Informative, Stimulating, Immersing

Would you like to experience the best our region has to offer? We've put together some sightseeing tours of our favorite South Texas attractions and there's something here for everyone!

From the annual rodeo in February to year-round professional sporting events, championship golf and world-class cultural arts, Houston boasts some of the most exciting events in the country.

Guests will be treated to stories and anecdotes, history and culture, and historical locales. Our team of seasoned tour guides will work with you to customize tours that are both distinctive and fun and meet the needs of your diverse participants. Our knowledge and experience shine through whether you are visiting Space Center Houston or attending a rodeo at the George Ranch.

Our tours are designed to meet the interests, timeframe and budget of your group. Beverages, meals, shopping opportunities, additions and substitutions are handled with ease. Our goal is to present Houston in a highly creative and appealing manner.

The tours that follow are just a starting point, meant to spark your interest. Please contact a Destination Houston representative to customize or create a tour just right for you.

City Tour
Houston is a city of contrasts, contradictions, and delightful surprises. This tour highlights some of downtown’s unexpected green spaces and architectural diversity as seen from street level and from the 60th floor "Sky Lobby" of the Chase Tower. It showcases a few of Houston’s many distinctive neighborhoods, including the timeless elegance of River Oaks, and the modern chic of the Uptown Galleria area. Sights include the historic Rice University campus, the Museum District, nearby Hermann Park, and the world-renowned Texas Medical Center. The tour will stop at the state-of-the-art Houston Visitor's Center where guests can view a short film, collect brochures on all Houston has to see and do, or shop for Houston souvenirs. Another stop is planned at Minute Maid Park. Home of the Houston Astros this awesome retractable roof stadium offers much more than baseball. This tour is designed to give visitors a taste of the diverse neighborhoods, parks, and commercial areas that coexist in this fascinating city called Houston.

Three (3) hours

Houston Museum of Natural Science
One of the Southwest’s most visited museums, the Houston Museum of Natural Science features a world class collection of display quality, natural mineral specimens. Participants can descend into an oil well borehole, stroll the wilds of the Serengeti, and discover life in the Americas before the arrival of the Spanish Conquistadors. The Houston Museum of Natural Science houses numerous permanent exhibits and many exciting traveling exhibits, as well.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science complex includes the Cockrell Butterfly Center, home to thousands of exotic live butterflies, insects and plants; Wortham IMAX Theatre, a six-story tall by 80-foot wide screen featuring a changing schedule of action-packed IMAX adventure films; and the Burke Baker Planetarium, a truly out-of-this-world experience! This tour is easily customized to fit your group’s interests and available time.

Allow three (3) – four (4) hours

Space Center Houston
Touch a moon rock. Tackle the simulator to see if you have what it takes to land the space shuttle. Space Center Houston is a must for visitors of all ages! As the official visitors’ center for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, guests to Space Center Houston will experience the thrill and adventure of NASA’s accomplishments while exploring the past, present and future of manned space flight.

Allow five (5) – seven (7) hours

Discover the Kemah Boardwalk- Bright and colorful, alive with activity.
The waterfront town of Kemah has long been a favorite sojourn for Houstonians seeking fresh seafood and a relaxing view of passing boats. Just 20 miles outside of Houston, Tillman Fertitta visualized this rugged fishing village as an exciting, easily accessible destination. His vision drove the transformation of fishing village to 14-acre entertainment complex complete with boardwalk, amusement park rides, interactive dancing fountains and 52-room hotel that opened in early 1999.
The cool Gulf breeze, strolling entertainment, a variety of amusements, shopping and great food make the Kemah Boardwalk a perfect day trip or weekend getaway spot.

Allow four (4) – six (6) hours

OLD TOWN SPRING
Shopping is a favorite sport in Houston. Malls of all sizes and motifs pepper the city. But for a unique shopping jaunt, this tour takes you outside the city limits to the quaint village of Old Town Spring. Settled by German immigrant farmers in 1840, the businesses have gone from primarily hotels and saloons, to shops selling everything from antiques, handicrafts, clothing and regional art to Old West memorabilia. Operating from wooden farmhouses and historical buildings, makes Old Town Spring’s merchants all the more appealing.

Allow four (4) hours

George Bush Presidential Library and Messina Hof Winery
The tenth official presidential library, this tribute to Houston resident George Bush features highlights from President Bush’s public career as Ambassador to the United Nations, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, Liaison to the People’s Republic of China, Director of the CIA, Congressman, Vice President and President of the United States. After this fascinating look at the world influences and unique challenges that developed Bush’s life and political career, the group will visit the one-of-a-kind, 19th century Messina Hof Winery for lunch, a tour and wine tasting.

Allow seven (7) hours

HISTORIC GALVESTON
At the turn of the century nearby Galveston was considered the most important seaport in Texas. But the city’s future was rewritten on September 8, 1900, when a hurricane of unfathomable force left the city in ruins. Galveston rebuilt and is now a unique mix of old, restored, and new structures. See the East End Historical District where participants will be guided through one of the USA’s 100 most architecturally significant homes, the Bishop's Palace. Participants then have a chance to browse and have lunch on their own on the lively Strand National Historic Landmark.
A drive along the seawall and a glimpse of some local color concludes the tour. With so many things to see and do in Galveston, there are options available to suit your group's interests and time requirements.

Allow six (6) hours – eight (8) hours

* Please note that the Bishop’s Palace is not handicapped accessible.

MOODY GARDENS

Moody Gardens is a 142-acre recreational and educational facility in Galveston. A Rainforest, Aquarium and Discovery Pyramids complete the land, sky and water triad. Inside the Aquarium Pyramid guests will enjoy touch tanks, special diver-to-guest presentations, an underwater classroom, and more. 3-D IMAX Theater, IMAX RidefilmTheater and the Colonel Paddlewheel Boat (a replica of an 1800’s paddle wheeler) will keep guest entertained for hours. Moody Gardens is also available for private parties and themed events.

Allow five (5) – eight (8) hours

Bayou Bend
A visit to Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is like stepping through a doorway to our past. Nestled on 14 rolling, wooded acres in the posh River Oaks area, this former home of local philanthropist Ima Hogg now serves as the decorative arts wing of the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Art historians rank the Hogg collection of American silver, ceramics, furniture, paintings and works on paper, glass and textiles, among the nation’s finest. Showcased in 28 room settings, the collection depicts the changes in America’s taste, style and customs from Colonial times to the Victorian era. Outside, the nine beautiful gardens accentuate Buffalo Bayou and the natural attributes of the property while creating an extension of the house, with outdoor rooms suitable for relaxing and entertaining.

Allow two (2) hours and 30 minutes to tour both house and gardens

Not available on Mondays.

Call Destination Houston today: 713.227.8300