Things to do in Houston & Galveston

The official visitor center of NASA's Johnson Space Center, home to Mission Control and real spacecraft.

Dinosaur skeletons, a butterfly rainforest, and a world-class gem hall anchor Houston's biggest science museum.

A Texas wetlands trail, gorilla habitat, and one of the country's top elephant programs inside Hermann Park.

A waterfront boardwalk of rides, seafood restaurants, and a nightly fountain show on Galveston Bay.

Three glass pyramids house a rainforest, an aquarium, and a discovery museum on Galveston Island.

A vintage-style amusement pier stretching out over the Gulf, with a wooden roller coaster and Ferris wheel.

Cast-iron Victorian storefronts from Galveston's boomtown days now hold shops, galleries, and cafes.

Winding lazy rivers, a wave pool, and towering water slides make this Galveston's biggest waterpark.

A tropical-themed aquarium, small amusement rides, and a white tiger habitat sit inside a former fire station.

One of the largest art museums in the country, spanning ancient antiquities to contemporary works across two buildings.

160 acres of hike-and-bike trails, art, and kayak launches winding along the bayou just west of downtown.

An 1892 Victorian mansion of carved stone and stained glass, one of the few Galveston landmarks to survive the 1900 storm.

A 445-acre green space anchoring Houston's museum district, with a Japanese garden and a mini train.

The Tex-Mex restaurant credited with popularizing the fajita, still slinging sizzling platters since 1973.

A restored Victorian opera house that has hosted touring performers on Galveston's stage since 1894.

Guided kayak eco-art tours through Galveston Bay marshes, pairing nature exploration with watercolor painting.

Texas Gulf Coast island city with historic architecture, beaches and the Strand entertainment district.

Free outdoor performance venue in Houston's Hermann Park offering an eight-month season of music, dance and theater.

Hands-on children's museum in Houston's Museum District with interactive exhibits for kids and families.

Gulf Coast Texas city on Clear Lake with waterfront dining, boating and nearby Space Center Houston.

A hands-on children's museum in Sugar Land housed in the historic Imperial Sugar Char House.

Family-run deep-sea and bay fishing charter operating out of Galveston, Texas since the 1990s.

1920s-style candy store, soda fountain and ice cream parlor on Galveston's historic Strand.

Airboat rides through Galveston Bay marshes to spot stingrays, alligator gar and marsh birds.

Gulf Coast getaway of five Texas communities known for beaches, birding and Sea Center Texas.

Scenic helicopter flights over Galveston's Seawall, Pleasure Pier and Gulf Coast waters.

Amphibious tour in a restored WWII-era DUKW covering Seawall Boulevard and Offatts Bayou.

Bay and deep-sea catamaran fishing trips out of Galveston's harbor since the original operators of the format.

One of the country's largest restored railroad collections, housed in the former Santa Fe depot.

293-acre Texas state historic site where the Texas Declaration of Independence was signed in 1836.

Official visitor guide and info center for Brenham and Washington County, Texas.

A Piney Woods gateway town on Lake Livingston known for fishing, boating and small-town East Texas charm.

Guided African American history van tours of Galveston's Juneteenth and civil rights landmarks.

A costumed old-fashioned photo studio on the Strand offering Victorian, western and pirate portraits.

A Galveston nonprofit cultural center and gallery honoring Juneteenth with African American history exhibits.

A Galveston beach outfitter offering sandcastle building lessons and custom sand sculpture experiences.

An Irish sports bar on Houston's west side with a wide beer selection, darts and weekly trivia.

Cajun seafood restaurant on Galveston's Seawall Boulevard serving boiled shrimp, crab and Gulf specialties since 1983.