
Visitors to the sprawling Houston Museum District can enjoy free admission to many of the city’s leading art institutions. Located in an area spanning from Downtown Houston to Montrose and across to the Museum Park, visitors can easily explore some of Houston’s best museum offerings for free.
Among them are the Museum of Fine Arts, The Health Museum, Houston Zoo and Menil Collection as well as many other museums located in the Museum District. Most offer free admission on specified days or times, while others are always free.
Free Museum Thursdays
Houston’s cultural attractions have a tradition of offering free entry on Thursdays. Some museums are free the whole day, while others have limited hours with waived admission fees.
- Museum of Fine Arts Houston (Free Thursdays 10am – 9pm). Note that special exhibits and screenings usually have an additional fee.
- Houston Zoo (Free Thursdays 2pm – closing)
- Holocaust Museum Houston (Free Thursdays 2pm – 5pm & Sundays 11am – 6pm)
- Houston Museum of Natural Science (Free Thursdays 5pm – 8pm, always free for children under 3). Note that special exhibits, the butterfly habitat and planetarium usually have an additional fee.
- Children’s Museum (Free Thursdays, 5pm-8pm). Parking is tight for this popular night. Local tip: arrive early and stop first at the kids-oriented Health Museum next door, which is always free.
Houston Museums that are Always Free
The majority of Houston’s museums are always free. Most of the smaller museums are closed on Mondays.
- Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
- Menil Collection
- National African American Archives and Museum of Texas
- Buffalo Soldiers National Museum
- The Health Museum (best for children under 12)
- Houston Fire Museum (temporarily closed; best for preschool aged children)
- The Czech Center Museum Houston
- Texas Southern University Art Gallery
- Lawndale Art Center
More information on arts destinations in Houston
Check out our blog post about getting to Houston’s Museum District on the METRORail. For more on Houston’s art, check out our blog posts on unique art twins, hidden art stops in Houston, and the Bayou City Art Festival.