The City's Greatest Attractions Inspire You to Look, Learn, Laugh, and Explore.
Seen at right: Sam Houston Race Park
Photo Courtesy Houston CVB
From natural treasures to amusement destinations to the outer limits of space, Houston offers big-city attractions with wide appeal. Here are some of our favorites:
Downtown Aquarium
410 Bagby St., Houston, TX 77002
(713) 223-FISH.
The Downtown Aquarium is a spectacular entertainment, dining and meeting complex located in downtown Houston. Dine on a variety of seafood specialties at the Aquarium Restaurant as you are seated around a 150,000- gallon centerpiece aquarium. Enjoy many of our fabulous attractions including the Aquarium Adventure Exhibit with 500,000 gallons of underwater tanks and more than 400 species of marine life and mammals including white tigers. Take a ride on Shark Voyage, where guests travel by train through the center of a shark tank. Enjoy the variety of amusements such as a Ferris wheel, carousel, and many midway games.
Space Center Houston
1601 NASA Road 1 (off Interstate 45 South), Houston, TX 77058
(281) 244-2100.
Why settle for science fiction films when you can experience the real deal at Space Center Houston? The official visitors center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center offers something for everyone — space-themed activities, dazzling artifacts from the historic U.S. space program, and a behind-the-scenes tour.
Kemah Boardwalk
215 Kipp Ave., Kemah, Texas 77565
(877) AT-KEMAH.
The fun never stops at Kemah Boardwalk. Climb aboard the Boardwalk Bullet — the "coolest coaster on the coast" — and enjoy the Ferris wheel, train, 140-foot Drop Zone, and nine other rides. Kids love the dancing fountains, an interactive sting ray reef and exhibits, midway games, live music on the plaza every weekend, and lots of great seafood and other tasty fare at 12 different restaurants. Stroll the boardwalk to enjoy passing sailboats and the constant Gulf breeze.
Houston Zoo
Hermann Park
1513 N. McGregor Drive, Houston, TX 77030
(713) 533-6500.
Conservation, education and some wild, fun times blossom at the 55-acre Houston Zoo — home to more than 500 species. An old-fashioned carousel ride marks the entrance to the McGovern Children’s Zoo.
San Jacinto Monument
1 Monument Circle, La Porte, TX
(281) 479-2421.
The Battle of San Jacinto in April 1839 marked the finale of the Texans’ struggle for independence from Mexico, and the 567-foot shellstone San Jacinto Monument commemorates the decisive victory.
SplashTown
Interstate 45 at Louetta Road, Spring, TX 77373
(281) 355-3300.
Thousands of gallons of cool, refreshing water sluice down swirling slides at Splashtown, a family fun park north of the city. Bring sunscreen and towels (or purchase them at the attraction).
Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark
2026 Lockheed St., Galveston, TX 77554
(409) 770-WAVE.
With its huge array of awesome aquatic adventures, Schlitterbahn Galveston Island can be your personal happy place! During the summer season the park offers more than 32 amazing rides and attractions, including uphill water coasters, thrilling speed slides, kids’ water playgrounds, whitewater rapids, relaxing hot tubs, family raft rides, and the Boogie Bahn surf ride. The Wasserfest Heated Indoor Season, October through mid-April, features more than a dozen heated attractions in a tropical, heated indoor oasis.
Moody Gardens
1 Hope Blvd., Galveston, TX 77554
(800) 582-4673.
At Moody Gardens, three pyramids mark the Galveston Island landscape. Under these angled glass structures, visitors find an assortment of adventures: a rainforest, IMAX theaters, aquariums, science exhibits, and, nearby, a man-made beach and a paddlewheel boat ride.
Lone Star Flight Museum
2002 Terminal Drive, Galveston, TX 77552
(409) 740-7722.
What began as a private collection has grown into Lone Star Flight Museum, which houses more than 40 restored and historically significant aircraft. The truly adventurous can even schedule a warbird flight experience.
Sam Houston Race Park
7575 N. Sam Houston Parkway West, Houston, TX 77064
(281) 807-8760.
Thoroughbreds and quarterhorses race year-round at Sam Houston Race Park, which has a 7/8-mile turf track and a one-mile dirt track. Events include live entertainment from some of rock and country music’s rising stars and biggest names.
Gulf Greyhound Park
I-45 South at Exit 15 in La Marque, TX 77568
(800) ASK-2WIN.
Gulf Greyhound Park has live races and simulcasts Wednesdays through Sundays, with simulcasts on Mondays and Tuesdays.
