With a population close to 2.5 million and a total area of 1,733 km², Houston takes the largest city in Texas top spot without much competition. Most commonly known as the global capital of space travel, there’s lots more to Houston than just NASA and rockets – did you know Houston boasts the largest shopping mall in Texas, for example?
On top of a great shopping scene, the city is also famous for its restaurants and independent eateries, plus a broad spectrum of fascinating interactive museums, theaters, comedy clubs, green spaces and parks, and loads more across Houston’s 88 “super neighborhoods”.
With so much on offer in such a large area, planning the ultimate Houston vacation can be a little overwhelming; which neighborhoods are worth visiting? Which museums are the best? How can anyone possibly eat a burger that big? To break things down into more sizable chunks, we’ve curated a list of the top ten things to do in the top ten Houston neighborhoods, so you can schedule your trip with less fuss.
From boozy beer tours to space-themed escape games, there’s an experience for everyone in Houston!
| Midtown
The Midtown neighborhood of Houston is essentially the Downtown away from Downtown. With all the bars, restaurants, and attractions of the city center paired with a more residential vibe, the area is popular with young families and Texans looking to escape the mayhem of Downtown.
The neighborhood may have been awarded Federal Transportation Agency recognition, but we think the best way to get around Midtown is on a Houston Bike Bar Tour. Seating up to sixteen passengers, these novel group tours combine sightseeing with bar crawling, taking you on a carefully curated journey round the best watering holes in Houston.
A fab bachelor party idea, or a unique way to show new friends round your neighborhood!
| East Downtown
If you want to experience Downtown Houston but avoid all the tourist traps, East Downtown is the neighborhood for you. Known as EaDo to the locals, you’ll find plenty of evening entertainment options, great bars and diverse restaurants, craft breweries, and a number of theaters and multipurpose venues.
One of our favorites is The Secret Group located on Polk St., a venue with a trendy rooftop patio and event space that hosts stand-up comedy, trivia nights, live shows and lots more. There’s even table tennis in the front room, perfect for a chilled night out in East Downtown!
| Downtown Houston
If you want to experience Downtown Houston and you are interested in the top tourist attractions, we highly recommend the Houston Aquarium.
Located alongside the famous Buffalo Bayou in the Theater District, the very reasonably priced aquarium features every exhibit a sea-life lover can hope for; alligators, turtles, coral reefs, giant octopus, interactive stingray pools, over 300 species of marine life, and even a few white tigers!
Visitors of all ages are sure to enjoy the broad range of special events, and dining in the underwater restaurant is a must after an afternoon of exploring. We can’t think of a better Houston family day out in the bustling Downtown neighborhood!
| Fourth Ward
When planning a trip to Houston, you’ll probably notice the city is divided into six numbered wards which historically dictated political districts, but are now simply neighborhoods within the greater city.
The Fourth Ward is one of the original divisions incorporated in 1837, situated west of Downtown with the Buffalo Bayou and Eleanor Tinsley Park along its northern border.
As well as a great selection of restaurants, museums, and historical landmarks, the Fourth Ward is where you’ll also find Houston’s best escape game experience; Escape Hunt. With a variety of cryptic interactive games to choose from at varying difficulty levels, an escape room makes the ultimate team-building activity or exciting child-friendly night out!
| Central Northwest
Whether it’s shopping malls or novelty cowboy hats, Texas is known for its super sizes. You know what else Texas does really well? Eating challenges.
Our top pick for the ultimate Houston eating challenge is the Five Alarm Fire Burger Challenge located in the Central Northwest neighborhood.
Famous for being the hottest hamburger in Texas, contenders must finish the quarter pounder loaded with grilled jalapeños and grilled habaneros, plus a 10,000,000 Scoville unit sauce packed with five bottles of hot sauce, liquid capsaicin and arbol peppers, all within five minutes. Think you’ve got what it takes? Head to Little Bitty Burger Barn and see for yourself!
| Houston Museum District
Eye-watering, mouth-burning burger challenges may not be for everyone, so maybe a trip to Houston’s Museum District is more your thing.
With nineteen museums in total, ranging from the always free Contemporary Arts Museum to the family favorite Houston Zoo, you can easily spend several days working your way around the neighborhood.
Our personal favorite is The Health Museum, inviting visitors to experience the human body like never before with incredible exhibits, interactive displays, and 4D theatrical performances. The Health Museum is a wonderfully entertaining day out for adults and children in Houston, and would make a fantastic addition to a weekend getaway!
| Northside Village
As you venture out of Downtown Houston, the neighborhoods are much larger and take on very distinct personalities.
Northside Village is one of the oldest in Houston, and over the years has seen waves of immigration from Germany, Italy, and most recently Hispanic communities, creating a tapestry of culture and cuisine. Nestled amongst food trucks and authentic seafood restaurants on Airline Drive is Houston Dairymaids, a handmade artisanal cheese shop offering locally sourced dairy products, gift boxes, and cheese tasting classes.
With a range of events covering cheese and chocolate, cheese and wine pairing, cheese and beer/cider tasting and many more, a class at Houston Dairymaids is a fun and laidback gourmet experience to share with friends!
| Clear Lake
Come on, it’s Houston after all! Clear Lake is south of Pasadena on the western bank of Trinity Bay, featuring a beautiful boardwalk and a number of great seafood restaurants along the waters edge. The shrimp isn’t all that attracts visitors to Clear Lake, however. This neighborhood is where you’ll find NASA, and the Houston Space Center, the city’s pride and joy.
Often voted the best space museum in the US, visitors can marvel at SpaceX rockets, astronaut spacesuit exhibits, shuttle replicas and genuine shuttle carrier aircrafts, visit Mission Control on the NASA Tram Tour, and catch an ever-changing calendar of live presentations and documentaries. A visit to the Space Center should be top of your list on your first Houston trip!
| Greenway/Upper Kirby
Trying to avoid the top Houston tourist attractions on your next trip? Then spend some time in the trendy Greenway/Upper Kirby neighborhood, known for its hipster bars, laidback brunch spots, and modern Japanese restaurants.
If you want to know what you’re talking about next time you hang out in an upscale wine bar, book a beginner’s wine tasting at The Texas Wine School on Portsmouth St. and explore different grape varieties, swirling techniques, wine storage and serving, and the all-important skill of food pairing.
A relaxed wine tasting session is always a fun way to kick off an evening in Houston, and could be the start of a rewarding new hobby!
| Montrose
Bordering the Fourth Ward neighborhood is Montrose, an eclectic community of ethnic restaurants, fresh produce markets, and stylish vintage stores. As well as some of the best eateries in Houston, Montrose also has some of the most unique architecture, so what better way to explore this fascinating region than on a guided food tour?
Led by a local Houstonian, guests will visit three carefully selected establishments for dishes that showcase the best of the neighborhood, punctuated with anecdotes, trivia, and local landmarks along the way. Food tours really are the best way to discover a new city, and make wonderfully thoughtful gift ideas for your foodie friends!
| Thanks for Reading!
With 88 unique and vibrant neighborhoods to explore, hopefully we’ve proved there’s a lot more to Houston than just space exploration! Be sure to check out more of the city on your next trip, and enrich your experience with one of these great activities and attractions. As always, let us know of any hidden gems you find in the comments below!
