26 Free Things to Do In Houston, TX

There are plenty of world famous attractions in Houston, TX that are worth every penny, but you don’t have to dig deep into your pockets to enjoy an array of wonderful and affordable experiences.

Here is a robust list of (26) things to do in Houston and inexpensive ways to get the most out of your visit.

1. Immerse yourself in culture by taking in a diverse array performances including jazz, ballet, Shakespearean plays, musical theater, classical music, and classic films for absolutely free at Houston's Miller Outdoor Theater! This theater is a covered amphitheater which accommodates thousands, so take advantage of all of the free performances that it has to offer throughout the year.
2. Stop in at the RICE Gallery to experience art in a whole new way. This one of a kind gallery seeks out and commissions specific artists who then create temporary site specific art that is installed to fit the specifications of the architecture of the gallery.
3. While visiting the RICE University campus, visit the stunning James Turrell's Twilight Epiphany Skycape at sunrise or sunset for a serene art display of lights and sculpture that will soothe your soul.Photo Credit: DesignBoom
4. Get your zen on and explore the gorgeous and serene building and the Faye Sarofim exhibition in the grand hall at the Asia Society Texas Center for free. Exhibits span cultures, centuries, and a span of art forms, which provides unique perspective into the talents and traditions of artists around the globe.
5. Explore all of the activities that Discovery Green's 12 acre park has to offer. Take in a game of shuffleboard or bocce ball. Seek out a performance at a performance venue, jog, hike, hit the playground or spend time on the putting green. There is something to do for everyone at this fabulous Houston park.
6. Visit the Art Car Museum a few times a year and find yourself enamored with a spectacular rotating display of artwork with cars as the artists' medium. Prepare to see the coolest artwork that you have every seen all created on functioning vehicles!
7. Watch in wonder as the the artful architectural masterpiece of the Water Wall comes to life before your eyes at The Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park. Preserve the memory of your visit with a snapshot in front of the wall which acts as a manmade 64 foot semi circular waterfall.
8. Visit Glenwood Cemetery where rich history and beautiful landscape combine into a gorgeous resting place for hundreds of famous Houstonians. The cemetery is beautiful location, with magnificent monuments to those who have gone on before interspersed with a beautiful tree canopy that provides shade even on the hottest summer days.
9. Be sure to head over to the Waugh Drive Bridge about 20 minutes before the sun goes down on a summer evening. Prepare to view the spectacular display of over 1.5 million bats that emerge from underneath the bridge. Check out the website for tips and visitor guidelines and enjoy the breathtaking view of the bats launching themselves in flight across the Houston summer sky.
10. If you have a couple of hours to spare, stop in to the The Menil Collection to view some surrealist, abstract, and pop art in an intimate environment. View the eclectic and diverse artwork of both well known and lesser known artists alike.
11. If your are an art lover who is looking for something new and unusual, stop in to view the two stories of artwork displayed at Houston's Contemporary Art Museum. Enjoy and contemplate the strange and sometimes completely obscure artwork showcased by various local artists.
12. See creativity at its finest at the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft. The museum is packed with ever-changing exhibits featuring paper, glass pottery and much much more. You can even take a stroll down the hallway of individual studio rooms where you can watch and actually interact with artists.
13. Visit the Houston Zoo for free on Tuesdays after 2pm from September through May. Take a ride on the Wildlife Carousel and explore the diverse habitats of the more than 6,000 animals that call the Houston Zoo their home.
14. Press the big red button in Sesquicentennial Park to make the bayou belch! A simplistic but amusing of interactive exhibit awaits you amid the lovely park which features cascading waterfalls, trails, a monument to George W. Bush and massive pillared artwork which seeks to link Houston's past with its present.
15. Immerse yourself in art at the University of Houston's Blaffer Art Museum. Visit several times a year for rotating and engaging contemporary art exhibits. Take a pleasant stroll around campus before or after your cultural visit.
16. Enjoy free family admission to the Children’s Museum of Houston on Thursdays from 5pm-8pm. Explore the 14 exhibits that are designed specifically with young children in mind. Construct masterpieces in the building zone, get playful with waterways, invent, have fun with mathematics in the cyberchase area, do some problem solving in the Think Tank and much much more.
17. Get in better touch with health, the human body, and medical science at the The Health Museum in Houston. Interact with fascinating hands on exhibits that allow children and adults to explore the wonders of the human body in a fun and informative way. The museum offers free admission on Thursdays!
18. Explore the Permanent Exhibit Halls for FREE on Thursdays from 2pm - 5 pm at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Learn about dinosaurs, paleontology, outer space, plant science and more at one of the most visited Science museums in the United States.
19. Thanks to the sponsorship of Shell, The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston is FREE every Thursday for visitors. The museum is a cultural mecca is comprised of numerous buildings and outdoor spaces that are filled with a mix of extraordinary pieces and attractions for an unforgettable day out for the whole family.Photo Credit: WS Bellows
20. Take a respite from Houston's urban life on the thirty miles of hiking trails provided at Slog Memorial Park. Get active and enjoy croquet, cycling and skating, golf, mountain biking, swimming, playgrounds and much more.
21. Take a hike on of Houston Arboretum and Nature Center's nine nature trails within Houston Park. Get a first hand feel for the forest, wetland, meadow, and pond habitats that live there and be sure to check out the Nature Center where kids can learn about these environments via cool interactive displays.
22. Take a walk through history at the Heritage Society Museum in downtown Houston. Visit an impressive collection of historic homes, moved from their original locations to be in the shadow of the newer Houston skyscrapers.
23. If you love military history, Buffalo Soldiers National Museum and learn about the dramatic history of our nation's Buffalo Soldiers. Unknown to many, visitors will gain an enlightened perspective into the history of these amazing men and their contribution to this nation. The museum is FREE to visit on Thursdays from 1pm - 5 pm.Photo Credit: Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
24. Take a tour of the underground cisterns located at the The Water Works at 105 Sabine Street at Buffalo Bayou Park. The fascinating cistern was the City of Houston’s first underground drinking water reservoirs. Dating back to 1927, it provided decades of service until it was drained when it sprang a leak that couldn’t be located or contained. The cistern was discovered in 2010 and is open for visitors to explore.
25. While visiting Buffalo Bayou Park, enjoy the outdoor activities available to visitors of all ages. Hike the endless nature trails; frolic in the play areas; explore the dog park; take in a live performance, and and enjoy running, hiking, and cycling trails.
26. Grab your helmet and head over to the Lee & Joe Jamail Skatepark, which features 30,000 square feet of space where skaters of all skill levels can practice their best moves for free.