Houston, the capital city of Texas, is one of the best vacation spots in the Southern part of America. You might get overwhelmed with so many activities that you can do here. This big metropolitan area brings more to life aside from its globally famous Texan Barbeque and rodeos.
This place sitting in Harris County, with over 671 square miles of land area, brings you a beautifully diverse city from its culture, food scene to many recreational spots that are indeed a hidden gem for everybody. The assortment of entertaining things to accomplish here for everybody is also numerous.
It isn’t easy to find the best places and activities to do. Thus, we curated the top 11 best things to do for people under 21. We listed the most valuable theaters, recreational sports, dining options, museums, and rodeos noteworthy in your Houston vacation bucket list.
1. The Rustic
The Rustic is a large diner in downtown Houston, where it provides its customers with a vibrantly live performance, spacious dining halls, and locally grown fresh produce from Texas vendors. This restaurant is part of the Rustic chain of restaurants located throughout the United States.
Because of its homey ambiance, this dining establishment is one of the most popular among people under 21. The dining diversity is better with their brunch menu that everyone will ultimately enjoy. Their vegetarian option is also easily accessible, with musical acts from local bands and national artists best seen from their outdoor space.
If you opt to have your meals in The Rustic, you should try the house’s smoked briskets, Joe Leo Tacos, Pork Carnitas, and the famous Lunch Tacos. Enjoy the diner’s sumptuous deserts like the Mixed Berry Trifle and peanut butter pie slice to satisfy your sweet tooth.
2. Regal Edwards Greenway Grand Palace ScreenX & RPX
The Regal Edwards Greenway Grand is a big film cinema on Houston’s Weslayan Street. This site is part of Regal, which runs the second-largest movie house circuit in the United States, with over 7,200 screens spread across 549 theaters. The cineplex screens movie from both independent to blockbuster films is now showing.
This venue is appropriate for individuals of all ages, especially those under 21. People will enjoy the large screens and the variety of film formats available, with RPX being the best value. The lobby is enormous, with a concession stand and a few snack bars located outside the theatres.
Watching a movie in Regal Edwards is convenient because of its online reservation for reserved seating. Satisfy your movie date with your loved ones with a good popcorn and cold beverage to sum it all up.
3. Bowlero Houston
Bowlero Houston is a large entertainment unit on Houston’s Bunker Hill Road and a part of the Bowlero Corporation, an American Bowling Center with big ten-pins and nearly 40 lanes. The location includes an arcade, a dining option, and excellent sports streaming.
This site is best for families with people under 21 because of its multiple amenities. The place is famously known for its big bowling alleys, and everyone is welcome to play. The venue also offers sumptuous meals with an up-to-date arcade game that every kid will love. There is also a large tv screen for sports channels showing the latest in the world of sports.
Aside from bowling, even though you’re not a pro, you should try their latest arcade machines when visiting Bowlero. The most excellent game ranges from Mario Kart and The Walking Dead to pinball machines and fairground classics.
4. Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston is a science center that functions as the NASA Johnson Space Center’s formal welcome center in Houston. In 2014, the area was designated as a Smithsonian Affiliate Museum and owned by NASA.
People flock here because the showroom is over 250,000 square feet and houses over 400 space artifacts, such as the Mercury 9, Gemini 5, and Apollo 17 space capsules. It also has perpetual and renowned exhibits and theaters dedicated to the history of the human spaceflight scheme. This location is ideal for exploring with children under 21 and their families.
You can avail the center’s STEM program that fits all ages. Also, when visiting the Space Center, you should see the Apollo Mission Control Center and the Food Lab, which features Velocity Grill, Galaxy Greens, and Deep Space Deli. The galaxy lights outside the center are also one of the night’s top attractions.
5. Children’s Museum Houston
The Children’s Museum of Houston is a child’s Museum in Houston’s Museum District, opened in 1980. The gallery has a range of innovative showcases and multilingual learning services for young people, serving roughly one million visitors. It is also one of 190 children’s museums in the United States, with fifteen in Texas.
This venue is one of the best places for people under 21 to explore. The showroom garnered multiple awards for being the best Children’s Museum in the United States. It is awarded as one of the top hotspots to go to in Houston and one of the best museums to visit In Texas.
Children’s Museum offers fun activities you will not want to miss, such as the challenging courses, Eco Station, Cyber Chase, Heart and Seoul, and Inventor’s Workshop. The Kidtropolis, Kids Hall, Matter Factory, and Powerplay are also suitable for people of all ages.
6. Star Cinema
Star Cinema Grill is a Houston-based dine-in-cinema concept that provides attendees with first-run movie releases, comprehensive meal options, and a bar area. Their mission is to deliver each guest an exceptional experience by giving unrivaled accommodation, the best quality meals and drinks, and a beautiful and elegant presentation.
Everyone is welcome inside the movie theater, especially families with children under 21. The facility has a small but welcoming vibe and a delicious food choice. People will enjoy the theater’s World’s Largest Onyx Cinematic LED Screen, paired with excellent sound.
You will much appreciate a blockbuster movie at Star Cinema if you pair it with excellent dine-in dishes like the kitchen’s three amigos, Nachos Libre, Gone with the Wings, and Bavarian Pretzels. Furthermore, children’s meals at this theater include seasoned fries or chips and salsa, an excellent value for a child’s dish.
7. AMC Houston 8
AMC Houston 8 is a significant film cinema in Houston, Texas’s bustling center city, and is a subsidiary of AMC Holdings, the world’s biggest cinema chain founded in 1920. The Houston branch has a modern area for significant releases with assigned seating.
Everyone, especially families with children under 21, will enjoy this location because of its welcoming amenities and is a must-see for its expansive rocking chairs and deluxe reclining seats. It also has unique menus and premium selections such as IMAX, Dolby Cinema, and AMC Prime.
When choosing the best movie to watch at AMC Houston 8, you should consider pairing your experience with premium popcorn and cold beverage available at the cinema’s snack bar. Pizza and grilled cheese are also must-haves while watching a great movie inside the theatres.
8. Downtown Aquarium
The Downtown Aquarium results from the renovation of two center city Houston landmarks, Fire Station No. 1 and the Central Waterworks Building. This splendid six-acre amusement and dining complex is a 500,000-gallon underwater wonderland home to over 300 different species of aquatic life worldwide.
Downtown Aquarium is one of the best attractions for everyone here in Houston. The place has several amenities you will enjoy, such as a comprehensive diner, a luxurious bar, an adequately equipped ballroom, oceanic and geographic exhibits, shopping, and various amusements.
Visiting Downtown Aquarium will never be complete without experiencing an all-day adventure which includes touring the Aquarium Exhibit, Stingray Reef, and hopping into all rides. The Aquarium menu includes seafood specialties, prime rib, chicken, salads, pasta, and indulgent sweets. Meet and greet with animals, and Sea Safari Camp is also a must-try for young people.
9. Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum specializing in Natural Science, also known as the HMNS, is a natural cultural center in Houston, Texas, lies on the north border of Hermann Park. The Burke Baker Planetarium, the Cockrell Butterfly Center, and the Wortham Giant Screen Theatre are part of the museum complex, including a central facility with four floors of natural science halls and showcases.
This venue is famous for people under 21 because of its historical artifacts and many amenities. The Museum receives over two million visitors per year, making this one of the most famous museums in the United States, ranking just behind New York City’s American Museum of Natural History and Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Visiting the Natural Science Museum is a one-of-a-kind experience, especially touring George Laboratory. Also, you should not miss the famous relics here and the 17 permanent exhibits, including Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals, Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife, Herzstein Foucault Pendulum, and Wiess Energy Hall.
10. Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, also known as Rodeo Houston, is the world’s most extensive livestock exhibition and rodeo. It features one of the most lucrative ongoing professional rodeo events. This happening is the best feature of Houston, Texas, and one of the staple festivities to date.
This happening is one of the most important events in Houston, attracting millions of visitors worldwide. This rodeo is the city’s main signature event, making it a global destination. The establishment is ideal for children, especially those under 21.
If you can attend all the events, such as the championship rodeo action, livestock contests, music events, a fairground, pig racing, cookout, and the Rodeo Uncorked, this 20-day event in Houston is unforgettable. Then there is the International Wine Competition, shopping, and livestock auctions, all of which you should not miss.
11. Cinemark Memorial City
Cinemark Memorial City is a motion picture theater located within Houston’s Memorial City Mall, an indoor cinema with several screens, stadium seating, and self-service ticket booking kiosks. This location is also part of the Cinemark theater chain, located throughout the United States, still expanding.
The cinema complex is ideal for children, particularly those under 21. This area has several amenities, including a food stand where you can purchase snacks. The location also has a pleasant atmosphere and is near to neighboring spots and attractions to visit after watching a movie with the family.
After watching a good movie in Cinemark Memorial City, you can go to nearby Perry’s Steakhouse to have dinner or head to Ciro’s Italian Grill. You can also go around Memorial City Mall for a stroll or go to Galerie Spectra to see beautiful creations and art.
In this bustling metropolis of Houston, there are several places to shop, enjoy a meal, and have fun for people under 21. The area has many natural treasures, so there’s plenty to do in this Southern United States metroplex.
I hope you’re enjoying your time reading our helpful guide. If you have any activities or spots that you think we missed, please leave them in the comment thread below so we can include them in our Houston, Texas, best things to do checklist.