Lodgeur Guide: Visit Houston Museums and Zoo for Free

Notice: Houston Museums are closed Tuesday, January 21 for Winter Storm Enzo. Some museums may stay closed on Wednesday. Check the museum website before heading over.

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 can enjoy 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 Early 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:

• February 4 – $2sday RAWRsome Valentines: A 20-minute science presentation by James E. Washington III about dinosaurs, including a take-home prehistoric Valentine’s Day printable.
• February 5 – BTS Death by Natural Causes: Explore the differences between poisonous, venomous, and toxic creatures through specimens and interactive displays. Tour includes debunking common myths. For ages 15+.
• February 7 – Mixers & Elixirs: Atoms & Attractions: Adults-only Valentine’s themed event featuring DJ music, themed cocktails, continuous showings of “When Harry Met Sally,” planetarium access, and exclusive exhibit access.
• 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

• January 26 – Snake Festival: The Zoo’s second annual snake festival features Zoo Crew teens educating visitors about Texas native snakes. Learn about snake conservation, snakebite prevention, and dispel common myths on Rattlesnake Appreciation Day. 10 am to 2:30 pm.
• 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!
  
  Early Bird Special – Adults: $55 (Regular $60) Kids under 10: $35 (Regular $40) Early bird pricing ends February 6.

Museum of Fine Arts

Events

• January 23 – Concert: Gauguin in the World: DACAMERA Young Artists present a free concert inspired by the Gauguin exhibition, performed in the Kinder Building’s Arrival Hall. 6:30-7:30pm, included with Museum admission.
• January 26 – Children’s Texas Art and Makers Festival at Bayou Bend: Free family event featuring art-making workshops, collaborative projects, interactive games, and demonstrations connecting Texas history with American heritage. 1-5pm (last entry 4:30pm).
• February 7 – Tango Night: Start with a 30-minute tango introduction at 5pm, followed by open social dancing until 8:30pm during Happy Hour Friday. Enjoy drinks and gallery access with the local tango community.
• Feb. 8 – Night at the MFAH: Experience the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston in an exclusive after-hours setting! Enjoy private access to all galleries and exhibitions while sipping cocktails and enjoying live music. Engage with curators and get up close with remarkable artworks in this premium evening event. 6-9 pm. Tickets start at $40 (includes one drink).
• February 14 – Valentine Twilight Tour at Rienzi: Romantic evening featuring live music, hors d’oeuvres, and wine in Rienzi’s gardens. Includes personalized calligraphy love notes and docent-led collection talks. 6-8pm. $50 ($45 for MFAH members).

Exhibitions and Galleries

• Nov. 3, 2024 – Feb. 16, 2025 – Gauguin in the World: MFAH hosts “Gauguin in the World,” the exhibition’s only U.S. stop. Over 150 works by Paul Gauguin, including paintings and sculptures, will be on display until February 16, 2025. This unique show pairs Gauguin’s work with Polynesian artists, providing new insights into his Tahitian period.
• 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):

• January 18 – Annual Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration: Full day of events including musical performances, a peace march led by the Kids’ Committee, Steve Scott’s reenactment of the “I Have a Dream” speech, storytimes with peace dove crafts (2pm & 3pm), and all-day dream art activities. 9am-5pm.
• January 25 – Lunar New Year Celebration: A festival featuring lion dances (11am & 1pm), live snake presentations (10am & 11:30am), Polynesian dances (noon), Dance of Asian America performance (2pm), and all-day activities including dragon puppet making, Chinese character banners, and snake-themed science experiments. APAHA Ed offers red envelope giveaways and origami from 10am-1:30pm. 10am-3pm.
• February 1 – Gabby’s Dollhouse MEOWseum Discovery Days: Meet Gabby (10am-1:30pm), join cat stuffies workshops (multiple sessions from 10:30am-3:30pm), create egg carton gardens (10am-noon), and enjoy all-day activities including DIY dollhouses, kitty ear crown making, and cat-themed crafts. 9am-5pm.
• February 1 – Black History Story Time with Erica Simon: ABC13 News anchor Erica Simon presents an engaging storytelling session celebrating Black History Month. 1:00-1:30pm.
• February 8 – Gameday Pre-Party: Super Bowl-themed celebration featuring inflatable sports games (10am-3pm), DJ Tyler hosting competitions (10am-3pm), and all-day activities including DIY tabletop games, kite-making, and animal athlete demonstrations. 9am-5pm.
• February 13 – International Day of Women & Girls in Science: Evening celebration featuring sheep heart dissections (6pm, ages 8+), plus RicePOP demonstrations, chemistry activities, and Girl Start programming. Activities with Rice University and Girl Start to be announced. 5-8pm.
• February 15 – Black History Month Celebration: The celebration features storytimes including “I See You” by Alicia Pal-Singh (11 AM), a magical theater performance “Profiles in Black” by The Ensemble Theatre (Noon), meet-and-greet with Sam Wilson’s Captain America (10 AM – 3 PM), and interactive African storytelling with The Griot Speaks (3 PM). All activities included with general admission to the museum.
• February 15 – U-Nite Out: Experience the Children’s Museum Houston like never before at U-Nite Out – an after-hours playground exclusively for adults 21+! Dance to DJ Big Reeks, explore hands-on activities, and enjoy cocktails in this unique venue. Your ticket includes complimentary parking, drink tickets, light bites, and full access to the museum’s interactive exhibits. Tickets start at $30. Must be 21+ with valid ID. Limited tickets available – registration recommended!

Find the full slate of events on the CMH events page.

Asia Society Texas

• February 1 – Lunar New Year at Asia Society Texas Center: Free festival (registration required) featuring lion dance performances (12:30pm & 2:30pm), Huaxing Arts Group theater shows (11:30am, 1:30pm, 3:30pm, $12), Lucky Lunar Mission activities, craft stations, and Asian food vendors. Timed entry sessions 10am-12:30pm and 1-4pm.
• February 7-9 – The Big Swim: Houston Grand Opera and Asia Society Texas present a one-act opera retelling the Chinese zodiac origin story, featuring pre-show activities like shadow puppets, calligraphy, and “The Giant Serpent” dance performance celebrating Year of the Snake. Friday at 7:30pm (pre-show 6:30pm), Saturday and Sunday at 2pm (pre-show 1pm).

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.