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 Tuesdays and Thursdays
Houston’s cultural attractions have a tradition of offering free entry on Tuesdays or Thursdays. Some museums are free the whole day, while others have limited hours with waived admission fees.
Houston Museums that are Always Free
The majority of Houston’s museums are always free. Most of the smaller museums are closed on Mondays.
Museum Events Happening this Summer
Houston’s world-class museums have an exciting array of seasonal events in store this summer. 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
In addition to summer camps and ongoing programming, HMNS and the Cockrell Butterfly Center have exciting content for the summer:
- June 12 – Behind the Scenes Tour of Matter & Motion (and Alchemy Hall): If you haven’t visited HMNS in a while, the highly interactive new Matter & Motion exhibit and its Alchemy Hall are highly popular and engaging. The 16th century alchemy exhibit is tucked toward the back of the Matter & Motion exhibit. It gives strong Harry Potter vibes. BTS tour tickets here.
- June 26 – Tiny Treasures: Fossil Sorting: Embark on a fascinating journey into the world of paleontology as you learn the intricate process of fossil preparation. This hands-on class takes you behind the scenes of the HMNS Fossil Prep Lab, where you’ll gain practical experience with the techniques used by paleontologists to transform excavated fossils into museum-ready exhibits. All supplies are provided, and the class is eligible for CPE credit.
- July 10 – Sleuths & Secrets (HMNS After Dark): Unravel the mysteries hidden within Ferrante Imperato’s Cabinet of Curiosities, a 16th-century Neapolitan apothecary with a penchant for collecting unusual specimens. As you decipher clues, riddles, and objects, you’ll delve into the speculative world of alchemy, where the secrets of transforming base metals into gold and achieving immortality may lie waiting to be discovered. This interactive escape room experience is limited to 14 participants aged 12 and above, with minors accompanied by a ticketed guardian.
- July 31 – Behind the Scenes Tour of Cockrell Butterfly Center: Join Butterfly Center staff on an exclusive tour of the containment room and rooftop greenhouses, areas typically closed to the public. Witness the meticulous care given to the Museum’s caterpillars, butterflies, and other insects, and learn about the plants grown specifically for the butterflies. The tour also includes a walk through the Cockrell Butterfly Center rainforest and the Brown Hall of Entomology.
- September 10 – Heraldry: Shields & Symbols: Discover the noble tradition of heraldry with Kat Havens, Director of Curriculum and Content. Learn about the intricate patterns and mythological symbols warriors used to adorn their shields throughout history. In this hands-on class, you’ll explore the origins of heraldry and design your own unique shield emblem, leaving your mark on this ancient art form. All supplies are provided.
Want to keep exploring all of the events happening at the Houston Museum of Natural Science? Check out all of the upcoming curated experiences in space science, natural history, anthropology and more on the Museum’s website!
The Children’s Museum Houston
The Children’s Museum has a full slate of special events planned for the summer. Lodgeur’s little ones are most excited about these:
- June 6, June 20, July 4, July 18, August 13, August 27 – STEM for Toddlers: Interactive Teaching Together sessions that introduce early STEM skills to toddlers aged 16-35 months. Hands-on activities transform learning into a thrilling adventure, setting the stage for a future filled with wonder and curiosity. Sessions take place in the Celebrations Room from 10 am to 10:45 am.
- June 5-August 28 – Moran Foundation Picnic Science: A series of outdoor science workshops held at The W.T. & Louise J. Moran Foundation Picnic Tables near the EcoStation. Wednesdays at 10am and 11am; Fridays at 3pm and 4pm.
- June 6 – Sweet Like Candy!: Step into a world of pure imagination with this Willy Wonka-inspired event. Meet a Willy Wonka cosplayer, build fantastical structures at the Candy Construction Workshop, experience the ancient art of Dragon’s Beard Candy Making, watch an Oompa Loompa dance performance, and take on the Bean Boozled game where every jellybean is a surprise waiting to be tasted.
- June 25-July 8 – Alien Escape WonderWeek: A week of interactive thinking through hands-on explorations in arts, science, and crafts. Alien activities include making flying rockets, nature windchimes, Kidpendence Day glasses, space alien stick puppets, straw rocket designs, alien slime, fizzy art, exploring alien genetics, and creating balloon rockets. These engaging projects take place in various locations throughout the museum, promoting critical thinking, creativity, and curiosity for all ages.
- July 4 – Kidpendence Day: Celebrate America’s birthday at the Children’s Museum Houston’s annual event. Dress in red, white, and blue for a day of patriotic fun, including 21 Mentos Geysers, a colorful Elephant Toothpaste science demo, Mentos and soda experiments, and the original summer production of “Power Up: The Musical!” starring a teen cast of superheroes versus villains.
- July 27 & August 3 – Knight and Day & Royal Revelry: Journey back in time with two enchanting events featuring live Renaissance-style music, medieval crafts, Dungeons & Dragons sessions, swordplay demonstrations, and Disney-inspired princess meet-and-greets.
Find the full slate of events on the CMH Summer Escape page.
21+ events
- June 13 – Flock’s Party for the Primates: Swing into African Forest for Flock’s spring event at the Houston Zoo. Enjoy light bites, cocktails, and mingle with ambassador animals and zookeepers. Flock members attend for free, while non-member tickets are sold out. The event, rescheduled due to severe weather, features opportunities to meet primate and hoofstock keepers, recycle electronic devices for a chance to win a primate painting, and participate in a silent auction and animal adoption. The event is 21 and up only and runs from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
- June 7, July 12, August 9 – Mixers & Elixirs: Join Houston’s most intellectually stimulating social event at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences. Dance the night away, sip on cocktails from the cash bars, and indulge in culinary delights from top local food trucks. Doors open at 7 p.m., with online tickets available for express entry.
- July 27 – Neon Night Out! Adults Only!: For one night only, the Children’s Museum Houston transforms into a playground for adults 21 and up. Step back in time for a neon night of 80s nostalgia, featuring retro attire, throwback tunes, light bites, and cocktails. Enjoy unlimited fun and play in the museum after hours, complimentary parking, two drinks, food from community restaurants, live music, karaoke, and nitrogen food & drink demonstrations. 21+ only, IDs checked at the door. Tickets are $30-60.
- July & August 2023 – Summer Nights at MFAH: Escape the heat and enjoy the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in a private setting during prime hours. All galleries and exhibitions are open, allowing you to experience your favorite works of art without the crowds. Admission includes one complimentary drink. Enjoy happy hour at Cafe Leonelli, live music, and curated talks. Non-member tickets are $40 per person.
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 50 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.
For great places to grab a quick bite or celebrate a special occasion, check out the Lodgeur Guide to restaurants in the Museum District or the prettiest restaurants in Houston.
We also have a Lodgeur Guide for getting to Houston’s Museum District on the METRORail.
