Coming to Houston with the family for July 4th Weekend? Or just with 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)
THURSDAY, 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! This year’s Freedom Over Texas promises six hours of festivities, tradition, and live music along Allen Parkway. The event will showcase local, regional, and national talent, culminating in a spectacular, musically choreographed "Texas-sized" fireworks finale. As Houston’s signature July 4th celebration, it attracts an average of 50,000 attendees and is broadcast live in Houston. Additionally, television affiliates across Texas will simulcast portions of the event. Freedom Over Texas features a unique non-profit partnership with the Houston Food Bank to meet regional needs, donating a percentage of food and beverage sales to the organization. We eagerly anticipate a fun, engaging, and safe celebration of our nation’s birthday.
FRIDAY, July 5
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, a library, a movie theater, a gift shop, a café, two art schools, and two house museums.
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.
SATURDAY, July 6
MORNING: Start off at The Downtown Aquarium*, a 500,000-gallon underwater 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.
EVENING: Hang out at Downtown’s Discovery Green Park! Kayak in Kinder Lake, enjoy the art monuments, and have a snack at The Grove or The Lake House.
Save with Houston CityPASS
Save 49% on admission to Houston’s top 5 attractions with CityPASS tickets. Cost: Adult, $76 (value $151.33); Child ages 3-11, $63 (value $120.02). Spend less time planning and more time exploring. Visit the attractions at your own pace, in any order. Valid for 9 consecutive days, including the first day of use. Buy online for instant mobile delivery.
Includes:
- Space Center Houston General Admission (includes Independence Plaza and the NASA Tram Tour)
and to 4 other attractions of your choice from the following list:
- Downtown Aquarium - General admission to Adventure Exhibits (excludes rides and games)
- Houston Museum of Natural Science - General Admission
- Houston Zoo - General Admission (Zoo Lights not included)
- Kemah Boardwalk - All-Day Ride Pass (excludes Stingray Reef, Boardwalk Beast, and Iron Eagle)
- Children's Museum of Houston - General admission (adults must be accompanied by a child)
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - General admission to the museum's permanent collections and special exhibitions that do not require separate admission.
