2 Days in Houston, Texas: Things to Do, Eat & Stay
48 Hours in Houston, Texas: What to See, Where to Eat and Where to Stay
When we disembarked from our Norwegian Viva cruise in Houston, Texas, we were excited to spend 48 hours exploring this big city after so much time at sea. We had heard a lot about Houston, such as its impressive skyline, Space Center Houston, incredible food, shopping, and southern hospitality.
The fourth-largest city in the United States, Houston is home to some of the world’s best museums, parks, shopping centers, professional sports teams, and more. With a food scene that is as diverse as its population, Houston offers up everything from Southern-style comfort food to Tex-Mex, Vietnamese, Mexican, Asian, and more.
Of course, no visit to Texas would be complete without some authentic Texas BBQ. We were able to find some of the best BBQ in the city, as well as several other types of food that were equally delicious. We also found that getting around Houston was quite affordable with the city’s public transportation system.
If you are planning a short stay in Houston after a cruise, before you fly home or on a longer American road trip, then this post is for you. Here is how we would spend 2 days in Houston, Texas.
Why Visit Houston, Texas?
Space City is the fourth-largest city in the United States and is home to the world’s largest medical center, a world-class zoo, and more, but there is more to Houston than NASA.
Houston is home to world-class museums, beautiful parks and green spaces, great shopping, several professional sports teams, and some of the best food in the country.
Houston is BIG, there’s a saying “Everything in Texas is Big”. Most of the things you’ll want to see and do are located in different parts of town, so planning your time geographically can be very helpful. Even though we only had 2 days in Houston, we had a great time and could have easily stayed for several more days.
Best Things to Do in Houston in 2 Days
Houston is a large city with many things to see and do. If you only have 48 hours in the city then you will need to choose the best attractions to visit. Here are some of the best things to do in Houston over the course of 48 hours.
Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is the official visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center and a must-visit attraction for anyone interested in space exploration, science, or even American history.
About 25 miles southeast of Downtown Houston, Space Center Houston is the official visitor center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center.
You can visit the historic spacecraft, check out the astronaut training facilities, learn more about the Apollo missions, and even go on a NASA tram tour of parts of the Johnson Space Center. This includes historic facilities and Rocket Park, where you can see the giant Saturn V rocket. For a full experience, allow 4 to 5 hours for the visit.
Our tip: Book your Houston Space Center tickets online in advance and check the tram tour times before you go. If you are only in Houston for 48 hours, then this is something that you should do on one morning or afternoon, as opposed to trying to fit it in between other activities.
Buffalo Bayou Park
Buffalo Bayou Park is another great place to go for some outdoor fun. Buffalo Bayou Park is a beautiful urban green space situated along the Buffalo Bayou, just west of Downtown Houston. It features walking and cycling trails, beautiful gardens, public art and views of the Houston skyline. Great for a stroll in the city, some photos, and some fresh air. We also stumbled upon the “POST Sky Lawn”. This building was once a postal distribution center, now repurposed into artisan food stalls, craft shops, and a 5 acre rooftop skywalk offering amazing view of the city skyline….and its FREE!
The Waugh Drive Bridge is home to thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats. They emerge from the bridge at dusk, on suitable weather days. It is quite a spectacle to behold.
Discovery Green
A 12-acre park in the middle of downtown Houston, surrounded by skyscrapers, Discovery Green is a fantastic place to spend some time in the city. It is a great place to stroll around, take some photos and enjoy the fresh air in the middle of the city. Depending on when you visit, there may be outdoor concerts, art, markets, even activities for kids. We were fortunate to have partaken in the “Dia de Los Muertos” festival which took place over the weekend we were there. Also FREE, so look out for events at this location.
There are also several restaurants and bars nearby. What makes Discovery Green so appealing for a visit to Houston is its location. It is near the George R. Brown Convention Center, several hotels and other downtown attractions, making it an easy addition to a walking tour of the city.
Explore Houston’s Museum District
Houston’s Museum District is a great place to explore if you are interested in culture, art and history. Some of the highlights include:
– Houston Museum of Natural Science: A great museum to learn about dinosaurs, ancient Egyptian artifacts and natural history.
– Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: One of the largest art museums in the United States with an extensive collection of thousands of years of art.
– The Menil Collection: A wonderful art museum with free general admission.
– Holocaust Museum Houston: A moving and educational experience that explores the history of the Holocaust and its lessons for humanity.
You could easily spend an entire day exploring the museums in the Museum District.
Take a Walk Around Downtown Houston
Downtown Houston is also a great place to explore while you are in the city. There are many impressive skyscrapers, public art, restaurants, shopping, and more. You’ll find plenty of things to see including Market Square Park, the Theater District, and historic buildings in and around downtown.
See a game! The Houston Astros and Houston Rockets play in Houston during the baseball and basketball seasons. It is always a great experience to go to a game in America.
The underground tunnel system in downtown Houston connects many of the office buildings and has restaurants, shops and cafés. It is a great way to escape the heat of the summer months but many of the tunnels are only open during the week.
Spend Some Time in The Heights
If you have more time to explore Houston, then head to The Heights. This is a historic Houston neighborhood, so different from the downtown business district. There are plenty of independent shops, antique stores, cafés, restaurants, colorful street art and more in this historic Houston neighborhood. There are many shops, cafes and restaurants on 19th Street for browsing and shopping, as well as enjoying the relaxed atmosphere. The Heights is also a great neighborhood for discovering some of Houston’s independent restaurants and bars.
Where to Eat in Houston: Don’t Miss the Texas BBQ!
Let’s talk about food! We love to experience the food of a country that we are visiting. Many countries that we have been to, we have spent much time exploring the food and the local cuisine. We look forward to trying the best that a country has to offer. And when you are in Texas, there is one thing you simply have to try Texas barbecue!
The Pit Room in Houston, Texas was the perfect place for us to experience some of the authentic Texas barbecue while in the state. Located on Richmond Avenue in the Montrose neighborhood, The Pit Room offers great smoked meats, homemade sausages, tacos, and more in a relaxed atmosphere. It’s no fine dining, nor do they serve fancy restaurant food. It is all about the smoke, the meat, the flavor, and the experience of eating Texas barbecue. Slow-smoked meats, typically smoked over wood for hours to get that distinctive smoky flavor. Most of the meats are brisket, ribs, sausages, etc.
Other Houston Food Experiences Worth Trying
Houston is a city of many food cultures and there is so much more to try than just barbecue.
Here are a few other local food experiences to try:
Tex-Mex – Of course you have to try some Tex-Mex when you are in Texas. Fajitas, enchiladas, tacos, nachos – lots of cheese and a cold margarita to wash it down.
Southern Comfort Food -such as fried chicken, mac and cheese, cornbread, biscuits and gravy are available in abundance in Houston.
Vietnamese and Asian Cuisine – Houston is home to a large Vietnamese population as well as an abundance of other Asian cuisines. Head to Bellaire Boulevard and the Asiatown area for some of the best Vietnamese, Chinese, and other Asian foods in the city.
Gulf Coast Seafood – Houston is located near the Gulf of Mexico so there is plenty of Gulf Coast seafood on offer. Gulf shrimp, oysters, crawfish and fresh fish are all on the menu.
Where to Stay in Houston
The city of Houston is huge and spread out so choosing the right accommodation is very important. For a short 2 day stay, we would recommend to stay in or near Downtown Houston. This way you have easy access to public transport, restaurants, shops and some of the main attractions of the city.
Here are some areas worth considering.
Downtown Houston
Best for: First time visitors and those traveling without a car. Downtown is probably the most convenient area for a short visit. There are many good hotels, restaurants and entertainment options. The Metrorail system is also very easy to access from Downtown.
We stayed at the Hampton Inn Downtown, it served a great breakfast and ironically, it shares the same building with Hilton, so you get 5* for a 4* price! The views from the room were also amazing so make sure you request floor 10 and UP!
Museum District
Best for: Culture lovers and those who prefer a quieter environment. Museum District is another great option, especially if you’re looking to visit museums, parks and outdoor attractions. The area is also close to Hermann Park and the Houston Zoo.
Galleria and Uptown
Best for: Shopping, restaurants and higher-end hotels. If you’re looking to do some shopping while traveling to Houston, then Galleria area would be a great option. Here you can find The Galleria, one of the biggest shopping centers in Texas. There are also lots of restaurants and hotels in the area.
Keep in mind that you might have to rely on taxis, rideshare services or even a rental car to get to many of the downtown attractions. We found Ubers very expensive, so try use the Metrorail whenever you can.
How to Get Around Houston: Our $3 Public Transport Discovery!
This was one of our favourite discoveries during our time in Houston. Houston is a huge city and initially you might think that either renting a car or relying on Uber and taxis is your only option. But there is a much cheaper alternative!
METRO is Houston’s public transport system, which consists of buses as well as Metrorail, a light rail system that connects many of the key visitor areas. And the best thing? You can get a day pass for only $3 per day! Yes, you read that right.
With the METRO Day Pass, you can take unlimited rides on eligible local buses as well as Metrorail until 2 am the next day. This is a super cheap way to explore the city.
You can either buy a physical ticket from the vending machines at Metrorail stations, or use the RideMETRO app and fare card system.
We found these passes incredibly helpful during our stay, as it meant we didn’t have to keep worrying about individual fares.
Houston Metrorail system explained
There are three main light rail lines:
Red Line:This is particularly helpful for visitors as it connects Downtown, Midtown, Museum District, Hermann Park, Texas Medical Center.
Green Line: Connects some parts of Downtown to the East End.
Purple Line: Connects Downtown to the EaDo area and further east.
The Red Line is particularly useful if you’re visiting Houston for the first time. It allows you to get to many attractions and neighborhoods without having to worry about city traffic or parking.
Is Houston public transport enough?
For many of the central attractions, yes, absolutely. But Houston is a very spread out city, and not all attractions are connected by rail. For example, Space Center Houston is quite a distance from Downtown, so you’ll need to make other transport arrangements. The same goes for some of the restaurants and attractions in The Heights, the Galleria area and Asiatown. Our advice would be to use public transport and occasionally rely on Uber or Lyft when needed.
2 Days in Houston: Our suggested itinerary
If you have 48 hours to spend in Houston, here is how we would structure your time.
Day 1: Downtown Houston & Museum District
Morning –
– Breakfast in downtown
– Explore Discovery Green
– Walk around downtown and visit Market Square Park
– Take the METRORail to Museum District
Afternoon –
– Visit Houston Museum of Natural Science or Museum of Fine Arts
– Spend some time exploring Hermann Park
– Have a relaxing afternoon before returning to Downtown
Evening –
– Dinner in Montrose
– Authentic Texas BBQ at The Pit Room
– Have a drink at one of Houston’s downtown bars to finish the evening, or try Neon Boots Dance Hall for a bit of line dancing Texan style.
Day 2: Space, parks and shopping.
Morning –
– Head to Space Center Houston (if you’re interested in NASA and space)
– Spend a few hours exploring the exhibits and tram tours
Afternoon –
– Head back to the city
– Explore Buffalo Bayou Park and enjoy the skyline views
– Or spend some time shopping at The Galleria
Evening –
– Final Tex-Mex or Southern style dinner
– Enjoy the Houston skyline before calling it a night
Of course, if you’re not into space exploration, you could easily swap Space Center Houston for more time exploring The Heights, Montrose or Houston’s museums.
Is 2 days in Houston Texas worth it?
Absolutely! While 2 days isn’t anywhere near enough to experience everything that Houston has to offer, it’s certainly enough to get a taste of the city, see some of the main attractions and enjoy the amazing food culture. For us, spending a couple of extra days in Houston after our cruise was a great way to extend our holiday rather than just heading straight home.
We enjoyed exploring a different side of Texas, And, of course, the BBQ at The Pit Room and line dancing at Neon Boots was a highlight!
Would we go back to Houston? Definitely. There’s still so much more to explore and we’d be more than happy to spend a few more days discovering some of the neighborhoods, restaurants and attractions we couldn’t fit in during our short stay.
If you’re finishing a cruise in Houston or just passing through Texas, my advice is simple: don’t rush off. Give yourself at least 48 hours to explore Space City. You might be surprised!
Frequently asked questions about visiting Houston
Is 2 days enough to visit Houston?
Yes, 2 days is enough to experience some of Houston’s main attractions. You’ll be able to see Downtown, Museum District, Buffalo Bayou Park and some of the famous restaurants. If you also want to visit Space Center Houston then you’ll need to make sure you plan your time carefully.
What is Houston most famous for?
Houston is most famous for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, its connection to the American space program, professional sports, the diverse food culture and Texas hospitality.
Where is the best area to stay in Houston?
Downtown Houston is one of the best areas to stay for first time visitors as it’s central, has hotels, restaurants and access to public transport. Museum District is also a great option.
How much does public transport cost in Houston?
Currently, Houston METRO offers a $3 Day Pass. This allows you to take unlimited rides on eligible local buses and Metrorail until 2 am the next day. Park & Ride services are not included.
Can you get around Houston without a car?
Yes, especially if you’re staying in Downtown, Midtown or near the Museum District. Metrorail connects many of the popular visitor areas. But you may also find rideshare services useful for destinations not connected by the rail system.
Where can you find the best Texas BBQ in Houston?
The Pit Room in Montrose is a great place to go for traditional Texas-style BBQ. Other popular places include Truth BBQ and Pinkerton’s Barbecue.
Is it worth visiting Houston after a cruise?
Yes, absolutely. If you’re finishing your cruise in Houston, then spending an extra 2 days exploring the city is a great way to extend your holiday. You can enjoy the museums, restaurants, parks and attractions in the city before heading home.
How far is Space Center Houston from Downtown?
Space Center Houston is located about 25 miles southeast of Downtown Houston. Depending on traffic and your mode of transport, you should allow some extra travel time.
When is the best time of year to visit Houston?
Spring and autumn are generally comfortable times to visit, with milder temperatures than the hot and humid summer months.
