FUN THINGS TO DO NEAR HOUSTON, TX

Home to 2.3 million residents, Houston is the fourth-largest city in America. Due to its wide variety of sights and attractions, the city is a magnet for tourism. From space exploration to major league baseball, Houston seems to have it all!

As you pass through this city, you’ll find Universal Technical Institute Houston — a technical school with a 38-year history of preparing technicians for careers in the transportation, skilled trades and energy industries.¹ UTI Houston offers ten core programs including airframe & powerplant, automotive, diesel, collision repair, welding, robotics and automation, wind power, industrial maintenance, HVACR and non-destructive testing and three specialized training programs created in conjunction with Ford, Cummins⁴⁶ and BMW, giving students several options.¹¹

UTI Houston is located within driving distance of some of the area’s most famous attractions, making it a great place to work and play! Read along as we share some fun things to do in and near Houston when you need a study break.

Space Center Houston

If you’ve always been fascinated with space, Houston is the place to be. The city is known as the world capital of space exploration!

Space Center Houston is a leading science and space exploration learning center. With more than 400 artifacts, the museum is one of Houston’s top attractions. With a variety of different exhibits and experiences, you’ll never run out of things to explore. From an astronaut gallery to a NASA tram tour, a general admission ticket can give you an in-depth look at what exists beyond our planet.

Houston Zoo

The Houston Zoo is a 55-acre park that houses more than 6,000 animals from 900 species. It’s the second-most visited zoo in the United States! Tickets cost around $23, and a portion of each purchase goes toward protecting animals in the wild. Plus, the zoo offers free daytime admission once a month on Tuesday afternoons. You can learn more about ticket pricing and discounts on the zoo's website.

The Houston Museum District

The Houston Museum District is an association of 19 museums, galleries, cultural centers and community organizations. With four walkable zones, you can find everything from beautiful photography at the Houston Center for Photography to a look into history at the Houston Holocaust Museum. This is the perfect spot to get out and explore all Houston has to offer.

The best part? Many of the attractions are free to visit, and others offer free general admission at specific times. Admission times and details can be found on the district's website.

Buffalo Bayou

If you’re on the hunt for free things to do in Houston, be sure to check out the Buffalo Bayou. This is one of the best spots in town for a bike ride, run or stroll. With miles of urban bike trails and old-fashioned bridges, it’s a great place to work up a sweat while taking in the beautiful scenery of the city.

Minute Maid Park

Minute Maid Park is home to Houston’s Major League Baseball team, the Astros. With a 242-foot-high retractable roof, the park is the first to bring open-air baseball to Houston since the 1960s. Kick back, enjoy some great barbecue, and watch the game!

The Galleria

They say everything is bigger in Texas — and this includes the malls! The Galleria is a shopping mall with more than 400 stores, delicious restaurants, a full-size ice rink and more.

Whether you’re in the mood to shop or grab a bite to eat with some friends, The Galleria won’t disappoint.

Texas Rock Gym

If you love a good adventure, add the Texas Rock Gym to the top of your list. With more than 14,000 square feet of climbable surfaces, this gym is a hub for rock climbing enthusiasts. Climbers of all skill levels are welcome! The gym also offers yoga, tai chi and kung fu.

Kemah Boardwalk

Located just 20 miles from downtown Houston, Kemah Boardwalk is a 60-acre Texas Gulf Coast theme park in the city of Kemah. The attraction offers waterfront restaurants, rides and amusements, retail stores, festivals, and seaside shows. Parking prices vary, but typically range from free to $9. All-day ride passes cost around $25.

Downtown Aquarium

Houston’s Downtown Aquarium is a 500,000-gallon aquatic wonderland that’s home to more than 300 species of aquatic life from around the globe. This isn’t just an ordinary aquarium, though — there is also a full-service restaurant, bar, ballroom, aquatic and geographic exhibits, shopping, and a variety of other amusements. The aquarium also regularly puts on events and runs promotions with discounted tickets. You can stay in-the-know by checking out the events calendar!

Speedy’s Fast Track

If you consider yourself an adrenaline junkie, look no further than Speedy’s Fast Track. This entertainment center has arcade games, mini-golf, laser tag, and Formula One-style go-karts. A mix of indoor and outdoor entertainment means there’s something for everyone.

Houston Motorsports Park

Houston Motorsports Park is one of the fastest one-eighth-mile, all-concrete drag strips in the country, with speeds exceeding 190 mph, big burnouts and huge wheel stands at almost every event. Located on the northeast side of Houston, its design was inspired by Texas Motor Speedway, including a computerized timing system and VIP suites. The park hosts a variety of special events throughout the year, including Friday night street nights, oval track racing, test-and-tune events, and more. Grab your friends and enjoy a night at the racetrack!

Houston Raceway Park

Houston Raceway Park, formerly known as Royal Purple Raceway, is a quarter-mile drag strip in Baytown just outside Houston. Built in 1988, the park spans 500 acres and is the city’s only major multipurpose motorsports venue. With its NHRA-sanctioned drag strip and quarter-mile, high-banked dirt oval speedway, the venue attracts visitors from around the state and the country! Tickets are typically within the $20 range, and the events calendar can be viewed on the park's website.

That concludes our list of fun things to do in and near Houston for students! Enjoy exploring all the area has to offer.

Want to learn more about UTI Houston? Request more information today.