
Eager to add a little culture to your life with saving a bit of cash? You’re in luck. Not only is Houston home to incredible museums filled with masterpieces of art, mind-blowing exhibits, and surreal installations, but most of which offer free visiting hours on certain dates if not are free all the time. Check out our article below on when to visit Houston’s museums for free and free museums in Houston.
Museum of Fine Arts Houston
The now over-a-century old museum is one of our favorite destinations in Houston. For art lovers, the galleries of MFAH feature incredible pieces of art with highlights that include Water Lilies (Nymphéas) by Claude Monet, The Rocks by Vincent van Gogh, People by Hieronymus Bosch, The Yellow Scale by František Kupka, The Elder Sister by William-Adolphe Bouguereau, and more.
Other notable works at MFAH include the immersive Aftermath of Obliteration of Eternity by Yayoi Kusama, the free PNC Roof Garden, The Light Inside by James Turrell underground installation in the Kinder Building, and the onsite Michelin-starred Le Jardinier restaurant.
Take a look at the calendar below to learn when to visit the Museum of Fine Arts Houston for free.
📍 1001 Bissonnet
📅 Free Thursdays
Houston Museum of Natural Science
As one of the most visited museums in the country, the Houston Museum of Natural Science is home to some of Houston’s most iconic exhibits including the Cockrell Butterfly Center, Burke Baker Planetarium, and Wortham Giant Screen Theatre.
Other gems at the museum include Hall of Ancient Egypt, Moran Paleontology Hall, Foucalt Pendulum, and Evelyn and Herbert Frensley Hall of African Wildlife.
📍5555 Hermann Park Dr.
📅 Free Tuesdays from 5 pm – 8 pm
Contemporary Arts Museum
One of the oldest non-collecting contemporary art museums in the country, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston in Montrose features two galleries of exhibition space showcasing emerging and established artists from around the world.
📍 5216 Montrose Blvd.
📅 Always free; open Wednesday – Sunday
Menil Collection
Admission is always free at what Washington Post named as one of the best art museums in the United States. The Menil Collection in Montrose houses over 17,000 pieces – ranging from surrealist masterpieces, African and Oceanic artifacts, and Byzantine icons.
On the grounds of the Menil Collection, visitors can also stop by the Rothko Chapel, Cy Twombly Gallery, Richmond Hall, as well as a cute little pocket park.
📍1533 Sul Ross St.
📅 Always free
Children’s Museum Houston
Children’s Museum Houston is an award-winning institution that features over 90,000-square-feet of interactive fun. Located in the Museum District, the Children’s Museum houses a variety of action-packed exhibits spanning the fields of science, engineering, technology, math, and the arts, with such highlights as the Newton Know-How!Power Science Lab, SECRET Spy Game, Kidtropolis, and Invention Convention.
Children’s Museum Houston also regularly hosts a variety of events ranging from workshops to celebrations, Zumba-inspired Zumbini classes, Read Aloud Days, and more.
📍 1500 Binz St.
📅 Free 5 pm – 8 pm Thursdays
Houston Museum of African American Culture
Located in Third Ward, the Houston Museum of African American Culture features a range of exhibitions, cultural events, and educational opportunities dedicated to celebrating and preserving the rich culture, history, and art of African Americans.
Present exhibitions on display at HMAAC include A Black Perspective, April Frazier: Frame of Reference, and Justin Sterling: Windows of Opportunity.
📍4807 Caroline St.
📅 Always free: 11 am – 6 pm Wednesday – Saturday
Houston Center for Photography
Houston Center for Photography is an admission-free Houston museum that houses a variety of works from up-and-coming and established photographers.
Additionally, the venue provides numerous community-driven activities ranging from photography classes, workshops, and educational opportunities.
📍1441 W Alabama St.
📅 Always free; 11 am – 9 pm Wed – Thrs; 11 am – 5 pm Fri; 11 am – 7 pm Sat – Sun
Blaffer Art Museum
Located at the University of Houston, Blaffer Art Museum is a contemporary arts museum that features a dynamic catalogue of exhibitions, artist residencies, and public programs.
Presently on view at Blaffer Art Museum is the Prayer (Houston) multi-channel sound installation by James Webb and 2024: Texas Biennieal: The Last Sky communal visual art and cultural preservation initative, Admission to the museum is always free.
📍120 Fine Arts Building University of Houston, Houston, TX 77204
📅 Always free ;10 am – 5 pm Tues – Fri; 12 pm – 5 pm Sat-Sun
The Health Museum
One of Houston’s longest-operating museum, The Health Museum in Houston explore the human body, health, and medical science through numerous interactive exhibits, immersive experiences, demonstrations, and fascinating educational activities.
Permanent exhibits here include the larger-than-life Amazing Body Gallery, Your Body Your Air mobile exhibit, and DeBakey Cell Lab. On January 24, The Health Museum will debut its all-new Body Worlds 101: Core of Life exhibit.
📍1515 Hermann Dr.
📅 Free 2 pm – 7 pm Thursdays
The Czech Center Museum Houston
The Czech Center Museum Houston is a cultural gem that offers a variety of exhibits that explore the history, traditions, and contributions of Czech immigrants.
Here visitors can explore and learn about its folk art, historical artifacts, genealogy, as well as Czech cuisine and music. The museum also hosts events, educational programs, and cultural festivals celebrating Czech and Slovak customs.
📍4920 San Jacinto St.
📅 Always free; 11 am – 4 pm Tuesday – Saturday
See also: 20 fantastic free things to do in Houston