Things To Do In Houston For Couples

Houston is not just for business travelers or families. It makes for a fantastic destination for both new and seasoned couples, as well! While you can easily enjoy romantic nights in at your Houston-area vacation rental, there are countless places to get out and partake in the city vibes, vibrant nightlife, unique Texan culture, and award-winning urban green spaces… and some of the very best spots cost little or nothing to visit, with an assortment of ways to take advantage of both indoor and outdoor activities with other couples, or practically alone – together. Here are 15 of our personal favorite date night (or day) experiences in the Houston area!

James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspace

Suzanne Deal Booth Centennial Pavilion, Houston, TX 77005 • (713) 348-4758 • https://moody.rice.edu/james-turrell-twilight-epiphany-skyspace

It’s always a great photo spot or picnic locale, but time your visit to the James Turrell Twilight Epiphany Skyspace just right to catch spectacular LED light shows at sunrise and sunset. An iconic structure located on the Rice University campus, Twilight Epiphany is an events pavilion equipped with a light sequence projected onto the ceiling and through an aperture in the roof at sunrise and sunset for a 40-minute display. The breathtaking spectacle can be experienced every day except Tuesdays. Admission is free, and the structure is open to the public all day long, often hosting live music performances as well!

Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park

2800 Post Oak Blvd, Houston, TX 77056 • (713) 850-8841 • https://www.uptown-houston.com/news/page/water-wall-park

This 2.77-acre urban park features expansive green spaces flanked by nearly 200 live oak trees and the stunning 64-foot semi-circular Waterwall fountain. The picturesque fountain circulates nearly 11,000 gallons of water per minute over smooth rock and brilliant stone walls, and it is truly a remarkable sight. Situated in the Galleria area, the Waterwall makes for a unique photo op, lunch-on-the-lawn spot, or a romantic place to unwind after shopping or an elegant dinner Uptown.

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center

4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77024 • (713) 681-8433 • https://houstonarboretum.org

The Arboretum is a 155-acre urban sanctuary, and one of Houston’s most remarkable green spaces. Located on the western edge of Memorial Park, the Arboretum offers a series of easy hikes spanning five miles through loop pathways and nature exhibits teeming with plants, birds, and aquatic life. The grounds are open daily from 7 AM to dusk. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center hosts a variety of adult programs including nature workshops, birding and photography classes, and opportunities to experience the Arboretum at night for a more in-depth, unique experience and a great date night!

Buffalo Bayou Park

1800 Allen Pkwy & Memorial Dr., Houston, TX 77019 • (713) 752-0314 • https://buffalobayou.org/visit/destination/buffalo-bayou-park

Buffalo Bayou Park is home to 160 acres of urban green space that can be explored in a variety of ways. Enjoy scenic strolls along the park’s pathways, or rent a tandem bike from the Bike Barn at The Water Works on Sabine Street. You can even get on the water by kayaking or canoeing with rentals from Bayou City Adventures, or paddle crafts on Lost Lake. Go underground on a tour of the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern, a magnificent industrial site featuring an immersive art installation. There are plenty of other sprawling spaces and community events to enjoy at Buffalo Bayou, but for a genuinely “Houston” date idea, make sure to plan your visit around a stop at the Waugh Drive Bridge at dusk for the nightly appearance of the Mexican free-tailed bats. Bat Chats are held on the first and third Friday of each month, year-round – a spooky, but certainly original date night, indeed!

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens

6003 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77007 • (713) 639-7750 • https://www.mfah.org/visit/bayou-bend-collection-and-gardens

Home to the Museum of Fine Arts Houston’s collection of decorative art, paintings, and furniture, Bayou Bend is the former residence of Houston civic leader and philanthropist Ima Hogg in the historic River Oaks neighborhood. Situated on 14 acres of lush gardens, Bayou Bend is open year-round, offering tours and special programs for both children and adults.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005 • (713) 639-7300 • https://www.mfah.org

One of the largest museums in the United States, the oldest art museum in Texas, and an iconic landmark of Houston’s Museum District, MFAH features a collection of more than 64,000 works from six continents, spanning more than 6,000 years of history. Distinct campus and sculpture gardens spotlight the areas of Italian Renaissance painting, French Impressionism, photography, American and European decorative arts, African and pre-Columbian gold, American art, and post-1945 European and American painting and sculpture. To keep the creative culture going, consider moving on to check out The Menil Collection – a free museum and neighborhood of art spanning 30 acres in Midtown Houston.

Cockrell Butterfly Center

5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030 • (713) 639-4629 • http://www.hmns.org/cockrell-butterfly-center

Located at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Cockrell Butterfly Center features a variety of exhibits, displays, and presentations, centered on the environment and some of its most colorful inhabitants. The three-story Rainforest Conservancy centers around a breathtaking 50-foot waterfall filled with tropical plants and a walk-through butterfly habitat.

Space Center Houston

1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058 • (281) 244-2100 • https://spacecenter.org

Established in 1992, Space Center Houston is one of the nation’s most popular tourist attractions. Home to NASA Mission Control, International Space Station Mission Control, astronaut training, and more than 400 exhibits, artifacts and items from space, the facility is both educational and inspiring. Kick up your date a notch with a behind-the-scenes tour or astronaut experience!

Hobby Center for Performing Arts

800 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002 • (713) 315-2400 • https://www.thehobbycenter.org

The premier entertainment complex on the borders of Houston’s Theater District, The Hobby Center hosts an array of world-class events, from symphony masterpieces to Broadway musicals and live concert performances via two state-of-the-art theaters. Take in dinner and a show with an elegant on-site restaurant highlighted by unrivaled views of surrounding Downtown Houston through 60-foot-high glass walls. It’s the perfect spot for an elegant evening full of culture.

Bayou City Outdoors Farmers Market Bike Ride

Photo Credit: bayoucityoutdoors.com

Onion Creek 3106 White Oak Dr., Houston, TX 77007 • (713) 524-3567 • http://bayoucityoutdoors.com/clubportal/ClubStatic.cfm?clubID=3&pubmenuOptID=37239

With a range of farmers markets right in the middle of the city, a social bike tour could be an interesting way to visit them… and a comfortable way to break the ice on a date! Bayou City Outdoors leads guests on a roughly three-hour tour covering about 15 miles with collections of vendors offering handcrafted cheeses, local produce, baked goods, homemade jams, and locally sourced organic meats.

Hermann Park

1700 Hermann Dr, Houston, TX 77004 • (713) 524-5876 • https://www.hermannpark.org

Home of the sprawling McGovern Centennial Gardens, Hermann Park features a picnic area and the Miller Outdoor Theatre. The theater is an open-air auditorium that regularly hosts musical performances, feature-length films, and other community events. All performances are free. Before or after your picnic and a show, consider biking through the park or taking a romantic ride on a pedal boat on the lake. Located in the heart of Houston’s Museum District, Hermann Park is one of the city’s most historic and popular green spaces, and one of the favorite free things to do in the area!

Houston Downtown Aquarium

410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002 • (713) 223-3474 • https://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumhouston

It’s easy to find undersea adventures right in the heart of Houston at the Downtown Aquarium! This six-acre entertainment complex is a one-stop shop full of fun and romantic things to do, day and night. The 500,000 gallon aquarium features more than 300 species of aquatic creatures, and the entire complex is bustling with shopping, dining, and amusement opportunities – including rousing nightlife fun and extended happy hour specials!

Discovery Green

1500 McKinney St, Houston, TX 77010 • (713) 400-7336 • https://www.discoverygreen.com

Discovery Green is a 12-acre public park in Downtown Houston. Home to an array of restaurants, urban art fixtures, performance venues, and outdoor activities, it’s ideal for a day (or evening) of exploration with meaningful conversation. Kayak on Kinder Lake, take part in a craft beer tasting, stroll the urban trails and gardens, capture unique and fun photos, catch a show, or play like no one is watching in a fountain or splash pad. In the winter months, Kinder Lake also provides a great spot for ice skating!

Cooking Classes With UrbanCHEF or Well Done

Get hands-on with your sweetie and spice things up with a social and educational culinary class guided by award-winning chefs. Learn some new skills over a great (and tasty) bonding experience. Urban Chef offers in-person and online options where couples work together to create a delicious and romantic meal. Well Done features a selection of offerings, including “three course dinner”, “dinner party”, or “specialty” classes.

Galveston Island

Take a little road trip to discover island time, Texas-style, on the scenic shores of the Gulf of Mexico! Enjoy a sunset stroll or explore the shores on a guided horse or pony ride along the Texas beachfront. Make sure to catch a fresh coastal meal during your beach day trip!