Best Tours in Houston

Want to experience the magic of space and come into contact with a wide cultural diversity? Then Houston is the 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 popular tourist attractions in the world. The most famous of all is perhaps the NASA Space Centre. Besides getting to know all the details of this amazing site, you can choose from 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 there are plenty of fun things to do in Houston on the tours.

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. All you have to do is take a bus to the indicated location and from there you will be able to see all the highlights of the city. These tours average four hours in length and cost approximately €60.

As you tour the city by bus, you'll pass through Houston's historic city centre. You'll also come across the Toyota Center, Minute Maid Ball Park, the Convention Center, Market Square, City Hall, Heritage Society Park and more. The tour lasts on average 80 minutes. During this time your guide will tell you what sites you are seeing and tell you a few fun facts.

This is an ideal tour for Houston to enjoy with children, as the bus ride is quiet and everyone is comfortable. At the end of the ride you can go to the Downtown Aquarium. This attraction has multiple spaces where the whole family can have a great time.

Its exhibits allow you to see a variety of animals such as manta rays and even its iconic Apollo the tiger. Other areas 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 water carousel, the water wheel and many more.

Interesting details

  • Price: around 60 €.
  • Duration: approximately 4 hours.
  • Means of transport: bus.
  • Advantages of this option: you can take a quick tour of the city and enjoy the aquarium.
  • Disadvantages of this option: as it is a quick tour you won't be able to enjoy all the highlights of Houston at your leisure.

Book a Houston City Tour with admission to the Downtown Aquarium

2. Instagram Mural Tour

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 last an average of two hours. The average cost of this experience is €60 and allows you to walk with a guide through different sites where the city's best murals are located.

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

You can walk the streets and discover why Houston is known for its culture and art. Many walls feature fresh and unique works of art that not all tourists get to see. Your guide will tell you a little bit of the history of each one. Being a small group, you can ask as many questions as you like and pose for as many photos as you want.

Interesting details

  • Price: around 60 €.
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours.
  • Means of transport: private vehicle.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to take beautiful photographs.
  • Disadvantages of this option: it does not include refreshments or any other extra activities.

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's important that you know how to ride a bike, as you'll be riding it the whole time. This tour has an average cost of 70 € and lasts approximately four hours.

As you cycle along with your guide, you will be treated to a beautiful panoramic view. Along the way you'll see the East End 's historic landmarks and stop off at the most popular breweries. One of them is the Local Group, a spacious, industrial-style tavern where you can sample a good craft beer along with home-cooked food.

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

Interesting details

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

Book a Downtown Houston Brewery Bike Tour

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 great way to hang out with friends. These tours usually last on average 2 hours and 30 minutes and cost approximately €40. It's worth noting that this tour is done on foot with a professional guide.

If you're looking for something interesting to do at night in Houston, this might be a good idea. You can 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 these 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 groups are limited to a maximum of 14 people.

Details of interest

  • Price: around 40 €.
  • Duration: approximately 4 hours.
  • Means of transport: on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: it is an activity 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. Food 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 usually cost around €80 and last an average of four hours.

On 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 tour price, but drinks are not usually included, only water is served with each dish.

Interesting details

  • Price: around 40 €.
  • Duration: approximately 4 hours.
  • 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 feel it is necessary, take a digestive with you to allow you to process the food better.

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

Inside the facility| ©Dug Song
Inside the facility| ©Dug Song

Taking an official tour of the NASA Space Centre 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 tour of over an hour of the city and finally a visit to the Space Centre.

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 be taken to the official visitor centre of NASA's Johnson Space Centre. There you will be able to board a tram that will give you a tour of the entire site. You'll also have the chance to see interactive exhibits with rockets, a life-size space shuttle and much more. You can even see how real astronauts work at NASA.

Interesting details

  • Price: around 90 €.
  • Duration: approximately 6 hours.
  • Means of transport: by bus.
  • Advantages of this option: you can 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 the tunnel system located in the city centre. It's one of the longest tunnel systems in the United States (it's about 9.7 kilometres long) and you can tour it in about two hours for about 30 €.

This tour of the Astroville Underground Tunnel has open-air views. From here you can see the incredible city and the impressive skyscrapers. The tunnel system is air-conditioned, so it's easy to walk through the tunnels. 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 Miró. 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 shops, so you can make the most of the time and take some souvenirs or have lunch after the tour.

Interesting details

  • Price: around 30 €.
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours.
  • Means of transport: on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to see the city from a different perspective.
  • Disadvantages of this option: no entrance fees to attractions or museums are included.

What will I see on this type of tour?

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 sights of the city.

Some of the guided tours take you to interesting places like Space Center Houston, a museum where you can see real astronauts doing their internships. Other tours let you learn about the city's cuisine or ghost stories. Overall, Houston is a versatile city that allows you to do many different things in just a few days.

Tips for a tour

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

Before travelling to Houston, or any other destination, it's important to research what the weather will be like when you arrive, depending on the season. This will allow you to pack your bags with everything you'll need to protect yourself from the cold or be comfortable in high temperatures.

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

On the other hand, if you want to save up to 47% while exploring the city's attractions, I recommend purchasing the Houston CityPass. Note that international travellers' purchases are tax free, but you should 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: around 60 €.
  • Duration: approximately 4 hours.
  • Means of transport: bus.
  • Advantages of this option: you can take a quick tour of the city and enjoy the aquarium.
  • Disadvantages of this option: as it is a quick tour you won't be able to enjoy all the highlights of Houston at your leisure.
  • Instagram Mural Tour
  • Price: around €60.
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours.
  • Means of transport: 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 activities.
  • Downtown Houston Brewery Bicycle Tour
  • Price: about 70 €.
  • Duration: approximately 4 hours.
  • Means of transport: bicycle.
  • Advantages of this option: you will be able to take beautiful pictures
  • Disadvantages of this option: if you don't know how to ride a bike, this is not a good option for you.
  • Walking tour of Houston's pubs and haunts
  • Price: around 40 €.
  • Duration: approximately 4 hours.
  • Means of transport: on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: it's an activity 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: around 40 €.
  • Duration: approximately 4 hours.
  • 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 Centre and the city of Houston.
  • Price: about 90 €.
  • Duration: approximately 6 hours.
  • Means of transport: 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.
  • Astroville Underground Tunnel Tour of Downtown Houston
  • Price: around 30 €.
  • Duration: approximately 2 hours.
  • Means of transport: on foot.
  • Advantages of this option: you will get to see the city from a different perspective.
  • Disadvantages of this option: no entrance fees to attractions or museums are included.