Skip to main content

Houston a Destination City for Leisure Activities

Published Apr 10, 2024 by Hailea Schultz

Houston

Renowned worldwide as a mecca for performing and visual arts, complemented by its vast array of parks and green spaces, and award-winning culinary scene, Houston continues to attract people from across the globe for its abundance of leisure activities.  

Early projections from Houston First Corporation reveal that the Bayou City welcomed over 51 million visitors last year, earning the title of Most Popular City in Texas for Overseas Tourists, according to Trips to Discover. Additionally, Houston was named one of the top American cities with the most fun things to do by CommercialCafe

Arts & Entertainment

At the heart of Houston's allure lies its world-class museums, such as the Menil Collection and The Museum of Fine Arts, which serve as gateways to explore art, history and science. The Orange Show and Smither Park, constructed from recycled materials, stand as mosaic wonderlands, a testament to the city’s folk art. Moreover, recent additions to Houston's art scene, such as Meow Wolf and the Museum of Illusions, introduce immersive installations and exhibits that create unique attractions in the Bayou City. 

Adding a flare to the arts, Houston's entertainment district provides exclusive access to some of the world’s best musical, dance and theatrical talent, featuring prestigious organizations and theaters such as the Houston Ballet and Symphony alongside the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts and the Wortham Theater Center. Meanwhile, venues like the House of Blues and the White Oak Music Hall provide electrifying concert experiences, showcasing both established acts and emerging talents. 

Parks & Outdoors

With nearly 400 parks and more than 200 green spaces, including the beloved Buffalo Bayou and Memorial Park, Houston also offers plenty of outdoor activities within the city. Hidden in-between downtown skyscrapers lies Discovery Green, a 12-acre urban park, which offers free yoga classes and movie screenings alongside the skating rink and green spaces. Nestled within the iconic Houston Zoo lies Hermann Park, which features a Japanese garden, golf course and modern play areas, making it one of the best city parks in the nation. 

Among the city’s top attractions are its amusement parks, including Downtown Aquarium, Space Center Houston, Galveston’s Pleasure Pier, Kemah Boardwalk and the Houston Funplex. Great Wolf Lodge, a massive resort and indoor water park, is also expected to open this year.   

Sports

Houston is also a sports city, boasting many major-league teams and venues, including the 2017 and 2022 MLB World Series Champions – the Houston Astros, who call Minute Maid Park home. Among its crown jewels are also the Houston Texans, Rockets and the Dynamos, which occupy NRG Stadium, the Toyota Center, and Shell Energy Stadium. These state-of-the-art facilities will host a series of major sporting events in the upcoming years, including the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship, 2026 FIFA World Cup, and the 2025, 2027, and 2031 AAU Junior Olympic Games. 

Festivals & Events

The city also hosts several exciting events annually, including the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, recognized as the world’s largest and best fair and rodeo by the Academy of Country Music. In the 2024 season, the Houston Rodeo experienced record-breaking attendance, welcoming more than 2.5 million guests over the 23-day event. Other H-Town known events include the Houston Art Car Parade, the Bayou City Art Festival, Hermann Park’s Kite Festival, the Texas Renaissance Festival and the Chevron Houston Marathon, showcasing a dynamic variety of events with everyone in mind.  

Discover more about living in Houston

Related News

Economic Development

Houston Remains Top Texas City in New National Ranking

6/27/24
Houston has once again topped the rankings of an annual list of America’s Best Cities, claiming first in the state and No. 10 in the nation, surpassing Dallas and Austin.  The report, compiled by international consulting firm Resonance, ranks cities with a population of more than 500,000 based on livability, lovability and prosperity. The Bayou City has consistently ranked high on Resonance’s list over the years, placing No. 9 in 2023 and No. 11 in 2022, drawing praise for its cultural diversity, award-winning restaurant scene, number of Fortune 500 companies and quality of life.  Houston’s population gains can be attributed to its quality of life and strong economy. According to a Greater Houston Partnership analysis, Houston added nearly 140,000 residents in 2023, marking the second highest population growth among U.S. metros.  “Austin may get the attention, but the promise of the Lone Star State drawing Californians and New Yorkers is quietly being fulfilled in Houston,” the report stated.  This year’s report again recognizes Houston as one of the most diverse cities in the nation, with one in four residents being foreign-born and over 145 languages spoken, earning it the No. 21 spot in the report’s Culture category. The report also highlights the city's wealth of international festivals, world-class museums and cultural centers, including the new Ismaili Center set to open next year.  Houston’s dining scene ranked fourth in the report’s restaurant subcategory, ahead of popular foodie destinations including San Francisco, Las Vegas and Miami. The city earned acclaim for its diverse blend of dishes, described in the report as “Southern Soul and barbecue with Mexican that’s then seasoned with global cuisine.” Earlier this year, 11 Houston restaurants and chefs were named semifinalists for the 2024 James Beard Awards.   The report also applauded Houston’s robust economy, ranking No. 3 in the country for the number of Fortune 500 companies and patents. Houston is home to 26 Fortune 500 companies, making it the third-largest hub for Fortune 500 headquarters in the nation. As a hub for business development and opportunity, Houston was also recently named the best city to grow a business, according to a new study by The RevOps Team.  Additionally, Resonance recognized the Bayou City for its leadership in the global energy transition, with an estimated $250 billion in potential investment in the region over the next 15 years, according to a recent McKinsey report. The report also highlighted Houston’s reputation as Space City, noting key facilities and investments such as the Houston Spaceport, which is anchored by NASA-contract-winning companies Axiom Space, Collins Aerospace and Intuitive Machines.  Learn more about living in Houston.  
Read More
Living In Houston

Enjoying Summer in Houston: A Guide to the Best Activities

6/21/24
While summer in Houston brings high temperatures and humidity, don't let the heat keep you from enjoying the vibrant array of activities the city has to offer. From splashing around in water parks to exploring lush green spaces and indulging in cultural experiences, Houston provides countless ways to stay entertained and cool during the hot summer months. Here’s a guide to the best summer activities in Houston.   Click to expand Explore Parks & Green Spaces  Houston boasts over 300 parks and 200 green spaces, providing an abundance of fun summer activities. In the heart of downtown, Discovery Green stands out with its free fitness classes, movie screenings and splash pad. Market Square Park, located in Houston’s historic district, is another go-to hotspot for summer fun, featuring blanket bingo, live music and movies under the stars. Additionally, Buffalo Bayou Park, one of the city’s largest green spaces, offers boat tours along the bayou, an immersive tour of a historic underground cistern and is an ideal gathering place for picnics, dog walks and family outings.  Click to expand Visit the Museum District  When the summer heat becomes too intense, you can find the perfect escape inside Houston’s Museum District. Home to world-class museums such as the Museum of Fine Arts (MFAH), the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Children’s Museum of Houston, the district offers interactive exhibits and educational experiences for all ages. Additionally, within the district lies the Bayou Bend Collections and Gardens, MFAH’s house museum for American decorative arts and paintings. For more interactive experiences, Houston also boasts attractions like the Museum of Illusions, Meow Wolf and the Color Factory.   Click to expand Discover Houston Favorites  A visit to the Houston Zoo, nestled in Hermann Park, provides a chance to explore over 6,000 animals and many interactive exhibits, including the Galápagos Islands. Sports enthusiasts can catch an Astros game at Minute Maid Park, where the lively atmosphere and thrilling baseball action make for an unforgettable experience. For those fascinated by space, Space Center Houston offers an immersive journey into the world of NASA, with exhibits featuring real spacecraft, astronaut encounters and tram tours of the Johnson Space Center.  Click to expand Cool Off at Waterparks  Looking to beat the heat this summer? The greater Houston region boasts a vast portfolio of thrilling waterparks. Six Flags Hurricane Harbor Splashtown, Houston’s largest waterpark, features nearly 20 rides and attractions, including high-speed waterslides, an interactive kid zone and more. Other expansive waterparks include Typhoon Texas in Katy and Schlitterbahn on Galveston Island. Additionally, New Caney is home to Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures, which offers waterslides, roller coasters, an inflatable water obstacle course and ziplining.   Click to expand Relax on Galveston Island   Just a short drive from Houston, Galveston Island offers beautiful beaches, historic sites and a variety of outdoor activities. Spend a day lounging on the sandy shores, take a stroll along the Seawall or visit local shops on The Strand. For amusement rides and games, head to the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier. The island is also home to Moody Gardens, where you can explore a 1.5-million-gallon aquarium, a rainforest exhibit featuring exotic plants and animals and relax on Palm Beach, a waterfront resort with a lazy river, wave pool, waterslides, splash pads and beachside cabanas.  Discover more about living in Houston. 
Read More

Related Events

Education

Arts & Sports Forum

Houston's arts and sports scenes offer residents and visitors an unparalleled cultural tapestry. From world-class museums to thrilling athletic events, this convergence creates a vibrant, diverse atmosphere that…

Learn More
Learn More
Executive Partners