Houston is the fourth most populous city in North America, named for military General Sam Houston, who won the Battle of San Jacinto in 1836, winning Texas independence from Mexico. Due to its proximity to NASA’s astronaut training, Space Center Houston, and the flight control complex, as well as numerous other appealing places, it is a tourism magnet.

Most popular attractions and things to do in Houston

Space Center Houston

NASA’s Space Center Houston has a massive collection of permanent exhibits and attractions, including a 156-foot-long SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket that has launched. Aside from an extensive artifact collection, live shows, and a NASA Tram Tour that takes visitors behind the scenes at Johnson Space Center, there’s also a NASA Tram Tour.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the best site to see riders saddle up in Houston. When competition season arrives (usually in late February or early March), audiences flock to NRG Stadium to witness daily rodeo exhibitions that include bareback riding, bull riding, steer wrestling, tie-down roping, barrel racing, and other events.

Hermann Park

Hermann Park is a beautiful place to meander through and is probably one of the greatest things to do in Houston if you want to relax. Hermann Park, located near Houston’s largest museums, offers a variety of places to visit. You’ll enjoy seeing the beautiful Japanese Garden, Miller Outdoor Theatre, and the adorably cute Hermann Park Railroad.

The Museum of Fine Arts in Houston

With a collection of 63,000 works, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston is one of the best museums of its sort in the United States. The museum’s focus is on Impressionist Renaissance paintings, exquisite sculptures, and European and American decorative arts by French and Italian artists.

Memorial Park

The fact that 75 percent of the 1,466-acre municipal land is unmanicured distinguishes Memorial Park from most other metropolitan parks. A golf course, a public pool, croquet, tennis, and several sports grounds for softball, baseball, soccer, and flag football are among the park’s official activities. There are almost 30 miles of woodland trails for mountain biking, cycling, and hiking, as well as a three-mile jogging loop that is highly popular.

Buffalo Bayou

Buffalo Bayou is Houston’s most important natural resource, including hundreds of acres of parkland and running routes. It is a 52-mile canal that runs from Katy, Texas, to Houston’s River Oaks neighborhood. Buffalo Bayou Park is a popular spot for outdoor activity.

Best time to visit Houston

The months of February to April, as well as September to November, are ideal for visiting Houston. Houston has mild weather almost all year thanks to its closeness to the Gulf of Mexico, but the temperatures are pleasant in the spring and fall, and there are a number of festivals to enjoy. You might be able to get a better deal in the summer because Houston locals flee when the weather warms up, but you’ll have to deal with the heat and oppressive humidity. Winters in Houston are moderate, and snowfall is uncommon, but temperatures drop as the sun sets, so bring clothes if you’re visiting in December or January.

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