Photo: Roy Luck | Filter Applied by HoustonOnTheCheap
On the outskirts of Houston lies the thriving community of Katy, Texas where you can get a home-town feel without leaving the comfort of civilization. With a large and diverse population, there’s no shortage of free and cheap things to do in Katy.
For our round- up of the best ways to keep you entertained on a budget, check out our fun things to do in Katy below:
Outdoor Fun
Central Green at La Centerra has fun and free events going on regularly. Cool off on the splashpad, get your shopping and dining done, or keep up with events on the green. Whether it’s live music on the weekends or a relaxing Tai Chi work out, there’s always something to do, making this a staple on our list of things to do in Katy.
Mary Jo Peckham Park pretty much has it all. You can jog, ride your bike, go fishing, play putt putt, get in a work out, or explore the playgrounds. Bonus: The Katy City Park is right next door and they have an awesome train-station themed playground. It’s also great for people and kids with disabilities as it is custom designed with special swings and other features.
Exploration Park is one of the most unique and beautiful parks you’ll find in Katy. The theme is rooted in environmental stewardship and water play. There is a sensory garden, a variety of swings for people of all abilities, an interactive water cycle wall, water features, shaded areas, and much more.
Katy Prairie Conservation is dedicated to saving our flora and fauna. Two prairie conservation parks are open to the public. Go birding, identify the wildflowers, and bring your own picnic- just be sure to leave no trace!
Eat & Drink
No Label Brewery has a beautiful, unique tap room set up in an historic rice dryer. Picturesque scenes, a dog-friendly patio, food trucks, free tours, and inexpensive brews are just some of the things you’ll find here. The brewery is also active in the community and provides plenty of free and cheap events for the whole family, making it a great destination for fun Katy activities.
Toddy Blends is another family-owned and operated winery and distillery. They offer flavored whiskeys, vodkas, rums, and more, as well as margaritas and hurricanes…. even gel shots! Hang out under the tree on their beautiful patio, play soccer in the field, or just stop by their drive-thru.
Themed Nights at Chick Fil A offer everything from craft night to fireworks, complimentary balloon animals, face painting, and more fun things to do in Katy. Check with your favorite location to keep up to date on upcoming events and freebies!
Food Truck Friday at Cinco Ranch is open to the public! Every third Friday from January through October, bring your blankets and lawn chairs to have a picnic in the park. There’s also a farmer’s market! Each stand and food truck decides what form of payment to accept so to be safe, bring cash and credit. Check here for the food truck lineup!
Art & History
Katy Heritage Society offers free tours and it’s open to the public the first weekend of each month. Take a look inside the salvaged and refurbished homes, some of the oldest structures in the area. Special events in the area also include concerts, vintage baseball games, and more. It’s also a great place to take selfies!
Katy Heritage Museum is a small but impressive museum and it’s always free! It features artifacts like vintage posters, historical photography, and antiques.
Katy Veterans Memorial Museum offers free admission to view historically significant exhibits related to military conflicts and artifacts from U.S. foreign involvement. It’s a small museum located in the heart of Old Katy with plenty of places nearby to have lunch or go for a stroll.
Shop
Katy Market Days take place in the heart of Historic Downtown Katy every 3rd Saturday from March through November. The vendors are an eclectic mix of exotic plants, antique dealers, home made soap, locally sourced honey, make up, and more! It’s also the site of the Christmas festival and other events.
Multiplicity is a gorgeous gift boutique surrounded by lush landscaping for you to create, shop, and celebrate. They hold classes in everything from jewelry-making to painting and more. It’s also one of the most beautiful and unique event venues in the area!
Odyssey Comic & Cards is one of the oldest and best spots for comic and sports aficionados. Reminisce with the kids or pick up a gift! They offer a variety of comics, sports memorabilia, action figures, Magic cards, and more. The owner is usually there and loves to talk shop if you need a little guidance on deciding what to buy.
Katy Mills Mall is one of the best places to shop, dine, and play indoors. There are a variety of boutiques and outlets as well as a booming food court, a children’s play area, a Tilt Studio, Jump Street, a carousel, and more.
Entertainment
Escape Rooms are a great way to get some quality family-time in while also bonding, and working on communication and problem-solving! There are several locations to choose from and you can find the best prices on Groupon.
Glow Zone is an indoor recreation facility with everything from mini-golf, ninja course, jungle gym, and more, all with neon and black-light effects. Prices are regularly about $20 per person but you can also find deals and steals on Groupon!
Cinco Ranch Library offers frequent events like Pajama Night and Story Time. Sign your kids up for their own library card so they can check out books and movies for free year round. Check out their busy events calendar!
Bingo Night at Proud Pie is held every Tuesday night at 7 pm. You must spend at least $8 to get one free bingo card which will last 8 games. With a variety of hot and cold beverages as well as yummy foods and pie, that shouldn’t be too hard. The location is small to get there early- around 5:30- to get your eats and seats!
What kinds of free and cheap things to do in Katy interest you the most? Let us know where in Katy you’ll be headed!
