The fourth biggest city in the U.S. is a great cosmopolitan destination, full of vitality and featuring countless attractions, restaurants, shops, cultural events and sports. During your stay in Houston getting bored is not an option: the museum district, the Galleria, Uptown Park and the NASA space centre are just a tiny slice of what you should be expecting. With so many options, even a rainy day can turn into an adventure. Whether you’re staying in a 5-star hotel or a quaint vacation rental, don’t let the dark clouds ruin your sunshine. As mostly in any place, sometimes it’s not a matter of where to stay but what to do. Therefore, if you must stay inside and do not want to go all outdoorsy for a few days then we’re here to help you choose. Here are the best things to do indoors in Houston, Texas.
1. Visit Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Editor's Note: Photo taken from the establishment's official social account
Embark on a delightful beer-lovers journey at Saint Arnold Brewing Company in Houston. This renowned brewery offers a fascinating experience for beer enthusiasts and curious visitors alike. Take a guided tour through the facility, where you’ll learn about the beer-making process and the rich history of this beloved establishment.
Discover the artistry behind creating their award-winning craft beers and gain insight into the unique flavors and ingredients that make them special. After the tour, head to the on-site beer garden or tasting room to sample various freshly brewed beers. From classic ales to seasonal brews, a flavor suits every palate. Enjoy the relaxed ambiance, engage with fellow beer enthusiasts, and savor Saint Arnold Brewing Company’s distinct flavors.
Visit Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Address: 2000 Lyons Ave, Houston, TX 77020, United States
Website: Saint Arnold Brewing Company
Opening hours: 11am - 10pm (daily)
2. NASA's Space Center Houston and city sightseeing tour (from USD 98.0)
It’s raining but you don’t want to miss out on Houston’s top attractions? We have a solution! With this tour, you will explore the city and its highlights while comfortably sitting on a double-decker bus. You will also get the once-in-a-lifetime chance to see enthralling exhibitions of full-sized rockets and rock samples; and marvel at the real Apollo 17 space shuttle, which returned from the moon in 1972.
Houston City and NASA's Space Center Sightseeing Tour
Duration: 6 hours
3. Houston Museum of Natural Science general admission (from USD 25.0)
One of the most-visited museums in the U.S., Houston Museum of Natural Science offers access to all the permanent exhibitions including astronomy, space science, Native American culture, palaeontology, energy, chemistry, gems and minerals, seashells and Texas wildlife among the highlights. The fascinating thematic variety of this indoor attraction in Houston will keep feeding your curiosity for a whole day if you let it, although short visits are also possible.
Houston Museum of Natural Science General Admission
Duration: 3 hours
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4. The Cockrell Butterfly Center admission in Houston (from USD 34.0)
Cockrell Butterfly Center brings the outdoors in so there are still wildlife-related things to do in Houston when it rains. Providing entertainment and education for young and old, this centre offers walks through a living butterfly habitat, where you’ll be able to marvel at spectacular live and preserved specimens of some of the world’s largest and weirdest arthropods. Interactive games and quizzes will keep your mind active and challenge your knowledge.
Houston Museum of Natural Science and Cockrell Butterfly Center
Duration: 3 to 4 hours
5. Go shopping at The Galleria
Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing
Indulge in a shopping extravaganza at The Galleria in Houston, which provides exciting rainy-day activities in Houston for shopaholics. With over 400 stores, this iconic mall is a paradise for fashionistas and shoppers alike. Discover high-end luxury brands, trendy boutiques, and famous department stores, offering a wide range of fashion, accessories, electronics, and more.
Immerse yourself in the glamorous atmosphere as you explore the expansive retail spaces. Browse designer collections, find unique souvenirs, or update your wardrobe with the latest fashion trends. The Galleria is also home to upscale dining options, allowing you to take a break and refuel with delicious cuisine worldwide. As you shop, appreciate the stunning architecture and the Galleria’s iconic ice-skating rink, adding a touch of entertainment to your visit.
The Galleria
Address: 5085 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056, United States
Website: The Galleria
Opening hours: Mon - Thur: 10am - 8pm; Fri - Sat: 10am - 9pm; Sun: 12pm - 7pm
6. Playground Escape Room (from USD 37.0)
With four different games to try out, at Houston’s Playground Escape Room you will feel like on an adventure. Chose between Prison Break, old Rush, The Heist and the Playground and enjoy your time playing with your friends or family! The intriguing stories behind each roleplay game will make you feel like you’re in a movie. Each game has a different difficulty level and a minimum number of players: pick your favourite and good luck!
Playground Escape Room
Duration: 1 hour
7. Children's Museum of Houston admission (from USD 12.0)
Winner of the Trip Advisor Certificate of excellence and top-rated charity on Charity Navigator, this museum is a must if you’re travelling with children! Specifically designed to merge interactive, customized learning with an incredible amount of fun and entertainment, your children will never want to leave. From colourful cyberspace simulations to outdoor ecological exhibitions, every family will find something suiting their interests and children will have the chance to explore what their future will bring.
Children's Museum of Houston Admission
Duration: 1 to 10 hours
8. Hard Rock Cafe Houston (from USD 33.0)
If you find yourself wandering in the stunning theatre district, you may not want to miss out on this all-time classic restaurant. Just a short distance from Downtown Aquarium-Houston, Bayou Music Center, Wortham Theater Center, and The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, this legendary café will keep you entertained with live music events and delicious food. Let the 35-foot replica of the Stevie Ray Vaughan’s Gibson Firebird guitar light the way to the dining area, and don’t forget to exit through the shop!
Hard Rock Cafe Houston
Duration: 2 hours
9. Houston from below: underground tunnel tour (from USD 35.0)
If you enjoy looking at things with an alternative perspective, this tour will blow your mind. History, architecture and art are all merged into an underground tour of the city after which you will never see Houston with the same eyes anymore. Are you curious to know how this 7-mile (11.3 km) pedestrian underground tunnel came to be? Then hurry up, book a place and learn more about it while enjoying the view. At the end of the tour, you’ll get the chance to eat delicious Houston cookies at a unique boutique bakery. This sweet treat will be (quite literally) the icing on the cake!
Houston Underground Tunnel Guided History and Walking Tour
Duration: 2 hours
10. Clear Lake Pearland Rum Distillery and Brewery tour (from USD 93.0)
We all know how to drink a beer, but would you be able to craft yourself one? With a VIP tour of each brewery and distillery, you’ll be offered tastings at each location and learn the craft of rum and beer making. No need to hold back or worry about drinking too much: free transportation is provided, so you won’t have to drive. And to top it up: free snacks are available for all visitors. This is one of the top-rated tours, but more of them are available to check out, to fit all tastes.
Clear Lake Pearland Rum Distillery and Brewery Tour
Duration: 6 hours 15 minutes
11. Houston Woodlands Brewery tour (from USD 93.0)
Here’s another perfect tour for the beer-lovers. Five hours of pure bliss spent tasting cutting-edge beers and discovering its crafting process. Beer tours provide free transportation for all the participants, a professional guide leading the way and illustrating the salient aspects of beer crafting and free snacks so that all the beer tasting will be a pleasant experience for your stomach too.
Houston Woodlands Brewery Tour
Duration: 5 hours 30 minutes
12. Houston Memorial indoor skydiving experience (from USD 113.0)
Wouldn’t you love to be able to fly and forget about your height fright? Now even kids can experience this unique sensation, thanks to the iFLY Indoor Skydiving facility in Memorial. You don’t need any particular skills, just lie down on an air cushion and let a professional instructor guide you and assist you. See how it feels to float so far away from the ground and, guaranteed, you’ll never forget this experience!
Houston Memorial Indoor Skydiving with 2 Flights & Personalized Certificate
Duration: 1 hour 15 minutes
Why outdoors when there is so much indoors
As you can see, bad weather is not a valid excuse to cancel your trip. On the contrary, you might get the chance to discover Houston from a perspective many visitors have had not the chance to see. If you’re still curious and want to discover everything about the city’s history, check out our above-listed indoor activities in Houston for adults and kids! And even if you decide to plan these recreations ahead and the weather turns out to be better than expected, don’t worry: all of them are perfectly enjoyable in the rain as well as in the sun.
Frequently asked questions about the best things to do indoors in Houston, Texas
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