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A colorful mural in downtown Houston, Texas
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Got a day to spare? Here are five must-do activities in Houston.

Don’t be daunted by the fact that Houston is Texas’ most populous city— if you have just 24 hours there, you’ll be able to enjoy unique experience you won’t find elsewhere. Located in southeastern Texas, this metropolis offers something for everyone, whether you’re visiting for the music, the food, or that undeniable Texas flair. Below you’ll find five activities to do and sights to see to make the most of your trip.

Record Store Shopping

Houston’s culture is drenched in music. The city holds a large amount of blues history, so why not take a piece of that home with you? If you love to collect vinyl, record store shopping is a great activity to do in Houston. Try Sig’s Lagoon, Cactus Music or Vinal Edge for your record needs. Happy hunting!

Browsing vinyl records at one of Houston's go-to spots

Browsing vinyl records at one of Houston's go-to spots
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Stroll through Buffalo Bayou Park

Do love the outdoors and exploring the natural beauty? Houston’s Buffalo Bayou Park is the perfect place to stretch and meander through the middle of Houston, this park takes you through wildlife conservation areas, bike trails, a dog park, a stunning pavillion over which to see Houston’s skyline, and even a lake! And because the park sits right in the city, you can easily access it by car, bike, public transportation, or even by walking.

Enjoy a scenic hike in Buffalo Bayou Park

Enjoy a scenic hike in Buffalo Bayou Park
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Play at the Downtown Aquarium

If you’re traveling with kids (or you just want to feel like a kid again), the Downtown Aquarium is a lot of fun. They offer your typical aquarium sights, but they also have amphibians, reptiles, and even a tiger. Still not impressed? They also have outdoor rides similar to a fair, including a “Frog Hopper” and a carousel, but the star of the show is their Ferris wheel. The 30-meter wheel offers an amazing view of Houston’s skyline, which is something both kids and adults will enjoy.

The Ferris wheel at Houston's Downtown Aquarium amusement area

The Ferris wheel at Houston's Downtown Aquarium amusement area
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Experience a Live Show

Houston is for music lovers. And what better way to experience the energy of the city than to see a live show? Whatever your preferred genre of music is, Houston likely has a musician performing it somewhere. Houston Press keeps an updated calendar of live shows happening in the city — check the schedule before visiting to see if one of your favorite’s is in town, or check in the night-of to see what venues have live acts and try something new!

Silhouetted by the lights and energy of a live music performance

Silhouetted by the lights and energy of a live music performance
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Visit a Museum

If you’re a lover of the arts you’ll be delighted by Houston’s museum offerings. Located across four different walkable zones, the city is home to 19 different museums, including the Children’s Museum of Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. Within each zone are at least three centers to visit, and traveling between zones is easy to do by car, public transportation, bike, and in some cases, by foot. Just visiting the museums alone is enough fun to fill your time.

The Morian Hall of Paleontology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science

The Morian Hall of Paleontology at the Houston Museum of Natural Science
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