With our list of the most popular free activities in the city, you can spend the day discovering Free Things To Do in Houston’s top attractions while saving a ton of money. Fortunately, many of Houston’s most famous sites are free of charge for locals and tourists. Additionally, because you are already saving money on activities, why not increase your lodging while you are there? You can also find incredible bargains on some distinctive Houston experiences.
While you’re saving money on entertainment, have a look at these fantastic hotel discounts. Additionally, you can find incredible discounts on these special Houston experiences and offers.
- Miller Outdoor Theatre
- Market Square Park
- Discovery Park
- Houston Arboretum nature center
- Port Houston boat tour
- Urban harvest farmers market
- Glenwood Cemetry
- James tunnel “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace at rice.
Free Things To Do in Houston
From March through November, Miller Outdoor Theatre hosts performances. Bring a picnic and relax as you watch. The Hermann Park-based theater also permits guests to bring alcohol (no glass containers). Visit the Urban Harvest Farmers Market on a Saturday morning to enjoy a leisurely day of people-watching, shopping for fresh local food, or simply nibbling on free samples.
Here are some suggestions for outdoor activities.
On the Rice University campus, visit James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace to see a sunset or sunrise LED light show. A 40-minute visual treat, the grass-covered pyramid glows and transforms in color as sunlight reflects off the building. The only days it is closed are Tuesdays, and it is free.
- The Galleria– Every year, more than 26 million people visit The Galleria, the largest retail mall in Texas and the fourth-largest website in the country, searching for the vibrant and upscale shopping atmosphere it offers. International visitors and residents of Houston mix easily in the center while out shopping or hosting guests at one of the iconic restaurants. The Galleria is the best free thing To Do in Houston’s most well-liked retail and tourist destination, accommodating 400 upscale shops and restaurants, two skyscraper hotels, and three office towers across 2.4 million square feet.
- Miller Outdoor Theater– An eight-month season of free outdoor performances is presented by Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park. View shows for kids, theater, dance, and concerts.
- Houston Arboretum & Nature Center– A 155-acre natural preserve west of Houston’s central business district. There are opportunities to watch frogs, turtles, and other species over five miles of walking pathways that pass through forest, meadow, and pond ecosystems. The Discovery Room, which features aquariums, microscopes, and interactive displays, is located in the Nature Center and restrooms. Building: Open daily from 9 am to 4 pm, excluding major holidays; Grounds: Open daily from 7 am to dark. Donations are welcome but not required. Admission is free, and parking costs $5, with free parking on Thursdays and for Arboretum Members.
BECOME CULTURAL!
More than 16,000 works from the Paleolithic age to the present can be found in the Menil Collection, which is regarded as one of the greatest collections of the twentieth century. You might easily spend the entire day admiring the artwork, but don’t worry—the stylish Bistro Menil is a terrific spot to unwind and get a meal.
The Menil Collection-The Menil Foundation was founded in 1954 by Houston philanthropists and art patrons John and Dominique de Menil to promote a wider understanding and appreciation of art, architecture, culture, religion, and philosophy among the general public. The main museum building for the Menil Collection first welcomed visitors in 1987. The Menil Collection now consists of five art structures and green spaces in a residential area. The Menil is still dedicated to upholding its founders’ view that art is crucial to the human experience and encourages up-close and personal interactions with the artwork. The museum offers free admission to everyone who wants to explore its structures and outdoor areas.
GET STARTED!
Buffalo Bayou is now an outdoor sanctuary for hiking, biking, art, and the greatest views of the Houston skyline after undergoing a $58 million makeover in 2015. The Buffalo Bayou’s hiking and bike trails are one of the best ways to see the city, winding from Shepherd Drive through some of the East End.
The Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark is the pinnacle of the boarding and grinding world. The cutting-edge, $2.2 million building, believed to house the giant cradle in the world, is situated close to downtown, next to Eleanor Tinsley Park.
FREE DAYS FOR MUSEUMS/ATTRACTIONS:
- National Buffalo Soldiers Museum: Thursday from 1 to 5 p.m.
- Houston Children’s Museum: Thursday, 5–8 p.m.
- Thursday, 2–7 p.m.: The Health Museum
- Holocaust Memorial Thursday, 2 to 5 p.m. in Houston
- Thursdays from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Houston Museum of Natural Science (3 – 6 pm during the summer and holidays)
- Houston’s Museum of Fine Arts: Thursday all-day
Museums free things to do in Houston
In Houston, there are a ton of free museums that are appropriate for all age groups and each focus on a particular subject. Numerous art museums concentrate on classic and modern works of art, including drawings, paintings, and sculptures by well-known artists, including Jackson Pollock, Andy Warhol, Mark Rothko, and Pablo Picasso. The permanent and rotating exhibitions are a hallmark of these museums, along with special events, guest lectures, and educational activities. The art of photography is the focus of certain museums. In contrast, others strive to generate awareness of social issues, the black community, or foreign cultures (such Czech or African) (like Czech or African). On the other hand, some museums have collections of jewelry, ceramics, military or war artifacts, vehicles, dinosaur skeletons, preserved animals, and much more. Children’s museums include various educational activities, such as doing science projects, learning about various cultures, or studying physics laws.
Market Square Park
Milam, Congress, Preston, and Travis streets encircle the public park known as Market Square Park in downtown Houston. Along with being well-liked as a recreational park, it is a popular location for many events, movie screenings, and sporting events. The history walk that follows the walkway is well-known for its ruins of long-gone downtown structures, and Lauren’s Garden honors a traveler on United Flight 93. The park is attractive because of the numerous statues, sculptures, fountains, memorials, and the fact that Niko Niko’s is a well-liked fast food restaurant.
- Location: 301 Milam St, Houston, Texas 77002, USA
- Hours: 6:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Location: Houston’s downtown
Events: The Night Before, Holiday in the Park, Bayou Bikers, The Campaign, and A Night at Market Square, among others. You can cover some outdoor water parks too.
Among the attractions is Buster, dog runs, a sculpture of gargoyles, Niko Niko’s, a mosaic fountain, Points of View, and a plaza.
Dogs: Littering, carrying alcohol into the park, feeding birds, skateboarding, plucking flowers, etc., are prohibited activities.
