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.)
- 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.
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 Fall
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 fall:
- October 8 – Norse Knots: Viking Cord Craft: Explore Viking history through a hands-on workshop, where you’ll learn to create braided cord using the ancient lucet tool, immersing yourself in the craft and culture of legendary Viking boat builders, farmers, and warriors. Tickets are $60 ($40 for members).
- October 16 – BTS Egyptian Wisdom: Explore the profound insights of ancient Egyptian civilization, whose innovations in art, architecture, medicine, engineering, and spirituality continue to inspire and shape our modern world, offering a deeper appreciation of their enduring legacy. Tickets for the Behind the Scenes Tour are $35 ($25 for members).
- November 20 – Fossil Sorting Class: Explore the HMNS Fossil Prep Lab, learn fossil preparation techniques, and practice methods used by paleontologists to transform fossils from excavation to exhibition. Tickets are $70 ($50 for members).
- HMNS Plants Series:
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
- Sept. 27 – Oct. 31 – Zoo Boo 2024: Halloween-themed attractions included with general admission. New features for Zoo Boo 2024 include a Ghost Town, Glowing Pumpkins, and Talking Pumpkins, alongside favorites like the Pumpkin Lantern Tunnel. On select nights through October 30th, Zoo Boo After Hours extends the fun until 9:30 PM. Costumes are encouraged.
Museum of Fine Arts
- Nov. 10, 1p.m. – Myths and Leyendas: A family festival celebrating legends and folklore from the Americas. Food, music, art activities and sculpture displays. Free admission to the museum and the festival activities, with free advance tickets available online.
- Nov. 3 – Feb. 16 – 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.
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:
- October 5 – Pumpkins & Robots: Robot technology, pumpkin painting adn sheep eye dissections. Free with admission.
- October 12 – Jack Skellington Games and Bug Petting: Pet bugs, check out the mystery boxes, and paint a spooky face. Free with admission.
- October 5 to 25 – Trick or Treating: $2 discount on admission for showing up in costume; trick or treating from 3-5pm on weekdays and all day on weekends.
- October 24 – Halloween Happy House: Kids’ Halloween party with DJs from Radio One. 5-8pm on the first floor.
- Mommy Meetups: Find your next mom friends in the Celebrations Room near the Tot Spot. Targeting parents with babies and toddlers. English from 9:30-11am and Spanish from 1:30-3pm. September 10, 17 and 24 & October 1, 8 and 15.
- Baby Sign Language Classes: Find your next mom friends in the Celebrations Room near the Tot Spot. For babies from 4-20 months. Advanced class at 10:15am and Beginner Class at 11am. September 11, 18 and 25 & October 2, 9, 16, 23 and 30.
Find the full slate of events on the CMH events page.
Adult-Only Events
- Fridays – Happy Hour at MFAH: Meet up at the Arrival Hall on the lower level of the Kinder Building. Cash not accepted; card only. MFAH is now open until 9pm on Fridays!
- October 9 – Senior Social: HMNS is organizing the Senior Social, which includes a tour of the latest science exhibit (Matter & Motion), interactive demonstrations, and treats, all while enjoying a cup of freshly brewed coffee in a relaxed, social atmosphere. 50+ only.
- October 26 – Spirits and Skeletons at MFAH: This adults-only Halloween party features three DJs, live music by Danny Ray and The Atlantic Street Band, and some of Houston’s best food trucks. Party among the massive fossils and glowing gems. Tickets are $60 ($50 for members).
- October 26 – The Noir Ball: This swanky gala at The Corinthian in the Children’s Museum of Houston’s official gala. Expect to see swoon-worthy vintage black couture.
- November 13 – Rienzi and Bayou Bend Book Club: The book club inspired by history, with a focus on 18th and 19th century life in Europe and America.
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.
