Coming to Houston with the family for July 4th Weekend? Or just that special someone? We've put together a great suggested itinerary for your holiday experience. Of course, you should mix and match activities to suit your tastes. And for a full list of July 4th celebrations in the area, click here.
*denotes a CityPASS attraction

SATURDAY July 2

MORNING:  The Museum of Fine Arts Houston.* Located in the heart of Houston's Museum District, the MFAH is a dynamic cultural complex featuring gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, library, movie theater, gift shop, café, two art schools, and two house museums. MFAH’s newest exhibit, Kusama: At the end of the Universe, is an engaging and interactive environment for all ages featuring glittering, mirrored infinity rooms.

AFTERNOON: Explore the Houston Museum of Natural Science* paleontology hall and walk through the living butterfly habitat, Cockrell Butterfly Center, where lucky guests get the perfect photo op with a butterfly. 

EVENING: Witness 250,000 bats emerge at dusk from under the Waugh Drive Bridge, located over Buffalo Bayou between Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive. Get there early for a prime spot on the best viewing area, the specially built deck. The bats emerge nightly around dusk; sunset is forecasted to for 8:23 PM this evening, so plan to arrive by 8:00 PM.

SUNDAY July 3

MORNING: Start off at The Downtown Aquarium*, a 500,000-gallon under-water adventure complex including a Ferris wheel, aquatic carousel, Shark Voyage, white tiger exhibit and a restaurant for lunch.  P.S. Your timing is perfect - this weekend is Shark Weekend!

AFTERNOON: Head over to Market Square Park for a photo at the iconic Houston is Inspired Mural by local graffiti artist Gonzo247. Walk through historic downtown, and don’t miss a stop at La Carafe, Houston’s oldest bar.

Or, catch the Houston Astros vs. the Chicago White Sox at Minute Maid Park, starting at 1:10 PM.

EVENING: Hang out at Downtown’s Discovery Green Park! Kayak in Kinder Lake, enjoy the art monuments, have a snack at The Grove or The Lake House.

Get a good night’s rest, tomorrow is a busy day!

MONDAY July 4

MORNING: Check out the Houston Zoo.* Set in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, the Houston Zoo is home to more than 4,500 exotic animals representing more than 800 species. For an extra $5, get up close and personal with a giraffe feeding.

AFTERNOON and EVENING:  Celebrate the fourth of July at Freedom over Texas in Downtown Houston! The event will take place at Eleanor Tinsley Park at Buffalo Bayou. Darius Rucker, former front man of Hootie and the Blowfish, headlines the main stage. Joining him is Houston’s own up and coming group, The Suffers. Cap off the evening with a spectacular fireworks display!

TUESDAY 7/5

MORNING: Enjoy a late breakfast at your hotel. Head over to the Sky Lobby at the Chase Tower and get a bird’s-eye view of downtown Houston before heading home. The Sky Lobby is on the 60th Floor of the building. You can stop by security for directions.


What is CityPASS?

Houston CityPASS is a thin booklet offering mega savings. Included are tickets to Houston’s top attractions and museums at a fraction of the cost, $49 for adults and $39 for children ages 3-11 (a savings of more than 47%). With CityPASS, you can explore the workings of mission control at Space Center Houston; experience the wonder of the underwater world at Downtown Aquarium; walk on the wild size at the Houston Zoo; or stop by the Children’s Museum for ultimate kid-friendly fun! Purchase the CityPASS at any of the following attractions:

  • Space Center Houston
  • Houston Museum of Natural Science
  • Museum of Fine Arts Houston
  • Houston Zoo
  • Downtown Aquarium
  • Kemah Boardwalk
  • Children’s Museum