• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
JillBJarvis.com
  • Events Calendar
    • Houston Events for Today
  • What to do in Houston
    • Free Things to Do
    • Houston Mural Map
    • Houston Field Trips
    • Farms and Safaris
    • Houston Parks
  • Restaurants
  • Travel
    • Family Travel from Houston
  • Resources
    • Summer Camps
    • Party Venues
    • Applying to HoustonISD Magnet Schools
    • Find a Preschool
    • Find a Doctor
    • Moving to Houston
  • Connect with Us
    • About Jill
    • Sign Up for the Newsletter
    • Contact Jill at JillBJarvis.com
    • Work with Us
menu icon
go to homepage
  • Calendar
  • Any Day
  • Restaurants
  • Travel
  • About
  • Resources
  • Contact
  • Work with JillBJarvis.com
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • Calendar
    • Any Day
    • Restaurants
    • Travel
    • About
    • Resources
    • Contact
    • Work with JillBJarvis.com
    • Email
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • LinkedIn
    • Twitter
  • ×
    Home » Things to do

    Have a few hours, or a few days in Houston? Here are 5 places to go with kids!

    Modified: May 11, 2017 by Jill Jarvis · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · #sponsoredpost · Leave a Comment

    "There is nothing to do in Houston"

    I've heard this over and over from out-of-town colleagues. And to this, I usually agree. If you fly in to the airport, drive to a corporate office or stop by a shopping mall, you are probably not going to fall in love with the city.

    That said, if they have a few hours or a few days to explore the city, they usually see why I like Houston so much.

    So, if you are in town, with kids, here are a handful of places to explore (with a map below).

     

    discovery-green-shade-spot-and-mist-tree
    1. Downtown Houston

    If you are just going to one part of Downtown, I'd make it Discovery Green on the east side of Downtown. Play at the playground, splash at the splashpad or mist tree, kayak on the lake or participate in one of the many activities.

    Across the street, in the bottom of One Park Place, eat at Phoenicia Specialty Foods... or grab food for your picnic.

     

    Miller Outdoor Theatre and Hermann Park Train
    2. Museum District

    Not far from Downtown, and connected by the METRORail track, is the Museum District.

    You could spend a week exploring all the museums and the zoo, but I would start with Hermann Park. Walk, play, take the train and pedal the boats.

    If you really want to fall in love with Houston, walk across the street to Rice University. Secrets are hidden all over the campus in the art and architecture. Take your own tour with the map found HERE.

    If there is time, pick one museum to explore. The Children's Museum is great (and insanely busy at times) and the Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of my favorites.

     

    Menil Campus Looking at Red Swing Park
    3. Montrose

    This hip neighborhood is home to the rest of the the Museum District museums. The Menil Collection is always free to enter. It’s not designed just for kids, but take your aspiring artists in with a clipboard and a pencil to sketch a few works of art. Since there is no charge to visit, feel free to stay for 5 minutes or 5 hours.

    Across the street is the Menil Park and Good Dog restaurant. For more things within walking distance, look HERE.

     

    Climbing at by the Houston Skyline Fish Family Play Area Buffalo Bayou Park
    4. Buffalo Bayou Park

    Just north of Montrose, and connected to Downtown Houston is Buffalo Bayou and Buffalo Bayou Park. You have to check out the nature playground, the trails and the giant bat colony. If the kids are old enough, tour the newly uncovered cistern.

    Eat a picnic lunch or check out the beautiful restaurant, The Dunlavy.

     

    Travis Spark Park Dinosaur Bones1
    5. Something More

    If you have a few more hours, we have ideas on how to spend them with the kids. In this Half Day in Houston series, find a place to park, play, explore and eat… all in one spot. Pick what you like or combine with another Half Day itinerary!

    Or, if you want to see the quirky side of Houston, you need to see these Top 20 “Not-Your-Usual” Things to Do in Houston, with Kids. This list does not include usual favorites. Instead, you will find things with fewer crowds, some that are a little unusual, and all that are just as much fun as the well-known spots.

    Or, you if your Look a Little Closer, you will see the beautiful part of our city.

    Or, check out these recommendations from Houston parents! These include:

    • Levy Park
    • Brazos Bend State Park
    • Space Center Houston
    • Huntsville State Park
    • Kemah Boardwalk

    If you are in Houston and have a few hours or a few days to explore, I hope the map below helps you explore Houston!

    More Things to do

    • Splashway Waterpark monkey bars across the lazy river
      Splashway Waterpark & Campgrounds Promo Code
    • Thumbs Up in the Pool
      Cheap, Reduced or Free Summer Camps for Houston Kids
    • Baby angel at ice cream shop
      Top 5 Places to Eat in Houston, with Kids!
    • Noahs Ark Pool Whale
      Houston Summer Fun Guide

    About Jill Jarvis

    Jill Jarvis is the owner of JillBJarvis.com, a BigKidSmallCity.com and Things to Do in Houston, with Kids, blog!

    She is the mom of five and started the website years ago... when she was tired of constantly cleaning up the same mess in the family room.

    Another mom showed her that you could just go do fun things in Houston, without hours of planning.

    This inspired the blog and changed everything about how she enjoyed life in Houston, with kids!

    Reader Interactions

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Primary Sidebar

    On JillBJarvis.com, you will find things to do in Houston, with kids! Find all the Houston events, things to do any day, restaurants and resources for local parents.

    Popular Posts

    • Hermann Park The Commons Splashpad Kids Walking in Water
      What to Do in Houston Today, June 13-August 10, 2025
    • Smile Yall are in Houston Mural
      What to Do in Houston with Kids Any Day
    • Midtown Park Boulder
      Houston Parks: Citywide Map, Pictures & Parent Reviews
    • Boys at the Beach
      Things to Do in Houston with Teens

    Featured On

    Go HERE for more media appearances!

    As Seen On Media Channels

    Browse Website by...

    • Parks
    • Farms and Zoos
    • Beach
    • Things to do

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • About Jill
    • Privacy Policy
    • Disclaimer

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Contact
    • Media Kit

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2021 JillBJarvis.com