It’s hot and gas prices are high, but summer memories are priceless. Living in one of the country’s fastest-growing cities, there’s no shortage of fun things to do in Houston this summer. Check out the list below to get a few ideas for your own summer planning list.

Visit a Houston area park

Houston is home to over 200 parks and green spaces, so it’s easy to find a serene spot for a walk or picnic (of course, you need to start early or go late unless you really like the heat). Here’s a link that will give you a good list to start with and includes Houston and surrounding areas: Houston Parks & Outdoors

Take a trip to one of the many museums in Houston

Get out there and get a little culture. There are so many museums in and around Houston. Some of my favorites include:

• The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is a great place to visit. This museum has over 70,000 works of art, including a wide range of exhibits and events open to all ages. Check out their website and calendar for more information https://www.mfah.org/calendar
• The Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) is a museum with something for everyone. Some of my favorite permanent exhibits are ancient Egypt (currently closed for renovation, but reopening in August 2022), dinosaurs, gems and minerals, and space. And this summer is the 10-year anniversary of the Morian Hall of Paleontology, so they are celebrating dino-style with “Rock n’ Roar Summer” https://www.hmns.org/hmns-rock-n-roar-summer-2022/rock-n-roar-summer-at-hmns-hermann-park/
• The Health Science Museum is another favorite. Yes, it’s educational but fun at the same time. https://www.thehealthmuseum.org/
• The Art Car Museum is a must if you live in or near Houston. Even if you aren’t “into cars”, it’s a fun place to visit at least once. https://artcarmuseum.com/
• The Children’s Museum has always been one of our favorites. It’s a place where kids can explore, create, and learn. The exhibits are fun and interactive—there’s always something new to see! https://www.cmhouston.org/
• The National Museum of Funeral History – okay, so this one I’ve personally not been to but I’ve heard many say it was interesting. But what really caught my eye was a new exhibit coming in 2023 – “Seeking the Face of Christ – How the Shroud of Turin Reveals God’s Love”. I’m marking my calendar now. https://www.nmfh.org/the-museum/

Visit Galveston

Galveston is a wonderful place for a day trip or a weekend getaway. No, the beaches aren’t the white sands of the Caribbean but I can overlook that and still enjoy the island atmosphere. You can play on the beach, find a great place or two to eat, visit Pleasure Pier, and/or do some shopping on The Strand. Rain or shine – we love Galveston!

See the animals at the Houston Zoo

The zoo has over 6000 different animals to see. If you’re looking to visit the zoo in the summertime, you probably want to start first thing in the morning (the Houston Zoo opens at 9am). The animals might be a little more active in the early hours, but no matter what time of day you are still sure to see some wildlife.

Beat the heat with indoor playgrounds & gyms

Houston summers are HOT and sometimes you just want to stay inside. If you’re looking for a way to beat the heat and still have fun with your kids, try visiting an indoor gym or playground. There are plenty to choose from in Houston and surrounding areas. Just to name a few: Urban Air, Kanga’s, Pump It Up, etc. Even good ol’ Chuck E Cheese can be cooler than the local outdoor park at noon. And Topgolf is always a hit for the bigger kids.

Houston has so many fun things to do in the summer and the options are endless. I hope you found some inspiration to go out and check out one of these activities this summer. If you try something on the list, let me know how it goes!