Are you staying in Houston during winter vacation and feeling bored? Don’t worry! From tree-top adventures to light shows, there’s a lot of fun stuff to do in Houston during the winter. Some of these activities are only available in winter, or they’re just better to do in cooler weather. After trying some of them over the past two winters, I wanted to share a few of my favorites in this blog.
1. Holiday Fun You Can Do Without a Car
No car? No problem! There are plenty of winter activities in downtown Houston or the Museum District that you can enjoy without driving.
Daytime:
My top recommendation is the Winter Wonderlawn at POST Houston. On its rooftop park, you’ll find thousands of lights, a super tall Christmas tree, and fun holiday activities. Plus, the view from the rooftop is amazing—it’s my favorite spot to check out Houston’s skyline. If you’re hungry, you can head to the international food hall inside, where you’ll find delicious dishes from Southeast Asia, West Africa, South America, Europe, and more.
Evening:
For nighttime fun, I recommend Discovery Green or Zoo Lights at the Houston Zoo.
- Discovery Green is free and has magical light installations and festive decorations. If you’re into ice skating, there’s an outdoor rink you can buy a ticket for. Between January 6 and January 19, 2025, they’ll even have Bumper Cars on Ice for a limited time! How cool is that?
Zoo Lights is the closest light show to Rice University. Unlike during the day, your Rice student ID won’t get you in for free, but honestly, the ticket is worth it. You’ll see amazing animal-themed light displays of tigers, elephants, and more. Oh, and there’s a Santa Claus there too.
(Discovery Green, photo taken by the blog author)
2. Holiday Lights in Nearby Cities
Last week, I went to see the Holiday Lights in Sugar Land. It’s held at a baseball stadium and features more than 3 million lights and over 100 walk-through displays. My favorite part was the world architecture section, where they have light versions of famous landmarks like the Colosseum, Big Ben, and Christ the Redeemer. There’s also a small maze and a tiny ice rink to enjoy. If you’ve got a dog, check out their dog-friendly dates!
Besides Sugar Land, there are other awesome places to see holiday lights, like:
- The Light Park in Katy
- Magical Winter Lights in Rosenberg
- Galaxy of Lights at Space Center Houston
I haven’t been to these yet, but they’re on my bucket list for the next few winters while I’m doing my PhD in Houston.
(Holiday Lights in Sugar Land, photo taken by the blog author)
3. Go Ape! Zipline and Adventure Park
If you’re looking for something a little more adventurous, check out Go Ape! Zipline and Adventure Park in Sugar Land (18427 Southwest Fwy, Sugar Land, TX 77479). It’s about a 30-minute drive from Rice University. You can visit any time of the year, but winter is perfect because it’s not so hot.
I did the 120-minute Treetop Adventure, which is their most complete experience. It combines ziplines (up to 1,000 feet long!), treetop bridges, and some pretty challenging obstacles 45 feet up in the air. Walking through the trees and completing each challenge felt amazing, and zipping over a lake near the Brazos River was super fun. I highly recommend going with friends—it’s such a great way to bond and work together. They’re also adding an outdoor axe-throwing activity soon, and I’m definitely planning to go back when it’s ready!
(Go Ape! Zipline and Adventure Park, photo taken by the blog author)
Conclusion
There you have it—my favorite winter activities in and around Houston! Whether you’re checking out lights, skating at Discovery Green, or zipping through the trees, I hope you find something fun to do. Happy winter vacation