Lodgeur Guide: Visit Houston Museums and Zoo for Free

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 Zoo (Free admission on the first Tuesday of the month. Reservations required.)
• Museum of Fine Arts Houston (Free Thursdays from 11 am-9 pm).
  • Note that special exhibits and screenings usually have an additional fee.
  • Texas library card holders 18 or younger have free admission on weekends. So do students with art-related assignments.
• Houston Museum of Natural Science (Free Tuesdays 5-8 pm, always free for children under 3).
  • 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. Matter & Motion and the Alchemy Hall are included in regular admission.
  • Note that special exhibits, the Cockrell Butterfly Center and Burke Baker Planetarium usually have an additional fee.
• Children’s Museum (Free Thursdays, 5-8 pm). Parking is tight for this popular night. Be sure to check out the SECRET Spy Mission Game for kids 8-12yo. Local tip: arrive early and stop first at the kids-oriented Health Museum next door, which is free from 2 pm.
• The Health Museum (Free Thursdays, 2-7 pm; best for children under 12. Reservations required.)
• Asia Society Texas (Free Thursdays, noon to 7pm)
• Holocaust Museum Houston (Free Thursdays from 2-5 pm.)
• Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (Free Thursdays 1-5 pm)
• Bayou Bend Collection & Gardens: Free on Bayou Bend Family Days. These are usually on the third Sunday of month, but dates vary. Check their calendar and plan for tight parking on these popular days. Self-guided detective hunts are also available for 6-9 year olds and 10-12 year olds.

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
• Houston Museum of Natural Science

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
• Houston Museum of African American Culture (open Thursday – Saturday)
• Houston Fire Museum (temporarily closed; best for preschool aged children)
• Lawndale Art Center
• Project Row Houses (check out Lodgeur’s guide to visiting PRH)
• The Czech Center Museum Houston
• Texas Southern University Art Gallery

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

Cockrell Butterfly Center

Up-close access to butterflies

The new Alchemy Hall at HMNS

HMNS and the Cockrell Butterfly Center have a full calendar in the new year:

• Ongoing – Touch Tank Feeding Experience: 50-minute hands-on experience feeding sharks and stingrays with animal care staff. $65 for non-members, $50 for members. Must be 6+ years old and booked 72 hours in advance.
• 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

• February 23 and March 9 – 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.
• March 2 – Brunch with the Dinosaurs: This sneak peek of the Jurassic Giants exhibit comes with access to 60 new dinosaurs, brunch options like Veloci-wraps, Tricera-tots and Fossils and Waffles, and chances to meet animal ambassadors. From 8-10:30am. $59 for ages 13+, $39 for children.
• 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

Events

• February 23 – Winter Festival “Year of the Snake”: Lunar New Year performances by Taiko drummers, lion and dragon dancers, and musical acts, while participating in art-making activities like creating ema plaques and crafting firecrackers. Free HEB snacks; local Asian vendors will have food for purchase.
• February 23 – Family Day at Bayou Bend & Rienzi “The Unknown Maker”: Explore stories of forgotten artists at Bayou Bend and Rienzi. Highlights include children’s activities, an art-making workshop, musical performances, and storytelling at Bayou Bend. At Rienzi, enjoy self-guided tours, art-making activities, and a spotlight talk on European apprenticeships.
• March 1 – Sip & Stroll | Spring Fling: Stroll through Bayou Bend’s historic estate at twilight while enjoying refreshments and a seasonal program. Activities include papercraft flower-making, music, history-inspired performances, and a candy-making demonstration. This event is for ages 21 and up.

Exhibitions and Galleries

• Jan. 12- 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.
• June 2024 – 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):

• Picnic Science Series: Upcoming picnic science events include:
• February 22 – National Engineers Day: This engineering focused celebration features hands-on activities like designing racecars with Ameritex Houston Movers, sewing LED rocket plushies, and building wind-powered sail cars. Enjoy ongoing activities including LEGO displays, earthquake challenges, and battery-powered car races.
• March 1 – Giddy Up: Saddle up for a rodeo-themed day at the Children’s Museum Houston! Enjoy a Trick Roper show (11 a.m. & 1 p.m.), a Cowboy Magic Show (noon & 2 p.m.), and hands-on activities like crafting rodeo animal stuffies, cow eye dissections, and making hobby horses. 
• March 1 – MindFest Challenge: Box Forts vs. Butter Making: This MindFest Challenge is to design and construct your own cardboard box fortress while learning the science of churning fresh cream into homemade butter. From 1-4pm.
• March 2 – Seussabration!: Celebrate Dr. Seuss’ birthday with imaginative activities inspired by beloved characters! Join Thing 1 & Thing 2 for interactive storytime, enjoy a birthday confetti party, and create personalized booklights and Cat in the Hat masks throughout the day.
• March 6 – MindFest Challenge: Box Forts or Butter Making: This MindFest Challenge is a victory lap for the winning challenge from March 1 (cardboard box fortress building or butter churning). From 5-7:30pm.
• March 8-23: Spring Break Blast: Ongoing activities during Spring Break Blast at Children’s Museum Houston include a daily Confetti Blast Party in Kids’ Hall Alcove, Human Hamster Balls in Playscape, and interactive fun with a Giant Video Game controller.
  • March 8 – Block Party: Kick off Spring Break with a block party featuring a live DJ, inflatables, mini-golf, a game truck, and shaved ice. Enjoy games, crafts, and plenty of family fun.
  • March 9 – Dancing Through Life!: Meet Glinda and Elphaba from Wicked for a magical sing-along and enjoy creative activities inspired by the musical.
  • March 10 – Super MAR10 Day: Celebrate Mario Day with crown and mustache making, Turtle Talks, hot wheels races, and a Princess Peach song celebration. Dive into Mario-themed crafts and activities.
  • March 11 – Animal Encounters: Get wild with animal-themed activities like crafting stuffed animals, learning fun animal facts, and meeting live animals during a special encounter.
  • March 12 – Knight at the Museum: Step into a medieval adventure with princess meet-and-greets, sword battles, puppet shows, and crafts for all ages.
  • March 13 – POP!: Meet Bluey and enjoy pop-culture fun with crafts, bubble activities, and more surprises throughout the day.
  • March 14 – 20th Annual Pi Day: Celebrate Pi Day with the legendary Shaving Cream Pi(e) Fight at 1:59 p.m. Participate in math challenges and circle-themed activities to honor the infinite number π (3.14).
  • March 15 – Festival of Colors: Celebrate Holi with hands-on traditional Indian arts and crafts. Watch vibrant Indian dance performances as you embrace this colorful spring festival.
  • March 16 – Under the Big Top: Be amazed by Cirque La Vie’s stunning circus performances. Watch juggling acts and other awe-inspiring stunts throughout the day.
  • March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day: Dive into lucky green-themed crafts and activities to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day in creative ways.
• 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

• February 21-22 – Indian Film Festival Houston 2025: The Indian Film Festival celebrates feature films, documentaries and shorts from India and the Diaspora. 4:30-9:30pm on Friday; 5-9:30pm on Saturday. $20.
• March 7 – Tiger Ball 2025 – Enchanting Shanghai: With tickets starting at $2,000 and Harry Winston as a sponsor, this black tie gala at Asia Society Texas is the non-profit’s largest fundraiser of the year.
• March 11-14 – Spring Break: Journey to the Moon: Join the International Space Academy’s mission to the Moon, solve challenges, and meet historical and mythological Asian characters. Explore space-themed exhibitions and work as a team to complete exciting tasks. Perfect for the whole family, this interactive experience runs daily from 11 a.m. to 2 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 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.