Exploring HOU Things: 100 Must-Experience Activities for Newcomers

As someone who loves to travel, with 10+ trips a year be it business or pleasure, being locked down in the house circa 2020 was a total nightmare (ifykyk). Living in Malaysia, we had multiple rounds of lockdowns, with stricter enforcement when it comes to travel. I remember around August 2020, the government opened up domestic borders and we were able to have a mini vacation in Lang Tengah island off the east coast. Then borders were constantly on an open-close-open-close situation. Leaving the country for foreigners also meant getting an approval from the government to return. We patiently waited until the restrictions were off, and come holiday 2021, we knew visiting the USA was the best option. Why? It was the only country that didn’t require home quarantine. We flew to Houston and spent a month with my husband’s parents where I got to experience first hand the city. It was HUGE. I am used to the metric system, so when I save places on my Google list, I thought they were close to each other. Boy, I was wrong. One month wasn’t enough to explore the city, and I knew we would keep coming back as my husband’s family is from Houston. Now that we’re here, I feel overwhelmed yet excited about what Houston has to offer.

I’ve been fed the best Tex-Mex food I’ve ever had, started saying '‘y’all’, ridden the metro, fired my first ever shotgun in a shooting range, literally had my jaw drop in Total Wine & Academy, and so on. I know it’s not enough, the things I did & learned barely scratched the tip of what Houston has. So… I asked ChatGPT to help me navigate the Houstonian life.

ChatGPT generated a list of 100 fantastic things I have to try. If you're also new to this bustling city, let’s explore HOU things, one new thing at a time. Are you ready? Here's the ultimate list of things to do:

Cultural and Recreational Activities

1. Visit the Houston Museum District: Explore the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Museum of Fine Arts.

2. Stroll around Hermann Park: Enjoy the Japanese Garden and McGovern Centennial Gardens.

3. Experience Space Center Houston: Get a hands-on experience with NASA's history.

4. Catch a Show in the Theater District: Attend a ballet, opera, or symphony.

5. Visit the Houston Zoo: Perfect for a family outing.

6. Explore the Buffalo Bayou Park: Enjoy kayaking or bike riding.

7. See the Art Car Museum: A quirky and unique attraction.

8. Check out the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: An iconic Texan experience.

9. Tour the Downtown Aquarium: Fun for both kids and adults.

10. Attend an Astros game at Minute Maid Park.

Culinary Delights

1. Try Tex-Mex at Ninfa’s on Navigation.

2. Savor BBQ at Killen’s BBQ.

3. Sample the flavors at Crawfish & Noodles.

4. Delight in authentic Indian cuisine at Pondicheri.

5. Enjoy a meal at The Original Ninfa’s.

6. Indulge in a steak at Pappas Bros. Steakhouse.

7. Grab brunch at Backstreet Cafe.

8. Taste traditional Vietnamese at Mai’s.

9. Savor seafood at Goode Company Seafood.

10. Visit the Houston Farmers Market for fresh produce and local goods.

Unique Houston Experiences

1. Dance to live Zydeco music at a local venue.

2. Catch a Houston Dynamo soccer game.

3. Attend a cultural festival like the Houston Greek Fest.

4. Take a day trip to Galveston Island.

5. Visit the San Jacinto Museum and Battlefield.

6. Walk around the colorful murals in the East End.

7. Explore the Montrose neighborhood's eclectic vibe.

8. Discover the underground art at the Cistern at Buffalo Bayou Park.

9. Check out the Beer Can House.

10. Tour the classic architecture in The Heights.

Outdoor Adventures

1. Hike at Brazos Bend State Park.

2. Birdwatch at Armand Bayou Nature Center.

3. Fish or kayak in Clear Lake.

4. Visit Memorial Park for running and golf.

5. Cycle along the Bayou Greenways.

6. Explore nature at the Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary.

7. Relax at Discovery Green with free yoga classes.

8. Enjoy water activities at Lake Houston.

9. Explore the trails at Sam Houston National Forest.

10. Attend a concert at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion.

Family-Friendly Activities

1. Visit the Children’s Museum of Houston.

2. Explore the Kemah Boardwalk.

3. Spend a day at SplashTown Waterpark.

4. Learn at the Health Museum.

5. Enjoy a puppet show at the Houston Puppet Theatre.

6. Explore interactive exhibits at the Lone Star Flight Museum.

7. Ride the Hermann Park Train.

8. Visit Froberg’s Farm and pick your own fruit.

9. Enjoy the activities at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center.

10. Attend a family-friendly festival at Discovery Green.

Off-the-Beaten-Path

1. Discover the Orange Show Monument.

2. Visit the National Museum of Funeral History.

3. Explore the Houston Police Museum.

4. Attend a meditation session at the Rothko Chapel.

5. Visit the quirky Art League Houston.

6. Check out the 1940 Air Terminal Museum.

7. Explore the indie shops on Westheimer Road.

8. Visit the Houston Center for Photography.

9. Explore the vintage finds at the Blue Bird Circle Resale Shop.

10. Discover the history at the Heritage Society Museum.

Seasonal and Special Events

1. Celebrate at the Houston Pride Parade.

2. Watch the fireworks on the Fourth of July at Eleanor Tinsley Park.

3. Join the fun at the Texas Renaissance Festival.

4. Enjoy the light displays at Zoo Lights during the holidays.

5. Attend the Houston Art Car Parade in spring.

6. Visit the Bayou City Art Festival.

7. Experience the festive lights at the Houston Christmas Village.

8. Celebrate Día de los Muertos at the National Museum of Funeral History.

9. Attend the Houston International Film Festival.

10. Join in the fun at the Houston Hot Sauce Fest.

Local Flavor and Shopping

1. Shop at the Galleria for high-end brands.

2. Discover local art at the Heights’ First Saturday Arts Market.

3. Explore the vintage shops on 19th Street.

4. Taste local brews at Saint Arnold Brewing Company.

5. Enjoy a cup of coffee at Boomtown Coffee.

6. Taste handmade chocolates at Cacao & Cardamom.

7. Peruse the artisan goods at Houston Flea Market.

8. Discover unique finds at the Heights Mercantile.

9. Enjoy a sweet treat at The Chocolate Bar.

10. Visit the Urban Harvest Farmers Market for local eats.

More Houston Highlights

1. Take a yoga class at Buffalo Bayou Park.

2. Visit the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center.

3. Tour the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.

4. Learn about science at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

5. Explore the Houston Holocaust Museum.

6. See a show at the Miller Outdoor Theatre.

7. Visit the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park.

8. Explore the beautiful Rice University campus.

9. Tour the historic Glenwood Cemetery.

10. Visit the Menil Collection for art.

Expanding Your Horizons

1. Enjoy a scenic drive along Allen Parkway.

2. Photograph the skyline from Eleanor Tinsley Park.

3. Visit the Battleship Texas State Historic Site.

4. Take a cooking class at Central Market.

5. Visit the Sam Houston Race Park.

6. Explore the Houston Grand Opera.

7. Visit the Asia Society Texas Center.

8. Discover the Houston Maritime Museum.

9. Explore the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum.

10. Enjoy the live events at NRG Park.

Wow, that’s a lot! I’ve only managed to do 5/100 so far! Native Houstonians, do you agree with this list? If you have more recommendations or feedback on what I should scrap off this list, let me know! I’m excited to make Houston my home.