The holidays take a toll on us in more ways than one. Whereas our bodies get larger from all the eating and drinking, our bank accounts get smaller from all the gift purchases. If you’re looking for a way to enjoy yourself this winter in Houston without spending what’s left of your bank account, check out our list of the best free things to do in Houston.
1. Miller Outdoor Theatre
Miller Outdoor Theatre is a beloved Houston institution located in Hermann Park. Throughout the year, the open-air stage hosts a vibrant program of FREE live performances ranging from concerts, dance performances, theatrical productions, screenings, and more.
Here, Houstonians can enjoy spectacular live entertainment from the comfort of its grassy lawn. Organizers plan to launch the 2025 Miller Outdoor Theatre on March 28.
📍6000 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030
📅 March 28 –
2. Explore the Menil Collection
Recently named one of the best art museums in America by Washington Post, Menil Collection is a Houston gem located in Montrose.
Entrance to Menil Collection is free, wherein visitors can marvel at its spectacular surreal exhibit, A Surrealist Wunderkammer, as well as explore its temporary exhibits including its Out of Thin Air: Emerging Forms meditative illustration-based exhibit and Wall Drawing Series: Ronny Quevedo installation.
When visiting, we recommend also checking out the Menil Collection campus which includes one of our favorite pocket parks in the city. The campus also features the Cy Twombly Gallery and Richmond Hall that houses the ever-popular Dan Flavin Installation.
📍1533 Sul Ross St., Houston, TX 77006
📅 Daily
3. Find Peace in the Rothko Chapel
Newly reopened, Rothko Chapel is a quiet, meditative space that promotes solitude and gathering. The space is adorned with 14 murals from renowned artist, Mark Rothko.
The grounds are also home to reflecting pool that features the dramatic Broken Obelisk installation by American sculptor, Barnett Newman, dedicated to Martin Luther King, Jr.
📍3900 Yupon St. at Sul Ross, Houston, TX 77006
4. Experience the James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyscape
Located on the Rice University campus, James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyscape is a striking pyramidal structure built of composite steel, concrete, and stone. Its acoustic engineering makes it an idyllic venue for music performances.
Furthermore, Twilight Epiphany is also outfitted with LED lights that are casted upon its ceiling is a vibrant sequence of colors during sunrise and sunset. Each sequence lasts for 40 minutes; the sunrise begins 40 minutes before sunrise, whereas the sunset sequence starts 10 minutes before sunset.
Experiencing the sunrise/sunset at the James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyscape is not only one of the best free things to do in Houston, it’s also one of 50 bucket-list experiences that all Houstonians should do at least once in their lives.
Note: the Skyscape is presently closed to the public until this spring.
📍6100 Main Street, MS-480, Houston, TX 77005-1827
📅 Daily beginning spring
5. Visit the Parks
From pocket parks, to lush gardens, land bridges, and grassy knolls: Houston is populated with numerous parks where Houstonians can picnic, bike, run, frisbee, or otherwise enjoy at their leisure. Check out our list of the best parks in Houston here.
📍Multiple locations
📅 Daily
6-10. Check out your Local Library
Libraries are back, people. From near-century-old historical institutions to high-tech stacks equipped with podcast studios, an Oxford-inspired library and more: here are our favorite libraries in Houston to read, study, or otherwise find a place of quiet.
- Lanier Theological Library: Oxford in Houston? That’s right. On the grounds of the Lanier estate in Northwest Houston, is a British-inspired “village” populated with cottage-like abodes, a cobblestone street, stone chapel, and Lanier Theological Library. The stacks here are filled with hundreds of thousands of books, periodicals, artifacts, and historical documents. 📍14130 Hargrave Road
- Julia Ideson Library: Dating back to 1926, the Julia Ideson Library is Spanish Renaissance-designed institution in Downtown, Houston adorned with floor-to-ceiling windows, chandeliers, and an ornamental domed ceiling. If you’re looking for inspiration, the library features an expansive literary selection from rare books, architectural drawings, historical photographs, and rare maps. 📍550 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77002.
- Freed-Montrose Library: Recently reopened, the Freed-Montrose Library has unveiled its new space in Montrose. The renovated space now features enhanced technology, designated reading spaces for children, teens, and adults, as well as an outdoor terrace. 📍1001 California Blvd.
- Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library: Equipped with video and audio recording spaces, flexible meeting spaces, a futuristic café, private study rooms, and more: the Dr. Shannon Walker Neighborhood Library is the most high-tech library in Houston. 📍5505 Belrose Drive.
11. Go Hiking
Take a hike. Whether you’re hoping to explore a national forest, take an urban trail, or wander around a nature center, here are the best places to go hiking in and around Houston.
📍Multiple locations
12. Marvel at City Murals
The creative artistic expression of Houston lives and breathes for all to see across the city. Take a look at this map here to find out where to find the best murals in the city.
📍Multiple locations
13. Pop in to Popfancy Dessert Bar
Popfancy Dessert Bar in Bellaire has become the city’s go-to pop-up venue. Throughout the year, the venue hosts numerous pop-ups often taking inspiration from anime, fantasy, and pop culture. While food, drink, and retail require purchase, entrance to Popfancy Dessert Bar’s pop-ups is absolutely free.
📍9393 Bellaire Blvd a6, Houston, TX 77036
📅 Dates vary
14. Explore local Farmers Markets
Go straight to the source this season, or any other, at Houston’s bustling farmers markets. Throughout the city, these farmers markets – on top of fresh produce, ready-to-eat food, beverages, and artisan vendors – often feature free performances, activations, and live events. It’s also just a pleasant atmosphere to enjoy on an afternoon, day, or night.
📍Multiple locations
📅 Dates vary
15. Free Museum Days
Houston is home to some of the best museums in the country. What’s even better than having access to priceless works of art, goated masterpieces, awe-inspiring exhibitions, and mind-bending installations is that you can experience them all for free – on select days. Head our list below on when you can visit Houston’s museums for free.
Houston Museum of Fine Arts: Free all-day Thursdays; 1001 Bissonnet, Houston, Texas 77005
Houston Museum of Natural Science: Free, 5 – 8 pm on Tuesdays; 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston: Always free; 5216 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
Houston Museum of African American Culture: Always free; 4807 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004
Houston’s Children’s Museum: Free 5 – 8 pm on Thursdays; 1500 Binz St, Houston, TX 77004
The Health Museum: Free 2 – 7 pm on Thursdays; 1515 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004
Lawndale Art Center: Always free; 4912 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
Texas Southern University Art Gallery: Always free; 3100 Cleburne St, Houston, TX 77004
The Czech Center Museum Houston: Always free; 4920 San Jacinto St, Houston, TX 77004
16. Visit the Houston Zoo
Continuously garnering awards and accolades, the Houston Zoo is always a good time; whether it’s exploring its cutting-edge exhibitions, feeding giraffes, and/or delighting in its seasonal fixtures like Zoo Lights and Zoo Boo, the Houston Zoo is filled with splendid activities for the whole family to enjoy. On the first Tuesday of each month, Houston Zoo allows free daytime admission where those that make a reservation beforehand can visits the zoo’s animal populations and exhibitions free of charge. January and February are sold out.
📍6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030
📅 March 4, April 1, May 6, June 3, July 1, August 5, September 2, October 7, November 4, December 2
17. Enjoy Discovery Green
Discovery Green is a beloved park in Downtown, Houston home to green spaces, gardens, playgrounds, art installations, and other attractions. Though some of its signature experiences require ticket purchases – including the Green Mountain Energy Ice rink – Discovery Green regularly hosts free events.
Events here include movie screenings, seasonal celebrations such as the upcoming Lunar New Year festival, yoga classes, Zumba classes, Flea by Night market, and more. See Discovery Green’s upcoming events here.
📍1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010
18. Visit the BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir
BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir is a breathtaking Hindu temple located in the Strafford area of Houston. Its grounds span 33 acres, featuring a gorgeous reflection pool, lush gardens, and its temple centerpiece. The temple itself is comprised of over 33,000, hand-carved pieces displaying images of flowers, deities, geometric designs, and animals. Inside, the Mandir features an exhibition center where it also hosts events and cultural celebrations.
📍1150 Brand Lane Stafford, TX 77477
19. Go Underground
Houston’s underground network spans six miles – 95 city blocks – 20 feet underneath Downtown, Houston. Explore the city on a deeper level for you next excursion, wherein the area is filled with numerous eateries, retailers, and services. Check out our article here to see how to get the most out of the Houston underground.
📍Multiple access points.
📅 Monday – Friday
20. Stand in the Mist of the Waterwall
One of Houston’s most iconic monuments is the breathtaking Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park installation in Uptown. Here, visitors can marvel at the cascading water of the 64-foot, semi-circle monolith. Visiting the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is free.
📍2800 Post Oak Blvd.
📅 Open daily