Best Tours in Houston

Do you want to experience the magic of space and be in contact with a wide cultural diversity? Then Houston is the ideal place for you, so take a tour.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

11 min read

Best Tours in Houston

Houston Buildings | ©Trace Hudson

Houston is one of the most frequented places by tourists thanks to its attractions. The most famous of all is perhaps the NASA Space Center. Besides knowing all the details of this amazing site, you can choose several tours that will allow you to explore the whole city, far beyond the space theme.

Urban art murals, craft beer, gastronomic variety and even ghost stories await you in this destination. The biggest advantage of guided tours is that you don't have to worry about finding the right direction or the right road, as your guide will do it for you. Be prepared as on the tours you will find many fun things to do in Houston.

1. Houston City Tour with admission to the Downtown Aquarium

Downtown Aquarium| ©hannah sl0an
Downtown Aquarium| ©hannah sl0an

Want to take a tour of all of Houston and top it off with an interesting activity? Then a city tour with admission to the Downtown Aquarium is ideal for you. You just have to take a bus at the indicated place and from there you will be able to see all the most important tourist sites of the city. This type of tour has an average duration of four hours and a cost of approximately 60 €.

While touring the city by bus, you will pass through the historic center of Houston. You will also come across the Toyota Center, Minute Maid Ball Park, the Convention Center, Market Square, City Hall, Heritage Society Park, among others. The tour lasts an average of 80 minutes. During this time your guide will tell you what sites you are seeing and will tell you some interesting facts.

This is an ideal tour to enjoy Houston with children, since the bus ride is quiet and everyone can go comfortably. In addition, at the end you can go to the Downtown Aquarium. This attraction has multiple spaces where the whole family can have an incredible time.

Its exhibits allow you to observe a variety of animals such as manta rays and even its iconic Apollo the tiger. Other areas that you will love are the underwater platform, the jungle, among others. In addition to these animals, you can enjoy a game room or attractions such as the Ferris wheel, the aquatic carousel, the water wheel and many more.

Details of interest

  • Price: about 60 €.
  • Duration: about 4 h.
  • Means of transport: bus.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to take a quick tour of the city and enjoy the aquarium.
  • Disadvantages of this option: as it is a quick tour you will not be able to enjoy all the highlights of Houston at your leisure.

Book a Houston city tour with admission to Downtown Aquarium

2. Mural tour for Instagram

Houston Mural Tour| ©2C2K Photography
Houston Mural Tour| ©2C2K Photography

Do you like to have beautiful photos on your Instagram account? Well, when you travel to Houston you shouldn't miss the opportunity to tour the best murals in the city. These types of tours have an average duration of two hours. The average cost of this experience is 60 € and allows you to walk with a guide through different sites where the best murals of the city are located.

These tours include a private electric vehicle for small groups of up to five people. The tour takes place in the historic center, specifically in the market square. In this place many corners have been totally transformed by urban art.

You will be able to walk all the streets discovering why Houston is known for its culture and art. Many walls have fresh and unique works of art that not all tourists are able to find. Your guide will tell you a little bit of the history of each one. Being a small group, you will be able to ask as many questions as you want and pose for as many pictures as you want.

Details of interest

  • Price: about 60 €.
  • Duration: approximately 2 h.
  • Means of transportation: private vehicle.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to take beautiful pictures.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it does not include refreshments or any other extra activity.

Book a mural tour for Instagram

3. Downtown Houston brewery bike tour

Beer in Houston| ©Houston Entree
Beer in Houston| ©Houston Entree

Do you like to try different types of beers? You'll love these tours. You will start the tour north of downtown. It is important that you know how to ride a bike since you will be riding this vehicle for the entire time. This tour has an average cost of 70 € and lasts approximately four hours.

As you ride your bike following your guide, you will appreciate a beautiful panoramic view. During the tour you will see the historical monuments of the East End and stop at the most popular breweries. One of them is the Local Group, a spacious, industrial-style tavern where you can try a good craft beer along with home-style food.

Other breweries you can visit are Sigma Brewing Co, 8th Wonder, among others. The breweries you visit may vary depending on availability. In each one you will spend a pleasant time tasting craft beer and listening to curious facts about its preparation and origin.

Interesting details

  • Price: around 70 €.
  • Duration: approximately 4 h.
  • Means of transport: bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to take beautiful pictures.
  • Disadvantages of this option: if you do not know how to ride a bicycle, it is not a good option for you.

Book a bike tour of the brewery in downtown Houston

4. Walking tour of Houston's pubs and haunts

Houston Pub Crawl| ©Ed Schipul
Houston Pub Crawl| ©Ed Schipul

Taking a walking tour of Houston's pubs and haunted places is a good idea to hang out with friends. Normally these tours have an average duration of 2 hour and 30 minutes and cost approximately 40 €. It is worth noting that this tour is done on foot with a professional guide.

If you are looking for something interesting to do at night in Houston this can be a good idea. You will be able to visit more than four pubs located in old buildings in Houston's historic downtown. Your guide will tell you the stories of ghosts and legends that are hidden in those buildings.

Please note that drinks and other things you consume are not included in the price of this tour. Also, you must be at least 21 years old to join the tour. The experience is usually very good, as for groups a maximum of 14 people are accepted.

Details of interest

  • Price: around 40 €.
  • Duration: about 4 h.
  • Means of transport: on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: it is an activity that you can do at night and you can learn about the history of the city in a fun way.
  • Disadvantages of this option: the tour does not include drinks or snacks.

Book the Houston Pub Crawl and Ghost Tour

5. Gastronomic tour of the city

Eating in Houston| ©Ken
Eating in Houston| ©Ken

Tasting the local food is another way to get to know a new city. That's why I recommend a food tour of Houston. These tours are usually priced at approximately 80 € and last an average of four hours.

In this experience you will be accompanied by a guide who will take you on foot to more than four restaurants. During the tour you will be able to observe the evolution of the city's history. One of the highlights is Chinatown, which has grown considerably in recent years.

Among the foods you will try are tacos, dishes prepared in barbecue restaurants, Vietnamese recipes, among others. All this is included in the price of the tour, but drinks are not usually included, only water is served with each dish.

Details of interest

  • Price: about 40 €.
  • Duration: about 4 h.
  • Means of transport: on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: you can have a great and varied lunch while getting to know the city.
  • Disadvantages of this option: drinks are not included.

Traveller Tip
When you go on a gastronomic tour it is important that you do not eat beforehand so that you can enjoy the whole experience. Also, if you consider it necessary, take a digestive with you to allow you to process the food better.

6. Official tour of the NASA Space Center and the City of Houston

Inside the facilities| ©Dug Song
Inside the facilities| ©Dug Song

Taking an official tour of the NASA Space Center and the city of Houston is a great way to get to know the city. This tour usually lasts about six hours and costs an average of $90. First there is a one-hour tour of the city and finally a visit to the Space Center.

During the tour you will ride in a private car and drive through Minute Maid Park, the home of the city's baseball team, the Houston Astros, and then through Houston's historic downtown. Other highlights of the tour include the Downtown Aquarium and Sam Houston Park.

At the end of the tour you will go to the official visitor center of NASA's Johnson Space Center. There you will be able to hop on a streetcar that will give you a tour of the entire site. You'll also have the opportunity to see interactive exhibits with rockets, a life-size space shuttle and much more. You can even see how real astronauts work at NASA.

Details of interest

  • Price: about 90 ¤.
  • Duration: approximately 6 h.
  • Means of transportation: by bus.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to see part of the city aboard a comfortable vehicle and explore an iconic site in Houston.
  • Disadvantages of this option: the bus trip does not allow you to explore the whole city.

7. Downtown Houston's Astroville Underground Tunnel Tour

Inside the tunnels| ©OriginalImage
Inside the tunnels| ©OriginalImage

The city of Houston is full of surprises and one of them is its tunnel system located downtown. It is also one of the most extensive tunnel systems in the United States (it is about 9.7 kilometers long) and you can tour it in about two hours for about $30.

This tour through the Astroville Underground Tunnel has open-air views. From there you can see the amazing city and the impressive skyscrapers. The tunnel system is air-conditioned, so you can walk through it without any problems. Highlights include the tallest building in Texas and the oldest bank building in the city.

Other highlights of the tour include a hotel where President John F. Kennedy spent his last night. You will also see a dazzling sculpture by Joan Miro. Along the way you will be guided by an expert who will tell you all about the city's architecture.

Note that in these tunnels you can also visit restaurants and stores, so you can take advantage of the time and take some souvenirs or have lunch after the tour.

Details of interest

  • Price: about 30 €.
  • Duration: about 2 h.
  • Means of transport: on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: you will get to know the city from another perspective.
  • Disadvantages of this option: no entrance to attractions or museums is included.

What will I see on this type of excursion?

Helicopter Tour in Houston| ©Michael-Ann Belin
Helicopter Tour in Houston| ©Michael-Ann Belin

Houston is one of the most diverse cities in the United States. This makes it a very interesting destination to visit. You will not only learn about American culture, but also about many other countries. Guided tours can help you discover all the most important tourist spots in the city.

Some of the guided tours go through interesting places like the Space Center Houston, a museum where you can see real astronauts doing their internships. Other tours let you learn about the city's gastronomy or its ghost stories. In general, Houston is a very versatile city that will allow you to do many different things in a few days.

Tips for an excursion

Houston Museum of Natural Science| ©Michael Martin
Houston Museum of Natural Science| ©Michael Martin

Before traveling to Houston, or any other destination, it is important that you research what the weather will be like by the time you arrive, depending on the season. This will allow you to pack your bags with everything you will need to protect yourself from the cold or be comfortable in high temperatures.

I also recommend researching if there will be special events for the week or month you are traveling. Houston is a very dynamic city, so it is more likely that there will be new or repeating events or fairs on a yearly basis. If any event is of interest to you, I recommend you book your ticket in advance.

On the other hand, if you want to save up to 47% while getting to know the different attractions of the city, I recommend you buy the Houston CityPass. Keep in mind that international travelers' purchases are tax free, but you must keep your receipts to get your money back.

If you like to visit museums I suggest you visit the Houston Museum District where you can visit up to 20 museums. Among them is the Museum of Natural Science. This is an ideal destination for the little ones to learn in the most ingenious ways about the periodic table, astronomy, animals and more.

Let's compare the options

  • Houston City Tour with admission to the Downtown Aquarium
  • Price: about $60.
  • Duration: about 4 hours.
  • Means of transportation: bus.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to take a quick tour of the city and enjoy the aquarium.
  • Disadvantages of this option: as it is a quick tour you will not be able to enjoy all the highlights of Houston at your leisure.
  • Instagram Mural Tour
  • Price: about 60 €.
  • Duration: approximately 2 h.
  • Means of transportation: private vehicle.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to take beautiful pictures.
  • Disadvantages of this option: does not include refreshments or any other extra activity.
  • Downtown Houston Brewery Bike Tour
  • Price: about 70 ¤.
  • Duration: about 4 hours.
  • Means of transportation: bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to take beautiful pictures
  • Disadvantages of this option: if you do not know how to ride a bike, it is not a good option for you.
  • Walking tour of the pubs and haunted places of Houston
  • Price: about 40
  • Duration: about 4 hours.
  • Means of transportation: on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: it is an activity that you can do at night and you can learn about the history of the city in a fun way.
  • Disadvantages of this option: the tour does not include drinks or snacks.
  • Gastronomic tour of the city
  • Price: about 40 €.
  • Duration: about 4 h.
  • Means of transport: on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: you can have a great and varied lunch while getting to know the city.
  • Disadvantages of this option: drinks are not included.
  • Official tour of the NASA Space Center and the city of Houston.
  • Price: about 90 €.
  • Duration: about 6 h.
  • Means of transportation: by bus.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to see part of the city aboard a comfortable vehicle and explore an iconic site in Houston.
  • Disadvantages of this option: the bus trip does not allow you to explore the entire city.
  • Astroville Underground Tunnel Tour of downtown Houston
  • Price: about $30.
  • Duration: about 2 hours.
  • Means of transportation: on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: you will get to know the city from another perspective.
  • Disadvantages of this option: no entrance fees to attractions or museums are included.