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 brand-new Land Bridges at Memorial Park, the biggest green space in Houston (and larger than New York’s Central Park), as well as the newish Eastern Glades, unveiled to the public in 2020.

For those looking to stretch their legs, there are tons of trails to explore for walking, running, hiking, and even biking. Pro tip: Join one of Houston’s group bike rides for exercise and camaraderie.

Seeking out Houston’s public art is a great, free activity to get to know the city better. The latest murals popping up across town tell the story of Houston, there are more than 400 “mini murals” painted on traffic control cabinets, and you can look forward to the Orange Show’s upcoming expansion.

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

When summer comes rolling around, so do unbearably high temperatures. Luckily, our city is built around the heat. There are rivers, water parks, pools, and more all over Houston and its surrounding areas. 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 activity outside, Houston has plenty of farmers markets that focus on produce, meat, and pantry staples, as well as some that are more like artisan markets.

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. There are plenty of ghost tours in town, too, and alleged haunted sites.

There are so many museums in Houston that we have an entire district dedicated just to them. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is the largest in the city and one of the largest art museums in the country. The Houston Museum of Natural Science is a great destination to take your kids, but it’s a fun and educational place for unaccompanied adults, too. Don’t forget to visit the institutions that are outside the Museum District, which are also well worth the visit, and 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.

There’s a ton to see in Houston’s Theater District at institutions like the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, the Alley Theatre, the Houston Ballet, and more. Don’t forget that the city is home to a thriving indie theater scene, too, and even some 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? These luxury dine-in theaters will upgrade your date night. And lucky us, the River Oaks Theatre recently reopened with a full-service food and drink menu.

Football, basketball, and baseball are big in this town—if you need a refresher, check out our guide to Houston sports teams. Head to Minute Maid Park to cheer on the Astros (and enjoy a good hot dog), 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 time or 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 maybe venture to a Nigerian restaurant or get your fill of Salvadoran pupusas. Discover Filipino food or chip away at your sushi hit list. Dig into a juicy burger—and don’t forget to visit Houston’s old burger dives.

Even foods the city is not historically known for, such as great pizza and interesting Italian cuisine, are becoming a thing. Oh, are you looking to eat late at night? We have a guide for that 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 each 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 don’t forget to look through our list of the best happy hours, too.