What to Do in Houston at Night: 13 Fun Evening Activities

Being one of the largest metropolitan areas in the nation, it should come as no surprise that there are plenty of awesome things to do in Houston at night.

So, whether it is hunting for ghosts, riding roller coasters in the dark, dining with the fishes, or anything in between, there is something for everyone.

Here are the best activities in Houston at night!

Experience a show in Houston’s Theater District.

Houston has the advantage of having some of the best-performing companies in the country located in the Houston Theater District.

The Houston Theater District showcases 9 different professional performing arts organizations in all the major performing arts disciplines.

So, the only bad thing about choosing to spend your evening at Houston’s Theater District will be choosing between seeing the Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Symphony Orchestra, the Houston Ballet, Theatre Under the Stars, the Alley Theatre, or many others.

There are also numerous restaurants, bars, live concerts, movie theaters, and art house films in the area.

For the night owls, the Theater District also has plenty of hip bars within walking distance, perfect for grabbing a nightcap once your show of choice lets out!

Enjoy a magical night out at the Kemah Boardwalk.

If riding a roller coaster at night overlooking the bay sounds like fun to you, then make a trip down south to the Kemah Boardwalk for an entertaining evening.

The 35-acre boardwalk has everything that you will need for a memorable Houston night, including multiple waterfront restaurants, retail shops, amusement rides, games, and entertainment.

Their extensive calendar of special events means that you are more than likely to catch a concert, street performer, festival, or even fireworks.

There are also plenty of bars within walking distance, mostly off of 6th Street, so your fun evening can continue far into the night.

Hangout in Houston’s Chinatown.

As Houston is a famously diverse city, it should come as no surprise that Houston has a large Chinese community that has incorporated a beautiful Chinatown within the city.

If you’re wondering what to do in Houston at night and are looking for a fun neighborhood to explore, Chinatown is a wonderful place to visit.

The buildings and lights at night are a sight to see, many shops stay open late for some nighttime shopping, and most importantly there is an abundance of food.

You can find food stalls with traditional street food, fine dining, and buffet options.

It is all there; from dim sum to steamed buns, tonkatsu ramen, dumplings, firecracker wings and any other authentic treat you can think of.

Finish the night off right by hitting up one of the numerous karaoke bars in the area.

Give Topgolf a shot.

Golf definitely does not have to be your thing to be able to enjoy a night out at one of Houston’s many Topgolf locations!

Topgolf is an entertainment golfing complex that has become a favorite evening activity in Houston and beyond.

Players get to hit microchipped golf balls that keep track of their distance and accuracy while trying to hit targets on the field.

It makes for a competitive fun night for everyone to enjoy.

They also have a great food and beverage menu that will not disappoint, and snacks can be delivered right to your table as your group plays.

Dine at the Downtown Aquarium in Houston at night.

For a unique dining experience, dinner at the 500,000-gallon Downtown Aquarium is a must.

Dinner with the fishes will be a date night or family outing that will definitely be remembered.

A gourmet dinner is not the only thing that the Aquarium Restaurant boasts!

Enjoy a ride on the Ferris wheel at night overlooking the city, check out their stingray reef, and adventure through their aquarium exhibit.

The aquarium exhibit takes you into some interesting aquatic areas that include the Louisiana Swamp, an underwater Shipwreck, tropical Rainforest, Sunken Temple, an offshore rig in the Gulf of Mexico, and Maharaja’s Temple.

The Downtown Aquarium has plenty of entertainment to fill your night.

Try to Escape from The Escape Game.

For those that want to try something different on their night out on the town, you will definitely want to check out the increasingly popular escape rooms.

The Escape Game is a local escape room with two locations in Houston; one at CityCentre and the other at The Galleria.

The Escape Game provides guests with several escape room options that allow your team and you to search for clues, solve puzzles, and complete a mission to escape within 60 minutes.

It will be an adventure that will keep you on your toes and will not disappoint.

Watch a movie under the stars.

Add a twist to the classic evening activity of watching a movie by having your viewing experience atop a rooftop at the Rooftop Cinema Club off of Post Oak Blvd.

The outdoor theater offers viewings of both classics and new releases.

Guests are welcome to arrive early to enjoy some games, check out the bar that offers beer, wine, and ready-to-drink cocktails, and order from the box office that has packaged popcorn, candy, and snacks.

There are different seating options to choose from, and state-of-the-art wireless headphones are provided.

Shows are known to sell out, so make sure to purchase tickets in advance.

Relax for the evening at a local Houston spa.

Gangnam Spa is a 30,000 square foot traditional Korean spa located on Highway 6 in northwest Houston.

They are open 24-hours a day and offer an over-the-top luxury experience.

Guests will find specialty baths, sauna, relaxation lounges, a topaz cave encased by minerals and stones, an ice room, a café, and even a nail salon.

Memberships are available, but a one-time admission fee of $39 on the weekdays and $49 on weekends and holidays are offered as well.

Gangnam Spa is sure to be a great start or end to any night in Houston!

Explore the spooky side of Houston at night.

Houston Ghost Tours is a local company that provides guests with an out-of-this-world experience.

Their main goal is to promote local history, legend, and folklore in a way that is entertaining, educational, and fun.

Guests have a few different tour options offered at some of the most haunted locations around town.

Tours are offered daily and last about 60 to 90 minutes.

Each tour has a knowledgeable guide that takes guests into a paranormal world.

Whether you believe in ghosts or not, you are sure to have a fun-filled, educational evening in Houston.

Catch an Astros game at Minute Maid Park.

Win or lose, a night out watching a baseball game makes for a great evening out in Houston with friends, family, or for a fun date night.

So, during the season, you will not want to miss out on seeing the Houston Astros play at Minute Maid Park.

Besides the excitement of the game, there is of course a variety of food and beverages throughout the park.

There are also numerous bars and restaurants within walking distance as well, so the fun can continue long after the game.

Go old school with Houston night out at an arcade bar.

A nightlife activity that you may have left in your past, but is worth a revisit, is an evening at an arcade.

One of the most fun things to do in Houston at night is to try out one of the city’s innovative arcade bars.

There are a few that top the list.

Cidercade has over 200 games and serves 48 taps of 24 different hard ciders, seltzers, and wines.

They do not have a kitchen, so they have food trucks, and they also allow guests to bring in their own from local restaurants.

Another favorite is Kung Fu Saloon that features over 18 vintage arcade games as well as shuffleboard, foosball, ping pong, and skee ball.

They offer a full bar and a pub-style menu.

Grab evening tickets to the Houston Zoo or an epic museum.

Sure you may have been to one of Houston’s many museums during the day, but what about at night?

If you have ever wondered what happens after closing, then check out the Houston Museum of Natural Science or the Houston Zoo that both offer an after-hours experience.

The Museum of Natural Science offers several late nights and overnight programs to choose from, including anything from a planetarium show to a scavenger hunt.

Past events have included Brew at the Zoo, Zoo Ball, and an adult overnight camp.

Visit the Twilight Epiphany Skyscape.

A unique landmark in Houston that offers a great experience at sunset is the Twilight Epiphany Skyscape.

The Skyscape is located at Rice University near the University at Stockton.

The pyramid-shaped structure can accommodate 120 visitors over two levels, and it is acoustically engineered to host musical performances.

It is equipped with an LED light sequence that is projected onto the ceiling creating a beautiful visual spectacle to be enjoyed by all.

The sunset light sequence is open to the public for free, except on Tuesdays when they are closed.

Paid visitor parking can be found throughout campus.

It begins 10 minutes before sunset and lasts about 40 minutes.