
Tips for Traveling with Kids in Houston, Texas, United States
1. Children's Museum of Houston
Interactive exhibits designed for children to learn through play.
- Diverse Exhibits: Offers numerous, engaging, and educational exhibits catering to different age groups.
- Workshops and Programs: Regularly hosts special workshops and programs for kids, promoting learning in a fun environment.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible facilities, ensuring all children can enjoy the museum experience.
2. Houston Zoo
A large zoological park showcasing a wide range of animals in natural habitats.
- Animal Variety: Features over 6,000 animals from around the world, offering a diverse and exciting experience.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs like keeper talks, animal demonstrations, and guided tours.
- Accessible and Kid-Friendly: Stroller and wheelchair rentals available, along with kid-friendly amenities such as rest areas and playgrounds.
3. Space Center Houston
The official visitor center of NASA's Johnson Space Center.
- Space Exploration Focus: Provides a unique opportunity to learn about space exploration and human space travel.
- Interactive Exhibits: Features numerous interactive exhibits, including the chance to train as an astronaut and touch a real moon rock.
- Special Events: Hosts special events like Astronaut Encounter, where visitors can meet real astronauts.
4. The Health Museum
An interactive science center focused on health and wellness.
- Interactive Exhibits: Features engaging exhibits that make learning about health fun and educational.
- Special Programs: Offers programs like Dissection Demonstrations, where visitors can observe the process in a safe and educational setting.
- Accessibility: Wheelchair-accessible facilities, ensuring all visitors can explore the museum comfortably.
5. Kemah Boardwalk
An entertainment district with amusement park rides, restaurants, and shopping.
- Amusement Rides: Features a variety of kid-friendly rides, including carousels, Ferris wheels, and bumper cars.
- Family-Friendly Dining Options: Offers restaurants with kid's menus and family dining options.
- Waterfront Atmosphere: Located on the waterfront, providing beautiful views of the Gulf Coast.
6. Houston Museum of Natural Science
A natural history museum with permanent exhibits and special temporary exhibitions.
- Diverse Exhibits: Features numerous, engaging, and educational exhibits on dinosaurs, fossils, gems, minerals, energy, and more.
- IMAX Theatre: Operates an IMAX theater showing documentaries about nature, space, and science.
- Butterfly Center: A separate building with a tropical butterfly house, home to hundreds of live butterflies.
7. The Houston Aquarium
An indoor aquarium featuring over 300 species of marine life.
- Variety of Marine Life: Features a diverse range of marine creatures, including sharks, sea turtles, and stingrays.
- Interactive Exhibits: Offers interactive exhibits that allow visitors to touch and feed the animals.
- Conservation Focus: Dedicated to conservation efforts, educating visitors about marine life and its importance.
8. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
A nature preserve with trails, gardens, and wildlife.
- Nature Trails: Features over five miles of nature trails for hiking and exploring.
- Gardens: Boasts a variety of gardens, including native plant, butterfly, and sensory gardens.
- Educational Programs: Offers educational programs, guided tours, and workshops about wildlife and nature conservation.
9. The Art Car Museum
A museum showcasing vehicles decorated as works of art.
- Unique Exhibits: Features over 40 unique, imaginative, and thought-provoking art cars.
- Interactive Experience: Encourages visitors to engage with the artwork by touching and taking photos.
- Art Car Parade: Participates in the annual Art Car Parade, one of Houston's most vibrant events.
10. The Menil Collection
An art museum with an encyclopedic collection spanning 7,000 years.
- Diverse Artwork: Features a diverse collection of artwork from different cultures and time periods.
- Interactive Exhibits: Offers interactive exhibits, including audio guides and guided tours.
- Family-Friendly: Provides activities for children, making the museum a fun and educational experience for the whole family.
11. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
An annual event featuring livestock shows, rodeo competitions, and concerts.
- Livestock Shows: Showcases livestock from various breeds and offers educational exhibits about agriculture.
- Rodeo Competitions: Features professional rodeo competitions, including bull riding, barrel racing, and calf roping.
- Concerts: Hosts concerts from popular artists, making it a fun event for the whole family.
12. The Children's Festival
An annual event featuring music, performances, and activities for children.
- Entertainment: Offers live music performances, magic shows, and puppet shows.
- Activities: Features interactive activities like arts and crafts, face painting, and storytelling.
- Educational Opportunities: Provides educational opportunities about various topics, such as culture, science, and the environment.
13. The Buffalo Bayou Park
A park featuring hiking trails, gardens, and art installations.
- Nature Trails: Features a 3-mile hike-and-bike trail for exploring the park.
- Gardens: Boasts various gardens, including a native plant garden and a butterfly garden.
- Art Installations: Incorporates public art installations throughout the park, adding to its aesthetic appeal.
14. The Houston Galleria Ice Rink
An ice skating rink located in a major shopping mall.
- Ice Skating: Offers ice skating sessions for visitors to enjoy.
- Shopping and Dining Options: Located in a major shopping mall, providing numerous dining and shopping options nearby.
- Special Events: Hosts special events like ice skating shows and lessons for beginners.
15. The Houston Farmers Market
A large market selling fresh produce, local goods, and prepared foods.
- Fresh Produce: Sells a wide variety of fresh fruits, vegetables, and other farm products.
- Local Goods: Features local goods like artisanal bread, cheese, and honey.
- Prepared Foods: Offers a variety of prepared foods, including ready-to-eat meals and fresh juices.