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.
Free Museum entry the first weekend of the month
Bank of America cardholders receive free admission to select Houston museums during the first full weekend of each month through the Museums on Us program. This benefit is available to anyone with a Bank of America, Merrill, or Bank of America Private Bank credit or debit card. Participating Houston museums include:
- Museum of Fine Arts Houston
- Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Children’s Museum of Houston
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 in Spring 2025
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
HMNS and the Cockrell Butterfly Center have a full calendar this spring:
- April 1 – Lecture $2sday: Caterpillar Chronicles: Join Greenhouse Biologist Jeff Cummins for a 20-minute talk about rearing butterflies in the Museum’s greenhouses, from caterpillar to chrysalis. 6:30 PM. $2.
- April 2 – The Great Elephant Migration: Dr. Tarsh Thekaekara discusses coexistence between humans and nature, inspired by Indian elephants. $12 for members.
- April 5 – Ancient Egyptian Hieroglyphs: Craft a stylus using ancient techniques and uncover the mysteries of hieroglyphs while creating a cartouche to protect your name. $40 for members. (Ages 15+)
- April 6 – HMNS Farmers Market: Browse fresh local produce, support community vendors, and enjoy a day at the farmers market held at the Museum’s Sundial Plaza. Bonus: Get 20% off HMNS membership when you shop at the plant sale table. From 11:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
- Ongoing – Saturday Stargazing: Watch live telescope feeds, get guided laser tours of the constellations, and interact with expert astronomers. Bring your own telescope or binoculars for personal viewing with expert assistance. Tickets start at $13 and are extremely limited. Make sure you buy your tickets in advance!
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!
Houston Zoo
- April 6 – 2025 Walk for the Wild 5k: Join fellow wildlife enthusiasts for a morning of exercise and conservation during the Houston Zoo’s fourth annual Walk for the Wild 5K from 7-10 am. Every participant receives a special event t-shirt, full-day Zoo admission, and access to the exclusive After Party. Plus, earn unique Zoo prizes through fundraising and activities. Adults: $60; kids under 10: $40.
Museum of Fine Arts
- Through July 6, 2025 – Picturing Nature: The Stuart Collection of 18th- and 19th-Century British Landscapes and Beyond: Journey through the golden age of British landscape art at MFAH’s stunning new exhibition “Picturing Nature.” Discover over 70 masterpieces from the Stuart Collection, showcasing how artists like Turner, Constable, and Gainsborough transformed landscape painting in 18th and 19th century Britain.
- Through Sept. 1, 2025 – David Hockney: The Four Seasons, Woldgate Woods: Step into an immersive video installation where nature meets innovation. David Hockney’s “The Four Seasons, Woldgate Woods” transforms a simple Yorkshire country road into a mesmerizing year-long journey through time and perception. Using nine cameras to capture different angles and exposures, Hockney creates a unique viewing experience that mirrors how our eyes naturally wander and explore. Watch as one road tells four distinct stories through spring, summer, autumn, and winter.
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):
- March 29 – Once Upon a Time: Meet Snow White for photos and storytelling, explore emotions through music therapy with the seven dwarfs, and get creative with apple bobbing and facial expression activities.
Find the full slate of events on the CMH events page.
Asia Society Texas
- April 12 – Super Saturday: Joyous Eid: Celebrate Islamic culture with food, crafts, music, and more! Learn about Eid al-Fitr and participate in all-ages activities. Free event, but registration required.
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 64 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.
