Top 15 Attractions and Activities in Downtown Houston

Downtown Houston comprises a vibrant blend of commercial properties, towering offices, and lush green spaces. Spanning just under two square miles at the heart of the city, it showcases skyscrapers that loom above Houston, resembling a collection of monumental stalagmites.

Founded along the banks of Buffalo Bayou, which traverses the upper expanse of the downtown area, Downtown Houston offers a wealth of experiences beyond conventional fishing. Discover the area on a double-decker bus or admire the multitude of graffiti artworks throughout the district on a Segway. Consider a visit to a local church for a unique gathering, or savor Tex-Mex cuisine while enjoying a basketball game.

Not all of Downtown Houston’s attractions are visible at first glance; an equally vibrant scene exists below ground. Explore these fifteen top experiences in Downtown Houston to uncover the rich tapestry of activities available.

1. Double Decker Bus Tour

Ascend to the top deck of an open-topped double-decker bus and embark on a journey through Downtown, encompassing the major landmarks of Houston.

The hop-on-hop-off service features three pickup locations in Downtown Houston: Market Square Park, the Houston City Hall Visitor Center, and Bagby Street in the theater district.

The comprehensive tour takes approximately ninety minutes; you may elect to complete it in a single trip or disembark and reboard later when it returns after an hour and a half. Ding ding! All aboard!

2. Downtown Houston Tunnel System

After familiarizing yourself with Downtown Houston at street level, delve into the Downtown Tunnel System and uncover the subterranean wonders located twenty feet below the surface. This unique tunnel system interconnects more than ninety blocks, offering a surreal experience.

Stroll through a six-mile-long network of brightly lit pathways featuring various retail outlets and dining establishments, including cafes and restaurants.

The tunnels are conveniently accessible via escalators and clearly marked stairs at street level. It is advisable to download a tunnel map, as navigating the network can be quite complex.

3. Heritage Society Museum

The Heritage Society Museum resides in Sam Houston Park off Lamar Street within Downtown Houston. More akin to a village than a traditional museum, this site showcases a collection of historic buildings set amid ten acres of beautifully landscaped grounds.

Overwhelmed by surrounding skyscrapers, the restored structures include the oldest remaining building in the city, one of the first to feature an interior kitchen, and a timber church built in the late 1800s. These sites house antique furnishings and artifacts illustrating the lives of Houston’s earliest inhabitants.

A stroll around the Heritage Society Museum and its gardens feels akin to stepping into a genuine time capsule of Downtown Houston.

4. The Church of Beer

The St. Arnold Brewery Company, named after a European saint, stands as Texas’s oldest craft beer brewery. Where better to sample its products than in Downtown Houston amid an unconventional yet church-inspired ambiance?

Take a guided tour of the brewery and then step through the grand double doors of the dining pavilion. The interior boasts wooden arches spanning the high ceiling, stained glass windows, and antique religious art. Although not an actual church, it offers an environment for genuine beer enthusiasts.

Relax in one of the alcoved chapels adorned with vibrant murals by local artists while sipping a specialty brew or a popular year-round draft. The food served is excellent, and the beer garden offers remarkable views of Downtown Houston.

5. Discovery Green

Discovery Green, a twelve-acre public park located in Downtown Houston, serves as much more than just a recreational area. It also acts as a central social gathering spot. The park features a one-acre lake, a fountain, and two promenades—one lined with oak trees and another offering panoramic views of Downtown Houston.

Weekly festivals and various events, spanning from dance performances to film screenings and theatrical works, take place in the amphitheater. Enjoy the park’s enchanting atmosphere at night while dining at one of its two fine restaurants: The Grove or the Lake House. Should your visit coincide with the weekend, The Lake House provides a delightful Sunday brunch.

6. Hobby Center For Performing Arts

The Hobby Center for Performing Arts is a contemporary theater situated on Bagby Street in Downtown Houston.

Divided into two distinct auditoriums, Sarofim Hall and Zilkha Hall, the venue accommodates over three thousand patrons. The theater’s architectural highlights include sixty-foot glass windows that offer breathtaking views of Downtown Houston from the three-story foyer.

Regular performances include dramatic spectacles, various musical concerts, and Broadway shows. An in-house restaurant, the Diana American Grill, pays homage to the theater’s patron by serving traditional grill cuisine, while a bistro in the lobby offers refreshments prior to shows commencing.

7. Houston Police Museum

Located in the lobby of the Houston Police headquarters on Travis Street in Downtown, the Houston Police Museum showcases an extensive collection of memorabilia accumulated over the years.

Exhibits include a helicopter suspended from the ceiling, a vintage vehicle marked with bullet holes, and antique highway patrol motorcycles. Additionally, there is a memorial wall honoring fallen officers from Houston.

It is essential to bring identification, as it is required for entry.

8. Bayou Place

At Bayou Place, fulfill all your dining and entertainment needs within a single venue, conveniently located in Downtown Houston’s Theater district.

Enjoy a movie paired with dinner at AMC Dine-In, savor a classic burger at Hard Rock Cafe, or indulge in sushi at Blue Fish. Afterward, attend a concert or performance at the Revention Center or Ballroom, and unwind at the outdoor patio of the Wine Cellar while enjoying the evening glow of Downtown.

Bayou Place stands as one of Downtown’s most dynamic social hubs, ideal for a lively weekend outing.

9. Houston Graffiti & Street Art By Segway

Navigate the streets of Downtown Houston on a Segway while uncovering over two hundred individual murals created by Texas’s premier aerosol artists.

Begin in Graffiti Park on Leeland Street, a parking area surrounded by buildings adorned with enormous, colorful artworks. Here, you’ll learn to maneuver the Segway before moving into the bike lanes and traffic-free alleyways, revealing how vibrant the street art scene is in Downtown Houston.

As you explore, you will find graffiti art saturating the landscape of Downtown Houston.

10. Toyota Center

The Toyota Center is a premier indoor sports and event venue in Downtown Houston, serving as the home for the Houston Rockets basketball team, which routinely attracts crowds large enough to fill its twenty thousand seats.

This venue frequently hosts major musical concerts featuring renowned artists such as The Rolling Stones, Fleetwood Mac, and Justin Bieber. The arena offers an array of dining options, including a chef’s buffet at the Red and White Bistro, pizzas from multiple Pizza Huts, burgers from numerous stands, and a wide selection of other food and beverage concessions.

Regardless of your seating choice, you will find ample dining options during a Rockets basketball game in Downtown Houston.

11. Houston Escape Rooms

Challenge your abilities in a thrilling one-hour experience at the Houston Escape Rooms on Jackson Street within Downtown Houston.

Your challenge begins as you are locked in, tasked with solving the mystery of hidden treasure, the abduction of an agent, or destroying enemy ships in a naval operation before time runs out, with consequences for failure.

The array of escape rooms will engage your intellect, puzzle-solving skills, and ultimately induce a sense of urgency as the clock ticks down. Enjoy the adventure!

12. Pappasito’s Cantina

Tex-Mex cuisine is a hallmark of Downtown Houston, and you can experience its authenticity at Pappasito’s Cantina on Lamar Street.

Enter the restaurant beneath the eye-catching neon sign and step into an inviting atmosphere reminiscent of a traditional Mexican cantina. Start with a pre-dinner Margarita from one of their ten varieties, followed by a selection of quesadillas, guacamole, and shrimp ceviche, wrapped up with enticing tacos or Pappasito’s signature fajitas.

Experiencing authentic Tex-Mex is one of the prime reasons to explore Downtown Houston, so make it a priority.

13. Rec Room

The Rec Room is an intimate venue on Jackson Street in Downtown Houston, dedicated to showcasing experimental theater and musical performances.

Audiences, limited to thirty individuals, are granted entry on a first-come, first-served basis, thus arriving early is recommended. The Rec Room bar also hosts spontaneous performances that could range from stand-up comedy to intimate musical sessions.

The Rec Room promises a diverse and engaging entertainment experience.

14. The Dirt Bar

Downtown Houston embodies a lively nightlife, epitomized by The Dirt Bar located on Caroline Street. Despite its low-lighting dive bar atmosphere, this venue is frequented by Houston’s music celebrities.

Heavy rock tunes resonate from the internet-connected jukebox, gothic chandeliers adorn the ceilings, and a wide array of bottled beverages fills the bar. Unique cocktails such as the Black Mule are served in mini metal buckets, rather than traditional glassware.

If the ambiance involving tattoos, piercings, and heavy metal does not align with your preferences, consider visiting another bar.

15. Downtown Historical Bike Tour

Join a bike tour just outside of Downtown along Buffalo Bayou’s Sabine Street. Receive your bicycle and helmet, then cycle back to Downtown with your guide.

Gain insights into the history of Downtown Houston as you glide past significant attractions and take a detour by the bayou and the city’s founding site, Allan’s Landing, before returning to Buffalo Bayou for a leisurely exploration of the park.

The cycling tours last from two to three hours, depending on your cycling proficiency and the frequency of rest stops to appreciate the beautiful vistas of Bayou City.