the Frensley Graham Hall of African Wildlife, or learn about shell science and the study of mollusks at the Strake Hall of Malacology.

Explore the wonders of space travel on an unforgettable tour that includes a mini-city tour around Houston and roundtrip transportation to the NASA/Johnson Space Center.  Enjoy interactive exhibits and activities, touch a moon rock, take a tram ride to the NASA control center and see the shuttle replica at the Independence Plaza. Begin your day of space exploration on land as you are taken a short city sightseeing tour around Houston where you can see some of its most important landmarks.  Afterward, drive 25 miles from the center of Houston to the Space Center Houston and experience America’s adventures in space first-hand. Space Center Houston is the visitor center for NASA's Johnson Space Center. It is a separate facility that features activities and exhibits designed jointly by NASA and Disney Imagineering. Get a chance to ride the half-hour tram tour that goes to the gigantic International Space Station Assembly Building and to the NASA control center. Both kids and adults will enjoy the interactive displays. Don’t miss the Starship Gallery Artifact Museum, where you can touch a moon rock or try out the simulator that lets you land the lunar orbiter.

Explore Houston in an open air, double-decker bus around Downtown and the Historic District. This tour offers the best of the city’s symbolic sites and attractions in one easy sitting. Along the way, enjoy commentary from audio or live guide who will tell you about attractions, such as the giant Chase Tower. Hear stories about the colorful theater district and learn more about many of the city's most important landmarks. • Hilton Americas Hotels at the Convention Center • Market Square - Historic District • City Hall and Visitors Center • Downtown Aquarium - Theater District • Sam Houston Park and Heritage Society historic homes • Discover the oldest commercial building still in use since 1840's • Houston's tunnel system • Graffiti park at Old China Town

This flexible CityPASS is the perfect way to explore some of Houston’s top attractions.  Simply present your mobile ticket at each attraction for entry.     Houston CityPASS includes admission to: Space Center Houston – Explore the wonders of space and let your imagination soar. Go behind the scenes at NASA Johnson Space Center and experience the past, present and future of human space exploration. Experience the newly restored Apollo Mission Control Center and see the room as it was when humans first landed on the Moon. Visit Independence Plaza, a breathtaking exhibit where you can explore the authentic shuttle carrier aircraft, NASA 905, with the full-sized replica, Independence, mounted atop. Plus get admission to 4 more attractions of your choice: Downtown Aquarium - Experience the wonder of the underwater world as you tour the Aquarium Adventure Exhibit, a 500,000-gallon aquatic wonderland. Discover over 300 species of marine life from around the globe, touch and feed live stingrays, and catch a glimpse of the magnificent Bengal tigers of the Maharaja’s Temple. Houston Museum of Natural Science - Delight in the natural world at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, with four floors of dynamic permanent exhibits that will entertain and educate every age group. Explore the vast timeline of fossils, gems and minerals, African wildlife, Texan wildlife, and more. See prehistoric beasts "in action" at one of the largest dinosaur halls in the U.S. Learn about the Americas’ indigenous peoples, explore energy development, and discover the wonders of Ancient Egypt. Houston Zoo - Discover playful bears, explore the world underwater, and watch as elephants make a splash. When you visit the Houston Zoo, you’re doing more than seeing these and the thousands of other animals. You’re lending a hand to help save animals in the wild. Kemah Boardwalk - Enjoy amusement rides, nine waterfront restaurants, shopping, midway games, live entertainment and weekend festivals. Brave the Bullet rollercoaster, ride the train and Ferris wheel, and plunge 140 feet on the Drop Zone. Children's Museum of Houston - At this playground for the mind, your children will harness the power of water as FlowWorks unleashes a tsunami of wet, wild fun; run an entire city at Kidtropolis; leap, jump, crawl and climb up PowerPlay; and create, concoct and invent their own gadgets in the Invention Convention. Rated #1 Children’s Museum by Parents magazine. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston – Explore one of the largest museums in the U.S. The MFAH is home to nearly 70,000 works of art from around the world, from antiquity to the present. Take advantage of an ever-changing schedule brimming with activities and programs for all ages!

On this tour, let your local guide zip you through the city's top historical landmarks, visiting pristine parks and vibrant murals along the way. Learn more about Houston's vast collection of culinary choices that makes it one of the culinary centers of the world. Visit sports venues, museums, and the third largest theatre district in the country.  One of the highlights of this city sightseeing tour is viewing the so-called 8th Wonder of the World: The Astrodome. Built in 1965, the Astrodome was the world's first indoor air-conditioned stadium. Though the stadium is closed, visitors from all over the world still come to marvel at the iconic structure. After you hit all the top sights, pick up some recommendations from your local guide for nightlife and restaurants in Houston so you can make the most of your time in the vibrant city. Make sure to bring your camera — you’ll have many opportunities to stop for priceless photo-ops. The fleet of carts can accommodate groups ranging from 1-50 people per tour, though groups of 2 may be paired with up to 3 other people.

Board a unique open-air bus to discover the best of this amazing city, with breathtaking views of the modern energy capital of the world. Houston is the largest city in the south and it offers its visitors a great variety of attractions, magnificent architecture, historic places, and landmarks. See many of these on this remarkable tour. Tours start every morning from the Texan Cowboy-themed Visitors Center. In addition, receive your tickets to the Downtown Aquarium so that you can discover an amazing collection of marine life, exhibits, rides, and attractions.

Pre-book your entry ticket to the Children’s Museum Houston and let your children run, play, explore, learn, touch, smell, feel, and so much more in a variety of different exhibits. Exhibits regularly change so visiting multiple times is still fun for both locals and visitors alike. Current exhibits may include: • Tot*Spot (ages 0-35 months): Perfect place for the youngest guests to play and grow their brains (reopening September 20, 2022) • EcoStation (ages 2+): Explore the native plant garden, solar-powered research pavilion, woodland area, and the pond habitat • Cyberchase (ages 3+): A math adventure where forces join with the CyberSquad in their quest to save Cyberspace • FlowWorks (ages 5+): Learn about the forces and properties of water with waves, rapids, vortices, and hydropower • Heart and Seoul (ages 3+): Immerse your child in South Korean culture through the lives of children in Seoul • Inventor's Workshop (ages 3+): Use imagination to create extraordinary objects, mechanisms, and inventions • Genius Station (ages 4+): Discover your inner genius with the museum's very own science experts who are ready to answer all your questions • Challenge Course (ages 5+): Using agility, stamina, and balance, kids test out a 7-obstacle, low-rope course • How Does It Work (ages 5+): Conduct hands-on investigations around physical science concepts and how they appear in our everyday lives • Invention Convention (ages 5+): Unleash imagination inside this workshop filled with gadgets and gizmos that kids design and build • Kidtropolis, USA (ages 5+): A city for kids run by kids where kids choose what they want to be and work with other kids to make it function • Matter Factory (ages 5+): Explore the building blocks of matter while immersing yourself in the • Periodic Table of Elements • PowerPlay (ages 5+): Explore the science of nutrition, health, and exercise • Maker Annex (ages 8+): Be creative with 3-D printers, laser cutters, and more • Power Science Lab (ages 8+): Check out the science behind the body and the mind and overall health in a hands-on chemical wet lab • Kids' Hall (all ages): Traveling art and cultural exhibits from across the world with new activities introduced weekly • Parent Resource Library (all ages): A branch of the Houston Public Library right at the museum

Discover why Houston, the most populated city in Texas and the 4th most-populated city in the United States can look like a ghost town during warm summer days. This is because just 20-25 feet below street level, there are more than 7.5 miles of underground tunnels that encompass Texas' tallest skyscrapers and serve as a corporate playground for a multitude of Fortune 500 companies. Start the tour in Downtown Houston and set off on a unique tour to some of the city's most well-renowned skyscrapers. Enjoy great photo opportunities alongside Texas' two tallest buildings, the oldest bank in Houston, and the newest portion of the downtown tunnel system. During the tour, learn all about the history of the city's extensive Tunnel System and its modern corporate appeal including a diverse range of great dining options and business amenities that resemble Houston's diversity.

Spend your day learning about space and space exploration at two different attractions in Houston. Visit Space Center Houston to learn more about the NASA Mission and astronaut training. Explore space at the Burke Baker Planetarium, which offers an unprecedented immersive experience with a best-in-class projection system.  Space Center Houston features more than 400 space artifacts including the world's largest collection of moon rocks and lunar samples. As the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center, guests are taken behind the scenes to see NASA Mission Control, International Space Station Mission Control, and areas used for astronaut training. At the Burke Baker Planetarium, the newly updated Digitar 6 system enables our visitors to fly through the universe, experience the vastness of space, roam planetary surfaces, navigate asteroid fields, and watch the latest fulldome shows. With this pass you'll also gain entry to the Museum's permanent exhibit areas that examine astronomy and space science plus a whole host of other topics focused a little closer to Earth!