Houston Tourist Attractions and Sightseeing

(Houston, Texas - TX, USA)



As the fourth-biggest city within the United States, Houston comes with more than a handful of quality tourist attractions, many of which are especially suitable for those with children in tow. A number of the most appealing and most popular draw cards reside around Hermann Park, within central Houston, where countless museums are accompanied by the city's impressive Downtown Aquarium and connected by the MetroRail light rail network.

Houston Zoo is also to be found within this part of the city and this historic zoological park dates back to the early 1920s, being today called home by in excess of 6,000 animals (some 900 species) and covering roughly 55 acres / 22 hectares in total. Each year, more than 1.5 million visitors and tourists come here to check out the plentiful themed attractions, such as the African Forest, Asian Elephant Habitat, Fischer Bird Gardens, John P. McGovern Children's Zoo, Natural Encounters Building, Reptile and Amphibian Building, Wildlife Carousel and the Wortham World of Primates, amongst other highlights.

Also more than worthy of a visit is the famous Space Center Houston, where you can learn all about America's many different adventures in the solar system. Alternatively, the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens provides a wealth of fine and decorative arts, being entered via the Lora Jean Kilroy Visitor and Education Center.


Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Address: 1 Westcott Street, Museum District, Houston, Texas TX, USA
Tel: +1 713 639 7750
Set in the beautiful River Oaks residential neighborhood of Houston, the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is a 28-room mansion complete with a collection of American Folk Art (part of the Fine Arts Museum), as well as furniture and antiques dating from the 1600s. Attractions include audio and guided tours of the house, and the well tended 14-acre / 6-hectare gardens, which are delightful with their abundance of azaleas.
Open hours: Tuesday to Friday - 10:00 to 17:00, Saturday and Sunday - 13:00 to 17:00
Admission: charge, discount for seniors, children half price

Downtown Aquarium

Address: 410 Bagby Street, Memorial Drive, Houston, Texas TX, USA
Tel: +1 713 223 FISH 3474
This impressive new aquarium on Memorial Drive, with its excellent choice of attractions and creatures from the deep, has fun for all the family. The huge half-million gallon complex showcases underwater life from around the world and boasts the themed Amazon River and Louisiana Swamp exhibits, along with an authentic recreation of a shipwreck. Other notable highlights here include a lofty Ferris wheel, an observation tower with outstanding views over downtown Houston, a train ride through a tunnel in the shark tank, the White Tigers of the Maharaja's Temple exhibit and the much applauded restaurant.
Open hours: Sunday to Thursday - 10:00 to 22:00, Friday and Saturday - 10:00 to 23:00
Admission: charge, discount for seniors and children

Houston Zoo

Address: 6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, Texas TX, USA
Tel: +1 713 533 6500
Conveniently located within the vibrant Museum district in Hermann Park, the city's zoological gardens feature an array of animals from around the world, including tigers, koalas, vampire bats and meerkats, among many other exotic beasts. Natural Encounters is an unmissable addition that allows visitors to get right up close to the animals, while the Wildlife Carousel is also worth a look.
Open hours: daily - 09:00 to 18:00
Admission: charge, discount for seniors and children, children under two years old and members are free

Space Center Houston

Address: Clear Lake, 1601 NASA Parkway, Houston, Texas TX, USA
Tel: +1 281 244 2100
The city's number one tourist magnet is great for adults and kids alike, with numerous interactive displays and plenty of space-related goings on. The main highlights at the Space Center Houston are the moon rock, the unique opportunity to watch astronauts train for their next space walk, the space shuttle simulator, and tours of this amazing facility. Another great kid's attraction is the That's SO Weird exhibition, with its collection of creepy monsters in a scary cave.
Open hours: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 19:00, Saturday and Sunday - 10:00 to 18:00, seasonal variations apply
Admission: charge, discount for seniors and children