Are you looking for things to do in Houston this summer? Thankfully after a gap of an year, things have opened up in Texas. Concerts, festivals, sporting events, and other events that we’re all accustomed to are back again. In addition to that, there are a ton of fun, cheap and free things that you can enjoy in Houston this summer.
Top Picks For Free & Cheap Things To Do In Houston This Summer
1. See the City’s Best Attractions at a Discount with CityPASS
Check out 5 of Houston’s most popular attractions, including the Houston Zoo, Space Center Houston, Downtown Aquarium, Kemah Boardwalk, Museum of Fine Arts and others for nearly half off the regular price with Houston CityPASS.
2. Explore Galveston Island with Free Summer Activities
What better way to spend a summer day (or the entire weekend!) than on beautiful Galveston Island? From exploring the island’s numerous beaches to enjoying delicious food and drinks at all the great restaurants and bars to visiting the area’s best museums and attractions, there’s so many reasons to visit Galveston this summer!
Plus, they’re hosting a ton of free events all summer long, including free hands-on activities from the Galveston Children’s Museum on Stewart Beach every other Tuesday, sandcastle-building lessons on certain days, free fun at East End Lagoon Nature Preserve and Galveston Island State Park, self-guided tree sculpture tours, and more.
This is among our top picks for things to do in Houston in the summer!
3. Visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science on the Cheap
Explore ancient homo sapiens, pore over artifacts, go butterfly-spotting, and choose your favorite dinosaur! Enjoy up to 40% discounts on admission to various exhibits of the Museum of Natural Science including Hall of Ancient Egypt, Cockrell Butterfly Center and Burke Baker Planetarium.
4. Take a Day Trip or Weekend Trip
Sometimes, you just need to get away for a bit. Summer is the perfect time to hit the road for a day trip or weekend getaway with the whole family. The options are limitless for road trips from Houston. You can visit everything from beaches to swimming holes to waterfalls and more. Lots of these day trip options include safe destinations for having fun without the crowds. You could even rent an RV for your road trip. RVShare is service that lets you rent an RV directly from owners so you can enjoy camping in comfort with your whole family without the expense of owning an RV.
5. Catch a Movie at the Drive-In
Did you know Houston now has multiple drive-in theaters? They offer a safe way to get out and see a movie without dealing with crowds. Catch a drive-in movie at the Showboat Drive In or any of Houston’s new drive-in cinemas that have just opened this summer. Check Groupon for their current offers for the Showboat Drive-In, so you can catch a double feature of movies for just a few bucks.
6. Check Out Free Museum Days
Don’t forget to check out our list of Free Museum Days and 10 Always- Free Museums in Houston. You can go every week! Most museums have limited capacity and may require advanced reservations right now, so plan ahead. Plan it right and you could spend all day immersed in arts and culture. Also, check out our picks for top museum exhibits posted every month in our Museums & Attractions section. One of our top picks for things to do in Houston in the summer!
7. Chugga Chugga Choo Choo to the Rosenberg Railroad Museum
This museum in Rosenberg offers tours for all ages. Learn everything about trains from the science, safety to the history of the railroad. Adults, $7.50; seniors, $6, and kids 2-14, $5. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Located at 1921 Avenue F in Rosenberg, 35 miles SW of Houston.
8. Rent a Bike and See the City from a Different Point of View
Riding a bike is a safe way to get out and have some fun while also getting a little exercise. You can take a ride on Houston’s numerous bike trails and explore the city while practicing safe social distancing. Don’t have a bike? You can rent a BCycle (check out their Groupon offer!) at a number of stands around the city.
9. Sign On to Virtual Family Nature Night
The Nature Discovery Center hosts a family fun night at their beautiful garden every summer, but last year the event was held online due to the pandemic. Check this space to find out the latest on their plans for 2021.
10. Visit the Jesse H. Jones Nature Center for Free Outdoor Fun
This beautiful preserve offers 312 acres of plants, wildlife, swamps, and more, and it’s open daily to visitors with absolutely no charge to visit. It’s a great place to go to experience nature and outdoor fun in a safe, socially distant environment. Make sure to visit their website for the latest safety guidelines before visiting.
11. Check Out Any of Our Great Parks
Houston is so much more than your typical “concrete jungle.” The city has tens of thousands of acres of beautiful parks, including Memorial Park, Levy Park, Hermann Park, Discovery Green, and countless others. Going to the park is a great way to have fun outdoors this summer while staying safe. Check out our guide to the best parks in Houston for more info.
12. See the Bats Fly at the Waugh Bridge
Did you know Houston has a significant bat population? Watch a huge colony of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge under the Waugh Bridge during the evening right around sunset. Meet on the platform at Waugh Drive and Allen Parkway. Free public parking at Spotts Park, 401 S. Heights Blvd at Memorial.
13. Explore the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Free to explore 5 miles of trails in the 155-acre urban nature preserve. Last summer, the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center opened up a new trail through a ravine that offers unique views and a pleasant, secluded hike. The new trail offers elevation changes not typically seen in this area and a pair of all-new bridges that span the deep ravine that was once part of Buffalo Bayou. Open 7 am – 7 pm. Located near Memorial Park and Loop 610
14. Feed the Horses
Visit the Houston Police Department stables and feed the horses. Visit Monday through Friday, noon – 2 pm, but make sure to check for current regulations due to the pandemic. Bring apples, carrots, and peppermints for the horses (limit 2 each). There are close to 40 horses and a couple donkeys! You can call 832-394-0394 for information on current guidelines and availability. Located at 5005 Little York Rd.
15. Shop Our Local Farmers Markets
Houston has a number of excellent weekly farmers markets at locations all across the city. These outdoor markets let you shop a variety of foods and goods from local vendors, so you can support Houston businesses while also being outdoors and staying socially distant. Check out our guide to the best Houston farmers markets for more info.
16. Pick berries and veggies at a local farm
One fun way to spend a morning is to visit a local farm to pick strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and/or vegetables of all types based on what’s in season at the time. Prices vary, but this activity is usually really affordable at most of our local farms. It’s an activity that’s fun for kids and adults alike!
17. Play at the Kemah Boardwalk
The Kemah Boardwalk is now open for fun, and even the rides are back open to the public. Right now is a good time to visit for some outdoor fun near the water. They even have a special deal going on right now for a weekend pass to the Kemah Boardwalk, Downtown Aquarium, and Pleasure Pier for a single low price of $39.99.
18. Enjoy Craft Beers at a Local Brewery
The Houston area is crawling with a number of excellent craft breweries, and a lot of them have great outdoor beer gardens for some safe, socially distant fun. Must-visit spots include Saint Arnold Brewing, Buffalo Bayou, and 8th Wonder Brewing.
19. Go Down Below to Tour the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern
Head underground to tour the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern featuring an immersive art installation by Carlos Cruz-Diez. Face masks are currently required and other safety measures are in place. Tours are $7 per person.
20. Make New Friends on a Social Group Bike Ride
Join a social group bike ride, like Karbach’s Brews Cruise, Critical Mass, SW HTX Bike Club, and others that take place on a weekly or monthly basis. Visit BikeHouston.org for a schedule of weekly and monthly rides in the area.
Any other things to do in Houston this summer that you know about? Share them by commenting below:
ARE THESE THINGS THAT SENIOR CITIZENS CAN PARTICIPATE IN TOO? WE ARE ALWAYS LOOKING FOR INEXPENSIVE THINGS TO DO WITH OUR RED HAT SOCIETY CHAPTER – THE RED HAT TEXAS TRAVELERS CHAPTER OF HOUSTON, TEXAS
QUEEN SUSIE SCOTT GOUGH