TripAdvisors Top Things to do in Houston --all free and all fun !

TripAdvisor's list of Top Free Things to do in Houston

Embassy Suites Houston Near the Galleria has an overnight package with #6 and its location is ideal for all 7.

To add to the "free" Embassy Suites Houston Near the Galleria offers all guests:

• Free cooked to order breakfast
• Complimentary Evening Reception with beverages and snacks
• Free High Speed Internet Access
• Two Room Suite
• Packages that include parking

Click here to enjoy TripAdvisor's top Things to Do with Embassy Suites Houston Near the Galleria

Houston on a budget

Save listCreated by Judy Antell

Though Houston is a city with great wealth, it also offers many free attractions for budget travelers.

Good for: Families, Groups, Seniors, Individuals

Seasons: Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

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Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

50 Reviews

A 155-acre nature sanctuary 4 miles west of downtown. Five miles of walking trails through forest, meadow and pond habitats offer opportunities to see frogs, turtles and other wildlife. Building houses gift shop, library, restrooms, and Discovery Room which includes aquariums, microscopes, interactive exhibits including the 15 ft. model "Learning Tree". Grounds: Daily 7 a.m. to dusk... More

Fee: No      Duration of visit: More than 3 hours

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The Menil Collection

96 Reviews

One of the greatest private art collections in the U.S. features such surrealist works as those by Salvador Dali and Max Ernst, and offers visitors a sign-free and simply-designed environment in which to experience the art in a more personal way. The main building is accompanied by four satellite buildings.

Fee: No      Duration of visit: More than 3 hours

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Memorial Park

56 Reviews

Memorial Park is a sprawling park nestled within a wooded majestic metropolis.  Enjoy miles of walking or jogging with friendly Houstonians.  You... more »

Fee: No      Duration of visit: More than 3 hours

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Discovery Green

73 Reviews

This downtown park offers free yoga classes, movie nights and toddler story times. The park has a playground, spray fountain and Mist Tree, great for hot Houston days. Enjoy free WiFi and open air reading rooms, or borrow balls or games.

Fee: No      Duration of visit: 2-3 hours

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Water Wall

194 Reviews

The Water Wall, near the Galleria, offers a respite from commerce. Sit under the spray on a hot day, or people watch and take pictures.

Fee: No      Duration of visit: <1 hour

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The Galleria

716 Reviews

Sprawling network of hotels, restaurants, and shops circling a giant indoor ice skating rink.

Fee: No      Duration of visit: More than 3 hours

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Miller Outdoor Theatre

128 Reviews

Miller Outdoor Theatre, in Hermann Park, offers an 8-month season of free outdoor performances. See concerts, theater, dance, and children’s programming.

Fee: No      Duration of visit: 2-3 hours

Biking is a phenomenally uplifting activity. And despite Houston’s reputation for being one of the nation’s fattest cities, we’ve got a bunch of great biking trails in and around the city. Break out those bike shorts and hit up one of these the best bike trails in Houston.

1. Terry Hershey Park

Terry Hershey Park

The Anthills, which is the name of the bike trail here, is one of the best ones in town. It isn’t the hardest trail to make your way through (matter of fact, in and of itself, it’s fairly easy), but the course has bunch of fun little dips and whatnot. Also, the view is a big draw as well. Careful when it rains though. You will get all kind of muddy.

15200 Memorial Dr
281-496-2177

2. George Bush Park

George Bush Park

The biking trail here could accurately be described as a warm-up course. It’s (about) two miles long, with no parts terribly difficult to traverse (save for a couple of uphill treks). Curiously, it is not loop shaped, so plan accordingly.

16756 Westheimer Pkwy
281-496-2177

3. Memorial Park

Memorial Park

Though there are two trails to choose from at Memorial Park, the one you should check is the Little Cambodia trail. (The other trail, dubbed Ho Chi Minh, is usually frequented by the area’s runners/walkers.) First timers heed warning: Little Cambodia trail has some big drops, big turns, and lots of stuff to get caught up in.

6501 Memorial Dr
Houston, TX 77007

4. Cullen Park

Cullen Park

This one should probably be avoided by beginners. It’s 3.5 miles of paved (easy) twists, turns, ditches, so on and so forth. Even still, be on your toes for roller bladers. Oh, those wily roller bladers.

19008 Saums Rd
281-578-0693

5. Buffalo Bayou Bike and Hike Trails

Buffalo Bayou

This one is twenty miles of urban biking and/or hiking. It’s only somewhat hilly, and shouldn’t pose too many problems (besides the whole 20 miles long thing), but be careful not to accidentally ride into the bayou. That’d probably not be pleasant.