At the NASA Space Center, you can marvel at the wonders of space travel and pretend to be an astronaut for a day! Guests may learn about the prospects of space flight, witness how astronauts prepare for their missions and get a close look at real spacecraft, astronaut suits, and interplanetary technology at this iconic Houston site. Make sure to try the anti-gravity machine at the Living in Space gallery!

There's never a bad day to tour North America's most extensive underground tunnel system. Located right under the city, the intricate network of tunnels spans more than 7.5 miles, connecting a slew of Houston's busiest corporate buildings. Guests will learn about Houston's fascinating history and observe firsthand how the purposes of these bunkers have changed through time on walking tours of the area.

The Museum of Natural Science, arguably Houston's most remarkable museum, features four floors of permanent exhibitions and a variety of interactive displays throughout the site. Expect to see tens of thousands of items spanning everything from Native American culture to seashells, paleontology, and local animals in designated locations such as the Wiess Energy Hall and Hall of Ancient Egypt. While you may spend hours examining the above sections, the Cockrell Butterfly Center, George Observatory, and Burke Baker Planetarium are definitely the most popular.

The dining scene in Houston is every bit as real as it appears: the portions are big, the food is superb, and the Tex-Mex inspiration is unparalleled. Hungry guests can sample up to 10 different foods on a dedicated food tour through districts like Astroville, Downtown, or The Heights - featuring Asian specialties, authentic American BBQ, Mexican staples, and so much more.

The Downtown Aquarium is more than just a big aquarium full of sharks, fish, touch pools, and educational displays; it's also a place for adventure. The on-site Ferris wheel and the Shark Voyage adventure train, and aquatic carousel are popular with guests of all ages.

This urban park, which spans 445 acres, attracts more than six million visitors each year, many of whom take free walking tours of the area. Spend a day meandering through the Houston Zoo, a stroll down Bob's Fishing Pier, or a visit to the Butterfly House - located inside the Houston Museum of Natural Science on the park's northern border to see the Mecom Fountain dance at night.

Are you only in Houston for a few days, and want to see as many sights as possible without wearing down your soles? Hop on a double-decker bus! These stop at a variety of locations throughout the city, including the Museum District, Buffalo Bayou, BBVA Stadium and Minute Maid Park, the Theater District, and many others. It's an educational experience with pre-recorded audio narration, and the open-top is a fantastic way to work on your tan.

Visitors can rent their own boards and hang ten on Galveston's sun-drenched Seawall Blvd, or they can take part in a guided session and learn the appropriate methods. Guided lessons are normally 2 hours long, include all equipment, and are limited to small groups, ensuring that each visitor receives one-on-one instruction.

Houston, like everything else in Texas, is not a small city. A bike tour is a much more efficient (and entertaining) choice than trying to see everything on foot. Locally-led bike trips whiz past sites like historic Downtown and Buffalo Bayou, pausing at places that drivers would typically overlook.

This is the place to go if you have any aspiring scientists in your family or simply appreciate learning about science. The Health Museum receives over 180,000 visitors per year (over 2.5 million total), with over 22,000 schools visiting as part of a field trip. One reason for the museum's popularity is its great interactive health and scientific teaching experiences, such as a hands-on stroll through the human body, authentic organ dissections, and other ever-changing engaging displays.

The MFAH benefits not just the many tourists who come to see the museum's breath-taking collection of over 6,000 years of history and about 64,000 works from six continents, but also the 1.25 million people who attend the museum's workshops, programs, and resource centers each year. Gleizes' La Femme, Monet's Water Lilies, Memling's portrait, and an astounding number of Roman-era sculptures and paintings are among the treasures housed in this world-class museum. Book a 45-minute guided tour for the family to enjoy if you want to make sure you don't miss anything.

When the whole family is in need of some retail therapy, a trip to The Galleria should suffice. It contains over 400 high-end retailers, excellent restaurants, a full-size ice rink, state-of-the-art children's play area, multiple beauty salons, and much more. The Galleria is modeled after Milan's gorgeous Galleria Vittorio Emanuele. It should come as no surprise that it is Texas' largest shopping mall. There's something for everyone in the family here, from Valentino and Gucci to Prada and La Perla.

The 155-acre Arboretum & Nature Center, located in the heart of Houston's Memorial Park, takes visitors into the great outdoors with five miles of walking pathways that meander through woodlands, meadows, and ponds. Bring your camera because the area is known to be home to thousands of local creatures, including turtles, frogs, and birds. In the indoor Nature Center, visitors can enjoy a variety of interactive displays, including the Learning Tree and the Discovery Room.

The Orange Show, located in Houston's east end, is a massive work of folk art built by Jefferson Davis McKissack over the course of approximately 25 years. McKissack transformed the area into a maze of wacky sculptures, doors, and exhibits using old tiles, throwaways, and random bits and bobs of junk metal. The result is part maze, part museum, and part stage, all dedicated to his favorite fruit — the orange. Visiting this strange place is certainly one of Houston's strangest yet most important things to do.

The Hyatt Regency's Spindletop restaurant, located on the 34th level, combines a revolving rooftop with unimpeded views. The San Jacinto Monument, which has its own observation deck, provides a spectacular view of the Houston Ship Channel below.

The Texas Rock Gym, with over 14,000 square feet of climbable surface, 42 Top Ropes, 5 Auto Belays, a lead arch, and a bouldering area, is a fantastic location for all rock climbing and gym addicts in the family, regardless of age. The gym prioritizes safety, and all members, regardless of previous climbing experience, must participate in the gym's safety orientation and training class, Climbing 101, to minimize the inherent rock climbing risks.

Houston is nothing short of magnificent from above, thanks to its location straddling the beautiful Gulf of Mexico. The greatest way to absorb it is in your own passenger jet, but this isn't just a joyride; you might even get to take the controls and learn the ropes! If you aren't quite ready to take to the skies, Space City has a number of amazing flight simulator experiences.

The Children's Museum of Houston, unquestionably one of the most popular things to do in Houston for anyone visiting with children, has recently undergone a significant renovation, more than tripling in size to contain more than "90000 square feet of action-packed entertainment." FlowWorks, a cutting-edge display that teaches about water through huge waves; Kidtropolis, where young brains learn how to govern a city; and "How Does It Work?", an interactive look at the amazing inner workings of everyday life, are all favorites of children.

A visit to Houston's oldest craft brewery, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, is sure to be an intriguing and delightful experience. The brewery handles everything from producing and filtering the beer to kegging and bottling it - after that, it's up to the visitors to taste it. Experienced and friendly employees will look after you while you enjoy a tour, followed by lunch and drinks (of course, one of the brewery's great brews).

The Toyota Center is home to the NBA's Houston Rockets, as well as the Houston Aeros of the American Hockey League. When a sports team isn't calling the Toyota Center home, you can expect other live entertainment to fill the seats - especially concerts!

Buffalo Bayou Park is a fantastic place to take the family for some physical activity, with a great selection of walking and bike routes. The meandering park spans 124 acres of lush greenery, with spectacular vistas of the Houston cityscape tossed in for good measure. Aside from that, there is a nature play area, artwork, and live artistic acts to enjoy, as well as a dog park if you have any four-legged family members.

What are you waiting for? Book your stay in the heart of Houston, with Red Roof today!

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