Best Museums in Houston
Houston, a vibrant metropolis in Texas, boasts a rich tapestry of cultural experiences!
Intrigued by art, history, or the marvels of science? Look no further than the renowned collections of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
Beyond its space exploration scene, the city is home to an impressive array of museums, like the Houston Museum of Natural Science where visitors can uncover a vast world of scientific wonders, including dinosaur fossils, sparkling gems, and global cultures.
The city caters to diverse interests and ignites curiosity in all ages. Read on to check out all the best museums in Houston!
The Best Museums in Houston – Categorized Houston Museums List
Free Museums in Houston
Art Lovers
History Buffs
Science & Technology
Quick Hit Summary – Museums Houston TX
Enjoy free admission at The Menil Collection! This is something I recommend taking advantage of. You can explore renowned masterpieces of modern and contemporary art by Picasso, Rothko, and Warhol.
When I want to delve into the artistic heritage of Asia, I head to the rotating exhibits at the Asia Society Texas Center, or spend a day at the Holocaust Museum Houston whose powerful exhibits educate visitors about the Holocaust’s horrors and its lasting impact.
We also recommend the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum which honors the legacy of the African American regiments known as the Buffalo Soldiers.
We have plenty more on our list of the best museums in Houston below, so check them all out!
Editor’s Note: Our staff works hard to bring you the latest information. However, all information mentioned in this article is subject to change. As always, please confirm before heading out.
Free Museums in Houston
The Menil Collection (4.7 rating, 3507 reviews)
The Menil Collection is home basically a museum that showcases the art collection of John de Menil and Dominique de Menil — a power couple that is known to be advocates of human rights as well as patrons of art — thus their massive art collection with an estimated of 17,000 paintings, drawings, photographs, rare books, and sculptures.
Where: 1533 Sul Ross St, Houston, TX 77006
Operating Hours: Monday – Tuesday CLOSED | Wednesday – Sunday 11:00 am – 7:00 pm
Insider Tip: Explore the nearby Byzantine Fresco Chapel for a unique cultural experience.
Special Features: Renowned collection of modern and contemporary art, featuring works by Picasso, Rothko, and Warhol.
Age Appropriateness: All ages, although younger children may require more guidance to appreciate the art.
Price Range: FREE
Art Car Museum (4.5 rating, 1062 reviews)
Learn about cars, see vintage models, and be amazed at some artistic renditions of vehicles throughout the times. Even when it’s a free exhibit, the artists very much welcome donations. Of course, your visit is enough support for all these amazing artists so make sure to include it in your itinerary when you are in the city.
Where: 140 Heights Blvd, Houston, TX 77007
Operating Hours: Monday – Tuesday CLOSED | Wednesday – Sunday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm
Insider Tip: Plan your visit for the annual Art Car Parade in April to see these unique vehicles in action.
Special Features: Showcasing a collection of elaborately decorated and reimagined vehicles, transforming cars into works of art.
Age Appropriateness: All ages, offering a whimsical and creative experience for everyone.
Price Range: FREE
Houston Museum of African American Culture (4.4 rating, 540 reviews)
Immerse yourself in the rich history and contributions of African Americans in Houston and beyond, through exhibits and programs.
Where: 4807 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004
Operating Hours: Sunday – Tuesday CLOSED | Wednesday – Saturday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Insider Tip: Participate in one of the museum’s educational programs or workshops to gain deeper insights into African American history and culture.
Special Features: Dedicated to preserving and celebrating the rich heritage and contributions of African Americans in Houston, the Southwest, and beyond.
Age Appropriateness: All ages, with exhibits and programs designed to educate and engage visitors of all backgrounds.
Price Range: FREE
Best Art Museums in Houston
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (4.8 rating, 9844 reviews)
This museum houses collections from different cultures and artists around the world, encompassing over two decades of art from the past to the present. Of course, it largely houses Houston community art, and there is also a section that plays filmographies of festivals and other important stories of the diverse communities in the city.
Where: 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005
Operating Hours: Monday – Tuesday CLOSED | Wednesday 11:00 am – 5:00 pm | Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm | Friday – Saturday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm | Sunday 12:30 – 6:00 pm
Insider Tip: Take advantage of free general admission on Thursdays from 6-9 pm.
Special Features: Extensive collections spanning centuries and continents, including masterpieces by Picasso, Monet, and Van Gogh.
Age Appropriateness: All ages, with special programs and activities for children and families.
Price Range: FREE for seniors and children (12 years old and younger); $10 per visitor
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston (4.4 rating, 1068 reviews)
This museum houses plenty of artworks from German painters to South African videographers, to Houston sculptors. It is a diverse art museum that showcases how the art of today has come to be. It is perfect for young adults, but curious families are just as welcome as they try to see the contrast of historical art in other galleries and museums and enter the CAMH with a fresh set of eyes.
Where: 5216 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
Operating Hours: Monday – Tuesday CLOSED | Wednesday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm | Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm | Friday – Sunday 11:00 am – 6:00 pm
Insider Tip: Check out the rooftop sculpture garden for stunning city views.
Special Features: Rotating exhibitions showcasing innovative and thought-provoking contemporary art.
Age Appropriateness: Primarily geared towards adults and teens, but some exhibits may be suitable for older children.
Price Range: FREE
Houston Center For Contemporary Craft
This museum is led by a nonprofit arts organization that aims and values educating the community about the different products that are important parts of the city’s history. It showcases contemporary craft using familiar materials like clay, fiber, glass, wood, and of course, recycled materials.
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday: 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Where: 4848 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002
Tickets: Admission is FREE, but they are open for donations
Seismique Museum
If you want to have a mind-boggling experience, then visit the Seismique Museum in Houston. It is one of the most interactive museums in the city, with a large collection of immersive exhibits and displays that will surely bring awe to you, your friends, and your family when you come to visit.
Operating Hours: Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday 12:00 pm – 9:00 pm | Friday 12:00 pm – 11:00 pm | Saturday 10:00 am – 11:00 pm | Sunday 10:00 am – 9:00 pm
Where: 2306 S Texas 6, Houston, TX 77077
Tickets: VIP Adult – $45 & Children (3-12) – $38 | General Admission Adult $35 & Children (3-12) – $28
Best History Museums in Houston
Asia Society Texas Center (4.7 rating, 293 reviews)
The Asia Society Texas Center is a place where people come together to immerse and learn about the diverse culture of Asians and Asian Americans in Texas. Plenty of family-friendly programs, activities, festivals, and educational tours help people better see and understand the difference in culture and history.
Where: 1370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, TX 77004
Operating Hours: Monday – Tuesday CLOSED | Wednesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Thursday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm | Friday – Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Insider Tip: Combine your visit with a stroll through the serene Japanese Garden located on-site.
Special Features: Explores the diverse cultures and art of Asia through rotating exhibitions, educational programs, and community events.
Age Appropriateness: All ages, although some exhibits may be more suitable for older children and adults.
Price Range: FREE for children (6 years old and younger); $9 per child (7 – 12 years old); $15 per person (13+ years old)
Holocaust Museum Houston (4.7 rating, 1902 reviews)
Best Museums in Houston | Holocaust Museum Houston
Learn about the devastating impact of the Holocaust and honor the memory of its victims through powerful and moving exhibits.
Where: 5401 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004
Operating Hours: Monday CLOSED | Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Sunday 12:00 pm – 5:00 pm
Insider Tip: Visit on Thursday from 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm! It’s free for everyone.
Special Features: Powerful and moving exhibits that educate visitors about the Holocaust and its lasting impact.
Age Appropriateness: Recommended for ages 12 and above due to the sensitive nature of the exhibits.
Price Range: FREE for children (18 years old and below); $22 per adult; $16 per senior (65+ years old)
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (4.7 rating, 1160 reviews)
There are art exhibits, educational programs, and performance arts, that educate and display to the public, the many achievements and pride of American soldiers, as well as the different communities around Texas and the era of women in the military.
Where: 3816 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004
Operating Hours: Sunday – Monday CLOSED | Tuesday – Wednesday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm | Thursday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Insider Tip: Enjoy free admission on Thursdays from 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm!
Special Features: Dedicated to preserving the legacy and contributions of the African American regiments known as the Buffalo Soldiers.
Age Appropriateness: All ages, with interactive exhibits that appeal to children.
Price Range: FREE for children (5 years old and younger); $10 per visitor
The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park (4.6 rating, 164 reviews)
Best Museums in Houston | The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park
Explore Houston’s diverse past by visiting historic houses and museums that tell the stories of the city’s communities.
Where: 1100 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002
Operating Hours: Sunday – Monday CLOSED | Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am – 4:00 pm
Insider Tip: Explore the various historic houses within the park, each showcasing a different architectural style and period.
Special Features: Comprises several historic houses and museums that tell the story of Houston and its diverse communities through the lens of history.
Age Appropriateness: All ages, offering a captivating journey through Houston’s rich past.
Price Range: FREE for children (5 years old and younger); $5 per visitor
Best Museums in Houston Texas – Science & Technology
Houston Museum of Natural Science (4.7 rating, 25592 reviews)
Best Museums in Houston | Houston Museum of Natural Science
This a great place to bring your family or visit with your friends who love seeing and learning about the different species that roamed the earth in the past and the present. There are also plenty of displays and areas in the museum that children would love. If you’re free on a Tuesday, admission’s free!
Where: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Operating Hours: Daily 9:00 am – 5:00 pm
Insider Tip: Check out the captivating “Hall of Paleontology” featuring dinosaur skeletons and other prehistoric wonders.
Special Features: Extensive collections covering various scientific disciplines, including paleontology, gems and minerals, and cultures from around the world.
Age Appropriateness: All ages, with interactive exhibits and programs catering to different interests and age groups.
Price Range: FREE for children (2 years old and younger); $16 per child (3-11 years old); $25 per adult; $16 per senior (62+ years old)
Children’s Museum Houston (4.6 rating, 6141 reviews)
If you want your children to experience fun through play and learning, then a visit to the Children’s Museum Houston is the best idea! There are indoor activities as well as outdoor areas that offer so many things for your kids to explore and enjoy.
Where: 1500 Binz St, Houston, TX 77004
Operating Hours: Monday CLOSED | Tuesday – Wednesday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm | Thursday 10:00 am – 8:00 pm | Friday – Saturday 10:00 am – 6:00 pm | Sunday 12:00 pm – 6:00 pm
Insider Tip: Pack lunch for a picnic in the on-site Discovery Garden.
Special Features: Hands-on exhibits designed to spark children’s creativity and curiosity, covering various themes like science, art, and exploration.
Age Appropriateness: Ideal for ages 2-12, with dedicated play areas for different age groups.
Price Range: FREE for children (under 1 year old); $17 per visitor; $15 per senior (65+ years old)
The Health Museum (4.3 rating, 2104 reviews)
The best way to teach your kids how to take better care of their bodies is to show them how it works on a bigger scale. This museum is one of the most famous museums in the city and a favorite of Houstonians that tourists shouldn’t miss visiting.
Where: 1515 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004
Operating Hours: Monday CLOSED | Tuesday – Wednesday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Thursday 10:00 am – 7:00 pm | Friday – Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Sunday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Insider Tip: Participate in one of the museum’s interactive exhibits, like the Giant Heart, to learn about the human body in a fun way.
Special Features: Exhibits focused on health and wellness, encouraging visitors to explore the human body, nutrition, and healthy living practices.
Age Appropriateness: All ages, with exhibits designed to engage and educate visitors of all ages.
Price Range: FREE for children (2 years old and younger); $10 per child (3 – 12 years old); $10 per adult; $10 per senior (65+ years old)
Space Center Houston (4.6 rating, 42807 reviews)
Best Museums in Houston | Space Center Houston
Needless to say, Houston is famous for being home to NASA Johnson Space Center, which is a facility that focuses on space travel training, research, and flight control. As such, it is only befitting to also house a museum that showcases these amazing science advancements to the young and young at heart.
Where: 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058
Operating Hours: Daily 10:00 am – 5:00 pm
Insider Tip: Arrive early or buy tickets online to avoid crowds.
Special Feature: Explore iconic artifacts like the Apollo 17 Command Module and a full-scale space shuttle replica.
Age Appropriateness: All ages, with something to engage visitors of all backgrounds.
Price Range: FREE for children (3 years old and younger); $49.95 – $52.95 per visitor
Lone Star Flight Museum
The Lone Star Flight Museum displays more than two dozen historically significant aircraft that shaped the aerospace industry. Take note, most of the displays in the museum are actually flyable! It also houses the Texas Aviation Hall of Fame, which displays the important people in the history of flight, and their notable accomplishments.
Operating Hours: Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 am – 5:00 pm | Sunday 12:00 pm – 5 pm
Where: 11551 Aerospace Ave., Houston, TX77034
Tickets: Children (ages 4-11) – $12 | Youth (ages 12-17) – $15 | Adults – $18 | Seniors (65+) – $15
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