Maybe you plan to move for work, maybe you yearn for the hustle and bustle of city life, or maybe you’re another California transplant looking for a lower cost of living in the Lone Star State. Whatever your reason for moving to Houston, we’re here to help. Our team of Locators at AptAmigo knows Bayou City inside and out. Check out our list of must-see Houstonian favorites below, then contact us, and we’ll help you find the luxury apartment of your dreams.
Related: Tour Houston Like a Local
Things to Do in Houston for First-Time Visitors Before Moving Here
Houston Museum District
As you’ll see, for many reasons, we recommend that you start here. The Museum District is (almost) a one-stop shop for the best culture and greenery in Houston. Just south of Midtown, the northern half of this neighborhood boasts 19 museums, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Children’s Museum Houston, the Houston Museum of African American Culture, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, The Health Museum, and the Holocaust Museum Houston. The southern half consists of the massive Hermann Park green area that contains the Miller Outdoor Theatre, the Cockrell Butterfly Center, the Hermann Park Golf Course, and the Houston Zoo. Restaurants and shops abound in this little area and will keep you entertained and intrigued over many, many visits.
Space Center Houston
Perhaps one of the most quoted lines in history, “Houston, we have a problem” happened here (well, technically here and about 200,000 miles into space). Experience the action and the history at the Space Center Houston. With tours, galleries, theaters, and interactive exhibits, it’s the closest you’ll get to NASA’s Johnson Space Center without an advanced engineering degree.
Minute Maid Park
There isn’t anything much better, or much more American, than an afternoon at The Juice Box. Home of the Houston Astros, this centrally located, retractable-roofed stadium provides the perfect place to take the family for some overpriced hot dogs and peanuts and to join the dedicated crowd as they cheer on Crush City.
Buffalo Bayou Park
This two-mile-long park runs along both sides of Buffalo Bayou, heading west from Downtown Houston. With serpentine trails, native gardens, picnic areas, biking areas, and dog parks, Buffalo Bayou Park attracts every outdoor enthusiast, even the furry ones.
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
In 1836 General Sam Houston led Texans to victory against the Mexican Army. The stunning San Jacinto State Park, located at the mouth of the Buffalo Bayou, memorializes just that. Come for the extensive and significant history; stay for the picturesque green space and remarkable fishing spots.
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Houston Murals
Over 750 explosively colorful, deeply meaningful murals litter Houston’s urban jungle. Guided or self-guided, a tour of these remarkable images will please art aficionados and laypersons alike.
Gerald D. Hines Waterfall
There is almost no way of describing the Gerald D. Hines Waterfall sculptural fountain, but we’ll do our best. Imagine a 64-foot, semicircle wall of water. Imagine a cool mist in the air. Imagine the cascading roar. Take our word for it, you just have to see it.
The Galleria
After all these parks and museums, you may be in need of a little shopping therapy. No need to worry; The Galleria awaits your presence and your wallet. With over 400 stores and 60 places to eat, this immense mall is Texas’ largest. Come for a few quick things, or stay for the day.
Discovery Green
This 12-acre park in Downtown Houston serves as a popular destination for locals and tourists alike. With water features, restaurants, kayaking, dog parks, extensive lawns, and an amphitheater, Discovery Green buzzes with activities year-round.
Galveston
We know, we know, Galveston is not technically Houston. However, it is worth every minute of the two-hour round-trip drive. Beautiful parks, hiking trails, amusement parks, restaurants, and beaches sprinkle this barrier island city. Once settled into Houston, Galveston makes a more than worthwhile day (or night) trip.
Visit Houston First, Stay Forever
If this list of things to do in Houston for first-time visitors has not gotten you excited about moving here, check your pulse. If it has, get ready for the easiest move you’ll ever make. Contact our team at AptAmigo, and we’ll take the time to get to know you and your specific apartment wishes, needs, and non-negotiables. Then, we’ll scour Houston for the perfect fit, share options with you, and even set up viewing appointments – all for the overwhelming price of zero dollars. What do you have to lose, all of this, and more, is waiting.
Melanie Robinson is a writer and poet from Texas. You can learn more about her and her copywriting business on her website.
