Places to Visit in Houston, Texas

Wondering which places to visit in Houston? Houston actually has a lot to offer. In this article, I will walk you through a few places we have been to and really loved.

Contents

• Space Center Houston
• Houston Downtown
• Kemah Boardwalk
• Little Saigon (Viet-Town)
• Texas A&M University (College Station)
• Final Words

Space Center Houston

Space Center Houston is a science museum that serves as the official visitor center of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.

We took a tram tour around the facilities, where NASA personnel were actively working. We got to explore a decommissioned Space Shuttle, a Falcon 9 from SpaceX, and walked by an astronaut signing autographs.

Decommissioned Space Shuttle

NASA personnel were actively working

A decommissioned Falcon 9 from SpaceX at Space Center Houston

When we visited the Space Center, SpaceX had just completed the recent launch of SpaceX's gargantuan Super Heavy-Starship with 33 Raptors on November 19, 2023. Seeing the Falcon 9 with 9 Raptors with my own eyes was an unbelievable feeling, realizing that we are living in an era witnessing a private company SpaceX leading the efforts to explore space, aiming even for Mars in the future. What a great time to be alive!

The Space Center is a place that inspires when you feel lost in your work. You witness the dedication of individuals who devoted their lifetimes to a mission aimed at humanity's understanding of the space we inhabit. It is surreal.

Moreover, it is a place to find peace among us humans. I heard an astronaut say that when looking back at Earth from the space station, he saw how all humans live and depend on each other on this planet. Why fight? It offers a perspective shift.

Address: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058

Houston Downtown

Unlike many major city downtowns, Houston is surprisingly clean and peaceful, adorned with high-rises, restaurants, beautiful murals, and artful little parks nestled among skyscrapers.

Beautiful Mural in Houston Downtown

We took our kids to the Christmas Carol play at the Alley Theater (615 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002). The highlight for them was the DIY chocolate milk before the play: they could choose whatever toppings and how much they wanted on their chocolate milk. It was such a delightful experience.

Hot Chocolate Bar at Alley Theater

Kemah Boardwalk

The Kemah Boardwalk is a 60-acre Texas Gulf Coast theme park located in Kemah, Texas, approximately 30 miles southeast of Downtown Houston, Texas, facing the Galveston Bay. While there is no entrance fee, you can purchase tickets separately for different rides and activities.

Situated by the ocean, it offers an amusement park experience. Our kids thoroughly enjoyed a ride on the roller coaster and had a fantastic time.

The Kemah Boardwalk resembles the charm of the "Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk" in the South.

Kemah Boardwalk

Address: 215 Kipp Ave, Kemah, TX 77565

Little Saigon (Viet-Town)

Little Saigon, also known as Vietnamtown or Viet-Town, is a vibrant neighborhood in Houston, Texas, centered on Bellaire Boulevard west of Chinatown. Known for having one of the largest Vietnamese populations in the area, it's interesting to note that, following English and Spanish, Vietnamese is the third most spoken language in Texas. This cultural diversity contributes to the authenticity of the Vietnamese cuisine available here.

A popular dish in Houston is the Viet-Cajun crawfish. This dish consists of crawfish cooked in a flavorful blend of Vietnamese and Cajun spices, typically featuring garlic, butter, and various herbs and spices. Numerous restaurants offer this delicacy, and while many claim to be the originators, Crawfish and Noodles is considered one of the originals. However, please note that availability of crawfish may vary and is served while supplies last.

Viet-Cajun crawfish

Address of Crawfish and Noodles: 11360 Bellaire Blvd #990, Houston, TX 77072

Our personal favorite Vietnamese dish is Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm. This dish includes various fish cakes, meats, fresh vegetables, and dry rice wrappers. To enjoy it, briefly dip the rice wrapper into water to soften it. Then, wrap the meat, veggies, and vermicelli in the wrapper and dip it into the fermented shrimp sauce (which might have a strong smell) to savor the flavors. We discovered a quaint restaurant called Xuân Hưong tucked away in a street mall that offered Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm, and we were overjoyed with our find.

Bún Đậu Mắm Tôm at Xuân Hưong

A side note about this dish: they also provide scissors for cutting the fish cakes into smaller strips, making it easier to wrap. We had no clue about this initially until we observed Vietnamese people at the next table demonstrating how to do it.

Address of Xuân Hưong: 11107 Bellaire Blvd Ste G, Houston, TX 77072

Texas A&M University (College Station)

On the way back home, we had the opportunity to visit the famous Texas A&M University. It is approximately 100 miles from Houston.

This university is the largest public research university in Texas and one of the largest in the United States in terms of enrollment and campus size.

The buildings on campus boast a mix of modern and historic architecture, with iconic structures such as the Academic Building, the Memorial Student Center, and the Kyle Field football stadium, known for its rich tradition in college football.

On campus, there is a tree called the Century Tree which was planted over a hundred years ago, making it a symbol of enduring tradition and a popular spot for proposals and romantic gestures.

Century Tree at Texas A&M University

We brought our children here so they could explore the campus and consider attending this prestigious university in the future.

Final Words

So, lugares para visitar en Houston? No matter the differences in cultures, cuisine, or educational opportunities, Houston has a lot to offer. I hope this glimpse into our experiences encourages you to explore and discover the richness of this diverse city for yourself.

If you're interested in visiting all the iconic places in Houston, such as Space Center Houston, the Downtown Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston Zoo, Kemah Boardwalk, Children's Museum Houston, and Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, consider grabbing a CityPASS for Houston. With it, you can access these attractions at a discounted bundle price.