When life hands triple-digit temperatures, make lemonade. Summer is here, Houston. Be sure to stay cool with frosty drinks, epic water slides, and museum-grade air conditioning. Read on to discover the 40 summer bucket list experiences in Houston!
1. Slide into Houston Waterparks
Plunge down towering slide, traverse terrain, and refresh yourselves with arm-length libations at the most wonderful waterparks in and around Houston.
2. Take a Dip in these Houston Swimming Holes
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.
3. Motorized Bumper Boats and LED Kayaks
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.
4. Float the Best Lazy Rivers In Texas
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.
5. Experience Magical Candlelight Concerts
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:
6. Take a Trip Out to the Beach
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.
7. Blast Off at Houston’s Intergalactic Bar
Roswell’s Saloon is a far-out hang out in Space City. Glowing with dazzling neon lights, stellar cocktails, and galactic vibes, the galactic bar offers a worlds of entertainment in Houston.
8. Take a Dip in These Poolside Bars
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!
9. Sea these Stunning Waterfront Restaurants
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.
10-11. Elevate Your Lifestyle at these Houston Rooftop Bars
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!
- Perched on top of the 23rd floor of La Méridien hotel in Downtown, Houston, Z on 23 has some of the most elevated views in the city.
- Sunset Rooftop Lodge is an East Downtown rooftop with DJs on deck, bright, tropical cocktails of which to enjoy against the backdrop of the downtown skyline and the festivities of Truckyard patio bar below.
12-14. Experience Cinema Al Fresco
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.
- Located at Midway’s 150-acre East River development, Moonstruck Drive-In screens a variety of 4K features on a 80 x 40-foot screen with a stunning skyline backdrop.
- Blast into the past at Showboat Drive-In, an old school drive-in theater in Houston straight out of the ’50s.
15. Celebrate the Fourth of July
Independence Day goes off with a bang in Space City! From street festivals, patriotic parties, concerts, food, family-friendly events and (of course) sensational Fourth of July firework shows, Houston knows how to celebrate the Fourth!
16. Houston Horror Film Fest
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: the film festival makes for a scary good time! Special guests this year include David Howard Thornton (of Terrifier fame), Samantha Scaffidi, Rose McGowan, Chris Sarandon, Harold Perrineau, and more! August 8 – 10 at Houston Marriot Westchase.
17. White Linen Night
It’s going to be a white hot summer in Houston. Make the most of it on Saturday, August 2, for the return 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.
18. Serve ‘Em Up at this Volleyball Bar
Situated in the upper Heights neighborhood, Wakefield Crowbar is a destination for sand volleyball and entertainment. This sports bar welcomes both dogs and children until 10 pm, boasting four sand volleyball courts, a spacious patio, occasional live music, a designated kids’ play area, and a restaurant. With its array of offerings, Wakefield Crowbar provides the perfect setting for family outings.
19. Labubu Pop-Up at Popfancy Dessert Bar
Step into the whimsical world of Labubu at Popfancy Dessert Bar’s new Lucky Box Cafe pop-up! Kicking off late June, the cute and whacky pop-up will feature a delicious assortment of themed eats and drinks as well as immersive decor, special events, and more!
20. Houston Restaurant Weeks
Dine down on the best food in town this August for the return of Houston Restaurant Weeks. That’s right: “weeks”. For one month of the year, hundreds of restaurants across the city ranging in all types of cuisine offer incredible specials on select dishes. Houston Restaurant Weeks takes place between August 1 and September 1, 2025.
21-22. Go to a Farmer’s Market
Whether you’re collecting on a local harvest of produce, sampling from local food carts, or searching for handcrafted products – or just want to spend an afternoon in a fun, family-friendly atmosphere – check out our list of our favorite Houston farmers markets.
- Azteca Farmers Market is open every day of the year. Packed with over 50 vendors across 13 acres, the market features amazing street eats, as well as a vast selection of spices, produce, apparel, ceramics, and more.
- The Houston Farmers Market is not only one of the biggest farmers market in Texas – it’s also one of the oldest! Open daily, the market is bustling with a wide variety of vendors where you can find quality meat, fresh produce, as well as chef-driven restaurants
23-26. Enjoy Houston’s Finest Patio Bars
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.
- Inspired by its surrounding scenic bayou environment, Patterson Park is housed in a campy 4,000-square-foot building fixed with garage doors, tall windows, skylights, exposed wood beams, and other nature-imbued accents. The building opens up to its sprawling 5,000-square-foot deck patio overlooking a grove of trees. Throughout which, Patterson Park features 40+ TVs for watching sports, yard games, as well as string lights for nighttime ambience.
- Nestled on 1239 W 19th St. among a familiar crowd of patio bars is Moonshine Deck, a throwback Americana-inspired bar and kitchen with moonshine and whiskey to boot.
- M-K-T Heights, is home to Casa Nomad – a Tulum-inspired Mexican patio and restaurant with tropical chic and jungle disco vibes.
27. Go Peach Picking at this Local Orchard
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.
28. Check Out Houston Japan Fest
One of the country’s largest festivals of its kind, Houston Japan Fest returns this late summer in Houston. Slated for the weekend of September 7, the FREE festival will feature a weekend-full of festivities and cultural demonstrations at Hermann Park ranging from martial arts demonstrations, to live performances, food and much more!
29. All-Stars Car Show at Daikin Park
For the first time in history, a car show will take place at Major League Baseball stadium. Here, visitors can take a gander at a fleet of incredible vehicles ranging from classic muscle cars, iconic movie cars, and hypercars including McLaren, Lamborghini, and Pagani. August 2.
30-32. Imbibe Some Crazy Cocktails
From classic margaritas to summer-fried Bloody Marys, tropical ‘tinis, and everything in between, you’ll find your preferred elixir in Houston.
- 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.
- Ever wanted to spice up your breakfast? Well they have a bowl of Frosted Flakes topped with bourbon and cognac-infused milk. But that’s just a starter, see what else the chemists of Diversión have brewing in their laboratory of spirits.
33-36. Take a Bite out of Houston’s Hottest Restaurants
If you haven’t already, check out Houston’s best new restaurants.
- Toca Madera is a brand-new Mexico-inspired steakhouse, patio, and lounge. The beautiful new Houston restaurant features a special “Bird’s Nest” installation ensconcing a lounge for a truly immersive dining experience.
- Haywire is a new, 20,000-square-foot restaurant, bar, and patio barn in Memorial. The venue is known for its Southern atmosphere, cuisine, and award-winning wine cellar.
- 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.
37. Eat All the Ice Cream
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.
38-40. Brunch So Hard
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.
- Don’t give in to the banality of growing up. Let your youth loose with a brunch burger made of chocolate donut and Fruity Pebble French Toast at the Bosscat Kitchen & Libations.
- Common Bond Brasserie & Bakery has opened up their location in the Theater District, fit with an absolutely adorable interior and one, bubble gum-styled back dining room and bar.