Exploring Houston for Free: 15 Adventures – Hits and Misses Unveiled
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Sorry I’ve been gone; I haven’t been traveling as much as I’ve been working a lot and focusing on school.
But for my Houston readers, this one’s for you!
As a Houston based blogger, I thought it was about time to give more attention to my home city! As per the title I got 15 free things to do in Houston. However, this isn’t 15 FUN free things to do in Houston.
This article is a culmination of places suggested to me and places you can easily find on Google. To put it simply, it’s a mix of I went so you don’t have to, and I found this, and you should check it out!
I love suggestions of places to visit people talk about to see if it’s worth the hype. This applies globally, for example Nice, France I would give a flat 2 for visiting (with my budget at least) and a 0 for studying abroad. If y’all have any suggestions contact me below!
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Don’t hesitate to comment any questions (it would mean a lot to me) or contact me through the form above. Ok, let’s get this article started!
1. James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace
Located on the campus of Rice University, this one truly depends on you.
If the Tik Tok does not load, click here.
If you are interested here is the location. There are a few bus routes that take you to Rice University, but the one that will get you the closest is the Bus 84 towards W. Bellfort and get off at University Blvd & Stockton Dr.
Unlike Europe, in Houston you have to take one or two different buses or transit options prior to getting to the most direct bus or transit option. For example, in Europe, specifically France, you can take the Red or Blue line and then walk from a stop straight to your location. In Houston it’s not that easy. Houston transportation is very developed compared to the rest of Texas, which is saying something, but still it is not the best transportation I have been on so be careful and NEVER look like you’re constantly checking your maps!
I believe this experience is unique, but it truly depends on your preferences, if you go with someone, or if you are under some influence✨. Also, it runs every day, twice a day, starting 40 minutes before sunrise and about 10 minutes before sunset. They use this website as reference for the sunrise/sunset times. If you’re interested in finding out more check out this link!
2. Urban Harvest Farmers Market
This Farmer’s Market is open year-round and exclusively on Saturday’s from 8am-12 PM. Check it out below!
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My editing here is not the best, but I assure you this place is perfect if you are having company, wanting to explore new and local businesses, to making a unique recipe that requires more niche ingredients. They have free parking (huge bonus), and if you are going by bus, you should take the Bus 82 since the stop at Westheimer Rd. & Buffalo Speedway is a two-minute walk from the market. This is the exact location.
If you want more information here is their website! It is small enough that it is not too overwhelming but large enough to offer a wide variety of local produce and products. Also, it’s a great photography opportunity!
3. Miller Theatre (anniversary edition)
On May 12, 1968, Miller Theatre opened inside of Hermann Park. For decades, they have brought many shows to the stage for Houston to see. Admission is always free, but if you want to be closer to the stage and covered by the pavilion, you have to reserve tickets. Ok watch below for clips from the anniversary show I watched May 12, 2023, of this year, performed by the Houston Ballet!
for some reason the Tik Tok is not embedding right on some of your screens so here is the link.
I loved this show so much! If you are interested in going, here is the exact location, and to reserve tickets here is that link. The shows vary all the time, usually the same show plays twice in a week (unless it’s a event or festival) and then they’re gone. So, if you’re looking to see the Houston Ballet for free, that is past due. Always check their show schedule so you can plan when to go!
To get there, you need to connect to the red line, get off at the Hermann Park/Rice U stop, then walk 9 minutes (not ideal when leaving because the show ends around 10PM or past when it’s dark). Unfortunately, on show days it is so hard to find parking, so I wouldn’t expect a nearby parking spot if you decided to drive.
Keep in mind the shows change regularly, typically they show for two days in a row and the tickets are available in the morning, the day before the performance. For example, if the performance is on May 17th, the tickets would go live on May 16th at 10am (this is an example, the time varies!!). It can be very competitive to reserve tickets, so if you plan on it, check the website and wake up early so you can get one while they’re available. Comment you’re experience here!
4. Project Row Houses
A row of houses that turned into a community art gallery may not be as great as you perceive.
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Well, I do not have much to say about this one. Maybe there are days where people are there and it is more interactive, I’m not sure. If there are days you can interact and go inside you should definitely go, but that was not my experience. Here is their website if anyone is interested Home – Project Row Houses. The Bus 9 to Holman St. & Live Oak St. will get you to the exact location, but since it is in a residential neighborhood, so you can park along the street.
5. Waugh Drive Bat Colony
This year-around gem I always love watching. Every day around sunset over 100,000 Mexican free-tailed bats take flight.
If the Tik Tok does not load, click here.
This is definitely a must see! The location is here, but you’ll know you’re in the right place because people gather all around near the Bayou and on the bridge to see it. Go a little before sunset so you’re there on time, and you can watch the sunset. Make sure you leave immediately when you are done seeing the bats because the bugs come out of nowhere as soon as it gets dark (and not in moderation). The peak watching season is the end of May through October) warmer months, so if you’re reading this now GO! I will warn you there is only parallel parking that is very stressful to park at because so many people are driving by you. Houston needs to establish more parking spots in that location instead of random abandoned places.
Anyways, I would recommend taking public transportation in this case. Both the Bus 56 stop at Montrose Blvd. & Alan Pkwy. (recommended) and Bus 41 stop at W. Dallas St. & Waugh Dr. will leave you about 8-9 minutes away (walking). However, if it’s hot out, sometimes I Uber from the bus stop 😀 (yes that is what I will do to avoid the heat).
See the map below for the best viewing spot! There is more space to spread out on the grass or concrete “bench”. The other side is steeper and has a more populated sidewalk.
Comment at the end of this article if you have been here!
6. Buffalo Bayou Park
This one you have probably heard of because it’s not a specific place or event. So, I’ll be brief on this one.
If the Tik Tok does not load, click here.
This is one of the places Google or TripAdvisor will suggest when looking for things to do in Houston. It’s not a “bad” suggestion, but it’s no gem either. Websites like those have to hit all the bases for everywhere in the world, so I don’t blame them. I would advise doing more in-depth research OR take my suggestions as a local!
This park is huge and has water features, dog parks, bike trails, and so much more. It stretches from west Houston to downtown, so depending on where you are and what you are looking for, you should find it here at their official website!
7. The Menil Collection
An always free not so hidden gem 😉
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I love this collection! It is a bit small but if you haven’t gone you need to! Click here for the exact location. To get there you need to transfer to the Bus 25 to Richmond Ave. & Mandell St. which will put you a 7-minute walk away (recommended) or Bus 82 to Westheimer Rd. & Mandell St. that will put you 12-minutes away walking. Don’t worry though, the neighborhood there is near Rice University and is known for its gorgeous oak trees that line the streets.
You are not technically allowed to take pictures or videos so keep that in mind. They do have seasonal exhibits which makes it even more exciting! They have very old pieces to more modern mechanical exhibits, so if you love art as much as I do, you need to go. Here is the link for more information- Home – The Menil Collection.
Wednesday–Sunday
11 a.m.–7 p.m.
Closed Mondays and Tuesdays.
8. Underground Tunnels
This is an interesting one.
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Don’t go unless you’re overheating and near an entrance. That’s all.
9. The Guild Shop
This one you won’t find on Google as easy as the others…
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I LOVE LOVE LOVE The Guild Shop. It opened in 1962 by a group of Episcopal women, and it continues to be a woman-owned and ran 501(c) 3 nonprofit. Since I recently moved into my new apartment, I have been thrifting for furniture and unique pieces. My grandmother, a Houston native for 30+ years, recommended me this place. I was excited to go somewhere other than Goodwill or Buffalo Exchange, and my grandmother did not disappoint. Free parking in Montrose??? Literally unheard of. Here is the exact location, I’m serious if you love thrifting, art, anything related to decoration or just something different/really unique you need to go here. It is woman owned and the staff is super friendly. I promise there is always something new to see in every room, nook and cranny.
Monday-Saturday from 9:30 AM- 3:30 PM. Closed Sunday’s.
You can drive here! A lot of locations on this list are close to downtown or places with limited parking (Miller Theatre for example), so this is definitely car friendly. If you would like to take the metro than you would need to get on the Bus 82 (your only option), get off at Westheimer and Dunlavy St., and then walk 9-10 minutes. If y’all go here please let me know your experience so I can tell my grandma.
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10. *Pride Month* Rock the Runway
Ok so yes this is seasonal but stop scrolling!
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So yes, obviously this over, and this article was posted April, but I always update my articles if something new comes along. However, every year Pride Houston 365 has multiple events like the one in my video as well as the ones I listed at the end. The most famous of course being the Pride Parade, which I’m not a fan of, but I could write another article on that (capitalism related).
Now, at the moment, I do not have first access to the list of Pride Events, but next year I will, and they will be posted on my website so y’all know ahead of time. Here is Pride Houston 365’s website. Next year y’all definitely need to go to these because they are so fun! If you don’t like drinking and staying out late like me, the event is first and then people stay after for the party, so it really works out for everyone. Ok, for more free pride events, I’ll update this next year!
11. Smither Park
I’m not so sure about this one, hit or miss👀?
If the Tik Tok does not load, click here.
As I said, I was soooo hesitant about this one, but I enjoyed so much. It is located here, and it is similar to the Guild Shop where the more you look the more you find. It’s so fascinating to explore life size art. I wish more things like this existed in the US. Especially with all of this color and upcycled material, you need to go here. I think it would be best to go in the fall or winter so you can spend more time exploring. Always stay respectful of the neighborhood and be safe! The Orange Show is on the same street, but it is not open all the time and it’s not free. I would not recommend going to Smither Park via the metro because it could take you over an hour or take you on a mess of a journey, unless you live nearby. Also, hours are whenever the gate is open. Their website is not the clearest on that, so I recommend going on a Saturday in the daytime.
Fun fact, Smither Park is labeled as a sub part to the Orange Show if I read correctly. I really encourage y’all to read about Smither Park and the story behind the mosaic here. Again, if you love art or discovery, you need to go here!
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**DAY 12-15 COMING SOON. ARTICLE UPDATED ON AN EVENT-BY-EVENT BASIS!!!
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