Houston is an enormous city filled with unique and quirky things to do. It is growing to be one of those cities with peculiarities that pique the interest of many visitors. We have compiled a list of some of the most unique and strange places to do in Houston.
Beer Can House
Photo Credit: Beer Can House
With an estimated 50,000 beer cans used, Beer Can House is a work of art that incorporates various parts of aluminum cans from the bottoms to the tabs. With these cans, John Milkovisch created curtains, mobiles, fences, sculptures, windmills, and wind chimes, apart from covering every inch of his house in cans. He did not see his house as a work of art but as a pastime and a way to monumentalize the idea of recycling.
222 Malone Street
Houston, TX 77007
Hours: Saturdays & Sundays 12pm – 5pm
Admission: $5 per person – children 12 and under are free
Burp the Bayou
Somewhere on the Preston Street Bridge is a mysterious button. This button, when pressed, will release air bubbles in the bayou for several seconds. What lies beneath the water that makes these bubbles on command? Who would place such a mysterious button in the middle of the city? The adventure in this unique experience is all in the creative imagination that is built up when considering the great button mystery.
Preston Street Bridge
Preston and Smith, Downtown Houston
JP Morgan Chase Tower Observation Deck
The Chase Tower is 75 stories tall; that makes it 1,049 feet in the air. The observation deck or “Sky Lobby” is on the 60th floor, and it gives the highest view of Space City. This is the only way to see this unique and breathtaking view of Houston.
600 Travis
Houston, TX 77002
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Art Car Museum
The Art Car Museum, nicknamed “Garage Mahal,” is a private institution that dedicates itself to contemporary art and being a forum for local, national, and international artists. The main emphasis is art cars, but other fine arts and artists that are rarely acknowledged by other cultural institutions are featured. The mission of the Art Car Museum is to bring awareness to cultural, political, economic, and personal dimensions of art.
140 Heights Blvd.
Houston, TX 77007
Art Car Parade
On April 9th, the Art Car Parade will showcase nearly 250 jaw-dropping cars, bikes, skaters, and motorized creatures. The largest gathering of its kind and one of the biggest annual events in Houston will roll along on Smith Street in Downtown Houston.
Saturday, April 9th
2pm – 4 pm
Orange Show Monument
Photo Credit: Orange Show
The Orange Show Monument is a monument made of handmade architecture that gives a folk art atmosphere. The monument was built from 1956 to 1979 by the late Jefferson Davis McKissack. The monument itself is a 3,000 square foot outdoor attraction that is like a maze and includes an oasis, a wishing well, a pond, a stage, a museum, a gift shop, and upper decks. The monument is made from concrete, brick, steel, gears, tiles, wagon wheels, mannequins, tractor seats, and statuettes, and it emphasizes the benefits of Jeff’s favorite fruit: the orange.
2401 Munger St.
Houston, TX 77023
Hours: Saturdays & Sundays 12pm – 5pm
Admission: $5 per person – children 12 and under are free
Smither Park
Photo Credit: Smither Park
Smither Park is a work in progress that emphasizes art and gives an opportunity to see artists in action. The park is a place to unwind and partake in some leisure-time activities, because it features an amphitheater, memory wall, meditation area, covered pavilion, swings, and an interactive sculpture. Each of these amenities are decorated with mosaic work made from recycled materials and designed by local artists
2441 Munger St.
Houston, TX 77023
Bayou Wildlife Zoo
Photo Credit: Bayou Wildlife Zoo
Enjoy an exotic experience as you explore the wildlife safari park in a tram with a guide. The tram goes over 80 acres of prairie and woods and showcases animals from 19 different countries, and you can get up close and personal to feed our animals in our open range park. Guests can bring their own lunches and eat under the picnic area.
5050 FM 517
Alvin, TX 77511
Adults: $20 plus tax
Children (ages 2-11): $10 plus tax