Are you on an RV adventure and looking for an activity different from exploring the outdoors? You’ve chosen the right place to make a stop in Texas — Houston simply can’t be beat when it comes to museums because this mega-city has plenty of exhibits to educate and entertain. Below is a curated list of the best museums in Houston that are sure to be a hit with both adults and kids.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
This magnificent museum complex is located within Hermann Park and boasts a wide array of ancient artifacts, bones, fossils, stuffed creatures, and interactive exhibits that go back to the age of dinosaurs. Not just a gem in Texas, the Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the country’s most visited museums. One of its most impressive features is Butterfly Center — a rainforest habitat home to hundreds of beautiful butterflies. Kids are sure to become fascinated with the many dinosaur skeletons available here, while others may be more interested in the rare insects or watching an IMAX movie.
Space Center Houston
As one of the country’s leading space and science learning institutions, Space Center Houston also serves as the visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center. It is certainly one of the most captivating places the city has to offer, where you’ll see attractions such as:
- Space simulators
- Interactive exhibits
- An IMAX theater
- Astronaut artifacts
- The Mission Mars exhibit
Visitors with a true passion for space exploration should sign up for a NASA VIP Tour, which provides an up-close and personal experience with Mission Control and NASA.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Known as the first and largest art museum in Texas, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) is also the fifth largest museum in the country. Featuring more than 50,000 pieces collected from six different continents, the MFAH offers some of the country’s most comprehensive selection of art. As one of the biggest cultural hubs in the world, be sure to give yourself enough time to explore the interior and exterior of the museum — the Cullen Sculpture Garden is a highlight.
Holocaust Museum Houston
If you’re interested in seeing what it was like to live through one of history’s darkest periods, the Holocaust Museum Houston is a sobering experience. Documenting the events of the Holocaust using hundreds of artifacts and exhibits, along with 30-minute films, you’ll witness survivor stories — some of which are connected to Houston. You won’t leave this building without being impacted in a meaningful way.
Children’s Museum Houston
Kids deserve to have fun, too. So if traveling with family, visit the Children’s Museum Houston to entertain the young ones up to 12 years of age. Featuring a wide range of bilingual and interactive displays, this museum also boasts Kidtropolis, USA — a pint-sized city for kids complete with skyscrapers, a banking system, and even a city government. You can also visit Tot*Spot, the premier place for babies and toddlers to play, learn, and interact.
