Houston summer bucket list: 15 activities to check off
Looking for things to do during the Houston summer? We’ve got you covered, from ice cream shops to immersive museums to live performances.
Houston summer is in full swing! Sure, sitting on the couch as a fan blasts cold air at you is certainly a must-do, though there’s much more to check out around the city.
Whether cannonballing into pools, taking in baseball games with a hearty hot dog, or enjoying a barrage of eccentric museums, you’ve got tons of ways to make this summer a special one.
Ready to get started? Let’s hop to it lickety-split.
1. Grab a scoop or two from an ice cream shop
Ice cream is rarely a poor choice—perhaps when you’re on horseback or doing a handstand—but the sweet treat is a Houston summer essential. While you can score classic flavors just about anywhere, try to get out of your comfort zone with something unique. Sweet Bribery features flavors like Space City Orange and Lemon Thyme, while Flower and Cream has options like Unicorn Tracks, Cereal Milk Oreo, and Honey Roasted Strawberry. Should you feel exceptionally courageous, give the five-pound milkshake from Red Circle a try.
2. See a free concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre
Standing in Hermann Park, Miller Outdoor Theatre is the country’s largest “always free” performance program. During the eight-month season (which spans the entire Houston summer and then some), the theatre puts on shows spanning a variety of acts. In any given week, you could see a jazz set, Shakespeare recreation, musical theatre, hip-hop performance, and a showing of a classic film—and it’s all free. The lawn portion of the theatre is open to the public, while seating requires claiming a ticket a day in advance.
3. Jump into a pool
Let’s be blunt: Houston summers are hot. Luckily, there’s an ample collection of pools around the city to help you cool off. The Houston Parks and Recreation Department houses a list of public pools and aquatic centers, so you’re never too far off from making a splash. If you’re looking for a different experience, several Houston-area hotels are on ResortPass, which offers day passes to hotels and resorts around the city. Cruise along the Texas-shaped lazy river at the Marriott Marquis Houston or admire the skyline views while lounging in the pool at the Hilton Houston Plaza/Medical Center.
4. Visit the Space Center
Most cities in the United States don’t have a robust space program, so Space Center Houston is a real treat. Among the regular exhibits that detail the history of space travel, the museum hosts frequent Space Center U events for kids. There are also special upgrades like booking a VIP NASA tour or eating breakfast with an astronaut—thankfully, you can keep your feet on the ground in the latter scenario. The latest showing at the Space Center Theater is an immersive moonwalking experience narrated by Tom Hanks, who played an astronaut in “Apollo 13.”
5. Knock down some pins at Kids Bowl Free
If you’re child-free, this one isn’t for you, though perhaps you could try a reverse of the “three kids stacked on top of each other in a trenchcoat” trope and see if you can pass as a youngster. Kids Bowl Free spans several states, with four Houston-area locations to choose from. The premise is simple: Register for a complimentary Kids Bowl Free account and enjoy two free games every day all summer long. Each participating location also has heavy doses of air conditioning, making this a perfect activity to burn energy while avoiding the heat.
6. Catch an Astros game
The Houston Astros are currently vying for first place in the American League West, so singing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game” while attending a game is never a bad idea. They’re looking to reach the postseason for the ninth year in a row, a stretch that’s included four World Series appearances and two championships. The roster has changed over the years, but newcomers like Isaac Paredes and Christian Walker have fit in nicely next to established guys like Jose Altuve and Jeremy Pena. As you hit the concession stands, here’s the best food to order at Daikin Park.
7. Learn at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is always a good time, but they’re really bringing it this summer. One of the top exhibits is Extreme Animals Alive, where guests walk through a graphic novel of critters with shape-shifting, invincibility, and even mind-control capabilities. Elsewhere in the museum, Aka Chen’s collection of titanium art is spectacular to walk through, and King Tut’s tomb discovery is a unique experience. HMNS also has exhibits about dinosaurs, and if “Calvin and Hobbes” taught us anything, it’s that dinosaurs are awesome.
8. Take action at Slick City
Put on a couple of knee pads and head to Slick City Action Park to feel like a superhuman athlete. There’s a bevy of slides that launch you into the sky, plus race tracks to indulge in high-speed twists and turns. Basketball fans should head to the Sport Air Court, where you can bounce on the trampoline surface and deliver slam dunks that would make Houston Rockets guard (and ferocious dunker) Jalen Green proud. Buy an individual day ticket or a summer access pass for endless Houston summer adventure.
9. Check out a class at the library
The Houston Public Library system has 44 public service units, so you’re never too far from a riveting reading romp. The library is hosting a summer reading program for kids, offering events and prizes for regular readers. Permanent Texas residents can join the library system free of charge, granting access to dozens of additional experiences like the TECHLink technology center and music and video studios.
10. Browse the Urban Harvest Farmers Market
Urban Harvest has a straightforward mission: to support fresh, real food and the people who grow it. That mission is on full display at the Urban Harvest Farmers Market every Saturday morning, rain or shine. The market has grown from seven vendors during the first installment back in 2004 to over 90 today, making this one of the largest farmers markets in the state. Even better, every farmer, rancher, and vendor comes from within 180 miles of Houston, meaning everything you order will be exceptionally fresh.
11. Take a Port Houston Boat Tour
The M/V Sam Houston took its first voyage on July 30, 1958. The rides are still going strong today with free 90-minute educational tours along the Houston Ship Channel. You’ll embark from Port Houston’s Sam Houston landing and learn about maritime history and processes. Guests also get to encounter other cargo ships and get a sneak peek at the operations at Turning Basin Terminal. Though the ride itself is free, a reservation is required to board.
12. Visit a quirky museum
Because Houston is such a big city, it’s privy to a delightful mix of classic and offbeat museums. If you’re a fan of the weird and wacky, stop by the Houston Toy Museum, which has grown from a personal collection of vintage toys into a massive undertaking. Or peek into the Color Factory, which sports vibrant, immersive rooms where you can float on air, tickle your senses, and explore your creativity. Feeling a bit more somber—perhaps because of the humidity of a Houston summer? The National Museum of Funeral History is one of the most unusual collections in the city. As the museum reminds us, any day above ground is a good one.
13. Walk along Project Row Houses
Project Row Houses spans five blocks and 39 homes in Houston’s Third Ward. The development began in 1993 when Rick Lowe and a group of artists purchased 22 shotgun houses to restore and renovate. PRH is open to the public from Wednesdays to Sundays; visitors can admire the homes as they walk along the campus. Twice a year, traveling artists install galleries within seven of the homes. During the summer, the nonprofit hosts Village of the Arts Camp for kids to learn mindfulness practices and gain experience with creative arts.
14. Bike through a park
If you feel more at home on two wheels than on two feet, check out one of the many bike paths around Houston’s parks. The Buffalo Bayou Loop is a gentle five-mile ride with scenic downtown views, while the Hermann Park Trail is a casual mile-and-a-half trip around the park—and you can celebrate your ride with a Miller Outdoor Theatre show! The Cullen Park Hike and Bike Trail is another good choice; the full loop is 8.3 miles, with plenty of shade, benches, and restrooms along the way to ensure your trip remains smooth sailing.
15. Take a day trip
There are plenty of fun summer things to do within Houston itself, but Space City is also a short drive from a ton of other cool activities. Whether you stroll the beaches in Galveston or Surfside Beach, sample some Blue Bell ice cream in Brenham, or pay homage to Texas soldiers at the San Jacinto Museum and Battlefield, there’s no shortage of exciting day trips.
Need even more ideas for Houston summer activities? Discover these completely free things to do.
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