Texas' oldest 'ice house' (where people really used to come to get their ice; now an open-air boozer) draws the crowds, from bikers to lawyers. We think it's because of the cheap beer and huge dog-friendly yard with picnic tables. Food trucks (barbecue, tacos) are nearby when hunger strikes.
West Alabama Ice House
Houston
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
0.68 MILES
Commissioned by Dominique and John de Menil (also founders of the Menil Collection) in 1964 to create a nondenominational chapel, American abstract…
1.82 MILES
This 445-acre park is home to playgrounds, a lake with paddleboats, a picturesque Japanese Garden, the Hermann Park Miniature Train and the Houston Zoo…
0.55 MILES
The Menil Collection is considered one of the most important privately assembled art collections of the twentieth century and is a Houston highlight…
2.48 MILES
This sinuous 160-acre city park follows Buffalo Bayou west from downtown, with easy pedestrian access and plentiful parking en route. Sweeping views…
Houston Museum of Natural Science
1.6 MILES
Don’t even dream you’ll see the whole of this colossal and absolutely stellar museum – the most popular in Texas – in a single visit. The permanent…
22.62 MILES
Dream of landing on the moon? You can’t get closer than the visitor center/museum alongside NASA's Johnson Space Center, where interactive displays…
28.93 MILES
Alligators. Alligators everywhere. You'll surely enjoy the diversity of wetland and forest landscapes, bird-watching, maybe even get some use out of the…
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
19.68 MILES
A hallowed site for some Texans, this 1100-acre park is where Texas fought for – and won – its independence in 1836. You can learn about the battle by…
Nearby Houston attractions
0.55 MILES
The Menil Collection is considered one of the most important privately assembled art collections of the twentieth century and is a Houston highlight…
0.6 MILES
Created in 1995 by abstract artist Cy Twombly (1928–2011), in conjunction with architect Renzo Piano, this annex of the Menil Collection contains some of…
0.68 MILES
Commissioned by Dominique and John de Menil (also founders of the Menil Collection) in 1964 to create a nondenominational chapel, American abstract…
4. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
1.29 MILES
One of Houston's epicenters of what's cool, new and cutting edge. Immerse yourself in ongoing special exhibitions at a museum whose strength is its lack…
5. Lillie & Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden
1.31 MILES
Admire the talents of luminaries such as Rodin and Matisse in this tranquil sculpture garden, on the north side of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
1.35 MILES
This often-missed gem traces the history of printing from its advent until the early newspaper era. Rare and unusual printed works include the Dharani…
7. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
1.36 MILES
This nationally renowned palace of art starts its displays with ‘Splendors of the Ancient World’, and has a fine collection of pre-Columbian golden…
1.39 MILES
While some locals roll their eyes at the reputation of elite Rice University as ‘the Harvard of Texas,’ as more than one Texan told us, ‘It ain’t braggin’…