Medical Center Area, Houston: Things to Do

This area contains several major attractions, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Houston Zoo, and Hermann Park. The Miller Outdoor Theater offers free live shows for eight months of the year.

Miller Outdoor TheaterTheater
Houston ZooZoo & Aquarium
Air Rescue MuseumMuseum

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By TripSapien · Updated September 29, 2026

Top things to do in Medical Center Area

Miller Outdoor Theater
★ 4.8 · 6.3k
Theater
Outdoor spot featuring an 8-month season of free live shows including dance, music & theater.
Website ↗Map ↗
Houston Zoo
★ 4.6 · 44.1k
Zoo & Aquarium
Visitors can see 6,000+ animals in natural, habitat-style exhibits & watch daily care & feedings.
Every day
9 AM – 5 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Air Rescue Museum
★ 4.7 · 690
Museum
Spacious art deco museum featuring memorabilia, aircrafts & uniforms from aviation history.
Website ↗Map ↗
Houston Museum of Natural Science
★ 4.8 · 31.0k
Science Museum
Museum with dinosaur hall & other permanent exhibits, planetarium, IMAX theater & butterfly house.
Mon
9 AM – 4:30 PM
Tue
9 AM – 7:30 PM
Wed–Thu
9 AM – 4:30 PM
Fri
9 AM – 5:30 PM
Sat
9 AM – 5:30 PM
Sun
9 AM – 5:30 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Hermann Park
City Park
Approximately 455 acres (about half the size of Central Park in New York City). George Hermann gave the parkland to the City of Houston in 1914. It is accessible via the MetroRail.
Website ↗Book ↗

Where to eat & drink in Medical Center Area

CAVA
★ 4.7 · 1.6k
Mediterranean· $10–20
Mediterranean restaurant for thoughtful food with customizable greens & grains bowls, pitas & salad.
Every day
10:45 AM – 10:30 PM
Website ↗Map ↗
Gyro Hut
★ 4.9 · 522
Gyros
Mon–Fri
10 AM – 12 AM
Sat
11 AM – 12 AM
Sun
11 AM – 12 AM
Website ↗Map ↗
Piada
★ 4.7 · 1.0k
Italian
Counter-order restaurant serving design-your-own Italian food including wraps, pastas & salads.
Every day
9 AM – 9 PM
Website ↗Map ↗