Adulthood can be a drag. With all the responsibilities, work hours, and everyday doldrums, we oftentimes find ourselves longing for a return to the excitement and nostalgia of childhood.
Thankfully in Houston there are plenty of experiences that allow us to tap into the wonder, joy, and carefree ebullience of our younger selves. From cocktail-driven mini-golf, boozy arcades, treetop adventures, and more: here are 10 experiences in Houston where you can let your inner child run free!
1. Pitch25
If you’re experiencing a quarter-life crises, slide into Pitch25 in Houston for wholesome adult recreation. The soccer-themed beer park in Houston, brainchild of Houston Dynamo legend, Brian Ching, features an abundance of outdoor games, a large pool table, and an indoor soccer field where you can engage in a lively round of bubble soccer.
2. Cidercade
When it comes to nostalgic experiences in Houston, arcades are just the place. Located just a short distance from Minute Maid Park and BBVA Compass Stadium, the recently established Cidercade spans an impressive 18,000 square feet. Hailing from Dallas, this spirited venue offers a collection of over 275 arcade games, including pinball, fighting and shooting games, driving simulators, sports-themed games, and more.
3. Treetop Adventures
Remember those Ropes courses your elementary school would put on maybe once or twice a year? Well now that you’re an adult, you don’t have to bear the wait. Test your inner Tarzan at these two treetop, adventure-based obstacle courses, in Sugar Land and the Woodlands.
4. Andretti
Andretti Indoor Karting & Games is a state-of-the-art entertainment complex in Katy with virtual reality and gaming technology, a spacious arcade, a two-tiered laser tag arena, three tiers of go-kart racetracks, diverse dining choices, and, finally, two fully stocked bars.
5. Space Center Houston
The historic moment of Apollo 11’s lunar module landing on the moon occurred on July 20, 1969. Regarded as a pivotal day in space exploration history, it marked a significant achievement after over a decade of intense competition in the space race. NASA secured a monumental victory for both America and humanity.
Today, individuals can honor the astronauts and visionaries behind this milestone by visiting the Houston Space Center. Explore spacecraft that have journeyed into orbit, examine space suits up close, and delve into the prospects of future space travel.
6. AGR
AGR Adventure Park is a high-energy entertainment venue in Houston, with branches in the northern Heights and Katy. Visitors can engage in activities like axe throwing, paintball, and laser tag, capping off their thrilling experience with a visit to the onsite bar and restaurant for a refreshing round of drinks.
7. Activate Games
Blending technology with physical engagement, Activate Games provides an extensive array of high-tech, real-world games. Numerous live-action challenges, offering hundreds of combinations, are crafted to assess both physical and mental agility, creating one to three-minute face-offs that pit teams against each other.
8. Palacio
Palace Social, situated in the Southside Commons, is a bowling alley and entertainment hub that has taken the place of Palace Bowling Lanes. The structure boasts a nostalgic appearance reminiscent of the bowling in the 1960s, with a retro-chic design skillfully created by the innovative branding agency, BLKBOX.
9. Putt-Putt
In the past few years, the city has introduced three new mini-golf courses, with two of them—Puttery and Puttshack—integrating bar concepts. Alternatively, you can enjoy a round at Tiger Woods’ newly established Popstroke facility in The Woodlands, offering advanced miniature golf in a well-rounded atmosphere.
10. Drive-In Theaters
Whether or not you were around when drive-in theaters were the go-to date for the young and hungry, the nostalgia spans generations. In Houston, there are multiple open-air, drive-in theaters for movie goers seeking a truly nostalgic experience in Houston.