Best Attractions in Houston (2025)
The Menil Collection
Art museum · Museum District
A free, neighborhood-spanning art campus where masterpieces live beside front lawns. Frequently praised by national critics and featured in Condé Nast Traveler, the Menil anchors Houston’s creative life with thoughtful 2025 exhibitions and tranquil green space.
Rothko Chapel
Cultural landmark · Museum District
An interfaith sanctuary where 14 Mark Rothko paintings and Barnett Newman’s Broken Obelisk invite quiet reflection. Reopened after 2024 repairs, it’s frequently recommended by Condé Nast Traveler and local media for its art, programs, and social-justice mission.
Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern
Historical place museum · Neartown
A 1926 underground reservoir reborn for tours, art, and sound meditations. Lauded by Texas Highways and the Houston Chronicle, it runs Wednesday–Sunday with free First Thursdays; the echoing columns are unforgettable.
Beer Can House
Museum · Washington Ave.
A beloved folk-art landmark blanketed in tens of thousands of cans, preserved by the Orange Show. Open Wednesday–Sunday with free admission, it’s often spotlighted by local editors for its homespun history and community workshops.
Smither Park
Park · Pine Valley
A evolving mosaic park built by hundreds of artists and neighbors, managed by the Orange Show. Recently featured by the Houston Chronicle, it’s free, outdoors, and open dawn to dusk—pure grassroots Houston.
Houston Botanic Garden
Botanical garden · Park Place
A young, mission-driven garden where global collections meet bayou ecology. Houstonia Magazine’s guide highlights seasonal concerts, family programs, and inventive exhibits—an easy way to experience nature without leaving the city.
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Museum · Museum District
Free exhibitions, open studios, and the long‑running Hands‑On Houston series connect visitors to ceramics, fiber, wood, and metal. Praised by Houston Chronicle and Houstonia, HCCC showcases makers shaping today’s craft culture.
Asia Society Texas Center
Art museum · Binz
A Yoshio Taniguchi–designed hub for exhibitions, talks, and festivals. Covered by Arts and Culture Texas and the Houston Chronicle, it offers free Thursday admission and hands‑on Explore Asia galleries that connect global cultures to Houston life.
Project Row Houses
Non-profit organization · Greater Third Ward
In Third Ward, artist‑led shotgun houses host rotating installations, youth programs, and community events. Frequently cited by the Houston Chronicle and Houstonia, PRH remains a national model for art‑driven neighborhood work.
The Ensemble Theatre
Performing arts theater · Midtown
A cornerstone of Black theater since 1976, producing new and classic works with deep community ties. Local critics routinely recommend its seasons; the 2025–26 lineup underscores why it belongs on any culture lover’s list.
Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Brewery · Greater Fifth Ward
Texas’s oldest craft brewery pairs award‑winning beers with a cathedral‑like beer garden and skyline views. Covered by Eater Houston, Houstonia, and the Houston Chronicle, it’s a relaxed way to taste local culture—kids and dogs welcome.
