Free Museums in Houston

The best free museums in Houston are the Houston Museum of Natural Science for dino skeletons & mummies, the Museum of Fine Arts for global art treasures, the Health Museum for health adventures, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum for African American history, and the Holocaust Museum Houston for personal stories of resilience.

Browsing museums is a great indoor activity for learning new things and staying out of the weather. And with plenty of free Museum Day Houston offers, you can do it on the cheap! Check out our list of Houston Museum Free Days below.

Houston Museums Free Days

Tuesdays

Thursdays

Monthly Free Days

Always Free

Quick Summary of Free Museums in Houston

Houston boasts a vibrant museum scene, offering diverse experiences that ignite curiosity and fuel imagination. And you can get a chance to explore all these for free on certain days.

Immerse yourself in the past at the Holocaust Museum Houston, learning about resilience and the human spirit. You can also discover cutting-edge contemporary art at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston or delve into photography’s fascinating world at the Houston Center for Photography.

For the culture cravers, try visiting the Houston Museum of African American Culture for an exploration of African American culture or the Asia Society Texas Center for a global culture feast.

So unlock your curiosity, choose your adventure, and unlock a world of knowledge and discovery, all for free!

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.

Also, check out our other articles Best Museums in Houston and Best Photoshoot Spots in Houston!

Houston Free Museum Days – Free Tuesdays

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Allosaurus at the Houston Museum of Natural Science| Image Copyright – HoustonOnTheCheap.com

This is one of the most renowned free museums in Houston. It consists of a central facility with 4 floors of natural science halls as well as exhibits, the Burke Baker Planetarium, the Cockrell Butterfly Center, and the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre.

Fun Activities: Explore dinosaur skeletons, marvel at ancient Egyptian mummies, and journey through a giant hall of gems.
Must-try: Take a guided tour of the Burke Baker Planetarium or participate in a dino dig in the Hall of Paleontology.
Location: 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Free Day/s: Tuesday 5 pm – 8 pm

Free Museums in Houston on Thursday

The Museum of Fine Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) is one of the country’s biggest museums and the world’s 12th-largest gallery space.

Fun Activities: Admire a diverse collection of art from around the world, from ancient artifacts to modern masterpieces.
Must-try: Attend a free drop-in drawing session or participate in a family artmaking workshop.
Location: 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005
Free Day/s: Thursday 11:00 am – 9:00 pm

The Health Museum

Free Museum Day Houston – The Health Museum

The Health Museum is committed to becoming a powerful tool for families to better understand their bodies, take proactive steps to stay healthy, live longer, and begin to mitigate the fast-growing costs of health care.

Fun Activities: Explore the human body through interactive exhibits, learn about healthy eating habits, and test your reflexes.
Must-try: Take a ride on the Body Bike or test your balance in the Dizziness Lab.
Location: 1515 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004
Free Day/s: Thursday 2:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Buffalo Soldiers National Museum

Image Credit: buffalosoldiersmuseum.org

Through performing and visual arts, educational programs, and exhibits, the Center for African American Military History (CAAMH), inc., aka Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM), is devoted to discovering and showcasing the stories and accomplishments of African Americans in the military.

Fun Activities: Learn about the history and contributions of the African American soldiers who served in the U.S. Army from the Civil War to the present day.
Must-try: Attend a lecture by a historian or participate in a living history demonstration.
Location: 3816 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004
Free Day/s: Thursdays 1:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Holocaust Museum

The Holocaust Memorial Museum, which opened in 1996, is the fourth biggest in the United States. Here, education is a significant priority.

Fun Activities: Learn about the Holocaust through personal stories, artifacts, and multimedia exhibits.
Must-try: Attend a film screening or participate in a panel discussion.
Location: 5401 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004
Free Day/s: Thursdays 2:00 pm – 5:00 pm

Houston Children’s Museum

Free Museum Day Houston | Image Credit: Children’s Museum Houston

The museum provides a variety of creative exhibitions and bilingual learning activities for children from newborn to twelve years.

Fun Activities: Let your imagination run wild! Kids can climb aboard an enormous playship, explore a recreated grocery store, and even become mini firefighters.
Must-try: Participate in a story time session or a hands-on art workshop.
Location: 1500 Binz St, Houston, TX 77004
Free Day/s: Thursday 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm

Asia Society Texas Center

Image Credit: Asia Society Texas Center FB Page

The Texas Asia Society is one of Asia Society’s twelve centers and showcases a wide array of Asian art.

Fun Activities: Explore the diverse cultures of Asia through art, history, and film exhibits. Learn about ancient Chinese dynasties, contemporary Japanese fashion, and much more.
Must-try: Attend a cultural performance like a traditional Korean drum dance or a Japanese tea ceremony.
Location: 1370 Southmore Blvd, Houston, TX 77004
Free Day/s: Thursday 12:00 pm – 7:00 pm

Free Museums Houston – Monthly Free Days

Czech Center Museum

The Czech Center Museum Houston, also known as the Czech Cultural & Community Center, is a 20,000-square-foot multipurpose cultural institution dedicated to the teaching and enjoyment of Czech and Slovakian culture, art, and history.

Fun Activities: Immerse yourself in Czech culture through exhibits on history, folklore, and art. You can also learn about famous Czech figures like composers Antonín Dvo?ák and Bed?ich Smetana.
Must-try: Attend a traditional Czech folk music performance or participate in a language workshop.
Location: 4920 San Jacinto St, Houston, TX 77004
Free Day/s: Every second Saturday of the month

Houston Zoo

Image Credit: Houston Zoo FB Page

The Houston Zoo is a 55-acre zoological park that is home to around 6,000 animals representing 900 different species. It is the second most visited zoo in the United States, with 2.1 million people each year.

Fun Activities: Come face-to-face with majestic animals from around the world, including giraffes, elephants, and gorillas. Or take a train ride through the zoo or enjoy a live animal show.
Must-try: Feed a giraffe or participate in a behind-the-scenes animal encounter.
Location: 6200 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030
Free Day/s: First Tuesday of each month

Free Museums in Houston – Always Free

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is one of the non-profit free museums in Houston committed to showcasing contemporary art to the general public.

Fun Activities: Discover cutting-edge contemporary art by emerging and established artists from around the world. You can also participate in interactive installations and thought-provoking exhibits.
Must-try: Attend an artist talk or participate in a creative workshop.
Location: 5216 Montrose Blvd, Houston, TX 77006
Free Day/s: Always free

Houston Museum of African American Culture

For present and future generations, the objective of this museum is to collect, preserve, study, interpret, and show the material and intellectual culture of Africans and African Americans in Houston, Texas, the Southwest, and the African Diaspora.

Fun Activities: Learn about the rich history and culture of African Americans through exhibits on art, music, and social justice. Explore the contributions of African Americans to Houston and beyond.
Must-try: Attend a film screening or a lecture by a scholar or artist.
Location: 4807 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77004
Free Day/s: Always free but donations are accepted

Houston Center for Photography

Year-round exhibits and programs, seminars, a lighting studio, the John Cleary Library, a state-of-the-art Digital Lab, and SPOT magazine are all available at this non-profit photo gallery and educational facility.

Fun Activities: Immerse yourself in the fascinating world of photography through historical and contemporary exhibits. Explore diverse perspectives and techniques used by artists worldwide.
Must-try: Participate in a photography workshop or attend a lecture by a renowned photographer.
Location: 1441 W Alabama St, Houston, TX 77006
Free Day/s: Always free

Lawndale Art Center

Lawndale Art Center is a non-profit place for the display of modern works of art in many mediums, with a concentration on presenting work by Houston-area artists.

Fun Activities: Discover emerging and established Texas artists through their innovative and thought-provoking works across various mediums.
Must-try: Attend an artist talk or opening reception to connect directly with the creators and their artistic vision.
Location: 4912 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
Free Day/s: Always free

The Menil Collection

Image Credit: menil.org

The Menil Collection, in Houston, Texas, is a free museum in Houston that displays the art collection of founders John de Menil and Dominique de Menil which includes over 17,000 paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, photos, and rare books.

Fun Activities: Marvel at masterpieces from antiquity to the 20th century, spanning diverse cultures and art movements. Explore collections of African, Byzantine, Surrealist art, and more for.
Must-try: Join a docent-led tour for in-depth insights into specific exhibits or art movements.
Location: 1533 Sul Ross St, Houston, TX 77006
Free Day/s: Always free

Moody Center for the Arts

Image Credit: Moody Center for the Arts FB Page

Through transformational interactions with the arts, the Moody Center for the Arts aims to stimulate creative thought and unique expression, deepen curriculum innovation, and promote cross-campus and community engagement.

Fun Activities: Experience a vibrant mix of visual and performing arts, including exhibitions, live music, theater productions, and film screenings. Enjoy a dynamic space that fosters artistic innovation and collaboration in one of the free museums in Houston.
Must-try: Catch a live performance or participate in an interactive art installation.
Location: 6100 Main Street, MS-480 Houston, TX 77005-1827
Free Day/s: Always free

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

Free Museum Day Houston | Image Credit: Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

The Houston Center for Contemporary Craft (HCCC) is a non-profit arts organization dedicated to advancing knowledge of the craft process, product, and history.

Fun Activities: Explore the wonders of contemporary craft through exhibits showcasing innovative uses of materials like clay, fiber, glass, metal, and wood. Witness the artistry and skill behind handcrafted objects.
Must-try: Take a hands-on workshop to learn a new craft technique or participate in a demonstration by a visiting artist.
Location: 4848 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
Free Day/s: Always free

There are always lots of fun events going on in Houston. Check out our weekly updates to Things to Do in Houston this Weekend, and Things to Do in Houston this Weekend with Kids to stay up to date!

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Nicole Rotschi

I have been a proud Houstonian for over three decades. You can find me at concerts, trying new food, visiting festivals, and enjoying a good book at the beach. I specialize in maximizing the experience while staying within budget. Fun does not have to be a luxury.

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