Wondering what to do in Houston this weekend? America’s 4th largest city is a crossroads of culture; a gathering place for diverse foods, museums, and experiences.

If you have some free time while you’re in town, check out these great things to do in Houston:

See also:

• Trying to like Football: the NFL Experience Houston
• Tours of the Texas state Capitol: Who’s in my District?

NASA / Kemah Board Walk

Either it’s your life’s ambition to sit in Mission Control and say “Houston, we have a problem,” or you’re a total liar. You have to visit NASA when you’re in Houston. It’s our claim to fame and pretty much the coolest thing we have around here.

But it is a bit of a hike, so I recommend spending the morning at Johnson Space Center (of One Direction fame) before enjoying an evening at the relatively nearby Kemah Board Walk, which sports carnival rides, a great view of the water, and delicious places to eat.

Galleria / Water Wall

The Galleria is Houston’s premier shopping destination, but most importantly it’s home to a GIANT ice rink that you can use to cool off in the Texas heat. Because let’s be real. It’s always hot in Houston.

The Water Wall is also nearby. No one’s actually sure what it’s for, but it’s a great Space City photo OP. If you catch a couple getting engaged here, consider yourself a local.

The Museum District

What to do in Houston this weekend? Visit the Museum District — it has something for everyone: from a brand new dinosaur exhibit to art spanning thousands of years to the history of bicycles. Seriously y’all. Something for everyone.

See also:

• Azalea Trail Houston: #HouseHunters with the River Oaks Garden Club
• #HometownHoliday: George Ezra at the Houston House of Blues

Galveston Island

If you have a spare day, or even spare afternoon during your Houston sightseeing experience, pop down to Galveston Island to take in Texas history and catch some sun.

Galveston is home to the magnificent Moody Gardens, an “educational tourist destination” made famous by its three Pyramids, each housing different educational and recreational activities. They’ve even got penguins.

You can also relax on beach, play on Pleasure Pier (it’s right out of a movie) or visit the Texas Seaport Museum & 1877 Tall Ship Elissa, which tell the story of the 1900 hurricane that changed the course of history.

What to do in Houston this Weekend? EAT.

Texans like to eat, y’all. And while smaller, family restaurants are always going to be your best bet, if you’ve got a hankering for some authentic Tex-Mex or a good Texas Ribeye, I’ve got you covered. Here are the best places to eat in Houston:

• Saltgrass / Taste of Texas

Taste of Texas is a Texas ICON, but that does come with a higher price tag. Expect to spend roughly $30-$60 per dish, depending on your meat.

If you still want a Texas steak, then check out one of Saltgrass’ many Houston-area locations. Just make sure not to fill up on the bread.

• Pappasitos / Ninfas

These two are really something to taco bout. With multiple locations throughout Houston and a wide variety of delicious dishes, if you want Mexican while you do your Houston sightseeing , you can’t go wrong here.

• Blue Bell Ice Cream

The great famine is over y’all! If you can’t make it to the factory out in Brenham, make sure to down a half-gallon or two. Or three.

Of course this is just a short list of what to this weekend in Houston to get you started. Everything really is bigger in Texas and there’s too many cool things to do in Houston to list here.

See also:

• 5 Questions to Ask when Traveling to Avoid Common Travel Mistakes
• Scared to Travel Alone? Here’s 7 Ways to Practice for your First Solo Trip

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Emily Kammerlohr

Emily’s all over the place. She’s an expert on working holidays, studying abroad, and turning your #GapYear into a #GapLife. Learn how here.