Welcome to Houston, Texas! Where opportunity meets scenery. Where friendly people populate a warm community. This vibrant city dazzles with culture, history, and excitement. There’s always something to do in Houston, whether you are interested in arts and entertainment, shopping, or dining out. People from all corners of the country flock to its vicinity, making it one of the most diverse cities in existence. Although sometimes, metro life can be suffocating and restricted. If you’re looking for a breath of fresh air from Houston’s towering skyscrapers, here are the best places you should check out with friends or family.
Buffalo Bayou Park
A 160-acre of pure green space, Buffalo Bayou Park is the core of Houston’s extensive green belt that is made up of numerous parks and trails. It was designed by SWA Group in 2010, a landscape architecture firm based in Houston. The park features more than a dozen picnic areas, a dog park, a miniature train, bike rental stations, and kayak rentals surrounding Buffalo Bayou Lake.
Under the canopy of tall trees, visitors can jog, walk, rollerblade or pedal along the bayou overlooking the crystal-clear lake and the majestic Houston Skyline. The park features over 1 mile of boardwalks that wind across multiple paths. Well-maintained and endorsed, it’s one of the busiest attractions in the city.
Cockrell Butterfly Center
Do you want to be mesmerized by the beauty of intricately designed butterflies? Cockrell Butterfly Center in Houston is a must-visit. This glass-built habitat features multiple gardens with over a hundred varieties of plants that are home to various butterfly species. There’s also a 50-foot waterfall that perfectly simulates a tropical experience. Learn more about nature in the center’s brown hall of etymology, where you’ll discover fun facts about butter anatomy and way of life. All in all, this place is like a dream turned into a reality.
Houston Zoo
Who doesn’t love the zoo? Probably no one! That’s why a trip to the Houston Zoo will surely make your day. The place features a wide variety of animals ranging from cute lemurs to towering giraffes and the majestic bald eagle. Make sure to say hi to the elephants at the southwestern wing. The water world region also offers plenty of interaction with the sea lions, where they love to put up a show! More than 6,000 animals inhabit the Houston Zoo, so chances are you’ll probably meet your dream animals when you drop by!
Downtown Aquarium
This list won’t be complete without mentioning the Downtown Aquarium, a mainstay in Houston since its opening in 2000. This massive aquarium houses more than 200 species of marine life from around the world and includes a number of educational exhibits. The award-winning attraction also boasts an Underwater Dome that allows guests to walk below sharks and rays as they swim overhead. Don’t miss the chance to get up close and personal with the fishes!
Discovery Green
Discovery Green is an urban park nestled in the heart of Houston that is free to the public. It spans 12 acres and consists of a large grassy lawn, landscaped gardens, an interactive children’s area, numerous statues and monuments, multiple water features, including a large fountain and two small ponds with seating around them. The park can accommodate thousands upon thousands of people at once. It is anchored by its signature attraction, the Water Feature/Interactive Children’s Area, which is home to many abstract “trees” shaped like columns whose surfaces are designed to invite play from young children who run across their tops wearing shoes with textured soles or ride scooters or bicycles along their sides while running a hand down the smooth surface on their way past.
Special Mentions
And that’s about it for the top-rated Houston attractions to check out. However, don’t be blinded by this short list. There is more to the city than what you’ll ever find on the Internet. Go out there and see for yourself! That said, here are some notable attractions that you should also consider:
- Water Wall – a beautiful park centered around a stunning multi-story fountain in the Upper District of Houston.
- Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens – walk among its gorgeously trimmed hedge mazes and lose yourself in the finest art exhibits of all time.
- Edith L. Moore Natural Sanctuary – nothing’s more attractive than seeing birds, squirrels, lizards, and all sorts of animals enjoying their natural habitats.
Make sure to research the availability of the parks before heading there. You don’t want to arrive at a closed venue!
