There are plenty of parks to choose from—newly established, tucked away, and kid-friendly. If you want a great view of Downtown Houston, head to Buffalo Bayou Park. Want to take your kids (or yourself) on a choo-choo train ride? Hermann Park is for you. And don’t forget to check out the Land Bridges at Memorial Park, the biggest green space in Houston that even rivals New York’s Central Park. The park's Eastern Glades, unveiled to the public in 2020, is also worth it.

For those looking to stretch their legs, explore the city's trails for walking, running, hiking, and biking. Pro tip: Join one of Houston’s group bike rides for a combination of exercise and camaraderie.

Houston’s public art scene offers enriching, free activities that will allow you to get to know the city better. Street art is a part of our DNA, with murals popping up across town that tell the story, and more than 400 “mini murals” painted on traffic control cabinets. Stay tuned for the Orange Show’s upcoming expansion.

On the grass or in the car, ditch the traditional film experience and enjoy a film under the stars at Houston’s outdoor and drive-in movie theaters.

When summer rolls in, so do the unbearably high temperatures. Luckily, our city is built around the heat. The Houston area's rivers, water parks, pools, and more offer a fun way to cool down. Up for a road trip? Check out these great Texas beaches.

Whether you’re doing your weekly shopping or just looking for a low-key outdoor activity, Houston has plenty of farmers markets with plenty of produce, meat, and pantry staples up for grabs. Some operate more like artisan markets, which means there are plenty of cool trinkets, gifts, and ways to treat yourself.

Love parks but more the witchy type? Follow our guide to the most famous—and most definitely dead—Houstonians buried at Glenwood Cemetery, the city’s graveyard to the stars. For more thrills, partake in one of the spooky ghost tours or brave the alleged haunted sites in town.

Houston has an entire district dedicated just to its museums, which could make a full day (or full week) of fun. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the largest in the city, is also one of the largest art museums in the country, and the Houston Museum of Natural Science doubles as a destination a fun and educational place for curious kids and unaccompanied adults. The institutions outside the Museum District are also well worth the visit. Consult our free museum guide to find out where and when you can get in without paying for admission.

Stop by one of the many adorable, small independent shops in town, spend a day in the best malls and shopping areas, or find that hidden gem at a vintage store or antique store.

Houston’s Theater District offers tons to explore, thanks to institutions like the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, the Alley Theatre, and the Houston Ballet. The city's thriving indie theater scene is just as entrancing, with world-class burlesque and cabaret performers.

Why choose if the dinner or movie should come first when you can do both at the same time? Upgrade any date night by booking a seat at these luxury dine-in theaters, which include full dinner and drinks menus and a lineup of exciting films. The historic and recently revamped River Oaks Theatre is a fun choice that also features its own bar for diners to lounge in before or after a flick.

Football, basketball, and baseball are big in this town—if you need a refresher, check out our guide to Houston sports teams. Head Downtown to Daikin Park to cheer on the Astros (and enjoy a good hot dog). Book your seats at the Toyota Center for the Rockets, or tailgate outside of NRG Stadium with fellow fans of the Texans. Our women’s soccer team, the Houston Dash, is one of the best in the country; the men’s Dynamo are pretty good, too. If you can’t make it to an actual game but still want to watch, visit one of Houston’s many sports bars.

Houstonia’s editors update our guide to the hottest new restaurants in Houston on a monthly basis, so you can stay in the loop of the latest openings.

There’s more to eat in Houston than we have the space to tell you about here. The city’s diversity shines in its many international cuisines—we should know, we sought out restaurants representing 45 countries for our “Eat the World” package.

Not sure where to start? Consider Houston’s major food groups first: barbecue, Mexican (or more specifically, tacos), crawfish, Gulf seafood, steak, Vietnamese, and Indian. Then, venture to a Nigerian restaurant or get your fill of Salvadoran pupusas. Seek out Filipino food or chip away at your sushi hit list. Dig into a juicy burger at newer joints and old burger dives.

Even foods the city is not historically known for, such as pizza and Italian cuisine are bound to leave an impression. And for the night owls, we have a guide for late night eats, too.

Patio season, however brief in this balmy swamp, is sacred in Houston. Check out our guide to the best patio bars for those, like, two weeks in fall and spring where we can enjoy true Goldilocks weather outside.

Our bar scene is just as diverse as our cuisine, offering everything from fancy wine bars to total dives. Bookmark Houstonia’s 50 Hottest Bars to guide you through it. We even have a thriving speakeasy scene, and some of the best happy hour deals if you're looking for an affordable way to imbibe.