As one of the most culturally diverse cities in the nation, Houston attracts tourists from all over the country and the world. It hosts an array of unique cuisine, festivals, and events. Although it is not the most common tourist destination, ask any local and you’ll realize quickly that Houston is packed full of fun activities no matter what you’re into! Check out my adventurous 3-day Houston itinerary and start planning your weekend trip to the Lone Star State!
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Table of Contents
How Do I Get to Houston?
There are two airports you can fly into when visiting Houston, George Bush Intercontinental or William P. Hobby Airport. If you have a choice, I recommend Hobby, as it’s a smaller airport that’s closer to the city. If you’re traveling internationally, you’ll fly into Intercontinental.
Houston does not have the greatest public transportation. If you want to pack in as many adventures as possible, I suggest renting a car. (Tip! Use the Discover Cars Search Engine to find the best rental car deal!)
However, there are other options. METRO Bus 102 will take you from Intercontinental to downtown and METRO Bus 40 provides service from Hobby to downtown. Being a major metropolitan city, you can snag an Uber or Lyft at pretty much any hour. There is also the METRORail. If you’re hoping to utilize the METRORail it’s best to stay downtown.
What is the best time to visit Houston?
The best time to visit Houston is in the springtime, with the weather warming up by April and temperatures typically ranging from lows in the 60s to highs in the 80s. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo comes to town in March, which is the largest rodeo in the world and an unforgettable experience.
Summers in Houston can be pretty brutal, however, Texans have mastered the art of AC and many activities are indoors. While there’s a chance of hurricanes, the fall brings comfortable temperatures as well. Winters are generally pretty mild compared to most other states, so a trip to the south might be a nice change of pace for northerners.
Where Should I Stay in Houston?
Booking.comIf you haven’t rented a car, Downtown Houston would be a great home base. Check out the Marriot Marquis Houston for their unique, Texas-shaped lazy river. Located on the 6th floor, you’ll also be treated to some killer views of downtown and their signature poolside events. Another Houston favorite is the sophisticated and sexy Hotel ZaZa which will put you right in the heart of the Museum District. They offer a variety of concept suites such as “Houston We Have a Problem” or “Geisha House,” transporting you to fantasy lands.
Another great way to experience Houston is by renting an Air BNB. Snag one in Montrose, EaDo, or the Heights to live like a local and be within walking distance to some of Houston’s trendiest bars and restaurants. Dave from Jones Around the World put together a sick list of some of Houston’s Best AirBNBs which you can check out here!
Full Disclosure!! This site does use ads. I use the money I earn from them to keep creating these free travel itineraries for you to use! My hope is that these weekend getaways and travel itineraries make your life easier AND inspire you to get out and see the world using your limited PTO.
If you would like to downloadable PDF (with no ads) AND a day-by-day interactive map of this trip, you can purchase that download here for just 5 dollars!
Sample 3-Day Houston Weekend Itinerary
Day 1 in Houston:
Get acquainted with Downtown Houston on day 1 and you’ll realize quickly that a lot of what Houston has to offer is epic restaurants, bars, and a unique blend of cultures!
Morning:
Start your morning by heading to Buffalo Bayou Park after breakfast. Along Houston’s waterway, you’ll find hike and bike trails, gorgeous landscaping, and art installations. You can start at Waugh Drive, where you’ll find Houston’s local bat colony, and walk along the bayou to Downtown Houston.
Afternoon:
Escape the heat and head underground! Houston’s underground tunnels, which can be accessed at Wells Fargo Plaza or the McKinney garage on Main Street, were originally created in the 1930s to connect two movie theaters. Now they offer tons of food options as well as shopping. Grab some lunch at Cafe Basil or 5411 Empanadas in the tunnels, and then make your way to Discovery Green. There are always fun events going on here at Houston’s premier green space, plus an amphitheater, a man-made lake, two dog parks, and multiple children’s playgrounds.
Evening:
Next, walk over to MUV Rental to grab yourself a scooter to explore EaDo (East downtown) for the rest of the afternoon. Zip around on your scooter to discover tons of funky murals all over this up-and-coming, trendy neighborhood. Once you’ve seen enough street art for the day, drop off your scooters and crack open a cold one at 8th Wonder or True Anomaly. There are lots of great options for dinner in the area like burgers at Rodeo Goat or the food trucks at Truck Yard. If you want to keep the party going, head back to downtown for some late-night dancing at Etro Night Club for 80s jams or Fabian’s for Latin flavor.
Hint! Want to save 47% off 5 different Houston Attractions? Grab your Houston City Pass today!
Day 2 in Houston
For today’s adventure, it’s best if you rent a car. You could use a rideshare service, although that could get expensive. Today you’ll be heading south for some space exploration followed by some fun times on the water!
Morning:
Houston is home to the Mission Control Center for all of NASA’s space travel communications. Head down to Clear Lake to check out the world-famous Space Center Houston to learn about our country’s history of space exploration, see a real-life rocket up close and personal, and even tour NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
Afternoon:
A short drive away you’ll find the Kemah Boardwalk, where “the fun never stops!” Grab some seafood for lunch at one of the waterfront restaurants or visit Crazy Alan’s Swamp Shack for a southern favorite, crawfish. After lunch, you can stroll the boardwalk, take the Boardwalk Beast for a spin around Galveston Bay, or check out one of the amusement park rides like the Boardwalk Bullet, the wooden roller coast with the most track crossovers ever!
Evening:
Next, you’ll keep heading south, down to Galveston Island! Soak up the last few hours of sun along the Seawall, and then head to the Strand for some shopping. Don’t miss La King’s Confectionery, a family-run candy shop using 19th-century formulas and methods to deliver old-school confections. Grab dinner at one of the many restaurants on the Strand or head back to the Seawall and dine at The Spot, a local favorite with Gulf views.
Day 3 in Houston
Today is all about museums, shopping, and then relaxing before traveling home!
Morning:
After breakfast, head over to the Museum District for some art, history, or science! With 19 museums to choose from, there’s a museum here for everyone. I recommend the Houston Museum of Natural Science, where you can see a sick collection of dinosaur skeletons, the gorgeous living butterfly exhibit, or the cutting-edge planetarium. Afterward, head across the street and stroll through the McGovern Centennial Gardens, and if there’s time, and it’s not too hot, continue your walk through Hermann Memorial Park.
Afternoon:
After your walk, you’ll probably want to find some AC, so depending on your taste you can head to The Galleria or Montrose. The Galleria attracts people from all over the world for its exclusive luxury and designer shopping options. You will also find tons of renowned restaurants you can stop into for lunch like Nobu or Fig & Olive. If the Galleria isn’t your style, head over to the Westheimer area in Montrose and shop at cute boutiques and vintage consignments. Check out some of the best shops in Montrose pulled together by Kelci at UNation.There are plenty of lunch options here as well, like Traveler’s Table or Postino.
Evening:
For your last evening in Houston, you can head up to the Heights for some dinner and bar hopping. There are so many restaurant options so feel free to search online for what suits you best, but you can’t go wrong with BB Lemon or Hughie’s for something more casual. After dinner, hop from bar to bar until you can’t go anymore! Local favorites include Eight Row Flint, Lei Low, Heights Beer Garden, and McIntyres. There are also plenty of brewers to check out like Platypus, Eureka Heights, or Buffalo Bayou.
Other Things to Do In Houston
- Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: the biggest rodeo in the world, check out the top cowboys in the world competing in events, the livestock show, plus the fairgrounds with tons of rides and southern food
- Houston Zoo: located in the Museum District in Hermann Park, one of the most visited zoos in the country
- The Beer Can House: a novel art house covered in over 50,000 beer cans
- Sports: catch a Texan’s game at NRG, a Rocket’s game at the Toyota Center, an Astro’s game at Minute Maid Park, or Dynamo game at BBVA Stadium
- Waugh Bat Bridge: watch as thousands of bats leave their colony at dusk
- Texas Renaissance Festival: one of the countries largest Renaissance festivals which runs weekends in October and November
- Concerts and Shows: check to see what shows are in town while you’re visiting
- Art Car Parade: an annual parade with out-of-this-world art cars
- Water Parks: there are a few water parks to pick from if you’re coming during the summer months, like Splash Town or Schlitterbahn Galveston
- Moody Gardens: Aquarium Pyramid, Rainforest Pyramid, and Discovery Pyramid attractions in Galveston
- Instagram Worthy Bars:
- Present Company
- Wonder Bar
- Axel Rad
- Sugar Room
- Electric Feel Good
- Truck Yard
- Road trip to West Texas or Dallas!
Tips to Know Before Visiting Houston
If you plan on visiting a lot of museums or tourist attractions, look into the Houston City Pass to save you some money on entrance fees. To make the most of your time, I recommend renting a car so you don’t waste a lot of time waiting on Ubers. It’s best to check what’s happening in Houston the weekend you want to visit because certain events can drive up hotel prices and increase crowds. Houstonians are super welcoming and friendly so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation with some locals and ask for more recommendations.
Houston Packing List
Make sure to bring your swimsuit to take advantage of all the hotel pools plus the beach. Don’t forget sunglasses, sunscreen, and a hat if you plan on spending a lot of time outdoors. It’s also a good idea to bring an umbrella as Houston does get a decent amount of rain, especially in the summer and fall. No matter what season you come, bring a light sweater as Houstonians tend to overdo it with the AC and you might end up cold indoors even when it’s 95 degrees outside.
One Weekend In Houston Isn’t Enough
As you can see, there’s so much to do in Houston that one weekend would never be enough to see it all. You can customize your 3-day Houston itinerary based on what interests you. No matter what you’re looking for, you’ll find plenty of entertaining activities to create your own fun-filled, jam-packed weekend in Houston!
Tip! Make sure to follow me on Instagram for more USA weekend getaways and dog-firendly adventures!
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