There's a saying: Welcome to Texas. Summer starts in March and ends in November. While this old adage can be painfully true, August is usually the hottest month in Houston. Texas' dreaded heat index (what it feels like with humidity) regularly hits 105–110°F (40–43°C) or higher during the month of August (Texas translation: August is so hot the hens are laying hard-boiled eggs). It is no coincidence that Houston native Megan Thee Stallion raps about a "Hot Girl Summer" — she understands the summertime struggle.
So, what's a Houstonian or visiting Houstonian to do for fun during the dog days of summer? We recommend, basically, anything with AC and solid building insulation. And there are plenty of options, people! Our Museum District has 19 museums, many free (like The Menil Collection). We have food halls, dance halls, and bowling alleys a-plenty!
1. Armadillo Palace
Any summer day or night that includes the Armadillo Palace is fine by us. The Armadillo Palace is where you'll find the Texas energy turned all the way up and the AC turned way down. It's where you can hear live honky-tonk, eat like a ranch hand, and take a selfie next to a taxidermy bobcat — all in one night. It's owned by Goode Co., a Houston-based hospitality empire known for serving up iconic Texas food since 1977. You may recognize the name from our Ode to the Texas Pecan — the good people at Goode Co. have been blessing us with Brazos Bottom Pecan Pies for ages.
2. Space Center Houston
A summer without visiting the Space Center Houston is no summer at all. It's the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center and is a must-see for all things space exploration. It's good, clean, cool fun for the whole family, and they have summer events! On August 30, they are hosting a sleepover event where you can camp out under a flown Falcon 9 rocket or inside Independence Plaza beneath a NASA shuttle carrier and replica orbiter. We hear it's an outta this world experience (see what we did there?!).
3. Downtown Aquarium
Speaking of really cool family fun, we deeply recommend spending a hot afternoon roaming the tanks of Houston's Downtown Aquarium. With over 200 aquatic species, the Shark Voyage train ride, and special events like live music and free salsa lessons every Friday until August 15, there's plenty to keep you cool and entertained. Cha cha slide your way on over past the jellyfish.
4. Houston Museum of Natural Science
Once you've had your fill of the fishes (and/or you've mastered the salsa dance lessons), head on over to the Houston Museum of Natural Science for some good old-fashioned giant dinosaurs, sparkling gems, and the dark, literally cool vibes of the planetarium. It's a perfect place for a date night or family day out — you name it.
5. Palace Social
Now if you want to up the cool factor (figuratively and literally), be sure to check out the Palace Social. It's a full-blown entertainment complex: boutique bowling, VR gaming, arcade, esports lounge, and even karaoke with some seriously delicious upscale pub food — shout out to the chef for those brisket nachos. The entire space is so Instagram-worthy, you'll feel like you're in the Soho House of bowling alleys.
While this list isn't exhaustive, it was exhausting to compile — it ain't easy finding the city's best AC entertainment worthy of the Texas Crafted reader, but we came in hot and put in the work. You’re welcome!
There's a saying: Welcome to Texas. Summer starts in March and ends in November. While this old adage can be painfully true, August is usually the hottest month in Houston. Texas' dreaded heat index (what it feels like with humidity) regularly hits 105–110°F (40–43°C) or higher during the month of August (Texas translation: August is so hot the hens are laying hard-boiled eggs). It is no coincidence that Houston native Megan Thee Stallion raps about a "Hot Girl Summer" — she understands the summertime struggle.
So, what's a Houstonian or visiting Houstonian to do for fun during the dog days of summer? We recommend, basically, anything with AC and solid building insulation. And there are plenty of options, people! Our Museum District has 19 museums, many free (like The Menil Collection). We have food halls, dance halls, and bowling alleys a-plenty!
1. Armadillo Palace
Any summer day or night that includes the Armadillo Palace is fine by us. The Armadillo Palace is where you'll find the Texas energy turned all the way up and the AC turned way down. It's where you can hear live honky-tonk, eat like a ranch hand, and take a selfie next to a taxidermy bobcat — all in one night. It's owned by Goode Co., a Houston-based hospitality empire known for serving up iconic Texas food since 1977. You may recognize the name from our Ode to the Texas Pecan — the good people at Goode Co. have been blessing us with Brazos Bottom Pecan Pies for ages.
2. Space Center Houston
A summer without visiting the Space Center Houston is no summer at all. It's the official visitor center of NASA Johnson Space Center and is a must-see for all things space exploration. It's good, clean, cool fun for the whole family, and they have summer events! On August 30, they are hosting a sleepover event where you can camp out under a flown Falcon 9 rocket or inside Independence Plaza beneath a NASA shuttle carrier and replica orbiter. We hear it's an outta this world experience (see what we did there?!).
3. Downtown Aquarium
Speaking of really cool family fun, we deeply recommend spending a hot afternoon roaming the tanks of Houston's Downtown Aquarium. With over 200 aquatic species, the Shark Voyage train ride, and special events like live music and free salsa lessons every Friday until August 15, there's plenty to keep you cool and entertained. Cha cha slide your way on over past the jellyfish.
4. Houston Museum of Natural Science
Once you've had your fill of the fishes (and/or you've mastered the salsa dance lessons), head on over to the Houston Museum of Natural Science for some good old-fashioned giant dinosaurs, sparkling gems, and the dark, literally cool vibes of the planetarium. It's a perfect place for a date night or family day out — you name it.
5. Palace Social
Now if you want to up the cool factor (figuratively and literally), be sure to check out the Palace Social. It's a full-blown entertainment complex: boutique bowling, VR gaming, arcade, esports lounge, and even karaoke with some seriously delicious upscale pub food — shout out to the chef for those brisket nachos. The entire space is so Instagram-worthy, you'll feel like you're in the Soho House of bowling alleys.
While this list isn't exhaustive, it was exhausting to compile — it ain't easy finding the city's best AC entertainment worthy of the Texas Crafted reader, but we came in hot and put in the work. You’re welcome!
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