When you think Houston Museum District, you probably don’t think “free”, but that’s because you don’t know it like I do! Living in the Houston area for a decade, my homeschool kids and I explored the area many times. Hermann Park and the nearby museum district includes great free things to do in Houston – if you know what’s available.
Here’s how I would spend a free day outside in Houston. Walk around free beautiful downtown Houston gardens and outdoor museum areas. Aim for sunny weather, and pack up the kids and stroller. Grab your water bottles, snacks, sun hats, and good walking shoes – it’s a Houston family fun day that won’t cost you money!
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Houston Museum District Itinerary – Step by Step!
Free Parking at the Houston Zoo
Feed the Ducks
Reflecting Pond and Obelisk
Japanese Garden
Sam Houston Statue
Miller Outdoor Theater and Hill
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Museum of Fine Arts Outdoor Sculptures
Contemporary Art Museum
Centennial Gardens
Free Parking at the Houston Zoo
With many Houston Museum District parking options, this is my favorite place to park in Hermann Park. There isn’t a time limit, it’s a great location to start your adventure, and it’s big enough to always find a spot. There are lots of other places to park in the Houston Museum District, but this is always my go to.
Feed the McGovern Lake Ducks
In front of the Houston Zoo entrance, there are concrete steps where you can sit and watch the fountain. Bring some bread to feed the turtles and ducks before heading toward the Hermann Park Gift Shop to cross the bridge. Keep following the path through even more ducks toward the trees. This shady area has lots of great little places to just sit and rest and watch. There are also some picnic tables if you want a snack.
If you have littles – especially young kids who love trains – this might be the time to splurge ($6 per person) to ride the 25-minute Hermann Park Railroad for a full trip around Hermann Park. You’ll also walk past the pedal boat rental ($14.50 per boat) under the bridge. If you don’t want to be pestered for a ride, don’t let them look 😉
If you continue the trail around McGovern Lake, there is a new area full of playgrounds and swings. As these weren’t there last time we explored the museum district, I can’t speak for them. However, these pictures make it look amazing! Take an hour and fully play atThe Commons before heading back to explore some other free Houston areas.
Reflection Pool at Hermann Park
Keep walking away from the Houston Zoo toward the Pioneer Memorial Obelisk (east to spot) and the Jones Reflection Pool in front of it. This short walk will lead you toward the reflecting pond where the kids will love walking along the edge, peering into the water, and just being kids. Of note, this isn’t a “get wet” situation”.
Japanese Garden
If you’re looking at the obelisk, head to the left of the reflecting pool for the entrance to Houston’s Japanese Garden. It’s free and no tickets are needed! Walk across the bridges, discover the pocket gardens, and watch birds wade in the water. This is a serene place for a sit.
Sam Houston Statue
After exploring the Japanese garden, return to the obelisk. Just past this, take a look at the Sam Houston statue. Although you can’t get close as it is in the middle of this super-busy roundabout, this is a great time to discuss Sam Houston. His finger points toward the San Jacinto monument – another day trip for exploring Houston history.
Miller Outdoor Theatre
Head to the hill at the Miller Outdoor Theater. When not in use for one of Houston’s favorite performances, Miller Hill is a favorite of runners and kids alike. The kids will love rolling down the hill, and it’s a great place for a view of the surrounding park.
Check the online Miller Outdoor Theater schedule to see if there are any free plays or outdoor performances happening during the day or evening!
Houston Museum of Natural Sciences
Cross across the road to HMNS to see the giant pyramid sundial in front of the entrance. Examine the sundial and have them figure out it. It really is super unique.
If you’re feeling extra brave (with calm kids), you can even enter the museum. There’s a giant geode at the parking garage entrance. There are also lots of treasure to be seen in the museum gift shop including more big geodes and fossils. Often displays are set up before entering the paid portion. This is also a good time to find an indoor potty, maybe get a snack at the cafe, or splurge on the Butterfly Exhibit or a Planetarium show.
Keep moving away from the zoo. We will come back through the Centennial Gardens on the way back to the car. Don’t fret!
MFAH Cullen Sculpture Garden
Route to the Museum of Fine Arts for the Cullen Sculpture garden next to the main building. This smaller green space has benches for resting while looking at sculptures by well-known arts like Matisse and Rodin. The kids will enjoy looking at their reflection in the bean-shaped Cloud Column – you’ll recognize it as by the same artist as The Bean in popular photos of Chicago. You can look at art from well-known artists for free without even entering the museum – score! Let the kids climb the stairs and burn even more endless kid energy!
If you are present during a free day or have a reciprocal museum membership, I highly recommend a couple of hours exploring MFAH as it’s an amazing art museum.
Contemporary Arts Museum
The Contemporary Art Museum is right across the street from HMFA’s garden and it’s always free. I admit that modern art is not my favorite, but Houston’s contemporary art museum is worth a visit. It’s always good for the kids to be exposed to some modern art.
Unfortunately, there isn’t really anything free to do at the Health Museum, Houston Children’s Museum, or Holocaust Museum. We’re just going to walk past them this trip.
~~~> Want to learn how to save money on museum trips? A year’s museum membership can get you in free! Learn my best family travel secret on this comprehensive museum membership post.
Of note: I don’t suggest walking past the Children’s Museum outdoor area as your kids will be able to see all the other kids playing outside in the water play area! Unless you want to show them what they’ll be able to do when you come back again later.
Houston’s McGovern Centennial Gardens
There are several entrances for the McGovern Centennial Gardens including on Hermann Drive next to the HMNS parking lot or at the official entrance at the garden parking lot. Located right across the street from Miller Outdoor Theater, this free garden is a great place for some wandering in nature as there are different themed gardens off to the sides.
Climb the mound. Head to the vegetable garden and plan your next home garden. Imagine a wedding next to the statue. Check out the pagoda. And don’t overlook all the statues – history lessons!
Centennial Gardens is also a good place for a potty break at the entrance – on the opposite end from the mound – right before getting back in the car if you parked at the zoo. If the little legs still want some exercise, there are great wide trails heading off from right outside this garden covered by the shade of lovely oak trees.
Now, head across the street, past Miller Outdoor Theater, and back to the zoo parking lot. Don’t forget to stop by a McDonald’s to get a cold drink or ice cream for the ride home – just us?! And super mom tip – the ride home is a great time to be quiet, let them sleep, and put in the headphones to tune out noise. Mom is tired too!
If you’re looking for more information – detailed info – about visiting the Houston Museum District museums, make sure you head to my page “10 Best Places to See in the Houston Museum District”. And if you want to return to some of these amazing Houston museums for free (like MFAH, Holocaust, Children’s, and Health), make sure you read about how museum reciprocity works – my favorite money-saving travel tip!
Thanks for stopping by my little corner! Here’s to your next adventure.
I’m Bobbie. As transplants from Texas, my family of six is on a mission to discover all of Georgia’s amazing places, experience amazing road trips across the United States, and create a homeschool life along the way.
Want to adventure like me? Reach out! I’d love to chat. Stop by my Instagram or Pinterest page to discover more of our adventures.
Want to work with me? I’d love to work with your destination and tourism board to help other family travelers see all you have to offer.
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