Houston is packed full of exciting pockets of adventure that are spread all throughout the city. Discovering new spots in Houston can reignite both a love for the city and sparks with your partner. Whether you’re going on a first date or just out exploring together for the umpteenth time, it’s always nice to discover new-to-you-two Houston date ideas!
Take a detour from the standard, dinner and a movie, and jump into something unique with these romantic things to do in Houston.
Hopefully, the new perspective on the city will spark enough conversation and fun for another adventure for couples in Houston soon!
Here are the top date ideas in Houston for couples.
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Visit the Space Center.
The Space Center is one of the biggest attractions in Houston and makes for a fantastic museum date!
The museum is well-curated and has lots of interactive exhibits, and it’s a fun Houston date destination that will make you and your partner feel like kids again.
Catch a Texans game at NRG Stadium.
The Texan pride in Houston is definitely high. People bleed for this team and getting to experience them live is exhilarating. Make sure you practice your rendition of Deep in the Heart of Texas!
Check out a concert at Miller Outdoor Theatre.
Outdoor venues are great for evening date nights in Houston in the summertime.
If you don’t want to get tickets under the covered portion, you can lay out a picnic blanket on the hillside instead for a cheap date idea in Houston!
Visit the Houston Zoo.
The Houston Zoo is the second most visited zoo in the country.
It is located in Hermann Park, which is a perfect place for a nice stroll afterward!
Try out a Houston food tour.
Houston is BBQ country, and whether you’re a local couple out for the day or first-time visitors to the city, a food tour is a fantastic way to explore!
There is no use just stopping at one spot, you gotta catch ‘em all, and a food tour is the best way to do that!
This cool food tour is a great option for a memorable date night in Houston.
Book your Houston food tour today!
Explore the city via a Segway tour.
Segways are a little tricky to maneuver but it’s really fun to learn! Once you get the hang of it you can explore the city a totally different way!
Check out a Hop-On, Hop-Off bus tour
Houston has a lot of highlights.
A hop-on, hop-off tour is a great way to decide which places you want to go and how long you want to stay without having to compromise locations.
Enjoy the beauty of the Cockrell Butterfly Center.
The butterfly center is something right out of a storybook.
You get the chance to enjoy the beauty fluttering about, it makes for some cool photos as well!
Explore the Downtown Aquarium.
The Aquarium is lots of fun, it has tons of exhibits and can be a great way to still talk and interact with your date while enjoying the attractions.
You can get a full-day adventure pass that covers all of the main spots!
Have a picnic in Buffalo Bayou Park.
Buffalo Bayou Park has great views of the Houston skyline.
Grabbing some food-to-go and having a nice picnic in the park definitely qualify as one of the romantic things to do in Houston for couples.
Feel like kids again on a bike tour.
If you’re into fitness and adventure, a bike tour is a great way to cover a lot of ground while seeing the little details throughout the city.
Make sure you bring a helmet!
Grab a bite to eat at the Galleria Food Truck Park.
Food trucks are a great way to try a range of different items in a small place.
Get a few dishes between the two of you and chow down in the park!
Watch a Rockets game at Toyota Center.
The Houston Rockets are huge in this city–no surprise given that Houston is such a major sports town in general.
A game is a great way to catch the thrill of a live event in a crowd.
There are also great restaurants in the area to grab a bit before or after the game.
Have a picnic in front of “The Wall”.
Houston’s Water Wall is located next to The Galleria and is an unmissable place to take pictures in Houston.
You can grab some food from the food truck park nearby and have a picnic right out front, then snap a photo with your date before moving on!
Looking for more beautiful spots to enjoy as a couple? Consider tracking down these Houston waterfalls!
Visit Challenger Seven Memorial Park.
This park is in honor of the Challenger tragedy. It is set around a large lake and is enormous.
You can go canoeing, bird watching, or just enjoy a leisurely stroll.
Roam around the Houston Museum of Natural Science.
The Museum of Natural Science has some great events that are really date-friendly for couples in Houston.
You can watch live stargazing to catch the constellations or to see planets and other bodies in space.
Check out all of the local street art on a graffiti tour.
Houston has some really fun graffiti murals, perfect for snapping couples photos in front of during date night in Houston!
Most of them are publicly accessible, but you can catch a tour or do a self-guided walk to find all of the highlights.
Want to make sure you find all the best spots? Book your Houston mural tour today!
Watch the bats fly at the Buffalo Bayou Park.
In the evenings over on Waugh Drive Bridge, you can see the local bat colony emerge for their nightly stretch.
These bats tend to be here year-round and if you want a closer look you can go to the observation deck at Buffalo Bayou Park!
Go to Happy Hour Thursday at the Museum of Fine Art in Houston.
A combination of happy hour and art galleries? Can’t beat it!
This museum is one of the top highlights in the city and on certain days you can even get in on free admission–the perfect way to stretch your budget when seeking out romantic things to do in Houston.
Go to a local Farmers Market.
Exploring local farmer’s markets is a great way to stroll around and get to know someone. You can pick up local treats and explore new foods together.
Houston has plenty of markets to choose from, especially on the weekends!
Stroll around the Sawyer Yards for Second Saturdays.
Second Saturdays at Sawyer Yards are a vibrant, active place to try new things and experience new art.
The studios are open for you to explore and you can grab food and drinks while you’re at it!
Visit the Japanese Gardens.
The Japanese Gardens are super calming and full of greenery.
Have fun exploring all of the different types of flowers and foliage, depending on the season, while strolling hand-in-hand with your date.
The Japanese Gardens are a great spot for photos as well!
Marvel at the pieces in the Contemporary Arts Museum.
The Contemporary Arts Museum is a cool spot to catch some art pieces that break the typical mold of the artistic experience.
They often have events like a scavenger hunt or live performances that can really add a twist to a normal date night in Houston!
Catch dinner and a show at the House of Blues-Houston.
The House of Blues is a wonderful concert venue in Houston if you’re looking for something big, but not quite as overwhelming as a huge stadium.
You can make dining reservations inside and enjoy a more intimate evening without the crazy crowd.
Sample local wines for a fun Houston date idea.
Houston isn’t too far from the Hill Country, where most Texan wines are produced.
Have a classy night out sipping on all of the Hill Country highlights, and then extend your romantic evening by booking a night at a beautiful bed and breakfast for two!
Try local brews on a bike bar or bar tour.
Bike bars are taking over the country but they are such a fun way to explore.
On a warm, sunny day it’s fun to get some great music and a few brews going!
Check out the rodeo.
The rodeo is one of Houston’s largest attractions.
You can watch a myriad of different events, check out all of the animals, and witness some of the country’s top artists perform live, all while enjoying a romantic date in Houston!
Head over to the Rice University campus to see the James Turrell Skyspace.
Similar to the Bellagio Fountains in Las Vegas, the Twilight Epiphany experience is a free light show that’s open to the public.
Feel free to just walk up and grab a seat!
Visit a smaller stable for horseback riding.
If you’re in Houston in the off-season for the rodeo, several smaller stables offer horseback riding classes for a smaller, more private date.
Exploring the landscape in a totally different way while connecting with nature can easily be one of the most romantic things to do in Houston, TX!
Take pictures in front of the Cloud Column.
Everyone knows about “The Bean” in Chicago. What most people don’t know is that there is a sister installation called The Cloud Column in Houston!
Take a tour of the Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern.
The Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern is a cool place where people can come to take photos.
It is originally a huge water reservoir but it became such a unique visiting spot that they started to offer guided tours!
Go stargazing at the George Observatory.
George Observatory offers up a cool VIP event in which you can see the stars through their state-of-the-art research telescope.
The event typically starts at 8 pm and is on a reservation basis, make sure you get your tickets early if you want to add this to your list of romantic things to do in Houston, TX!
Go for a hike at George Mitchell Nature Preserve.
The Woodlands is a little to the north of Houston, but the nature preserve there is definitely worth the trip.
Enjoy a day away from the city and go on a beautiful hike to enjoy some quiet time.
Visit Houston’s Chinatown.
Chinatown is a fun cultural experience that a lot of people don’t know exists in Houston.
Try something new and head over to have an authentic food and shopping experience in the city.
Reach new heights at the BBVA Compass Roof Garden.
This area is the perfect spot to come and enjoy your date in a completely relaxed environment.
The Asian jasmine and green, natural spaces make it warm and inviting. Perfect for a first or second date in Houston!
Grab amazing Indian food in Hillcroft.
Hillcroft has all of the best Indian food spots in Houston.
Whether you want to get street food or have a full sit-down meal there is a spot for you here!
Enjoy the cascading waterfalls at Sesquicentennial Park.
When you think of romantic spots, you typically think of water features and stunning views. This park has both!
It is easy to navigate and beautiful, making it a great first-date spot in Houston!
Eat and shop around the River Oaks District.
River Oaks is great for a coffee date turned dinner date.
There is a lot of shopping and restaurants around so if it goes well you won’t run out of things to do!
Go country dancing in a dance hall.
Country bars are tons of fun for a date.
The music is always on point and often you can catch some dancing lessons before the dance floor opens up to the public!
Catch a movie at the Axelrad.
Axelrad has movie nights that are perfect for Houston date nights.
You can grab a hammock to recline it or just grab drinks and call it a night. Either way, you’re sure to have a good time!
Drive down to Galveston for a beach day.
Galveston is only an hour away from Houston, if you’re willing to make a small day trip Galveston is a great spot to enjoy a day out with your beloved.
Set up your beach towel and some chairs and you’re good to go for an afternoon of fun!
Get the perfect Instagram shot at Smither Park.
Smither Park has all of these cool art sculptures that serve as fun backdrops to photos.
If you love taking pictures and want something that’s zany and unique this is a great spot to enjoy with a date!
Be a kid again at Kemah Boardwalk.
Kemah Boardwalk is right out of a movie. You get the picturesque Ferris wheel and little carnival games.
There are some restaurants around that you can grab food at. The whole park area is surrounded by water, and it’s the perfect place for a romantic date in Houston!
Learn about Asian Culture at the Asia Society Texas Center.
Asian art is slowly becoming ingrained into mainstream culture through films like Parasite or the rise of KPop.
Check out some fun events and art installations at the center and don’t forget to stop by the cafe for some Indian snacks and treats!
Watch the Astros play at Minute Maid Park.
Minute Maid Park is a great Houston date spot in part because there are so many great food spots nearby.
Grab a quick drink before the game, and definitely utilize public transport if you can to avoid the traffic afterward!
