Houston is the country’s most diverse big city, born on the banks of Buffalo Bayou in 1836 and fueled by NASA, energy, medicine, and a seriously creative food scene. Its neighborhoods—Montrose, The Heights, EaDo, and the Museum District—each hum with their own character, from sleek galleries to taco trucks and Third Ward jazz.

Travelers come for Space Center Houston, world-class museums, and Tex-Mex and barbecue that set national standards. You’ll also find a thriving cocktail culture, parks stitched along the bayous, and an ever-growing canvas of murals. Houston’s Theater District rivals Broadway in sheer seat count—catch a show if you can.

Practical notes: Houston is sprawling; rideshares and a rental car are handy, though METRORail serves Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District, and NRG Park (single ride ~$1.25; Day Pass ~$3). Summers are hot and humid; hurricane season runs June–November—check forecasts if day-tripping to Galveston. Dress casually; bring mosquito repellent for evenings in the parks.

Houston

Space City’s highlights span the Museum District, Buffalo Bayou Park, Downtown’s tunnels and Theater District, and the creative corridors of Montrose, The Heights, and EaDo. Expect brisket worth lining up for, Vietnamese crawfish in season, and coastal Mexican seafood that tastes like a beach vacation.

• Where to stay (top picks):
  • High-end, resort-style: The Post Oak Hotel at Uptown Houston (helicopter pad, art collection, on-site Rolls-Royce showroom).
  • Boutique near museums: Hotel ZaZa Museum District (poolside scene, themed suites, walkable to major museums).
  • Shopper-friendly: The Westin Galleria Houston (connected to The Galleria and its ice rink).
  • Browse more: Hotels.com: Houston | VRBO: Houston
• Getting there: Fly into IAH (United hub) or HOU (Southwest). Typical nonstop times: NYC 3.5–4 hrs, LAX 3–3.5 hrs, Chicago ~2.5 hrs; round-trip fares often $120–$350 depending on dates. Search and book: Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com flights.
• Getting around: METRORail Day Pass ~$3 for Downtown–Museum District; rideshares are plentiful; free parking at many outer-neighborhood restaurants but expect paid garages Downtown.

Day 1: Arrival, Bayou Golden Hour, and Montrose Eats

Morning: Travel to Houston. If you arrive early, grab a latte and kouign-amann at Common Bond Bistro & Bakery (Montrose) or a cortado at Boomtown Coffee (Heights).

Afternoon: Check in, then stretch your legs along Buffalo Bayou Park. Walk to the Cistern overlook for skyline views and watch paddle-boarders drift by. Late lunch: try The Pit Room for peppery brisket and jalapeño-cheddar sausage, or Caracol for wood-roasted Gulf oysters and ceviche.

Evening: Dinner in Montrose: Hugo’s (Oaxacan moles, lamb barbacoa) or Riel (Gulf Coast meets Eastern European—don’t miss the caviar tots). Nightcap at Anvil Bar & Refuge (Houston’s classic cocktail den) or Julep (gulf-southern cocktails, shaved-ice juleps).

Day 2: Museum District Masterpieces + Dinosaurs and Gems

Morning: Breakfast at The Breakfast Klub (legendary wings & waffles; arrive early). Stroll shaded Hermann Park and the McGovern Centennial Gardens.

Afternoon: Dive into the Houston Museum of Natural Science—North America’s largest dinosaur hall, the glittering Gem Vault, and the Wiess Energy Hall’s immersive exhibits.

Houston Museum of Natural Science General Admission (Viator)

Snack break: pop into the Cockrell Butterfly Center greenhouse next door or sip espresso at Campesino Coffee House (Montrose).

Evening: Dinner near Downtown at Xochi (Oaxacan-inspired—tlayudas, roasted goat), or book Bludorn for refined Gulf seafood and pastas. If you love beer gardens, unwind under hammocks at Axelrad with live music.

Day 3: NASA Day—Space Center Houston and Clear Lake Breezes

Morning: Fuel up with kolaches at Slowpokes (multiple locations) and drive ~30–40 minutes to Space Center Houston (Official Visitor Center for NASA Johnson Space Center). Prioritize the Tram Tour to Mission Control and Rocket Park, plus the SpaceX Falcon 9 exhibit.

Space Center Houston Admission Ticket (Viator)

Afternoon: Late lunch in Clear Lake: classic Tex-Mex at Pappasito’s (fajitas, queso flameado) or gumbo and po’boys at Tommy’s Seafood (if you’re craving Cajun). Stroll the boardwalk in nearby Kemah if time allows.

Evening: Back in town, keep it casual with Detroit-style slices at Gold Tooth Tony’s or wood-fired pies at Vinny’s in EaDo. Cocktails at Nancy’s Hustle (don’t skip the buttery English muffin with cultured butter) or tiki vibes at Lei Low in The Heights.

Day 4: Downtown, Tunnels, and Murals

Morning: Coffee and pastel de nata at La La Land Kind Cafe (Rice Village) or Common Bond On-The-Go (Downtown). Explore the Downtown tunnels during the weekday lunch hour to see the city’s subterranean life in action.

Afternoon: See the city’s greatest hits—and its color-splashed walls—on an open-top bus excursion that covers neighborhoods and photo stops.

Houston's Official City & Mural Tour! (Viator)

Evening: Dine in EaDo: Tiny Champions (house-milled pastas, sourdough pizza) or Street to Kitchen (fiery, from-scratch Thai). Nightlife: arcade-and-cider fun at Cidercade or open-air antics at Truck Yard with live bands and Ferris-wheel seats.

Day 5: Heights Bungalows, BBQ Pilgrimage, and Game Night

Morning: Brunch at Tiny’s No. 5 (West U—order the famous chocolate chip cookies) or biscuit sandwiches at The Toasted Yolk. Browse Heights Mercantile and the 19th Street boutiques for vintage and antiques.

Afternoon: BBQ showdown: Truth BBQ (butter-brushed smoked turkey, ribs), Pinkerton’s Barbecue (brisket, blueberry cobbler), or Gatlin’s BBQ (classic, peppery bark). Walk the White Oak Bayou Greenway afterward to earn dessert at Cloud 10 Creamery.

Evening: Catch an NBA game at the Toyota Center (Oct–Apr). Even if you’re not a die-hard fan, the energy is infectious and the arena is walkable to lots of postgame snacks and bars.

Houston Rockets Basketball Game at Toyota Center (Viator)

Postgame bites: swing by Finn Hall (food hall with late-ish options) or The Original Ninfa’s on Navigation for a celebratory margarita and sizzling fajitas.

Day 6: Galveston Day Trip—Victorian Seaside and Gulf Air

Morning: Drive ~1 hour to Galveston Island for beach time and the historic Strand. Coffee at MOD Coffeehouse and a stroll among Victorian architecture. Note: check beach conditions during hurricane season.

Afternoon: Lunch at century-old Gaido’s (Gulf red snapper, crab au gratin) or casual shrimp tacos by the seawall. Ride the Pleasure Pier or visit Moody Gardens if weather turns.

Evening: Return to Houston. Treat yourself to a splurge dinner: Pappas Bros. Steakhouse (deep wine list) or coastal Mexican at Caracol. For a quiet finale, sip a Burgundy at 13 Celsius wine bar.

Day 7: Menil Tranquility, Waterwall Finale, and Departure

Morning: Coffee at Retrospect Coffee Bar (a restored gas station) and wander the serene Menil Collection campus and Rothko Chapel. Brunch nearby at Lucille’s (chili biscuits, oxtail with grits) in the Museum District.

Afternoon: Last-minute shopping in Rice Village or marvel at the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park in Uptown. Depart for the airport.

Optional Add-Ons and Tips

• If you’re museum-happy, consider a city attractions bundle to save on admissions.
• Breweries worth a detour: Saint Arnold Brewing Company (beer garden with skyline views) and Buffalo Bayou Brewing (rooftop, creative pizzas).
• Sports alternatives: MLB’s Astros (Apr–Oct) at Minute Maid Park or MLS’s Houston Dynamo (Feb–Oct) at Shell Energy Stadium.

Book Your Stay and Transport

• Hotels: Hotel ZaZa Museum District | The Post Oak Hotel | The Westin Galleria | Browse all Houston hotels
• Vacation rentals: VRBO: Houston homes and condos
• Flights: Trip.com | Kiwi.com

With a week in Houston, you’ll taste the city’s breadth—from NASA’s storied past to murals and menus that show where it’s going next. Come hungry, pack curiosity, and let Space City’s neighborhoods surprise you day after day.