Anyone exploring Texas should definitely make a detour to the fourth largest city in the USA. With the Space Center, the Museum of Natural Science and the Houston Zoo, Houston offers three of the most famous attractions in the state of Texas. In our travel report, we show you everything we experienced in 3 days in Houston.
Table of contents
Things to know about Houston
Houston is located in the south-east of the US state of Texas, close to the Gulf Coast, and with around 2.3 million inhabitants is the most populous city in the state and the fourth largest city in the USA. It was founded in 1836 by two brothers who named the town after General Sam Houston, a hero of the Texas War of Independence. Today, the city covers an area of over 1,600 square kilometers and is considered one of the fastest growing metropolises in the country. Its economic importance is enormous: Houston is a center of the energy and aerospace industry, has one of the largest ports in the USA and is home to numerous international companies.
It is curious that Houston has no classic building regulations – which is why modern skyscrapers can be found right next to small residential buildings, giving the cityscape a special character. Among the most famous attractions are the Space Center Houston, where visitors can experience the world of space travel up close, the Houston Museum of Natural Science with its impressive collection of dinosaurs and gemstones, and the popular Houston Zoo. The Museum of Fine Arts and Buffalo Bayou Park are also among the cultural and scenic highlights.
The city of Houston in Texas (USA)
Our hotel in Houston
We stayed at the Hyatt House Houston Medical Center just south of downtown. Our studio suite was 44 m², with its own kitchen and a king bed + a sofa bed. The really nice hotel with pool cost 140 EUR per night, including breakfast. a great breakfast buffet.
The Houston CityPASS®
If you are planning to visit several sights or attractions in Houston, then the Houston CityPASS®, which we had for exploring the city, is definitely worthwhile. With a CityPASS you get free access to 5 top attractions such as the Space Center Houston, Houston Zoo, Downtown Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Kemah Boardwalk, Children’s Museum Houston or the Museum of Fine Arts and save up to 50%.
What did we do in Houston?
We spent 3 full days in Houston and did lots of different activities with our two kids.
Houston Zoo
Located in the heart of Hermann Park, just minutes from downtown, the Houston Zoo is one of the city’s most popular attractions. With an area of around 22 hectares, it offers sufficient space for its diverse animal facilities and extensive green areas. It is home to more than 6,000 animals from over 900 different species – from African elephants, gorillas and giraffes to rare amphibians and reptiles. The zoo attracts over two million visitors a year, making it one of the most visited zoological institutions in the United States.
Its history dates back to 1922, when the zoo was opened with just a few animals. Over the decades, it has developed into a modern zoo that focuses not only on entertainment, but also on research, species conservation and education. The natural themed areas such as “African Forest” or “Kipp Aquarium” are particularly popular. The zoo is also heavily involved in international conservation projects, making an important contribution to the preservation of endangered species. The zoo is open daily, usually from 9:00 to 17:00. Free parking is available directly in Hermann Park (location in Google Maps). Admission prices vary depending on age and day: adults pay around 30 US dollars, children a little less.
The highlight for our kids (and of course for us too) was of course feeding the giraffes. This takes place twice a day at 11am and 2pm and costs $9 per person. But the zoo also offers many other opportunities to interact with animals (Elephant Bath Experience, Giant Anteater Encounter, Gorilla Encounter, Sea Lion Encounter and much more). The best way to find out about current times and prices is to check the official website beforehand.
Downtown Aquarium
The Downtown Aquarium Houston is centrally located in the city center and is both an aquarium and an entertainment and restaurant complex. The Downtown Aquarium was founded in 2003 to combine entertainment, education and conservation. In addition to the aquariums, the complex also offers rides such as the “Shark Voyage” and a Ferris wheel with a view over the Houston skyline. Opening hours are usually daily from 10:00 to 21:00, with admission prices varying according to age and attractions.
The aquarium is home to hundreds of aquatic and land animals from all over the world, such as sharks, stingrays, crocodiles and tropical fish. We spent about an hour in the aquarium, which unfortunately didn’t impress us as much as the Clearwater Marine Aquarium in Florida or the Monterey Bay Aquarium in California.
Children’s Museum Houston
Our return flight from Houston to Frankfurt was in the late afternoon. In the morning, our kids were able to really let off steam at the Children’s Museum Houston.
The museum is located near Hermann Park and is one of the leading interactive museums for children in the United States. The museum was founded in 1980 and has since expanded continuously to meet the educational needs of modern children. On over 40,000 square meters of exhibition space, children and young people can playfully learn, research and develop their creativity. There are numerous interactive areas on science, technology, art, culture and health and children can carry out experiments, build and experiment and discover complex relationships in a fun way.
Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is located about 40 kilometers east of downtown Houston near NASA’s Johnson Space Center and is NASA’s official visitor center. With over 56,000 square meters of exhibition space, it offers fascinating insights into the past and present of American space travel. Visitors can see real spacecraft, satellites and rockets up close, get active themselves in the astronaut training simulator and experience the development of space technologies at first hand. Particularly impressive are the original Apollo spacecraft and the Space Shuttle Independence, which is mounted on a Boeing 747 transport plane.
Space Center Houston was founded in 1992 to combine science, education and public enthusiasm for space travel. The center is open daily, usually from 10:00 to 17:00, and parking is available directly on site. The entrance fee for adults is around 30 US dollars, children pay slightly less.
Kemah Boardwalk
The Kemah Boardwalk is located around 40 kilometers southeast of Houston on Galveston Bay and is a popular destination for families, couples and tourists. The promenade stretches along the water and offers a mixture of entertainment, restaurants, shopping and rides. Visitors can discover over 50 stores, restaurants and bars, experience the amusement park with carousels, roller coasters and a Ferris wheel or simply take a stroll along the waterfront and enjoy the view of the harbor.
Map of the Kemah Broadwalk
The Kemah Boardwalk was founded in the 1990s to revitalize the area as a tourist hotspot while combining local culture and leisure activities. Festivals, live music and seasonal events are also held here on a regular basis, making the offer even more varied. Ample parking is available and admission to the promenade itself is free; rides and attractions are paid for individually.
Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston is the lively heart of the city and impresses with a mixture of modern architecture, historic buildings and spacious public squares. Visitors can stroll along Main Street, which is lined with skyscrapers, and discover numerous restaurants, cafés and stores. Market Square Park is an inviting place to relax, with green spaces, water features and regular events, while Discovery Green is a modern city park with art installations, playgrounds and open-air concerts for all ages.
Another highlight is the Monument au Fantôme, an impressive art installation that gives downtown an artistic touch and is often used as a photo motif. On our way back to the hotel, we also made a short stop at the Japanese Garden and Hermann Park.
More activities & tours in Houston
Take a look at GetYourGuide. Here you will find many exciting tours & activities.
Is it worth visiting the city of Houston?
However, Housten is a great starting point for activities and attractions in the surrounding area, such as the Houston Space Center or the Kemah Boardwalk. The zoo and the Children’s Museum are also really worth a visit!
Round trip through Texas - Our travel route & reports
We did a lot of research for our round trip through Texas and in the end we probably put together a "typical" round trip where you explore the best-known cities and regions. We started our trip in Dallas and Fort Worth, then went on to the capital Austin, then to Fredericksburg and San Antonio, from there to the Gulf Coast to Galveston and finally we visited Houston. All in all, a really beautiful and varied route that you can do very well in 3 weeks with 2 small children 🙂
Our itinerary & travel reports:
➥ Dallas - Sights, Attractions & Photo Spots
➥ Fort Worth - Cowboy feeling in the Wild West
➥ Fossil Rim Wildlife Center - A safari in Texas by car
➥ Austin - Sights of the Capital of Texas
➥ Fredericksburg - The most German city in Texas
➥ San Antonio - Top 10 attractions: River Walk, Alamo & more
➥ San Antonio - SeaWorld & Aquatica Water Park
➥ San Antonio - Mission (UNESCO World Heritage)
➥ Galveston Island - relaxing on the Gulf Coast
➥ Houston - Our highlights and activities
➥ Houston Space Center - Dive into the world of space travel