H-Town Fun: From Bat-Watching to Bowling in Houston
Walk the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern
Looking to learn a thing or two about Houston’s historical water system architecture? Probably not, right? Think again. The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern hosts walking tours Thursday through Sunday and boasts an incredibly cool industrial vibe in what feels like a secret underground space. This cistern houses some amazing photo opportunities if you choose to go on a photography tour (flash photography and tripods are prohibited on regular historical tours). This cavernous structure usually has art installations on display as well, so you can feel fully engulfed in the underground experience. This is something that you could even consider taking the kids to. Beware, though – children under 9 years old are not permitted to enter the cistern.
Watch the Bats at Waugh Bridge
This one is totally free and, to be frank, totally awesome. There are four really great viewing locations, one of which is an observation deck at the corner of Waugh Drive and Allen Parkway where you can watch the bats swirl around beneath the bridge before their final emergence. Although it won’t be too much of worry with Houston’s notoriously warm weather, the bats do not emerge if the temperature is less than 50 degrees at sunset.
Check out the James Turrell Skyspace
Get wonderstruck at this free attraction in downtown Houston at Rice University. It was engineered to be a stage for Rice’s Shepherd School of Music students, but it is also open to the public. There are two daily acoustically engineered LED light shows dubbed the “Twilight Epiphanies” that happen at sunrise and sunset. The lights reflect beautifully on the structure’s open roof. Reservations are not required but may be a good idea because of limited space.
Try Your Hand at Bowling in Houston
If you are searching for something to do that is family-friendly, fun, and involves pizza, hit up iT’Z. In addition to their bowling lanes, iT’Z has plenty to offer, including an arcade, bumper cars, a lazer maze, and more. There is something for everyone at iT’Z, so grab the kids and visit one of the three iT’Z locations for a full day of excitement. Maybe you’ll even roll a strike or two!
Although this list barely scratches the surface of things to do in Houston, it does give you a glimpse into all of the fun options you have. No matter the occasion, Houston is sure to please. There are hundreds of events throughout the year that you can go to; from bat-watching to bowling in Houston, the possibilities are endless!