Romantic restaurants in Houston are where big-city sparkle meets Southern warmth: rooftop views, garden courtyards, and global flavors served with heart. It’s where I linger beneath string lights, hands wrapped around a warm cocktail, as the city hums quietly beyond the glass.
I’ve got duck confit with fig glaze, a bold Texas red blend, and the hush of jazz spilling from a nearby lounge—right here in vibrant, ever-surprising Houston, Texas. Who knew the Bayou City had such a tender side?
"City lights, global cuisine, and soulful Southern service? This is Houston’s romantic glow—cosmopolitan, cozy, and completely captivating."
This is Why I Keep Coming Back for More:
Unique Attractions
1. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH)
One of the largest museums in the country, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH) is located in the heart of Houston's Museum District and boasts a collection of more than 64,000 works from six continents. Spanning more than 6,000 years of history, the main collection is housed in two main galleries, the Audrey Jones Beck Building and the Caroline Weiss Law Building, which are connected by the underground Wilson tunnel.
The museum is also home to the Cullen Sculpture Garden, an urban oasis designed by Isamu Noguchi that features modern and contemporary sculptures by renowned artists such as Henri Matisse, Joan Miro, and Ellsworth Kelly. The Rienzi House museum features an exquisite collection of European artworks, décor, and gardens while the Glassell School of Art offers studio art classes and educational workshops for adults.
1001 Bissonnet, Houston, TX, Phone: 713-639-7300
2. The Cockrell Butterfly Center
Based at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, The Cockrell Butterfly Center and Brown Hall of Entomology offers visitors a fascinating insight into the world of butterflies and insects. The center features a variety of exhibits, displays and presentations, and is one of the top places to go in Houston.
The Rainforest Conservancy, a spectacular three-story glass structure with a 50-foot waterfall filled with exotic plants and living butterflies is especially popular, and vast exhibition halls showcase some of the world’s largest and weirdest arthropods. If you are looking for things to do in Houston TX for nature lovers, this is a fascinating place to visit. Friday’s are “Feeding Frenzy” time, and visitors can enjoy Small Talk Tuesdays, where some of the center’s live collections are taken out for a walk.
5555 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX, Phone: 713-639-4629
3. The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts
Located in the Houston Theater District in the heart of downtown Houston, The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts is Houston’s premiere entertainment complex. The center is home to two state-of-the-art acoustically distinguished theaters, the Sarofim Hall and Zilkha Hall, which seat 2,650 and 500 respectively. Here, patrons can enjoy world-class and critically acclaimed theatrical performances and special events. If you are wondering what to do in Houston today, check the performance schedule at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.
An exquisite three-story Grand Lobby has beautiful architectural features such as a gold leaf ceiling, a vast steel-column supported roof, and a second-floor terrace overlooks verdant Tranquility Park. If you are looking for romantic date night ideas in Houston, this is the place to go. Enjoy fine dining before or after the performance at the elegant on-site restaurant that serves contemporary American cuisine.
800 Bagby Street, Ste. 300, Houston, TX, Phone: 713-315-2400
4. Taste of Houston Food Tours
Experience the culinary side of Houston with a fantastic walking tour to some of the city’s best restaurants, bars, and cafés. During these tours, you have the opportunity taste delicious food along the way and take in some of the beautiful architecture. The walking food tours take guests to both popular and lesser-known areas of downtown Houston, from the historic Main Street and Market Square to Green Street.
Taste of Houston Food Tours provide information about the development of the city’s heritage, architecture, and culture, and they stop at an array of eateries and bars, allowing you to savor a range of cuisine and beverages. Phone: 713-554-1735
5. Space Center Houston
Part of the Manned Space Flight Education Foundation Inc.’s extensive science education program, Space Center Houston is one of the USA’s most popular tourist attractions, welcoming more than 800,000 visitors every year. The center was established in 1992 with the aim of educating, encouraging and inspiring young learners to embrace science, technology, engineering and mathematics in a fun and engaging way. World-renowned for being the home of NASA Mission Control, International Space Station Mission Control and astronaut training, Space Center Houston takes visitors on a journey behind the scenes and into the world of space. Using space exploration to inspire wonder and interest in science and math, the center presents over 400 temporary and permanent exhibits, artifacts and items from space, and other various attractions related America’s human spaceflight program.
1601 NASA Parkway, Houston, Texas 77058, Phone: 281-244-2100
6. Well Done Cooking Classes
Celeste Terrell and Kathryn Hood started Well Done Cooking Classes in 2009, and they have been teaching people how to cook and have fun in the kitchen ever since. With the aim of offering great service, excellent food, and good fun to their patrons, Well Done Cooking Classes provide a variety of classes for every level of chef or cook, ranging from beginner to advanced.
Classes cover all aspects of cooking; you will learn everything, from information about the ingredients to various cooking techniques. Classes can be enjoyed with a group of friends or individually. Participants experience hands-on classes and execution of tasting recipes, as well as tasting the fruits of their labor. All equipment and ingredients are provided for the classes, as well as complimentary water, although guests can bring their own beverages if they so choose.
832-782-3518
7. Wildcat Golf Club
Wildcat Golf Club features two championship 18-hole golf courses: The Lakes and The Highlands, along with a variety of other first-class facilities. Designed by Roy Case, the course ranges in elevation and boasts beautiful views of the NRG Stadium complex and Houston's downtown skyline.
Facilities at the club include private practice facilities, Top 100 Golf Shop, deluxe meeting rooms, valet services, and the Vista Grill, a fine-dining restaurant with spectacular views overlooking the course. The Club also offers a range of private golf classes taught by professional golfers for all levels of players.
12000 Almeda Road, Houston, Texas, Phone: 713-413-3400
Date Ideas
8. Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
Located in the heart of the city, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is a green oasis of fauna and flora for the public to enjoy. The center features a range of fun-filled activities that will engage and delight visitors. You can go to the Discovery Room, where you can learn more about Houston’s urban wildlife and natural habitats, visit the Wildlife Garden, which is home to birds, bees, butterflies, and other wildlife, and stop by the Nature Shop, which sells all things nature-related.
The center offers a broad range of educational programs for families, adults, and children such as “Nature and Wildlife,” “Food and Nature,” and “Hands on Nature.” Hour-long guided tours for adults are held Tuesday through Saturday. If you are looking for things to do in Houston today, the center hosts a variety of special events throughout the year.
4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, Texas, Phone: 713-681-8433
9. Christie's Seafood and Steaks
Fresh Gulf seafood entrees are served at Christie's Seafood and Steaks throughout the day, including famed wild shrimp platters prepared blackened, pan-grilled, Creole-style, or stuffed with housemade crabmeat dressing.
Seafood platters highlight Mississippi catfish, fried oysters, and stuffed crabs, while entrees include Cajun favorites like crawfish etouffee and opelousas. Diners can also enjoy clever po'boy sandwiches, U.S. Choice steaks, and house specialties like Gulf snapper almondine or chicken madeira.
6029 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77057, Phone: 713-978-6563
10. Lawndale Art Center
Lawndale Art Center was founded in Houston in 1979 by artist James Surls in a 100,000-square-foot abandoned warehouse. It was a part of the University of Houston and its goal was to provide studio and exhibition spaces for the university graduate students in sculpture and painting. Lawndale Art Center became a non-profit organization in 1989, and in 1992 it moved to a 1930s art deco building in Houston’s Museum District designed by Joseph Finger. The center’s galleries show works from about 500 artists every year in more than 20 innovative art exhibitions. It also organizes informal talks and discussions and special annual events, such as Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead), Design Fair, and The Big Show. Lawndale became known as an outlet for controversial art by regional artists and served as a prototype for other alternative art spaces in Houston.
4912 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002, Phone: 713-528-5858
Plan Your Trip