Houston is one of the famous cities in Texas, along with cities like Austin, Dallas, and Lubbock, and is one of the favorite tourist places in the US. Even though Houston is mainly famous because of its space exploration work, there are numerous other tourist destinations that attract tourists from around the globe.
But still, there is a side of Houston that is yet to catch the eyes of mass tourists, and that’s what I tried to cover in this travel guide, featuring 14 hidden gems in Houston that you should definitely check out, including restaurants.
Table of Contents
Indoor Hidden Gems in Houston, TX
1. Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Location: 6003 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77007
Spanning over 14 acres of land in the Museum of Fine Arts, Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is the first indoor hidden gem to visit in Houston, TX. The main specialty of this place is that it’s both an indoor and an outdoor tourist spot, which provides glimpses of the history and nature in one go.
Starting with the garden, you will see well-maintained walking paths surrounded by lush green trees and flower beds. In between, you will also see various sculptures and small water fountains that make this place even more eye-pleasing. There are also various benches on the side, so you can take a rest whenever you feel like it.
If we talk about the mansion, it was the former home of Ima Hogg, a Houston philanthropist and someone who was deeply in love with art and decoration. Upon entering, apart from the beautifully restored mansion, you will also see furniture, paintings, silver, ceramics, and other decorative objects from the 17th to the early 20th century. The collection has an impressive range of styles, including colonial, Federal, and Victorian, as well as pieces by American craftsmen and artists. Each room feels like a living history lesson because there is something unique in every room.
2. Military Museum of Texas
Location: 8611 Wallisville Rd, Houston, TX 77029
The military museum of Texas is one of the most underrated places to visit in Houston. The museum has a range of exhibits and artifacts that attract people of all ages. This is the perfect place if you’re looking to visit a unique site and learn about the country’s military history.
Upon reaching this place, you will see a wide range of military vehicles, like tanks, jeeps, and artillery pieces, as well as medals, uniforms, and personal items from soldiers who served in the military. Apart from these displays, the museum also features various memorabilia with each item telling the story of the sacrifice made by soldiers during World War I, World War II, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and other events.
3. 1940 Air Terminal Museum
Location: 8325 Travelair St, Houston, TX 77061
Located at the end of William P. Hobby Airport, the 1940 Air Terminal Museum is a historic Art Deco terminal, an ideal place to visit for history lovers. This iconic terminal was once the only commercial hub of Houston from 1940 to 1954, which is now preserved carefully and is a National Historic Landmark.
Start your walk from the North Wing, where you’ll see artifacts related to the aviation evolution, from the first Texas flight in 1910 to World Wars and post‑war commercial expansion. There are also various airline memorabilia, uniforms, statues, and airline models. Then, head to the South Wing if you are interested in learning about the contributions of Women Airforce Service Pilots (WASP).
After that, Aircraft Hangar (WR-4) is a must-visit, which is located a few blocks away. This is the place where you’ll see a range of vintage aircraft models, which are also open for up-close tours. Overall, it is also among the rarest types of museums that everyone likes visiting again and again, regardless of age.
4. Beer Can House
Location: 222 Malone St, Houston, TX 77007
Beer Can House is one of the places you must visit in Houston, TX. Its exterior is entirely covered in thousands of flattened beer cans, which makes it one of the most unique folk art sites in the United States. The unique appearance is the most attractive part of the house.
It is also said that more than 50,000 beer cans have been used by John Milkovisch (the owner of that house who came up with that idea). It’s the type of place that you can just spend a short 20-30 minutes and move forward without getting bored.
5. Sawyer Yards
Location: 2101 Winter St, Suite A100, Houston, TX 77007
The last indoor underrated gem is for the art lovers. Sawyer Yards is an art complex, where an old warehouse district has been transformed into a hub for creativity and culture. Located just west of downtown, this area is home to more than 250 artists, creators, and small businesses.
The district has some of the most stunning murals that show the creativity that lies in this area. At the same time, there are countless art studios and art galleries that are mainly owned by the local artists, and are pretty reasonably priced as well. So, if you wanted to support local artists, there aren’t many place that are better than the Sawyer Yards in Houston.
And once you get tired of visiting art galleries and studios, you will also find various street food and small restaurants, where you can get your favorite food.
Outdoor Hidden Gems in Houston, TX
6. Cullen Sculpture Garden
Location: Calumet St, Houston, TX 77004
The Cullen Sculpture Garden, a 1.5-acre space with a gorgeous garden setting, is housed within the Museum of Fine Arts.
In this garden, you will see the work of some of the most notable sculptors like Henry Moore, Rodolfo Abularach, Igor Mitoraj, Jean Dubuffet, and Alexander Calder. These artworks have been spread across the garden so that visitors can engage with them up close and in an open-air environment.
Not only that, but this garden’s design and layout, with well-maintained paths, trees, fountains, and pools, made the overall look of this place one of a kind. A perfect place for someone who wants to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city and enjoy some time in an open area among the greenery and artworks around.
7. Houston Police Department Memorial
Location: 1400 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77019
Houston Police Department Memorial is one of the most underappreciated place in Houston, TX. This memorial is made to pay tribute to those police officers who have lost their lives on duty.
The main attraction here is the memorial, which itself is a piece of art, in the way it has been built. It is a granite monument, inscribed with the names of the fallen officers of the Houston Police Department. Around this memorial is clean, lush grass where you can sit with the Buffalo Bayou river passing nearby, making the visit even better.
In short, this place is not only famous because of the memorial but also because of the peaceful time one can spend around lush greenery and a river passing by.
8. East End Park
Location: 6500 Kingwood Dr, Kingwood, TX 77345
East End Park is a perfect spot for people like me, who often get tired from the hustle and bustle of the city and require some time in nature to get refreshed.
As you reach this place, you will see lush green trees surrounding the paved and unpaved trails. Because there are so many well-maintained trails, it’s up to you to decide which one you prefer. I personally like the unpaved trails, and along the way, you will also see various benches where you can rest for some time.
Along the hike, you can encounter flowers and wildlife like deer. But the best part was the river area you will see, which makes visiting this place even more special.
9. Eclectic Menagerie Park
Location: Houston, TX 77051
The last outdoor hidden gem tourist spot to visit in Houston, TX, on this list is Eclectic Menagerie Park, which is a unique sculpture park in the town. It’s not a big park, but it’s spread over a small area close to the highway, where you can take a small break during your road trips.
Almost every sculpture you will see in this park is man-made. And it’s so nice to see the creativity you will see here, considering these sculptures are huge in size. From dinosaur, owl, and spider, to airplane, eagle, and spider-car, every other sculpture is unique than the previous one. And since all these are at an open park, you can just stroll down the grass, take some pictures with the sculptures, and leave.
Hidden Gem Restaurants in Houston
10. Sorrento
Location: 415 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
If you are looking for a hidden gem restaurant in Houston, TX, for a romantic lunch or dinner, then there aren’t many better options than Sorrento.
As you go inside, you will feel the authentic vibes of an elegant classic Italian restaurant. The interior is mainly done in wooden designs with different paintings, including one of Sorrento’s coastline on the wall. The seating area is also comfortable, and the addition of a piano inside makes this restaurant one of the best romantic places to eat in Houston.
If we talk about the food, you will get a wide range of Italian cuisines in both the lunch and dinner menus. Among the most noticeable items on the menu are their soups, pizza, lasagna, spaghetti, ravioli, filet mignon, chicken breast, stuffed lamb chops, crab cake, pasta, lobster bisque, salmon, and beef ribs. Not to forget the dessert option, where you can get options like chocolate soufflé, cheesecake, Italian bread pudding, and homemade tiramisu.
11. Irma’s Southwest
Location: 1475 Texas Ave, Houston, TX 77002
For those looking for a Mexican restaurant in Houston, TX, should definitely visit Irma’s Southwest. From interior to vibes and food, everything about this place is top-notch.
Upon entering, you will get a cozy feel with eye-pleasing classic style with modern elegance. There are different seating options, so you can choose whatever fits best for you. There are paintings on the wall with showpieces that make the overall look inside the restaurant pretty comfy.
On the menu, you are going to have a healthy range of Mexican options like quesadillas, picadillo, guacamole, chicken mole poblano, enchiladas, crispy tacos, roasted chile relleno, tamales, and a wide range of seafood options like salmon, shrimp, grilled fish, seabass, and dessert options.
12. Central Texas Bar-B-Q
Location: 8101 Airport Blvd #39, Houston, TX 77061
A visit to Houston, TX, is incomplete without Texas BBQ, and the Central Texas Bar-B-Q is the one place you cannot miss if eating food from underrated restaurants is your aim.
This restaurant is the textbook definition of a Texas BBQ house, which has that lively feeling inside and the table sheet of white and red boxes with wooden chairs and tables. Not to forget the walls, which are filled with small and large-sized pictures, giving authentic BBQ house vibes.
On the menu, you are going to have a huge menu to choose from. They offer a variety of options in sandwiches, whether you like beef, chicken, or turkey meat. At the same time, a variety of rice, potatoes, sauces, and side orders made the menu more delightful. You can also take meat by the pound and sandwich combos if you like.
13. Bloom & Bee
Location: 1600 W Loop S, Houston, TX 77027
Bloom & Bee often goes unnoticed as a place to eat in Houston, TX, because of being part of the Post Oak Hotel, and many people, especially tourists, generally like eating at sole restaurants, not restaurants in hotels, but Bloom & Bee is an exception.
The pink theme of this place is among the best you’ll see in Houston, with a comfortable seating area both indoors and outdoors near the swimming pool. The decor inside is worth the praise, with stunning designs that make this place a dream to eat in.
On top of that, a wide range of items on the menu makes things even more convenient here. You will get options like oysters, crab cake, brussels sprouts, hummus, turkey, burger, wraps, steak, octopus, salmon, and a wide variety of pasta, sushi, salad, dessert, and soup options.
14. Roma
Location: 2347 University Blvd, Houston, TX 77005
Roma, not the football club but the restaurant, is the last on our list of hidden gem restaurants in Houston, TX. And as the name suggests, it’s an Italian restaurant with authentic vibes and Italian food.
Upon entering, you will see the decor and space that will give you the feeling of eating in a European restaurant. The curtain designs, the painting on the wall, and the small lighting made the place look even more stunning. Not to forget, they also have a patio area, which was my personal favorite part of the restaurant besides the food.
On the menu, you will get a fine range of Italian food, including a range of pasta options, spaghetti, ravioli, antipasto, arancini, and various other dishes like meatballs, tuna, octopus, shrimps, mussels, salmon, and many other options.
FAQ’s
1. Are there any lesser-known places you’d recommend in Houston?
I’d personally recommend you visit the Houston Police Department Memorial and the 1940 Air Terminal Museum, two of my personal favorite lesser-known places in Houston.
2. Is there anything worth seeing in Houston?
Yes, there are hundreds of spots that are worth seeing in Houston, and Electric Manegerie Park, East End Park, and Bayou Bend Collection are among the places that you should definitely visit in Houston.
3. What is the most important tourist attraction (# 1 in Houston)?
Space Center Houston is considered the #1 tourist destination in Houston.
4. Is Houston famous for anything?
Yes, Houston is specifically famous for space exploration programs and is home to some of the most successful sports teams in the US.
5. What are the best months to visit Houston, TX?
February to April are considered the best months to visit Houston, TX.
6. Is Houston expensive to visit?
If you compare Houston with major famous US cities like Miami and New York, you will find Houston relatively affordable.
