Patrick Magee

Sure, Houston might be known for NASA, oil production and Beyonce, but it’s a city driving innovation on all fronts. It’s home to several world-class museums, over 200 green spaces and is one of the few American cities with permanent ballet, symphony and opera companies. Not to mention, its culinary scene, made richer by its cultural diversity, is shining bright with six one-Michelin-star restaurants and 14 Bib Gourmands.  Expect to find everything, from BBQ and Tex-Mex to cajun-Vietnamese and New American.  With 25 distinct neighborhoods, each with its own personality, you could spend a year exploring and still not see everything Houston has to offer. So take our advice and check out the best things to do in Houston on your journey through Space City (more on that below!). This guide was updated by Houston-based writers Patrick Magee and Rebecca Deurlein. At Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines.  RECOMMENDED:  🍴The best restaurants in Houston🏠The best Houston Airbnbs🇺🇸The best hotels in Houston