25+ fantastic things to do this summer in Houston

Plunge down towering slide, traverse terrain, and refresh yourselves with arm-length libations at the most wonderful waterparks in and around Houston.

The best way to beat the heat this summer is by taking refuge in cool waters. If you don’t have a pool, don’t worry. Not only are there a number of poolside bars in Houston, but there are also a number of fantastic natural places to swim in Houston.

Experience a magical summer here in Houston thanks to the amazing venues the city has to offer. Luckily, Fever Originals has brought its popular Candlelight concert series to beautiful venues for the season with concerts. Taking place at the Majestic Metro, the exciting Lone Star Flight Museum, and at the elegant Astorian, these intimate performances are mesmerizing experiences. Highlights include:

Hit the water this summer at Discovery Green. The two new experiences offer a two-of-a-kind experiences in Downtown, Houston, in which visitors can splash around Kinder Lake either playfully bumping into one another or lighting it up on glow-in-the-dark kayaks. Package deals are available at $20. The experiences are availalbe from May 24 to July 6.

The RDCWorld crew is bringing the 8th annual Dream Con to the GRB Convention Center in Houston from July 10–12,  for anime, gaming and pop culture fans. 

The main stage will feature legends like Issa Rae, Cree Summer and Phil Lamarr, plus you can shop rare collectibles in the massive Exhibit Hall, support independent creators in the Artist Alley or put your skills to the test in high-stakes gaming tournaments. The convention is an immersive playground with experiences for every type of fan. Built on a foundation of inclusivity and community, it’s the place to connect with thousands who share your passions.

Summertime in Texas means tubing time. Throughout the Lone Star State wind a variety of meandering lazy rivers, ideal for leisurely floating: from Texas-shaped rooftop pools, to lush rivers in Texas Hill Country: check out our list of the best lazy rivers in Texas.

Get the sunscreen, pack a cooler, and a towel to boot for a trip out to the beach. Whether you’re looking for a short trip out to Galveston or are gearing up for a getaway to destination beaches in Texas and the charming coastal towns where they’re located, consult our list of the best beaches in Texas.

The $12 million Main Street Promenade will be substantially complete in June 2026 ahead of the FIFA World Cup. If you’re already planning future summer strolls downtown, the $12 million Main Street Promenade in Downtown Houston is slated for substantial completion in June 2026 ahead of the FIFA World Cup 2026—converting seven blocks from Dallas Street to Allen’s Landing into a pedestrian-first, car-free corridor. The project adds 85 newly planted trees, four permanent shade structures, expanded patios and retail activations, and offers businesses grants up to $50,000 to build out storefronts and patios.

With temps teetering on triple digits, Houstonians are faced with two choices: escape it, or embrace it. Apply some sun screen, grab your beach towel, and get yourself a cocktail at these nine poolside bars in Houston to beat the heat this summer!

While there are plenty of fine patios in the city, there are just a few with a waterfront view. Enjoy cold drinks, great food, and incredible waterfront views at these gorgeous Houston waterfront restaurants.

Get ready to experience the ultimate World Cup energy in EaDo, Houston’s official headquarters for the FIFA festivities! Fans can catch every thrilling moment of the tournament on massive outdoor LED screens designed to bring the stadium atmosphere straight to the streets. The FIFA Fan Festival will also celebrate the city’s vibrant culture, featuring a central stage packed with an eclectic lineup of Tejano, hip-hop, and signature Houston performances throughout the event.

Get the best views of the city at Houston’s rooftop bars and restaurants. Whether you’re going for a nightcap, movie, or brunch, lunch, and/or dinner at these Houston rooftops!

It’s the season for summer blockbusters. Catch cinema’s latest hits at the most unique outdoor theater-going experiences in Houston.

Experience cinema with a view atRooftop Cinema Club, a rooftop cinema screening blockbusters, cult-classics, tearjerkers, horror shows, true cinema, and a whole lot of Harry Potter this summer.

For one terrific weekend, the Houston Horror Film Fest will return to the city with three days of horror-themed happenings. From screenings to celebrity guests, exhibitions, premiers, vendors, and more.

It’s going to be a white hot summer in Houston. Make the most of it on Saturday, August 1, for the 20th anniversary of White Linen Night in The Heights. In partnership between The Feel Good Group and Street Merchants Association, the annual event will see Houston’s hottest neighborhood come alive with an all-out street festival packed with artisan vendors, interactive experiences, and so much more.

Pitch Live opens daily at 10:00 AM from June 11 to July 19, 2026, transforming Warehouse Live into a World Cup hospitality hub. If your summer plans revolve around big matches and bigger energy, The Ranch Presents Live is a 35,000-square-foot World Cup hospitality hub taking over the former Warehouse Live in EaDo, Houston.

Open daily from June 11 to July 19, 2026, the multi-venue concept will feature bars, casual dining, large-scale match viewing, DJs, activations and VIP spaces.

One surefire way to capitalize on the weekend, weekday, weeknight – really just any time – is to have a couple drinks amongst friends in the open air of a patio. Get out and about this season at some of our favorite watering holes in town.

Enjoy the fruits of your labor at Neal’s Berry Farm. Located just outside of Houston, the farm allows visitors to pick-their-own peaches, as well as figs, blackberries, grapes, and more. Neal’s Berry Farm is open on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.

For a culture-filled summer day in Houston, head to MFAH for the U.S. debut of the internationally renowned Berggruen collection. Featuring nearly 100 pieces from iconic painters Picasso, Klee, and Matisse, among others, the exhibit delivers both stunning masterpieces and a profound insight into the famed art dealer-turned-collector.

Be it frozen or on the rocks, salty, bitter, or sweet, when searching for pitcher-perfect margarita in Houston, here are the 10 spots you have to check out.

Coast into Houston’s top tiki bars for that feeling of beachside sunshine, fruit-flavored rum, and entirely too colorful libations.

Find yourself in the French Riviera at the coming Sophie Cocktail Lounge & Terrace Bar. Opening early July, the South-of-France-inspired rooftop offers an endearingly new romantic dining destination with sweeping views overlooking Montrose.

Get the inside scoop on where to find the best ice cream in town. From traditional ice cream parlors, to outside-the-box flavors, frozen yogurt spots, and more: here’s where to stay cool this summer with the season’s tastiest treat.

Let the mimosas flow this summer at one of our top 10 favorite brunch spots in Houston!

You don’t have to journey all the way out to Mordor to enliven your Tolkien-esque fantasies. Here in Houston, just southwest of Montrose is The Hobbit Café. Since 1972, the café has served all the hobbits, elves, wizards, and dwarves the best food Middle Earth, Houston has to offer.

Experience a subterranean LED light exhibition inside the 100-year-old Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern. For a cool (literally) summer escape in Houston, head underground for Undercurrents—an interactive LED light exhibition installed in the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern to mark the cistern’s 100th anniversary. Visitors can walk the subterranean space, experience immersive lighting and record messages into the light matrix.

Splashway is one of America’s top family-friendly outdoor waterparks with rides, toddler areas, and a sprawling campground.

If you’re up for a summer escape just outside Houston, Splashway Waterpark in Sheridan, Texas is a family-friendly destination featuring 13 rides, a water coaster, lazy river, wave pool, and extensive toddler areas, plus 65-acre campgrounds with activities and lodging options.

The park operates daily with standard hours generally from 11:00 AM to 6:00 PM and offers free lifejackets, parking, and tubes.