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Houston is an exciting city to visit with a culture like no other! There is definitely no shortage of things to do, see and explore while you’re in town. If you’re on a budget, even better! There are endless things to do that are free for not only the locals but for visitors too! We’ve put together our top list of the 13 free things to do in Houston.
5216 Montrose Blvd | 713-284-8250
One of the most exciting places to visit in Houston is the Contemporary Arts Museum. This Museum offers free admission for all, year round! Not only can you see phenomenal exhibits that are changed throughout the year, but this museum also offers drop-in events for all ages where you and your family can participate in an interactive art experience.
6000 Hermann Park Dr | 281-373-3386
Another free admission gem in the city of Houston is the Miller Outdoor Theatre. Here you can experience top-notch performances for free while lounging on the grassy hill of Hermann Park. Bring your lawn chair and a picnic and sit back and enjoy! Check out the current performance schedule for Miller Outdoor Theatre.
7300 Clinton Dr | 713-670-2631
Sam Houston Boat Tour offers a free 90-minute cruise and tour on the Houston Ship Channel. On this cruise, you’ll learn all about the port, maritime industry, and history. Tours run at 10:00 am and 2:30 pm on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday, at 10:00 am on Thursday, and at 10:00 am and 2:00 pm on Saturday.
103 Sabine St | 713-222-5500
For all the skaters out there the Lee & Joe Jamail Skatepark is one of the premiere skateparks in the state! Grab your board, skates, and protective gear and enjoy grinding, flipping, and wheeling around this 30,000 square-foot park. Be sure to check out the Jamail Skatepark website for upcoming and free skate classes!
140 Heights Blvd | 713-861-5526
Head over to Houston’s Art Car Museum for some funky, cool, and artistic transformations of all types of cars. Here you’ll see cars that are covered in hand-painted flowers, covered in buttons, or transformed into evil bunnies! Admission into the Art Car Museum and open Wednesday through Sunday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm.
6200 Hermann Park Dr | 713-533-6500
Explore over 15 animal-filled exhibits at the Houston Zoo for free! March through May and September through February, you and your family can enjoy a free visit to the Houston Zoo on Tuesday afternoons (from 12:00 pm to close). Since you saved on your ticket, splurge at the onsite gift shop or restaurant!
Wild, weird, and wonderful is the Mexican free-tailed bat colony that lives under the Waugh Drive Bridge. One of the best-kept secrets in Houston can be viewed from the bat observation deck at Buffalo Bayou Park. As the sun goes down you can watch at over 1 million bats feed, and trust us, it’s a sight to be seen!
4501 Woodway Dr | 713-681-8433
For all the outdoor lovers, check out the beautiful and serene trails at Houston Arboretum. Here you can hike or jog on 13 trails, all different lengths and with their own unique features. Bonus: the trails here are all free and dog-friendly, so leash up Fido and bring him along for a day of exploring!
1500 Binz St | 713-522-1138
At the Children’s Museum of Houston, you’ll find fun and educational exhibits for your kids to enjoy. You can take your chances on the challenging course, learn all about engineering, create an invention, and so much more! If you want free admission visit on Thursday from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm!
1001 Bissonnet St | 713-639-7300
From modern & contemporary art to American painting & sculpture, the Museum of Fine Arts Houston has it all. You could easily spend all day exploring the different exhibits and collections here. Lucky for you MFAH offers free admission to all on Thursday from 10:00 am to 9:00 pm, take advantage of the beauty and culture here!
2800 Post Oak Blvd | 713-850-8841
Unique and mesmerizing is the Waterwall located at the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park. This 64-foot semi-circular fountain pumps over 11,000 gallons of water per minute! It’s surrounded by over 186 live oak trees and make the perfect photo op in Houston!
1500 McKinney St | 713-400-7336
Discovery Green is for people of all ages, sizes, and walks of life! There are activities fun for everyone at Discovery Green, most of which are free. Kids can enjoy playing in the free water features like Gateway Fountain and Mistree. There are also tons of free classes, events, and entertainment throughout the year. Check out their schedule for more information.
7112 Newcastle St | 713-667-6550
Visit the Nature Discovery Center Parks and Discovery Rooms for free! You and your family can explore the different parks and their natural inhabitants. You can also explore the different exhibits within the Discovery Rooms inside the Nature Center. Bring a picnic and make a day of it with the family, open Tuesday through Friday from 12:00 pm to 5:30 pm, and Saturday and Sunday from 10:00 am to 5:30 pm.
