Cultural & Historical Destinations in Houston, Texas, United States

Houston, United States, Houston, Destination & Trip Type Pages, Cultural & Historical Destinations

Cultural & Historical Destinations in Houston, Texas, United States

1. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

Explore over 60,000 works spanning 6,000 years of art from around the world.
  • Cultural Diversity: Offers a rich blend of European, Asian, African, Oceanic, and American art.
  • Educational Programs: Provides lectures, films, concerts, and family programs.
  • Rotating Exhibits: Constantly updates its collection with new exhibitions.

2. Space Center Houston

Explore the wonders of space travel and astronaut training at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
  • Interactive Exhibits: Includes hands-on activities for visitors, like simulated moonwalks.
  • Historical Artifacts: Preserves and displays numerous spacecrafts, moon rocks, and memorabilia.
  • Educational Programs: Offers workshops, talks, and interactive programs for all ages.

3. The Menil Collection

Discover one of the world's most important collections of modern and contemporary art.
  • Artistic Diversity: Features works by artists like Renoir, Degas, Picasso, and Warhol.
  • Rotating Exhibits: Constantly updates its collection with new exhibitions.
  • Educational Programs: Provides guided tours, lectures, and family programs.

4. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

Experience American decorative arts and paintings from the Colonial period to the early 20th century.
  • Historical Artifacts: Preserves over 14,000 works including furniture, textiles, and silver.
  • Garden Tours: Offers guided tours of the beautiful gardens surrounding the mansion.
  • House Tours: Provides guided tours of the historic house and its collections.

5. Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

Learn about the history and achievements of African American soldiers from the Civil War to present day.
  • Military History: Features exhibits on the Buffalo Soldiers, Tuskegee Airmen, and other African-American military units.
  • Interactive Exhibits: Includes multimedia presentations, artifacts, and interactive displays.
  • Educational Programs: Offers tours, workshops, and educational programs for visitors of all ages.

6. The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park

Step back in time as you explore restored 19th-century buildings and learn about Houston's history.
  • Historic Buildings: Features several historic homes, including the 1860-built Meier House.
  • Living History Tours: Offers guided tours led by costumed interpreters portraying characters from Houston's past.
  • Educational Programs: Provides workshops, lectures, and special events focused on Houston's history.

7. Holocaust Museum Houston

Learn about the Holocaust through artifacts, survivor stories, and interactive exhibits.
  • Historical Artifacts: Preserves over 50,000 artifacts related to the Holocaust.
  • Survivor Stories: Features first-hand accounts from survivors of the Holocaust.
  • Educational Programs: Offers workshops, lectures, and educational programs for visitors of all ages.

8. Houston Museum of Natural Science

Explore dinosaur skeletons, space exploration, ancient artifacts, and more at this massive natural history museum.
  • Dinosaur Hall: Features one of the world's largest permanent dinosaur fossil halls.
  • Cockrell Butterfly Center: Showcases live butterflies, beetles, and other insects from around the world.
  • Wagner Space Gallery: Features interactive exhibits on space exploration and astronomy.

9. San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site

Learn about the Battle of San Jacinto, which led to Texas' independence from Mexico.
  • Historical Battleground: Located at the site where the decisive battle for Texas Independence was fought.
  • Museum Exhibits: Features exhibits on the history, people, and culture of the Battle of San Jacinto.
  • Guided Tours: Offers guided tours of the battlefield, museum, and historic buildings.

10. The Health Museum

Explore the human body, health, and wellness through interactive exhibits.
  • Interactive Exhibits: Includes hands-on activities for visitors, like virtual surgeries.
  • Health Education: Promotes healthy living and disease prevention through educational programs.
  • Special Events: Hosts health-related events, workshops, and speakers throughout the year.

11. Art Car Museum

Discover unique, creatively designed vehicles that showcase artistic expression.
  • Artistic Vehicles: Features over 150 art cars created by various artists.
  • Temporary Exhibits: Regularly updates its collection with new art car exhibitions.
  • Artist Workshops: Provides workshops for visitors to create their own art cars.

12. The Houston Police Museum

Explore the history of law enforcement in Houston and learn about local police heroes.
  • Law Enforcement History: Features exhibits on the evolution of policing in Houston.
  • Heroes and Villains: Highlights stories of police heroes, as well as notorious criminals.
  • Interactive Exhibits: Includes hands-on activities like a crime scene investigation room.

13. GalerĂ­a de la Raza

Experience the culture, art, and history of Mexican Americans and Latino communities in Houston.
  • Cultural Diversity: Highlights the rich cultural heritage of Mexican Americans and Latinos.
  • Art Exhibits: Features rotating exhibitions by local, national, and international artists.
  • Community Engagement: Provides workshops, lectures, and educational programs for the community.

14. The Houston Center for Photography

Explore contemporary photography and learn about the art form through exhibitions and workshops.
  • Contemporary Photography: Features works by both emerging and established photographers.
  • Workshops and Classes: Offers photography workshops, classes, and portfolio reviews.
  • Community Engagement: Promotes cultural exchange and collaboration through community partnerships.

15. The Asia Society Texas Center

Explore the arts, culture, and heritage of Asia through exhibitions, performances, and educational programs.
  • Cultural Diversity: Focuses on Asian cultures, including China, India, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia.
  • Art Exhibits: Features rotating exhibitions of contemporary art from Asia.
  • Educational Programs: Offers lectures, workshops, and educational programs for visitors of all ages.