Things to Do in Houston, Texas, for Couples

Houston, Texas, may not evoke visions of romance for most travelers. I blame the barbecue and maybe the traffic.

While stretchy pants and working your way through platters of brisket can make for a fun date night, there’s enough to do in the city no matter what you like to do as a couple.

We’ve spent a few weeks in Houston at this point, and as a traveling pair, we found quite a few things to do in Houston for couples seeking a solid date night.

You just may need to get over the traffic anxiety first. Seriously, it’s bad.

Find your favorite Houston coffee shop.

Perhaps you want to start a Houston day date with a caffeine boost. Maybe you just met this person and coffee sounds like a safe bet. Whatever your reason, you have all kinds of options for coffee shops in Houston.

Try Antidote Coffee if you want to impress with a menu of fancy brews. Catalina Coffee gives off those cute neighborhood coffee shop vibes, complete with freshly baked scones.

Agora will transport you to a European cafe with their Greek snacks and gourmet coffees.

Decide between sweet and savory at brunch.

I’m not a big fan of breakfast, but brunch is a different story. It’s always such an event, what with the impressive portions and bottomless mimosas.

All of a sudden you and your date are having a Sunday Funday, making plans weeks into the future. Am I living in Modern Love? Maybe.

Here are my top three picks for brunch spots in Houston:

• Bosscat Kitchen & Libations: They have a Fruity Pebbles French toast here if you’re brave enough to order that with a date. Heck, just order it anyway. It’ll be a true test of whether your date is cool or a stick in the mud.
• Pondicheri: I typically love anything that’s even a touch inspired by Indian cuisine. Pondicheri goes all out. Try their Railway Omelet, an “everything but the kitchen sink” egg dish that comes with your choice of carrot roti or greens.
• a’Bouzy: Expect things to get a little boozy at a’Bouzy, a French cafe that hopes you like Champagne. Much of their menu has bubbles in mind, so if you want to pair their tartine or hash with a festive glass, do go ahead.

Chase waterfalls at Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park.

Feeling that spray on a hot summer’s day makes the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park an excellent option for a Houston day date.

This thing is 64 feet tall, recycling about 11,000 gallons of water every minute you’re up there taking your Instagram pics.

It wasn’t too crowded on our visit to the downtown Houston spot, which made our dog Kimmy very happy. Park at one of the lots across the street for a couple of bucks per 30 minutes.

Stroll the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens.

This museum, an offshoot of The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (we’ll get into that one later), is a must for anyone into antiquities. If you and your date aren’t even sure what I mean by that, come here for the gardens.

The historic home is surrounded by Buffalo Bayou and 14 acres of gardens inspired by the South and Beaux Arts design.

I’m not even sure what that means, either, but the azaleas are spectacular.

Hang out in EaDo.

I’ll describe my top two breweries below, but they’re both in EaDo, or East Downtown, also known as my favorite neighborhood in Houston.

This trendy nook is known for craft beer and all kinds of vibes. I promise there’s more to do there than drink, although there’s definitely lots of that.

Explore the quirky local arts and music scene. Super Happy Fun Land is a great place to get a taste of what EaDo is all about. Catch a soccer game (or is it a match?) at the rebranded PNC Stadium. Grab tacos at the beloved Brothers Taco House.

You’ll be able to see how your partner handles hanger at that last one. The casual spot often has a line.

Sip on craft beer at Houston’s best breweries.

The city of Houston has all kinds of options for excellent breweries within its city limits. Yes, beer can be romantic!

Our favorites were:

• 8th Wonder: This one may seem a little crowded at first, giant Beatles statue and all, but it’s large enough that you can find your own table for all of the people-watching. Try one of their Haterades. They come in different flavors.
• Saint Arnold Brewing Company: This one gets high marks from me for its large beer garden. If it’s a nice day, there’s nothing like a can or two out in the sun. They make their own cider at this one, too.
• True Anamoly: This one is space-themed, which makes sense when you find out it was started by former NASA scientists. Try any of their Belgian-inspired beers as part of your taster.  

Take a cooking class.

Making your own food may sound like one of those basic date night ideas where quite a few things could go wrong, but it shows up on lists like this for a reason.

Feeding one another — or learning how to — is one of the most romantic things you can do.

If you or your partner come from money, Brennan’s is the gold standard of Houston cooking classes. The classes at Central Market are more accessible.

Get weird at the National Museum of Funeral History.

I love all things morbid. I’ve suffered through Las Vegas just to visit CrimeCon, one of the best weekends of my life. If your interests fall along those lines, you won’t want to miss the National Museum of Funeral History. 

Hold hands with your love as you peruse the large papal funeral exhibit. Learn about presidential funerals and the history of caskets, and make comments like, “Oh, that guy is dead? I didn’t know that.”

It’s quirky and weird and I loved it.

Enjoy The Museum of Fine Arts with cocktails.

On Thursdays, The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, trusts visitors enough to peruse the art while sipping cocktails. If you don’t drink, you can eat bites from on-site food trucks and take in the tunes from their in-house DJ, instead.

Their Happy Hour Thursday runs from 5-8pm each week unless there’s another special event happening that conflicts with the fun.

Time things right and you could have the perfect view of a sunset of the Houston skyline from the sculpture garden.

See real love at the Beer Can House.

The story behind the Beer Can House is one of romance.

Recently retired John Milkovisch decided to start the project while his wife was away at work one day. She returned, looked around, and was like, “Fine. You can have this. Just keep your paws off the inside.” 

That was that. Visits to see the greatest love story ever told are free thanks to a donation from Saint Arnold Brewing Company. (We had to pay $5 for a tour on our visit as it was before this happened, but it was still worth it!)

You’ll get a brief tour outside and visit a small museum inside for more background.

Meet the critters at the Houston Zoo.

If you’re already visiting the Houston Museum of Natural Science I’ll describe below, you’ll be super closer to the Houston Zoo if you want to keep the learning going.

Get squirmy at the Bug House, feel wanderlusty at an exhibit dedicated to the Galápagos Islands, and get cozy with the in-house giraffes at the Giraffe Feeding Platform.

Reserve tickets online so that you’re not shut out on the day you’d like to visit.

See dinos at the Houston Museum of Natural Science.

I’m not even that big a dino-lover, but the Houston Museum of Natural Science in Hermann Park has truly outdone itself. 

They put the dinosaur fossils up against recreated paintings of what they may have been doing back then. That includes fighting, falling into tar pits, or just hanging out in meadows before their extinction. 

I loved the gems exhibit, too. One of the necklaces in the darkened space resembled The Heart of the Ocean blue diamond from Titanic.

That movie always makes me feel all kinds of things, namely how Kate Winslet has kept such grace following criticism over why she didn’t just move over on that floating door.

Note: This is where you’ll access the Cockrell Butterfly Center, too, but it’s an add-on to your general admission ticket.

READ MORE: Love fossils? Learn about a quirky Iowa stop with this guide to the Devonian Fossil Gorge.

Browse the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston.

Stick around the Houston Museum District for a collection of modern art that aims to challenge visitors at the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston. This one is free, by the way, in case you’re looking for cheap date ideas in the city.

We just missed out on the Amoako Boafo: Soul of Black Folks exhibit during our stay. It was a solo exhibition by the Ghanaian artist centered around Black joy. You can expect art with a strong message during your visit.

Check the museum calendar before you go. If you time things right, you may be in for a treat in the form of live classical music, artist talks, or studio demonstrations.

Find your favorite urban park.

The traffic in Houston is stressful. The green spaces in Houston are not.

Take your honey to one of the city’s best urban parks for a break from the noise. Pack a picnic if you’re trying to make this an even more romantic date.

Here are my top three:

• Buffalo Bayou Park: Enjoy a large stretch of walking and biking paths up at the top and down below at this municipal park. Take in views of the Buffalo Bayou and downtown Houston.
• Levy Park: This one has gotten quite the makeover since the 1940s. Stroll community gardens, join in on a free yoga class, or sprawl out in the outdoor reading room. The perfect date is about being together. Aw!
• Memorial Park: This park is one of the largest urban parks in the country, and it shows. There was quite a bit of construction at this one on my visit, but it’s easy enough to find your own personal trail to get away from the noise. 

Go underground at the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern.

What was once an underground reservoir is now a haven for art installations and visitors on the hunt for one of the most unique places in Houston. If you want to know more about this architectural feat, book a historical tour on their website.

You’ll learn more about the cistern and the city’s water system than you ever thought you would over just a half hour. Self-guided tours are also an option.

Plan your date around the Houston Barbecue Festival.

I had all these plans to try some delicious meats while in Houston at the actual restaurants. Then I found out that the Houston Barbecue Festival was going to be in town during our visit. Even better, it was happening on Brian’s actual birthday.

What a no-brainer, right? 

I thought it was all very well-organized, with staff on hand well before the start time to check tickets to keep things moving once the festival started. The only advice I have is to pace yourself and bring a tray if you’re able.

You’ll be able to last longer — we were essentially done with our binge in about 45 minutes — and make yourself a nice buffet platter with those tips.

If you’ve planned things wrong and your only option is to get yourself some of that delicious Houston barbecue on your own, all hope is not lost. I do have a few favorites from the extensive research I did at the festival.

By “research” I mean eating all of the meats.

Here they are:

• Blood Bros. BBQ: This is Texas barbecue with an Asian spin. We ate a delicious chimichanga situation at the fest, but don’t miss out on the brisket fried rice.
• Gatlin’s BBQ: This family-owned operation serves up all of the hits, but if jerk chicken is on the menu, you know what to do. (That’s order it if you weren’t sure.) 
• J-Bar-M Barbecue: They had a bite of brisket on a cracker with pimento cheese that was my favorite bite of the day. Have a plate of their prime brisket, too.
• Pizzitola’s Bar-B-Cue: Pizzitola’s has a little bit of everything if you’re not up for a meat fest. If you are, though, hit up their brisket burger with a side of street corn.
• Truth BBQ: They started in a shack and have since expanded to multiple locations in Houston and Brenham. Truth is, their pulled pork is delicious.

READ MORE: If you love barbecue, you really should visit the mecca of Texas-style meats in Lockhart.

Eat at the best date night restaurants in Houston.

You don’t need to find the beef if you don’t want to. Leave the gift cards at home and keep things classic with your Houston date ideas at one of the city’s best eateries.

Here were three of my favorites:

• Tiny Champions: The pizza at this EaDo eatery is thin and foldable, but the real goods are on the appetizer and dessert side. I’m talking about smoky mozzarella balls and their adorable little donut holes if you need more answers.
• Crawfish & Noodles: No, you’re not in New Orleans. Houston does something called Viet-Cajun cuisine. The best is at Crawfish & Noodles, a James Beard Award-nominated spot that takes both its seafood and its noodles very seriously.
• Hobbit Cafe: If your date is a J. R. R. Tolkien fan even in the slightest, dinner becomes a no-brainer. You two are going to the Hobbit Cafe. Yep, they play up the expected angles with their Dragon Wings and Balrog Burger.

Show off at an arcade for adults.

I’m good at one video game, and that’s Street Fighter II. I’m untouchable, basically. With everything else, I’m probably sulking over my ineptitude.

That doesn’t mean adult arcades aren’t any fun. They’re very fun.

Hit the Cidercade for over 200 different games, including the Mario Bros. classics of your childhood. FAO is ideal for gamers who want Houston skyline views alongside their hoops.

If you want live music, too, head to The Dive. The games at that one are free, so you can play while you listen to your tunes.

Have yourself a dim sum date.

I have to give dim sum a special shoutout. I find that it’s a completely unique food experience compared to going out to eat at a restaurant.

Our pick was Ocean Palace. Dim sum there is offered daily, although you won’t see every menu item on weekdays. You’ll still have plenty to choose from. Their soup dumplings and rice noodle rolls with fresh sea scallops were our highlights.

Bring the pups along for a dog-friendly date.

We were traveling with our mutt Kimmy Kibbler during our stay in Houston, so you better believe she came along whenever she was able. Leashed dogs are welcome at all of the urban parks I’ve already mentioned.

The meandering paths of Helen’s Park and the lakefront Kickerillo-Mischer Preserve are two more options if you want to exercise yourself, your date, and your pup.

For butterfly action that isn’t the Cockrell Butterfly Center, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center welcomes leashed dogs and their owners across its 155 acres.

Five miles of trails will take you through some very scenic habitats, including wetlands that make you feel like you’re not in Texas anymore. 

Book an adventure.

If you’d like someone else to do the work for you or looking for something that’ll get the adrenaline pumping, here are a few that sound like a great time for couples:

Try something sweet at the best Houston bakeries.

Dessert is always a fun date idea. If you didn’t grab any at dinner or are seeking a day date idea, hit up any of the city’s best bakeries to see whether your partner has a dessert stomach. 

Fun fact: I have a friend who says there’s always room for dessert because it’s a different part of your belly. Whatever gets you through those sweets!

Here are a few options for something sweet in Houston proper:

• Three Brothers Bakery: This bakery comes with a story. One of the brothers escaped from a concentration camp only to bring us cinnamon rolls, hamantaschen, and muffins. Support them with your love for one another and sweets.
• Pudgy’s Fine Cookies: Is there anything better than a warm batch of freshly baked cookies? Throw in their fan-favorite, the Bonanza Brulee. It’s crunchy on top and gooey in the middle and just what the baker ordered.

Catch a ballgame at Minute Maid Park.

We didn’t make it to this one on our Houston trip, but not because we hate America’s pastime. The scheduling just didn’t work out.

If you’re a baseball superfan or just like the hotdogs that come with outings to ballparks, schedule your Houston date around a visit to Minute Maid Park.

This is the home of the Astros, so if you’re rooting for a team that isn’t the home team, do your best to not be too obnoxious.

Get budget-friendly at The Menil Collection.

I could not believe this place was free. First of all, the building The Menil Collection is housed in is gorgeous, inside and out.

Once you’re in the gallery, you’ll get the chance to explore thousands of pieces of art from big names like Pablo Picasso and René Magritte. I loved the photo exhibit from Bruce Davidson and the Andy Warhol paintings myself.

Note: If you’re seeking a spiritual experience in an inclusive space, the Rothko Chapel is nearby.

Go on a hunt for street art.

No matter where I am in the world, I’m going to seek out the best street art.

In Houston, start with the vibrant Houston Is Inspired mural in the heart of the Market Square District next to Market Square Park. It’s super colorful and essentially smacks you in the face with its size as you’re strolling around downtown.

I was able to find a parking spot right across the street from this piece, which only made my visit feel more magical.

Here are a few more fun murals to find on your Houston date:

• Home Sweet Houston: Show off your love for Houston with this vibrant mural. You can find it on the side of an apartment building at 746 Brompton Road.
• Houston Heights: Find yourself a buxom gal on the side of the Heights House Hotel. Stage an alien abduction at the bottom of the UFO beam if you’re that kind of couple.
• East River Mural: This large art installation was painted on six shipping containers as an ode to the Historic Fifth Ward and East End neighborhoods of Houston. The spaceman is a nod to Houston’s connection to NASA.

Pick up fresh goodies at the Houston Farmers Market.

Houston has a few farmers markets that sell all kinds of yummy fresh goodies, but if you want to take a date to the original, head to the Houston Farmers Market. This one is open year-round, too, something that isn’t always the case with farmers markets.

Pick up local produce or a new plant from one of the nurseries to show off how nurturing you are. If you want to grab lunch while you’re there, Underbelly Burger serves up giant burgers with locally sourced meats that will certainly impress any date.

Their merchant lineup changes quite often, so check out their list online if you want to make sure your favorite spicy pepper guy is still there before you go.

Embarrass yourself at Topgolf.

Want a little competition on your date? I realize that Topgolf isn’t unique to Houston, but if you’re with a husband who loves golf and it’s his birthday, you may just find yourself here anyway.

No, seriously. I did.

I actually didn’t do that bad when it came to the Angry Birds-themed game we played after his virtual round. Eating a bunch of apps while there was certainly more fun.

Take in a show at the Miller Outdoor Theatre.

Everything is better when it’s outside unless it’s sleeping — I don’t camp — or peeing or showering.

No, I don’t want to talk to you about the merits of outdoor showers. They’re romantic in movies, and that is all.

The Miller Outdoor Theatre — you may see it as the Miller Outdoor Theater on some maps — isn’t as offensive as any of those other things. In fact, it’s not offensive at all and is one of the best date spots Houston has to offer.

Schedules for outdoor concerts are posted quite a few months in advance, so for those who like to nail down their date for a night well into the future, this might be it.

If you’re visiting in the summer, don’t miss their Houston Symphony concert series.

Take it to the roof at the Rooftop Cinema Club.

The Rooftop Cinema Club Uptown is another option for upgrading the usual dinner and a movie. You’ll get comfy deck chairs, a variety of food and drink options, and a big screen for the movie itself.

The schedule is full of what I’ll call modern classics perfect for Houston dates. What is White Chicks if not a modern classic? Book tickets online before the big night.

See the night move at the Twilight Epiphany Skyspace.

This is my favorite free Houston date idea. There were a few drunk couples at the Twilight Epiphany Skyspace who really didn’t appreciate what was going on around them, but I loved this one. 

You can find James Turrell’s light installation on the Rice University campus, which should certainly make you feel young again. 

The color changes are pretty subtle, but for me, it was a positive exercise in patience. It became more impressive the darker it got in the night sky. You can also really tell who is on a bad date once you’re there. They’ll be staring at their phones. Don’t be that couple.

Feel young again at the Moonstruck Drive-in.

Get all lovestruck at the Moonstruck while watching the latest first-run releases at one of the best Houston date night ideas. Assume that if it’s the traditional theaters, it’ll be playing here.

Just make sure your car is cleaned out before you go. There’s no worse turnoff than a stinky, messy vehicle.

A drive-in is a good date idea rain or shine, too. Well, unless a tornado or some other force of nature rolls through that would lead to dangerous conditions. You shouldn’t leave your house in that scenario anyway.

Visit the San Jacinto Monument and Museum.

The San Jacinto Monument is the tallest war memorial in the country. It’s true.

It’s about 15 feet higher than the Washington Monument, despite the attention that one gets. If your date loves fun facts, tuck those factoids away before your date here. 

If you’d like to stretch your legs from here, there’s a 3.2-mile marsh trail you can take from the base of the monument. I visited the museum, instead, which is modest but does give you a rundown of what you’re looking at.

Just the drive up to the monument is impressive enough for a visit. 

If you’re traveling with a seafaring individual, the Battleship Texas is just down the road. Apparently, it’s the last surviving WWII-era battleship. 

Learn about Fly Girls at the Lone Star Flight Museum.

If you’re not able to get out to the space center, perhaps the Lone Star Flight Museum could scratch that itch. This is one of the best date ideas in Houston for couples who like a little learning alongside their time together.

Learn about all things aviation, including an exhibit titled: Fly Girls of World War II. You’ll read about the Women Airforce Service Pilots (or the original WASPs) who were called to serve during the war and who paved the way for more like them.

You’ll also be able to check out more than 20 different aircraft, with a free flight simulator bay on weekends. Top Gun fans, this one is for you.

Test their aim with some axe throwing.

I don’t know. This might be something you might want to know about a date.

Axe-throwing has arrived as not only one of the best indoor date ideas anywhere, but a fun experience if you’re in a double-date situation or doing some form of team-building. I don’t know your situation.

Houston Axe Throwing is a popular spot for it. There are a few different locations for that one.

For a little more variety that includes paintball and other activities that aim to maim, the AGR Spots Adventure Park is another option.

See a show in the Houston Theater District.

Houston is lucky enough to have a vibrant theater scene as one of the only cities in the country with permanent professional companies across genres.

The city’s Theater District is home to five major performing arts venues with active calendars. The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is where you’ll find the biggest touring shows, but Jones Hall and the Alley Theatre are also impressive.

Visit Space Center Houston.

If you’re dating a space nerd, this one is a must and just a half hour from the city. Highlights include the NASA Tram Tour and Rocket Park, home to one of only three remaining Saturn V rockets.

The other two are at the Kennedy Space Center and the U.S. Space & Rocket Center in Huntsville, Alabama.

Independence Plaza boasts three levels of exhibits. Visit the shuttle replica Independence on top of the original NASA 905 shuttle carrier airplane used to transport shuttles from landing to launch sites. Do I understand everything I just said? No. 

You’ll also be able to see the actual podium used by President John F. Kennedy during his big race to the moon speech at Rice University in 1962.

Fun fact: If you don’t know the speech, you’ll know it in a sec. It goes like this: “We choose to go to the moon in this decade and do the other things, not because they are easy, but because they are hard…”

Drive out to B52 Brewing.

A drive out to Conroe is well worth it once you see where you’ve arrived: seven acres of forest, yard games, and delicious beers at B52 Brewing. 

They had about 30 beers on tap during our visit, so there’s something for everyone. The vast place is predictably dog-friendly, so you can make it a family affair.

Check their calendar for food trucks if you’re thinking about arriving hungry and want to linger for a while. 

It’s best to spend some time here, as it’ll take you about an hour in Houston traffic to make your way there and back.

Don’t miss the cupcakes after.

If you’re already out near B52 Brewing in Conroe, don’t miss out on Baby Cakes Bakery, a cupcake shop nearby. They’re stuffed and huge and I still picked up four different types, including an Elvis-themed variety and their chocolate explosion.

There were no regrets. 

Plan a day trip.

If you really like your date and are to the point where you’d like a full day with them, you have more options to hit the road.

Here are a few of my favorite Houston day trips:

• Galveston: It’s not San Diego, but the Galveston Bay Area is excellent on a warm, sunny day. Get there in under an hour from Houston. I have a full guide to Galveston for you if you’re interested in this plan.
• Brazos Bend State Park: This is a great idea for nature lovers just under an hour from Houston. There are alligators at this one, so you’ve been warned. Just don’t bother them, OK?
• Bellville: I haven’t been to this town about an hour and 10 minutes from Houston, but it’s on my shortlist. The big feature here is the medieval Newman’s Castle. I doubt it compares to European castles, but it’ll have to do while you’re in Texas.

Best Hotels in Houston for Couples

If you’re visiting Houston on vacation, you have all kinds of options for where to stay while you’re there. The Whitehall Houston is perfect for a romantic stay thanks to its rooftop pool.

For something more budget-friendly, we’ve stayed at the Holiday Inn Express Galleria Area. You’ll still get easy access to central Houston and attractions like Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park without sacrificing comfort.

I wouldn’t call it romantic, but saving money is also hot in a way. Use the map below for more options: