Ten Best Ways to Have Fun And Beat the Heat in Houston
Houston, Texas is a beautiful city with a rich culture and history, as well as offering many fun activities for families. However, summers in Houston are known for being incredibly hot, with temperatures reaching over 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Even for those who have lived in the area for years, the heat can be extreme and dangerous. In the summer months, it is wise to stay inside as much as possible, especially for those with health conditions that are worsened from heat exposure.
If you’re visiting or living in Houston this summer and looking for some ways to still have fun despite the blistering summer heat, check out our list below.
1. Underground Tunnel Tour of Houston
Did you know that Houston is home to the most expansive underground tunnel system in the United States? Even most natives to Houston might not know about this! The tour takes you to artistic and historic sections of the tunnels as well as the corporate buildings that sit on top of them. This ranks as one of the best activities to beat the summer heat because the tunnels are air-conditioned. You also have the option of adding on a food tour as well as a tour of the underground tunnels.
2. Escape Hunt Houston
One of the best interactive indoor activities for families and friends alike to beat the heat is an escape room. Escape Hunt Houston offers original games with varying difficulty levels. Some of the games include rescuing the crew of an Apollo mission, escaping Blackbeard’s ship, recovering a stolen artifact, and more!
3. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
A museum is always a fun way to stay cool! If you love art or art history, this is the place to visit. No matter what kind of art you like, there are over 70,000 pieces to look at from paintings to sculptures to ceramics to photography and film. One of the most unique aspects of the museum is the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, which is fourteen acres of exquisite gardens decorated with American art and furniture.
4. Downtown Aquarium
Another great way to beat the summer heat is to visit an aquarium. The Downtown Aquarium in Houston showcases animals and fish local to Texas such as alligators, bullfrogs, and turtles. Other animals and fish include lionfish, pufferfish, sharks, eels, lizards, colorful rainforest frogs, and tigers from the jungles of India. You can also touch and feed live stingrays in the stingray reef exhibit.
5. Houston Museum of Natural Science
There is certainly no shortage of museums in Houston, and many are located in the city’s Museum District. The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one such museum located in this district. The permanent exhibitions showcase fossils dating back millions of years, dioramas of local Texas wildlife, and gems and minerals. One piece in the museum’s collection is the Foucault Pendulum, which was first displayed at the World’s Fair in 1851. The museum also has a planetarium and IMAX theater, which are additional ways to have fun in the heat. The museum also offers free museum hours for entry to their permanent exhibitions on Thursdays. Check the museum website for more details, as these hours change seasonally.
6. Game Show Challenge
If you’ve ever dreamed of being on a game show but could never make it to a casting call, now’s your chance to fulfill that dream! The Game Show Challenge is a live, one-hour interactive game show led by a real host. There are nine different game show rounds to choose from, including spinning a wheel to solve word puzzles, competing in hilarious relays, dropping chips from twelve feet in the air, and more. This is the perfect fun, indoor activity to stay cool in a Houston summer.
7. The Hobby Center
Looking to get a hint of Broadway in Houston? Check out the Hobby Center, which has an array of plays, musicals, and concerts on its calendar. Some examples of well-known musicals include Wicked, Hamilton, Six, Moulin Rouge, and Pretty Woman.
8. Children’s Museum of Houston
If you’re looking to keep children entertained in the heat, the Children’s Museum of Houston is a great option. Kids can explore interactive exhibits that explore water, physics, the periodic table, 3D printing and so much more. For kids who love solving mysteries, there’s an interactive spy game where kids uncover clues and crack codes to help save the museum from attack.
9. The Galleria
The Galleria is Houston’s most popular retail shopping space. With over two million square feet of space containing 400 stores, some of which are exclusive to the location, there’s something for everyone. There are also highly-rated restaurants. Even if you’re not looking for retail therapy, taking a stroll in an air-conditioned place certainly helps to stay cool.
10. iFly Houston
If you’re the adventurous type and have always wanted to skydive, iFLY Houston is the place to check out! The facility has vertical wind tunnels so you can skydive indoors. All first-time flyers attend a training session taught by skilled instructors who have your safety top of mind.