Houston, the largest city in the state of Texas, offers the visitor on a budget many free things to do and places to visit. From museums to art galleries, parks and nature reserves, everyone can gain free access to the rich and diverse cultural heritage of Houston.
Discovery Green park offers free activities for all the family. This 12-acre oasis in downtown Houston offers green lawns, gardens, interactive water features, lakes and a children's playground. Regular entertainment includes concerts, craft and creative writing workshops, karate and yoga. Admission is free, and dogs are welcome. Kinder Lake at Discovery Green is a shallow pool where you can hire model boats or sail your own. There is a cafe and restaurant for refreshments; visitors may also bring a picnic lunch and their own lawn chairs.
Discovery Green Park
1500 McKinney
Houston, TX 77010
713-400-7336
discoverygreen.com
Every Thursday between 5 and 8 p.m., the Children's Museum of Houston offers free admission to families. Founded in 1980, the Children's Museum focuses on child-centered learning. Fourteen galleries of interactive exhibitions demonstrate such things as the power of water through hydropower or how pulleys work and how car engines start. There's an inventor's workshop, a special area for infants and toddlers and hundreds of other activities throughout the museum. The free admission times are only on Thursdays. At other times, there is an entrance fee.
The Children's Museum of Houston
1500 Binz
Houston, TX 77004
713-522-1138
cmhouston.org
There's no better way to discover the best things a new city has to offer than to visit it with a local resident who knows the special places of interest off the beaten track. Houston Greeters are a non-profit organization of local Houston residents who offer their time and services free of charge to show visitors around the city. Whether your interest is finding the best shopping areas, the history and culture of Houston, the downtown attractions or the city nightlife, a Houston Greeter will meet you and show you around free of charge. Time spent with a Greeter typically lasts for 2 to 4 hours, although they are flexible and will adapt to suit the client's timetable.
Houston Greeters
901 Bagby Street
Suite 100
Houston, TX 77002
713-473-3837
houstongreeters.org
