Museums, boat tour, outdoor movies, bats

Free things to do in Houston: Museums to boat tours

Miller Outdoor Theatre

The premier outdoor theater for the performing arts, is one of Houston’s most iconic venues, offering free classical music, jazz, ethnic music, ballet, films, festivals and musical theater perfomances from March through October. Miller Outdoor Theatre is celebrating its centennial this year, the 100th season will kick off March 17 with a St. Patrick’s Day celebration featuring the Trinity Irish Dance Company. 

Where: 6000 Hermann Park Drive

Details: milleroutdoortheatre.com

 

Discovery Green

The 12-acre park located in downtown Houston, offers free programming designed for all ages and backgrounds. Featured events include fitness classes, public art, Rainbow on the Green, outdoor movie screenings, book events, festivals, musical performances and educational programs for kids.  

Where: 1500 McKinney

Details: discoverygreen.com

 

MORE FREE STUFF IN HOUSTON: Here’s your free admission guide to Houston’s museums, zoo and gardens

 

Art Car Museum

Visit this free museum to see some of Houston’s wackiest art cars, lowriders, as well as revolving exhibitions of local, national and international artists. If you love art cars don’t miss The Orange Show’s Houston Art Car Festival & Parade, the popular Houston tradition, returns April 6-16 with a series of events, including the parade and ball. 

Where: 140 Heights

Details: artcarmuseum.com

 

Urban Harvest Farmers Market

Featuring over 100 vendors from within a 180-mile radius of Houston, Urban Harvest Farmers Market is among the city’s largest farmers markets supporting fresh, locally grown food and its producers. There are many vendors who accept SNAP, making quality food accessible to all.

Where: 2752 Buffalo Speedway

Details: 8 a.m.-noon Saturday; urbanharvest.org

 

Sam Houston Boat Tour

In Port Houston, visitors can take a free, 90-minute educational cruise along the Houston Ship Channel, embarking from Sam Houston Landing. There is room for up to 100 passengers aboard the 95-foot boat, which has air-conditioned lounge seating and additional standing room on its rear deck. Since its inaugural voyage on July 30, 1958, the M/V Sam Houston has welcomed over 2 million visitors as Port Houston’s public tour vessel. 

Where: 7300 Clinton

Details: Register online or call 713-670-2631; porthouston.com

 

Project Row Houses

The Project Row Houses initiative converted abandoned shotgun-style houses into art galleries, as well as literary and performing arts venues. While revitalizing one of Houston’s oldest African-American neighborhoods, the project preserves the landmark buildings and celebrates their cultural heritage. 

Where: 2521 Holman 

Details: Open noon-5 p.m. Wed.–Sun.; projectrowhouses.org

 

Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark

One of the largest cradles in the country is located in this 30,000 square foot in-ground public facility. A breathtaking view of the Downtown skyline and plenty of obstacles await skaters of all skill levels at the park, don’t forget to take a stroll along “Skater Alley,” which runs between Sabine Street and the skatepark entrance, and see the local artwork along the way.

Where: 103 Sabine 

Details: Open 9 a.m.-10 p.m. Mon.-Fri.; houstonparksboard.org/lee-and-joe-jamail-skatepark

 

Waugh Bats

Around 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats live in the gaps under the Waugh Bridge at Waugh and Allen Parkway. Visitors can observe the bats from  the observation deck, Waugh Bridge or hillside, as they emerge each night to feed on insects. Arrive 30 minutes before sunset. 

Where: Buffalo Bayou Park, corner of Waugh at Allen Parkway

Details: tpwd.texas.gov

The Menil Collection

The museum features a permanent collection of art from antiquity, the Byzantine world, tribal cultures and the 20th century, taken from the personal collection of the late Dominique and John de Menil.

Where: 1533 Sul Ross

Details: 11 a.m.-7 p.m. Wed.-Sun.; menil.org

 

Rothko Chapel

Located on the Menil campus, the spiritual sanctuary is inspired by the paintings of American artist Mark Rothko. 

Where: 3900 Yupon at Sul Ross

Details: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Tues.-Sun.; rothkochapel.org

 

James Turrell’s “Twilight Epiphany” Skyspace

Located on Rice University’s campus, the pyramidal structure serves as a concert hall and as a musical laboratory for Shepherd School of Music students. An LED light sequence projects onto the ceiling and through an aperture in the 72-foot square, knife-edge roof 40 minutes before sunrise and 10 minutes before sunset. There is no admission charge for exhibition spaces, although some events and programs require tickets.

Where: 6100 Main, Campus Entrance

Details: moody.rice.edu/james-turrell-twilight-epiphany-skyspace

 

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

The non-collecting institution founded in 1948 is dedicated to presenting international, national and regional art via exhibitions, lectures and educational programs.

Where: 5216 Montrose 

Details: camh.org

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