Lodgeur Guide: Visit Houston Museums and Zoo for Free
Visitors enjoying free Thursday at MFAH, Houston. The Museum District is a walkable hub of Houston’s best free cultural experiences.
Explore Houston’s Museum District without spending a dime. Many of the city’s top cultural attractions—including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Zoo, The Health Museum, and the Menil Collection—offer free museum daysthroughout the week. While Thursdays have traditionally been the go-to for free admission, several museums now offer free entry on different days or during special hours.
The Houston Museum District stretches from Downtown Houston through Montrose and into Museum Park, making it easy to discover some of the best free things to do in Houston. Some museums are always free, while others waive admission on specific days or times.
Free Museum Days: Tuesdays
Houston Museum of Natural Science: Free Tuesdays, 5–8 p.m. Always free for children under 3. Tip: Don’t miss the interactive Matter & Motion exhibit and its hidden Alchemy Hall—free with admission. Special exhibits, the Cockrell Butterfly Center, and Planetarium require extra tickets.
Houston Zoo: Free on the first Tuesday of each month. Reservations required. Tip: Free tickets are released online the week before—book early!
Free Museum Days: Thursdays
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: Free Thursdays, 11 a.m.–9 p.m. Tip: Special exhibits and screenings may have fees. Library card holders under 18 and students with art assignments get free weekend entry.
Children’s Museum Houston: Free Thursdays, 5–8 p.m. Tip: Parking is tight for this popular night. Arrive early and stop first at the kids-oriented Health Museum next door (free from 2 p.m.). Don’t miss the SECRET Spy Mission Game for kids ages 8–12.
The Health Museum: Free Thursdays, 2–7 p.m. Best for children under 12. Reservations required.
Bayou Bend Collection & Gardens: Free on Family Days, usually the third Sunday of each month. Tip: Check their calendar for exact dates. Parking is limited. Kids can enjoy self-guided detective hunts for ages 6–9 and 10–12.
Free First Weekend of the Month – Museums on Us
Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank cardholders enjoy free entry to select museums during the first full weekend of every month.
Houston’s world-class museums always have something new on the calendar. From hands-on family explorations to adults-only soirees, creative workshops to scientific talks, there’s no shortage of engaging experiences awaiting across H-Town.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
Cockrell Butterfly Center
Up-close access to butterflies
The new Alchemy Hall at HMNS
HMNS and the Cockrell Butterfly Center have a full calendar this spring:
August 28, 2025 – Egyptian Amulets. Hands-on class to design and make your own amulet, exploring ancient Egyptian symbolism. Ages 15+. 6:30 PM.
September 10, 2025 – Innovations in Breast Oncology. Lecture covering prevention, new treatments, and genomic science in breast cancer research. 6:30 PM.
September 11, 2025 – The Language of Birds. Learn to decode bird calls and songs with Kelsey Low from the Houston Arboretum. Ages 15+. 6:30 PM.
September 12–13, 2025 – Family Overnight. Evening activities, scavenger hunts, a planetarium show, and a sleepover in the exhibit halls for ages 6–12 with chaperones. Includes breakfast.
September 14, 2025 – HMNS Farmers Market (repeat). Market redux with vendors, plant sales, and that membership offer. 11:00 AM–5:00 PM.
September 22, 2025 – Sundial Celebration: Fall Equinox. Mark the equinox with a short celebration at the sundial, 1:00 PM–2:00 PM.
September 24, 2025 – Pencil the Past. Paleo-art class with Jurassic James, featuring fossil study and sketching prehistoric creatures. Ages 15+. 6:30 PM.
September 6, 2025 – Night at the MFAH: A World in Vivid Color. A 21+ after‑hours event (6–9 p.m.) with classical and Indian-inspired music, drinks, and access to immersive exhibitions. Museum members get in free.
September 14, 2025 – MFAH on the Move | Bilingual Zumba. Another free morning dose of Zumba at 11 a.m., celebrating movement and art (indoors if it rains).
Find the full list of current and upcoming exhibitions and galleries on MFAH’s Now on View Page.
The Children’s Museum Houston
The Children’s Museum has a full slate of special events planned. Lodgeur’s little ones are most excited about these events (included in admission):
August 12–29, 2025 – Total Toddler Takeover. Daily hands-on fun for little ones, including crafts, music, sensory play, and more—all over the Museum (members-only).
September 6–7, 2025 – Bank of America Museums on Us® Weekend. Free general admission for Bank of America, Merrill, or Private Bank cardholders (with ID).
September 11, 2025 – MindFest Challenge 8: Victory Lap. STEM returns with the winning prototype event—join the experiment celebration from 5:00 PM to 7:30 PM in Kids’ Hall.
September 11, 2025 – ExxonMobil Second Thursday Free Family Night. Free evening fun from 5:00 PM–8:00 PM—tickets drop 48 hours prior; reserve early (one child required per family group).
September 13, 2025 – Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration. Celebrate with crafts like Ojo de Dios weaving, live mariachi music, ballet folklórico, and cultural storytelling—9:00 AM–5:00 PM.
September 14, 2025 – All About Rosh Hashanah. Learn about and celebrate this special Jewish holiday with themed activities.
September 16–17, 2025 – Closed for Staff Conference. The Museum will be closed for a short “play-cation” while staff recharges—regular hours resume after.
Ongoing through December 10, 2025 – upWORDS Program. Free, research-based early-language workshops presented by Texas Children’s Hospital—great bonding time for little ones.
Houston’s beloved zoo has fewer events than the museums, but they are always well-attended:
September 1, 2025 – Jurassic Giants. Last chance to walk the prehistoric trail with more than 60 life-size animatronic dinosaurs before the exhibit closes for the season.
September 12, 2025 – Brew at the Zoo. Enjoy local craft beer, food, and live music while exploring the zoo after hours from 6:30 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.
October 7, 2025 – The Essence of Mexico. Celebrate Mexico’s vibrant culture with music and dance from 9:30 a.m. to 10:15 a.m.
October 25, 2025 – Zoo Ball 2025: Enchanted Forests. The zoo’s biggest annual gala returns from 6:00 p.m. to midnight, celebrating forest animals around the world.
Asia Society Texas
Asia Society Texas has put together a packed calendar for August and September:
August 30, 2025 – Art Tour: “Hung Hsien: Between Worlds”. Join a docent-led tour that highlights Hung Hsien’s artwork, which bridges Chinese ink tradition and Western abstraction.
September 6, 2025 – JLF Houston. A full day (10 a.m.–6 p.m.) of author talks and literary programming as part of the Jaipur Literature Festival’s Houston edition.
September 20, 2025 – Yoga in the Bamboo Garden. An invigorating all-levels yoga class hosted by Lost Lotus Studio amid the serene bamboo garden (third Saturday of the month).
September 27, 2025 – Architecture Tour. A guided walk through Yoshio Taniguchi’s first freestanding U.S. building designed for Asia Society Texas—architectural insights included. 11 a.m.–12 p.m.
For more events in the Houston Museum District and beyond, check out our Houston Events guide.
Where to Stay and How to Get to Houston’s Museums
La Colombe D’Or is a 5-star boutique hotel in nearby Montrose, with a beautiful upscale restaurant and cocktail bar. Their 32 rooms start at $500 per night.
Lodgeur is the largest “hotelier” in Midtown, with 65 furnished apartments in Mid Main Lofts starting at $79 per night. Lodgeur sits next to the METRORail Red Line, so you can visit the Museum District without a car.
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