Weekend in Houston: A No FOMO 3 Day Houston Itinerary for First Timers
Planning a visit to H-Town, aka Houston, Texas, for a weekend (or any other day for that matter)?
With over 2.2 million residents and the fourth largest city in the United States, Houston, with its distinct southern charm, is home to delicious food, stunning architecture, and many instagrammable locations.
Houston turned out to be my favorite city in Texas (tied first place with Austin) as there was so much to do that I couldn’t see it all in a weekend. But don’t fret; here’s a list of the best things to do to maximize your three day weekend in Houston itinerary.
Houston CityPASS
Structure of this 3 Day in Houston itinerary
The first part of this guide will optimize your time into a suggested 3 day Houston itinerary of all the best things to do. Due to most weekends being two days, I have packed all my favorite spots into the first two days. The third day is more dedicated to museums or anything else you may have missed.
If you’re interested in learning more about a particular attraction, click the green link to take you to the longer description of what to expect there. I have divided this post into regional and categorical sections. Lastly, be prepared for quite a bit of driving and some packed touristy days!
Sample 3 Day in Houston Itinerary
Get ready for a packed few days in Houston if you only have 2 – 3 days in this city. The first day will take us east of Houston to the shore before popping back over to the best places within the city.
Night Before:
If you’re looking for things to do in Houston at night under 21, you must go to the “art experience of tomorrow”, Seismique. Personally, I would be swooned by this date idea as well.
Day 1: Heading to the Coast
- Wake up early to go to BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir during visitation hours to temporarily pretend you’re in India before heading to the coast
- Go from Asia to Outer Space at the Johnson Space Center Houston next.
- Rides and eat funnel cake at Kemah Boardwalk before retiring at Galveston Island.
Day 2: Time to Check out Downtown Houston
- If you are coming from Galveston and haven’t gone to the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park yet, come early morning to beat the crowds. Bring a jacket!
- If you have already gone to Waterwall Park, then take another route, passing by eccentric Smithers Park before getting to the heart of downtown Houston.
- Next will be a series of green spaces to pick and choose from: Buffalo Bayou Park and Cistern (don’t miss Houston through the Love Lock Bridge), Discovery Green, or McGovern Centennial Gardens in Hermann Park.
- See James Turell’s Skyspace masterpiece at Rice University.
- If you are an art lover, head to the Menil Collection to see a private priceless art collection. Like how can one own that collection? Crazy.
- Head over to Graffiti Park to see street art and catch a beer afterward with views of Houston instaworthy spots like the Beatles statues and the We Love Houston Sign.
- Walk around Downtown Houston. No city tour is complete without a wander the main streets of Downtown Houston to grab dinner and go to some trendy bars.
Day 3: Day for the Museums
If you happen to be here for a long weekend, catch up on any locales you may have missed the day before. Then it’s time to hit the museums. Depending on your favorite topics, go to my museum section to see what are some of the best museums Houston has to offer.
Tip: If you plan on going to Houston’s Museum District, I would recommend saving Hermann Park for the third day. These attractions are right next to one another.
CityPass
If you’re visiting Houston and plan on putting your tourist shoes on, look into getting a CityPass. It’s a great way to save money on entrance fees and admission to many popular Houston attractions, valid for 9 days! Not necessarily all the attractions I would go to, but do the math to see if it makes sense to buy your Houston CityPass here.
Best Attractions Outside Downtown Houston
Start your weekend in Houston itinerary on the outskirts of Houston first. The following attractions are not within the immediate area of downtown Houston.
1. Seismique
Do you like being teleported out of this world by intergalactically immersive, large-scale art installations? Seismique aims to be the “Art experience of tomorrow”, taking you on a 40,000 square feet mind-bending journey through its stunning displays and interactive exhibits.
Words can’t describe what it feels like to be in their (outer) space, but here are some terms that come to mind: acid rain, UFO DJ’ing, dazzling orb minefield, starry infinity room, trippy snail. You’re just going to have to visit to see what I mean.
If you love going to these types of exhibits as much as I do, there are awesome ones in Santa Fe and Las Vegas by MeowWolf or Wonderspaces in Austin.
Address: 2306 S Texas 6, Houston, TX 77077
2. BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
Being within BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir feels like you’ve been transported to the likes of far east lands like India or Thailand. Within city bounds, BAPS is undoubtedly one of the most instagrammable places in Houston.
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a traditional Hindu temple with major centers in a few other cities around North America. (Houston is just the start!)
Note:Check their website for specific visitation hours to enter the Murti Darshan (interior). It’s regularly limited to daily 7:30am to 10:30am, 11:30am to noon, 4pm to 6pm, 7pm to 8pm. Admission: Free.
Tip: Being a religious space, BAPS requires compliance with:
- Dressing conservatively
- Must take off shoes before entering
- No pictures inside the temple
Address: 1150 Brand Ln, Stafford, TX 77477
3. Houston NASA Johnson Space Center
I’ve always said, “Aim high”, well now I want to take that more literally. After going to the Johnson Space Center Houston, I put a new addition to the bucket list: Go to Space.
NASA’s Johnson Space Center, home of the museum that dedicates itself to space exploration, is also the real-life mission control for NASA. The whole place is inspiring to say the least.
The museum is filled with science demonstrations, talks with astronauts, short films about space, and even entire space shuttles. This is a half-day minimum affair, and even then, I wasn’t ready to leave as I was ushered out by the closing staff.
Fun tidbit: I was hoping to try astronaut food in the cafeteria, but no such luck. A light-year second choice, you can try some pricey astronaut ice cream from the gift shop.
Address: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058
4. Kemah Boardwalk
If you like amusement parks and watching sunsets dip into a watery horizon, you can do both from Kemah Boardwalk. Only a 20-minute drive from the Houston Space Center, it’s a great contender for the next stop on your trip around Houston.
Tip: There can be pretty horrible traffic if you come right after closing time from the Space Center.
Address: 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565
5. Galveston Island
Galveston Bay is the perfect place to visit for a trip to see the coast or spend the night before or after going to the Houston Space Center. Have fun at the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier amusement park while taking long walks on the beach. Then continue the wholesome fun at Moody Gardens, a mecca of natural world attractions.
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier Address: 2501 Seawall Blvd, Galveston, TX 77550
Downtown Houston
I have categorized the following things to do in your 3 days in Houston into green spaces and museums.
Houston’s Places with the Word “Park” or Green Spaces
6. Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
Let the picture below speak for itself. The Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is one of the most instagrammable places ever! (I spent more than an hour here, just marveling) This architectural gem curves up out of the ground. Then it cascades a stunning waterfall on all sides enveloping anyone inside the open circle with its beauty. Not just on the inner walls, make sure to walk around the outer perimeter of the falls as well.
Be careful; watch for the constant mist on you and your camera, especially when there is wind!
Tip: The best way to find parking fast is to park and walk over from the nearby Nordstrom in the Houston Galleria.
Address: 2800 Post Oak Blvd Houston TX 77056
7. Smithers Park
Smithers Park is an urban green space mashed with eccentric collections of mosaic cultures made by local artists. Quick detour only.
Address: 2441 Munger St, Houston, TX 77023
8. Buffalo Bayou Park
On any given sunny day, see the lives of Houstonians before you. With volleyball, kayakers, frisbee, and green spaces, Buffalo Bayou is a popular locals spot to chill out with great views of Houston.
9. Buffalo Bayou Cistern
Buffalo Bayou Cistern takes you to a hidden side of Houston, through its underground to a former city water reservoir. The cistern’s architecture is inspired by the famous Basilica Cistern in Turkey. Its rows of endless columns similarly play with the low light atmosphere. See info for tours here.
Note: I’m not sure I would do this tour again. For the price of $10, it was alright, but it wasn’t particularly exciting. There is parking in front, but with none available, I was able to find spots by the Love Lock Bridge instead.
Address: 105b Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007
10. Snap an Excellent Houston shot at the Love Lock Bridge
Pedestrian Bridge Approx GPS Location: (29.760364, -95.377459)
11. Discovery Green
Discovery Green is 12 acre public park that also serves as a social hub for locals. Aside from the incredible views of Houston, this park is no stranger to events and festivals on its grounds. Check out any upcoming events here.
Address: 1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
12. Twilight Epiphany Skyspace by James Turrell at Rice University
On the topic of art, one of the best outdoor spaces is the art installation Twilight Epiphany Skyspace by James Turrell. It poses elegantly on Rice University’s campus.
Skyspace emits a light sequence lasting 40 minutes every sunrise and sunset except on Tuesdays.
- Sunrise Schedule: 40 minutes before sunrise
- Sunset Schedule: 10 minutes after sunset
It’s a beautiful contrast against the sky’s natural light, but not something you have to stay for the whole time. Find sunrise and sunset times here.
Address: Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion, Houston, TX 77005
13. McGovern Centennial Gardens
McGovern Centennial Gardens is a beautiful park with flowers, water, fountains, sculptures, etc. These gardens were created in honor of the park’s centennial in 2014.
Address: 1500 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004
14. Hermann Park and Miller Outdoor Theatre
The Miller Outdoor Theatre is an open-air performing arts venue where live performances are held eight months out of the year. The variety ranges from concerts, dance shows, theater, and children’s entertainment.
A favorite among families and visitors, the Houston Zoo is located in Hermann Park in Houston, Texas. Before or after watching a show, you can explore the rest of the park too.
15. Graffiti Park
If you like street murals, then you must check out Graffiti Park! While a bit of a misleading name, it is not a green space, but blocks of artsy-ness. While there, I even happened upon two very random festivities:
- Low-rider meet-up
- Chinese New Year food festival
A few blocks away is a restaurant bar area with a few iconic places to see as you grab a beer. I can recommend 8th Wonder Brewery,
Address: 2102 Leeland St, Houston, TX 77003
16. Nearby Bonus: We love Houston sign
Address: 2202 Dallas St, Houston, TX 77003
Nearby Bonus: Giant Beatles Statues
Address: 2202 Dallas St, Houston, TX 77003
Houston Museums, Art Collections & Architecture
17. Learn in the Museum District
The thriving Museum District is a unique Houston neighborhood home to 19 world-class museums, galleries, monuments, and memorials. Here is a complete list, and some notable popular attractions are described in more detail below.
I wasn’t able to fit many museums in a weekend Houston itinerary. So next time I’ll be visiting: The Health Museum, the Rothko Chapel, and DiverseWorks.
Houston Museum of Fine Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is not only one of the United States’ biggest art galleries but the 12th biggest art gallery in the world. The museum houses 70,000 works from influential artists across the globe, with masterpieces ranging from ancient Egypt, to the Italian Renaissance, and one of the most extensive collections of Latin American art in the country.
Address: 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
Another popular place in the Museum District, The Houston Museum of Natural Science, is a natural history museum full of interactive displays, from dinosaur fossils to egyptology to the indigenous of the Amazons. There’s also a planetarium, Cockrell butterfly center, and IMAX movies.
Address: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
18. The Menil Collection
When I first entered the Menil Collection, I was taken aback by the security and rules. This unsuspecting free collection holds priceless pieces. I wasn’t aware until I saw an entire collection of René Magritte, the artist of “The Treachery of Images” – this is not a pipe piece. I have to say that the Menil Collection also had its fair share of art that makes you shake your head and just wonder…why?
Note: The Menil Collection is not just one building, but a Menil Campus. At the front desk, pamphlets are available to see which other collections you may want to visit.
Address: 1533 Sul Ross St, Houston, TX 77006
19. Beer House Can
Have you ever wanted to see an architectural wonder covered with an estimated 50,000 cans? At the Houston Beer Can House, curiously, you can.
This little piece of fascinating Houston history began in 1968 with John Milkovisch becoming “sick of mowing the grass” and filling his yard with bits of marbles, rocks, and metal pieces. Then he moved onto the house itself, and the rest is history.
Entrance Info: Opening hours differ depending on the season. Tours run every 30 minutes when open for 5$/person. Kids <12: free
Address: 222 Malone St, Houston, TX 77007
20. The National Museum of Funeral History
The National Museum of Funeral History is one of those more obscure, morbid museums dedicated to the education and normalization of life after death. Having taken a psychology course on this subject in college, this museum piqued my interest. Get enthralled in stories of famous deaths, the history of hearses, and funerals traditions around the world!
Address: 415 Barren Springs Dr, Houston, TX 77090
How to Get to Houston Texas?
How do I get to Houston, Texas? When visiting the city of Houston, you can fly to two airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) or William P. Hobby Airport (HOU). If you are not on a road trip and want to pack as many adventures as possible, I recommend renting a car. Houston, Texas is a huge city.
Best Time to Visit Houston, Texas
Springtime is the best time to visit Houston or anywhere in Texas. The weather warms up in April, and temperatures usually range from lows in the 60s to highs in the 80s. The Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is held in March too, the largest rodeo in the world.
Summers in Houston are brutally hot. Fall comes in second place, bringing comfortable temperatures as well. Winters in Texas are definitely milder than the freezing temperatures of the northern states.
Tips: Events happen all the time here. It’s best to check what’s happening in Houston the weekend you want to visit because certain events can drive up hotel prices and increase crowds.
Is Houston Texas Worth Visiting? Weekend in Houston Itinerary
Yes, Houston is one of my favorite cities in Texas, tied with Austin. Make more time in Houston over Dallas or San Antonio. A Houston weekend trip is enough time for you to hit the major tourist spots if you have a car, but not enough time to delve deeply into the culture of the city.
If you find yourself short on time, these things should be at the top of your weekend in Houston itinerary:
- Seismique Exhibit
- Johnson Space Center Houston
- BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
- Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park
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Catherine Xu is the founder and author of Nomadicated, an adventure travel blog that helps travelers cross off their bucket list. Since discovering traveling in 2015, she has lived and journeyed to 65 countries across 5 continents and vanlifed the west coast USA for 2+ years. These days, she splits her time in Southeast Asia and California while sharing her travel stories and resources based on first-hand experiences. Catherine's other works has been referenced in major publications like MSN, Self, and TripSavvy.