One of the most gorgeous stretches of Houston lies alongside Buffalo Bayou. (telwink/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
Between extensive art collections, skate parks, and boat tours, there are free things to do in Houston all year round. Plan your next move with our guide.
You can always find things to do in Houston since the city has such a diverse mix of interests, cultures, and events. But sometimes, shelling out a lot of money for something isn’t in the cards. If you’re on a budget or simply don’t want to spend, you’ll have to narrow your focus to more cost-effective options.
Luckily, there’s no shortage of free activities in H-Town, either. Here are 15 things to do in Houston that won’t cost you a dime.
1. Browse The Menil Collection
Open Wednesdays through Sundays, The Menil Collection has been delighting Houstonians for over 70 years. The museum is always free and consists of several art buildings and green spaces within a residential neighborhood. John and Dominique de Menil started the museum believing art is essential to the human experience, and The Menil Collection remains true to that vision today. Current exhibition highlights include a wall drawing series from Ronny Quevedo and Joe Overstreet’s “Taking Flight” collection that features radially suspended paintings.
An outdoor sculpture at The Menil Collection. (Jack at Wikipedia/CC BY-SA 2.0)
2. See a performance at the Miller Outdoor Theatre
Located in Hermann Park, Miller Outdoor Theatre recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Being a centenarian hasn’t slowed the theatre down one bit. The variety of performances is staggering—over the course of the eight-month season, you might see jazz, world music, ballet, Shakespeare, classic films, and a whole lot more. All performances are free; you can either get a ticket for covered seating or bring a blanket and grab a spot on the lawn.
3. Walk along Buffalo Bayou Park
Just west of downtown Houston, Buffalo Bayou Park has 160 acres of gorgeous gardens and landscaping, hiking and biking trails, a dog park, public art, and ample moments of being in nature and appreciating how incredible the world is. One of those magical events is the Waugh Bat Colony underneath the Waugh Drive Bridge. Over 300,000 Mexican free-tailed bats emerge, creating winged silhouettes across the night sky. You can also venture onto the water at Buffalo Bayou Park by renting a kayak or canoe.
4. Create something at the Houston Public Library
Texas residents can join the library for free and get access to everything within the Houston library system. While there are plenty of books to indulge in, the TECHLINK center is also worth visiting. The Makerspace includes 3D printers and scanners, an embroidery machine, and professional design software. TECHLINK also hosts regular workshops and is home to cutting-edge audio and video production equipment, from digital and acoustic instruments to a greenscreen wall and teleprompter.
5. Be Artsy at the Houston Graffiti Building
Sitting at the corner of Leland & Chartres, the Houston Graffiti Building (also known as Graffiti Park) is an outdoor gallery of stunning street art murals. This former warehouse has become an Instagrammer’s paradise, with the vibrant artwork providing an eye-popping backdrop for a classic pose. Even if you’re camera-shy and prefer to keep your phone in your pocket, walking around and admiring the artwork is a blast. Though a few key pieces remain constant, most of the building is an ever-changing canvas.
You’ll find something new every time you visit the always-changing Houston Graffiti Building. (Wally Gobetz/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
6. Catch Some Air at the Jamail Skate Park
The one time I tried skateboarding, I stayed upright for approximately three seconds before tumbling off my board onto the pavement below. Realizing a career on a vert ramp was not for me, I have even more appreciation while watching expert skaters at work. At 30,000 square feet, Jamail Skate Park is an incredibly spacious area with one of the largest cradles in the nation. A renovation in 2016 and 2017 added more seats, graffiti boards, and shade structures to offer some sun protection.
7. Discover something new at Discovery Green
The 12-acre Discovery Green park hosts over 100 events every year. Visitors can participate in several unique workout classes, from yoga to barre to roller rinks (though the last one has a small entrance fee). Multiple fountains are available to frolic in, or you can take a dip or a kayak out on the lake within the park. It’s one of the best ways in the city to fight the hot Houston summers.
Discovery Green is a lovely way to enjoy a beautiful Houston day. (Corey Seeman/CC BY-NC-SA)
8. Sail the seas on the Sam Houston Boat Tour
Okay, we exaggerated a bit—you’re sailing along the Houston Ship Channel, not multiple seas. Even so, a leisurely, 90-minute voyage that costs zero dollars is a fantastic deal. The M/V Sam Houston embarks from Port Houston’s Sam Houston Landing and takes guests by the Turning Basin Terminal. You’ll get an up-close-and-personal look at different vessels and learn about ship operations. Though the trip itself is free, reservations are required in advance.
The Sam Houston Boat Tour. (Roy Luck/CC BY 2.0)
9. Get in touch with nature at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
One of the best things to do in Houston for families, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center hosts several kid-friendly events. There’s an abundance of engaging activities, from educational tyke hikes to adventurous playscapes. Adults can also have a great time exploring the different trails and gardens, which include Monarch butterflies, bird watching, and beautiful flowers. Admission into the arboretum is always free; parking costs $6 but is also free on Thursdays.
10. Reflect at the Rothko Chapel
One of Houston’s most peaceful spaces, Rothko Chapel is a terrific place to reset your mind and re-center your balance. The chapel opened in 1971 and features an art space, gift shop, broken obelisk, and a reflecting pool. Perhaps the best part is that guests are encouraged not to use technology. The chapel also hosts regular events with “pay what you can” pricing. You can check out things like poetry fests, art classes, and meditative sessions.
The broken obelisk at the soothing Rothko Chapel. (Keith Ewing/CC BY-NC 2.0)
11. Cascade at Waterwall Park
Oasis sings about Wonderwall, but real ones know it’s all about the Waterwall. The Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is an iconic Houston experience. The interior is a curved wall with water cascading down, providing passersby a nice bit of mist. The outdoor facade also has falling water, complemented by live oak trees and a vivid skyline. When you’re in the Galleria area, you should certainly stop by for a visit.
12. Stay quirky at The Orange Show
If you’re a fan of unique art installations, The Orange Show is right up your alley. The Houston Art Car Parade rolls through every April. Bob Wade’s “Smokesax” is a staggering blue homage to the instrument, made from Gulf Coast oilfield pipe, a Volkswagen Beetle car, beer kegs, and cattle feeders, among other materials. Smither Park is a creative urban space where more than 300 artists have contributed mosaic works of art. The Beer Can House is a masterpiece that promotes recycling, as the monument features over 50,000 cans. Orange you glad these pieces aren’t simply a banana duct taped to a wall?
The Orange Show is home to some of the most unique art installations in Houston. (cy esp/CC BY 2.0)
13. Spot birds at Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary
Owned and managed by Houston Audobon, Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary is a conservation property for wildlife and birds. Guided tours and night hikes will teach you about the animals in the area, and a livestreaming bird cam helps you see some of the action out in nature. The sanctuary regularly hosts events, such as night hikes and “Cabin Coffee Conversations” on Saturday mornings. During the summer, join a watch party for Purple Martin flocks soaring through the sky at dusk.
14. Gaze at the James Turrell “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace
Next to the Shepherd School of Music at Rice University, James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace is especially spectacular at sunrise and sunset. The grass, concrete, stone, and steel structure combines an LED light sequence with natural light from the sun for a dazzling visual. The structure is also acoustically engineered for musical performances, so you may catch an earworm or two during your visit.
James Turrell’s masterpiece is particularly vibrant at sunrise or sunset. (throgers/CC BY-NC-ND 2.0)
15. Heat things up at the Houston Fire Museum
The Houston Fire Museum recently completed a significant renovation and is open to the public once again. The “Old 7s” location of the museum was converted from a station built in 1899, with magnificent woodwork and masonry in the updated building. You’ll also see a collection of photographs, artifacts, and other materials from the early days of firefighting. In a rare twist, adults and seniors get into the museum for free, while children’s entry costs $5. And since we know you’re thinking it: Yes, there are fire trucks. Yes, you can climb on them. And yes, it’s just as wonderful as you imagine.
This article first appeared on Good Info News Wire and is republished here under a Creative Commons license.
