Top 5 Free Things to Do in Houston, Texas

Enjoy a day out with the family without spending a single dime. The Top 5 Free Things to do in Houston offer not only a good time, but encourage a healthy lifestyle and intellectual activity. Pack a picnic lunch, grab your camera and head out into the city with kids for a memory making afternoon.

1 - Parks and Riverwalk

Tour the Houston Riverwalk in the Port District. You can enjoy live entertainment, cultural exhibits and waterway trails on weekends throughout the year. Houston'spark system ranks among the ten largest in the country. Municipal parks encompasses a total of 56,405 acres. You can bicycle, roller blade, walk or push a stroller over 100 miles of trails without leaving the city limits. If your family includes a four-legged member, plan a visit to Millie Bush Dog Park. In the mood for a day outside the city? Clear Lake is 25 minute drive from downtown Houston and is a popular haunt for kayaking and canoe excursions.

2 - Hermann Park and Natural Art Gallery

Get off the beaten path and escape reality for a few hours at Hermann Park and Nature Gallery. Explore over 50 acres of green space which includes trails and a sculpture garden. Art created by local and regional artists dot the landscape along the manicured trails, flanked by native plants and shrubbery. The paths also lead to the park's golf course and handicap accessible playground. The Buddy Carruth play area features a water-based discovery center. A bevy of attractions and paddle boat rentals are also available on-site for a nominal fee. The Japanese Garden, Houston Zoo, Houston Museum of Natural Science and McGovern Lake are connected to Hermann Park.

3 - Houston Arboretum and Nature Center

Walk along manicured trails at the Houston Arboretum and soak up the serenity of nature. Five miles of trails lead through a forested area, wetland and several meadows. Pack you fishing pole and enjoy casting a line into the Gulf of Mexico. Water sports activities and wildlife watching tours are also offered, for a fee. You can use your own canoe or kayak to traverse the waterway and discover aquatic plants and secluded inlets that are perfect for an afternoon picnic.

4- Indoor Recreation Centers

Even on rainy days there are plenty of free activities to enjoy in Houston. The city boasts 10 recreation centers exist within a ten minutes of downtown. You can get in shape by lifting weights at the Houston gym complex, relax and limber up at a yoga class, or learn how to defend yourself at a martial arts class. Visit one of the two Zuma Fun Centers located in the Greater Houston Metropolitan Area for children's activities and healthy living programs.

5 - Houston Sportsplex

You can register for both adult and youth recreational sports leagues at Houston's municipal and commercially ownedsports facilities. In addition to seasonal sports leagues, special events and one day tournaments are held year around in the city. The Houston Sportsplex offers leagues for both beginners and experienced athletes. Cultural and healthy living programs are also hosted at the Houston Sportsplex and typically offer complimentary admission. A nominal fee may be charged for participation or use of complex attractions at privately owned complexes.