Best Things to Do in Houston

Family Fun & Day Trips in Houston

Houston is a huge, Texas-sized city, so it has tons of fun family activities. With all of the things to do here, your biggest challenge will be choosing the ones you like most. Keep reading to learn more about some of the best day trip ideas for a fun family vacation in Houston.

Budget Car Rental Houston

You might want to get the car rental out of the way first, so you can focus on planning your family fun. Budget car rental offers a variety of vehicle makes and models. Whether you want to travel in style, or you need a minivan to carry your large brood, we have plenty of options for you.

Are you going to be in Houston for quite a while? Consider going with a long-term car rental. Do you have somewhere to drive to from Houston? A one-way car rental is the probably the most convenient option for you.

Bonus Tip: Save more when you rent with Budget for multiple trips by signing up for the Fastbreak Program.

Things to Do in Houston

Houston has so much to do that you might be hard-pressed to do it all in one go. Here are a few of Houston’s most popular family-friendly activities.

Houston Zoo

With more than two million guests passing through each year, the Houston Zoo is one of the most visited zoos in the country. 6,000 some-odd animals call the Houston Zoo home, where they educate and inspire guests of all ages. Don’t miss the 6.5-acre African Forest, featuring chimpanzees, white rhinos, cheetahs, and giraffes.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science

With exhibits on venomous creatures, messages in bottles, medieval knights, and precious gemstones, the Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS) is sure to have something for everyone in the family. Located near the zoo in Hermann Park, HMNS is one of the most popular of the many museums in Houston’s Museum District, and one of the most-visited museums in the country.

Children’s Museum of Houston

If you’ve got energetic kids on your hands, you’ll probably want to stop at the Children’s Museum. This museum features a ropes course, Kidtropolis (a metropolis for kids), a large playground, labs for scientific experimentation, and more nonstop family fun.

If you’re not worn out by the time you’ve finished at these attractions, stroll around the Museum District to find loads of other museums and galleries the whole family will enjoy.

Houston History

San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site

Make sure you visit San Jacinto, site of the famous battle where General Sam Houston led Texians against the forces of General Santa Anna in a surprise attack, yelling, “Remember the Alamo!” and “Remember Goliad!”. The battle was over in 18 minutes, and resulted in winning independence for Texas. Explore the grounds, get a bird’s-eye view from the top of the monument, and learn more about the battle in the museum.

Battleship Texas State Historic Site

The San Jacinto Battleground Complex is also home to the USS Texas, a navy battleship built over 100 years ago. You can explore the ship and walk the decks on your own, or go on a guided tour to learn about how this warship took part in significant naval battles during World Wars I & II.

These activities barely scrape the surface of all of the things to do in Houston. We want you to spend time planning all of the activities for your vacation, and not worrying about your transportation. That’s why you should rent a reliable Budget car rental. For your convenience, we have locations throughout Houston, from George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), to William P Hobby Airport (HOU), to Wallisville Road, and more. Visit our website to learn more about our products and services and reserve your car today.