
Summer’s just about here, Houston. With the heat in full force, July is the time to take high temps into cool swims, boat rides, and blissful AC hangs. From rooftop pools, to indoor/outdoor bars, festivals, new openings, and more: here’s a comprehensive list of 46 phenomenal things to do in Houston this July!
1-4. Experience Magical Candlelight Concerts
Whether you’re looking for a beautifully unique classical music performance or a romantic candlelit experience, this performance is for you. You don’t need to know all things Tchaikovsky to enjoy the evening, simply sit back and savor the stunning atmosphere and pieces you’ll hear this July in Houston.
Walk into one of Houston’s most exquisite buildings where the walls will be flickering by candlelight to create a magical atmosphere. Prepare to be taken into the clouds with some of the most treasured wintertime classics from Tchaikovsky, Vivaldi and other master composers!
2. Moonwalk into THE INFINITE
Houston’s premier space exploration exhibition: Space Explorers: THE INFINITE is back in Space City with a stellar experience for the whole family. Here, space cadets can blast off into outer space with never-before-seen footage captured by the International Space Shuttle, an insiders look into the lives of astronauts, and a celestial audiovisual installation from revered artist, Ryoji Ikeda.
3. Dine in the Dark
Ever wondered what it is like to eat in the dark? Eminent psychologists have been advocating dining in the dark as the ultimate taste experience for many years. Studies show that 80 percent of people eat with their eyes; with that sense eliminated, the theory is that the other senses—namely taste and smell—take over to elevate your meal to a whole new level.
After donning your blindfold in the darkened, candlelit room, you’ll soon realise that focusing on taste and smell alone can be a truly enlightening experience—provided you’re not afraid of the dark!
4. Phone Home to Roswell’s Saloon
Introducing Roswell’s Saloon – a far-out new space-themed bar in Houston glowing with dazzling neon lights, stellar cocktails, and galactic vibes.
5. Knock It Out of the Park at Home Run Dugout
Step up to the plate at Home Run Dugout. The baseball-themed entertainment venue in Katy features a grand slam of fun for the whole family. With multiple batting bays, a beer garden, full kitchen, whiffleball field, and even live concerts, Home Run Dugout is perfect for a fun date night, birthday party, bachelor party or any other occasion.
6. Saunter through A Field of Sunflowers
Planted in Houston’s backyard of Montgomery, P-6 Farms is home to a beloved annual pumpkin patch and fall festival, not to mention blackberries, kettle corn, all sorts of attractions for the kiddos, and skies filled with butterflies. Additionally, the farm features a vast sunflower field that opens to the public on May 27.
7. Take a Trip Out to Chinatown
Located between Alief and Bellaire, Houston’s Chinatown area is home to some of the must culturally rich scenes, people, and cuisines. From perusing all the goods inside H-Mart to singing your heart out at karaoke, read on to discover 10 incredible things to do in Chinatown, Houston.
8. Eat The Key Food Groups Of Breakfast
Breakfast tacos, donuts, and kolaches – this is the holy trinity of breakfast foods in Texas. Here’s where to find the best of the best.
- 9 of the best breakfast tacos in Houston
- 10 of the best donut shops in Houston
- 10 of the best kolache shops in Houston
9. Do a Day out in Galveston
Houston’s nearest destination along the Gulf has all the makings for a summer weekend. From surf-ready beaches, amusement parks, resorts, oceanside bars, and restaurants galore: you’re sure to have a swell time in Galveston!
10. Drink and Dine Waterside
Dinner, drinks, with a waterside vista is an absolute must summer bucket list experience in Houston. From floating bars, to highly-awarded restaurants, glass treehouses, and more: Houston is swimming in amazing waterfront venues.
11. Celebrate Fourth of July in Houston
Fireworks, cold beer, and a couple second helping of hamburgers are a sure-fire way to celebrate Independence Day. Have a blast this Fourth of July in Houston with all the patriotic parties, firework shows, and family-friendly festivities the city has to offer!
12. Attend a concert under the stars
The Marriot Marquis is hosting an incredible Concert Under the Stars this month. With a tribute concert celebrating ABBA on July 18, this lively starlit evenings will transport you back to when the beloved pop supergroup reigned supreme.
13. Do Donuts on the Water at The Aquatic Playground
Boats, jet skis – they’re all well and fun, but have you ever driven a car on water? Ride the wave into the future at The Aquatic Playground. Here, you can take a spin on their top-of-the-line jet cars – a series of aquatic vehicles stylized in the form of a car. Jet skis, aquatic jet packs, and more are also available on-site for more high-octane entertainment!
14. Enjoy Houston’s Top Patio Bars
It’s heating up, Houston, but you know what, that’s not going to stop us from having a good time outdoors. Enjoy cold beers, crisp cocktails, and some pretty good eats at the best patio bars in Houston.
15. Nosh On Houston’s Best Brunch Spots
Brunch is an essential weekend activity in Houston. If it’s too hot outside, don’t worry, the city is full of indoor brunch venues where you can comfortably knock out a plate of huevos rancheros and/or a pitcher of mimosa.
16. Elevate Your Night on Houston’s Top Rooftops
Get the best views Houston has to offer at the city’s sky-high rooftop bars, restaurants, and pools. Whether you’re looking to enjoy a sunset cocktail, late night nightcap, or catching a screening of a major motion picture, take a gander at our list of the best rooftops in Houston for any and all occasions.
17-20. Go for a swim
Embrace the heat this season at the best Houston bars with pools in the city, swimming holes, and local waterparks!
- 10 of the best water parks in the Houston area
- 10 of the best swimming holes in Texas
- Glide down this glow-in-the-dark river in Crystal Kayaks in Texas
21. Go Peach Picking
If the amazing produce at Houston Farmer’s Markets isn’t fresh enough, you can go straight to the source when it comes to peaches at Neil’s Berry Farm. Open Friday through Sunday, the farm just outside Houston allows visitors to pick-their-own peaches, blackberries, figs, nectarines, and more!
22. Take a Hike in Houston
Pack a couple ice cold bottles of water and enjoy the bountiful nature of the city at the best hiking in Houston.
23. Watch Movies Outdoors
Whether you want to watch a movie on a rooftop, an old-school drive-in, or at a Houston park, there are plenty of fantastic al-fresco venues in Houston where you can watch an array of films ranging from kid-friendly animation to the latest popcorn flick.
24-30. Eat the Best Food in Houston
The word is out, Houston is one of the best food cities in the entire country. Here’s us doing our part trying to put together our lists of the best of the best in Houston.
- 10 of the best burger joints in Houston
- 10 of the best crawfish joints in Houston
- 10 of the best pizza joints in Houston
- 10 of the best barbecue joints in Houston
- 10 of the best ice cream parlors in Houston
- 10 of the best sushi restaurants in Houston
31. Enjoy a Crisp Margarita
The weather can’t make up its mind in Houston. Either it rains for two weeks straight, or its lays down triple-digit temperatures, bitter frigidness, or outdoor-cancelling humidity. Be it frozen or on the rocks, salty, bitter, or sweet, when searching for the tequila-infused taste of the season in Houston, here are the best places to have margaritas in Houston.
32. Bowl 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea at this Texas Bowling Alley
In 2009, owner Johnny Morris set out to create Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill in honor of his Uncle Buck – an outdoorsman and fisherman. The result, Uncle Buck’s Fish Bowl & Grill, is a spectacular entertainment venue, diner, and quite possibly the coolest bowling alley in the world.
33. Wade through a Lush Lavender Farm
Located on 290, about 45 minutes or so outside of Houston in route to Austin is Chappell Hill in Washington County. The area is knitted with a framework of scenic roads and beset with spring wildflowers in key sightseeing spots in Independence Trail, the Antique Rose Emporium, and Chappell Hill Lavender Farm. The latter is now open to the public.
34-35. Float the Laziest Rivers In Texas
Throughout the Lone Star State wind a variety of meandering lazy rivers, ideal for leisurely floating. Read on to discover the best lazy rivers in the state and where to tube in Texas.
- Come summertime, there’s no better way to beat the heat than floating on a body of water with a cold drink in hand. While lazy rivers are not so easy to come by in Houston, you can now swim over to the Marriot Marquis in Downtown, Houston, and float along the legendary Texas border.
36-41. Explore Houston’s Awesome Markets
Markets are surging in Houston these days. Recently, the city has been blessed with not one but two mixed-media markets, that which continue to host headlining musicians, art galleries, expositions, and excellent eateries.
- The former USPS warehouse as a new a cutting-edge, multi-purpose, multi-layered facility with a complete technical re-design, multiple double-helix staircases, a trio of skylit atriums, and a FIVE-ACRE ROOFTOP PARK.
- Lyric Market, owned and operated by Hospitality HQ, hones predominately on dining and chef-driven experiences.
- Ironworks, a 60,000-square-foot industrial building and development in East End has in the past few years transformed into a cultural hub using over 20 re-purposed shipping containers.
- Find Tik Tok-famous churros, dinosaurs, and insane street food at Sunny Flea Market.
- Open 365 days of the year, the Azteca Farmers Market is one of Houston’s premier farmers market. With stellar street eats, fresh produce, and over 50 vendors, Azteca gives visitors 13 acres of vibrant market space.
- The Houston Downtown Farmers Market opens this March with more accessible hours for downtown employees, residents, and visitors.
42. Go Chasing Waterfalls
There’s no understating the natural beauty of the Lone Star State. This season, head the call to adventure and venture out to the state’s most gorgeous waterfalls and the hiking trails that take you there.
43. Travel the French Riviera at Sophie Cocktail Lounge & Terrace Bar
Houston’s cocktail scene is heating up this July with the opening of the darling new Sophie Cocktail Lounge & Terrace Bar. The South-of-France-inspired bar and rooftop at Montrose Collective will feature an exquisitely romantic interior complete with photo-ready cocktails, French-inspired menu, and Montrose views from its rooftop terrace.
44. Explore Houston’s Funnest Neighborhoods
You’re going to have a good time pretty much anywhere in Houston. There are, however, a number of neighborhoods that stand out above the others. Hit the hidden gems in Montrose, exciting bars in Midtown, The Heights, and wonderful array of things to do in Downtown, Houston!
45. Immerse yourself in ARTECHOUSE
Groundbreaking, DC-based digital art studio has opened a Houston outpost. The venue is making their debut with three cinematic, interactive, and immersive exhibitions composed of choreographed lasers, lights, and strobes.
46. Escape to Texas Hill Country
Need a little respite from the hustle and bustle of city life? Consider a trip out to Texas Hill Country. In addition to breathtaking hill country vistas, you can explore these charming Hill Country towns full of boutique shops, incredible local cuisine, as well as unparalleled natural adventures!
See also: 50 essential bucket list experiences in Houston