Despite Texas being known for long hot summers, desert roads, and stunning parks to hike and picnic in, Houston can actually see its fair share of rain – especially between May and October, which is the area’s monsoon season.
That being the case, the city has made sure there is plenty to do there on a rainy day.
If you are looking to keep fit, keep the kids entertained, or looking to do something romantic as a couple, you aren’t short of options for indoor activities in Houston.
So I have created this guide to help you decide where you will head to with your family and friends to enjoy a day out of the rain.
The Best Indoor Things to Do in Houston
I have created a shortlist of some of my favorite indoor places to try in Houston, where you can sprinkle some fun on a rainy day.
Within the guide, you will find family-friendly places where you can enjoy a range of activities, as well as adult-only venues where you can relax, unwind, and step away from reality.
Finally, a note on pricing: Admission prices have been included to help you budget your day out. Many of the venues within the guide have places to eat on-site; for any that don’t, I have included information for nearby restaurants.
So in no particular order, let’s have a look at some of the best indoor things to do in Houston when it rains.
When you’re finished with this guide, you might also want to take a look at Fun Stuff, Things & Activities in Houston.
1. Wonderwild
Wonderwild
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QHPQ+5V Greater Heights, Houston, TX, USA
There is nothing more exciting for a child than visiting a soft play center. From the brightly colored setting, the endless equipment to explore, and the brilliant choice of slides, Wonderwild is one of my top choices to entertain the little ones (and give yourself a break from entertaining) during a rainy day.
At Wonderwild, your kids get unlimited play during the day, with plenty to do to fill the time.
They can unleash their inner ape on the giant rope course, become immersed in imaginative play on the 3-story playscape, zoom around in the awesome pedal cars, and burn off their lunch bouncing on the colossal jumping pillow.
This incredible indoor playground encourages children to express themselves, seek adventure, and bask in the freedom the safe space offers them.
Admission to the venue is $15.00 per child; for pre-walkers, it’s just $12.50 – both prices are plus tax – adult entry is free. You are welcome to bring your own food and drink, all except birthday cakes/party food.
This could also be a fantastic choice if you are looking for somewhere to host your child’s next birthday party.
They have party packages from $420.00 for up to 20 children. The party can be themed to your choosing, anything from Disney Frozen and Star Wars to Lego or Pirates. Again, with the party package, you are welcome to bring your own food for $30.00 or pre-order Wonderwild Pizzas.
Bonus Read: The Best Preschools in Houston
2. Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park Pearland
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W9CG+MM Cypress, Texas, USA
For an incredibly exuberating place to go with the whole family, Urban Air is an absolute wonderland of activity that needs to be on your list! Admission starts from $20.00 per person, and though there is no age limit, there is a minimum height restriction of 41″ to participate in the fun.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park is split into thirteen zones, each offering something utterly exhilarating for both the body and mind. You can expect unique equipment, physical and mental challenges, and areas to hold your own family competitions in each zone. Below is a brief overview of each zone to give you an idea of the venue:
Adventure Hub: This is a zone that has tried to incorporate all the other areas in a more compact size – fantastic for anyone only able to stay a short time or for younger members of the family who may find the choices on offer overwhelming.
Battle Beam: If you are seeking a little healthy competition, the battle beam is a fun arena to practice your balancing skills while being able to hit your loved ones until they fall into a foam pit – which is hilarious!
Climbing Walls: The Climbing Walls can be a fun way to gain confidence while practicing critical thinking and problem-solving – this is a good option for team building. There are several walls to suit all rock climbing abilities.
Dodgeball: Remember how much fun you had playing dodgeball as a kid in the school playground? Now imagine that on a trampoline! This is a superb team activity, and there is also an Urban Air staff member in the court area to ensure everyone plays fair and sticks to the rules. As this is a team area, it can be pre-booked.
Dropzone: Essentially, the dropzone is a gigantic inflatable pillow where you can jump, flip, and spin – yes, you will be exhausted afterward!
ProZone Performance Trampolines: This area is really cool for adrenaline junkies. Take a leap of faith and jump off an elevated platform, then see how high you can jump back up to propel yourself off the bouncy walls.
Ropes Course: For those willing to defy gravity, battle through rope spiderwebs, and swing across gaps, this is the zone for you. This is a fantastic place for kids to practice their fine motor skills, practice bravery, and enjoy imaginative play.
Runway (Tumble Track): This soft, safe runway is the perfect place for budding gymnasts to practice their handsprings and tumbles. It can also be a fun place for younger kids to race against one another.
Sky Rider: This amazing zip-line experience allows you to zig-zag and soar above the entire venue, waving at friends and family as you pass. It’s a great activity to try as soon as you enter Urban Air, as you’ll be able to see all the other zones and decide where you want to head next.
Slam Dunk Zone: Similarly to the dodgeball arena, the slam dunk zone can provide some welcome nostalgia for its visitors wanting to practice their basketball skills…on a trampoline!
The APEX Trampolines: This area has wall-to-wall trampolines; it’s a fun place to bounce around and build up confidence before moving on to some more challenging zones.
Tubes Playground: This is the only zone dedicated to kids under 52″, offering tubes to navigate, slides, and observation bubbles. This area has been created to encourage independent play, imagination, and fine motor skills.
Warrior Course: Urban Air’s Ninja warrior course is suitable for the whole family to enjoy participating in healthy competition. Filled with uneven platforms, soft pits, hanging hoops, and tilted walls, this is one of my favorite zones! You definitely need a slushy from the venue’s cafe after taking on the challenge of this zone.
Urban Air Trampoline and Adventure Park is an excellent option for private parties and events. They can host functions within the adventure park during opening hours, or, if you are looking for something even more special, there is the option to hire the entire venue privately.
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3. iFly Houston
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QFPF+55 Northwest Houston, Houston, TX, USA
If you are looking for a one-of-a-kind, memorable experience for you and your little ones, then iFly could be the choice for you. This indoor arena offers a more cost-effective way to experience how it would feel to do a skydive, and who knows, it may even give you the confidence to go and try it for real one day.
Skydiving suits are provided upon arrival for you to wear over your regular clothes – wear something comfortable; dresses and skirts are not suitable for obvious reasons. Sneakers are the best option and must be tightly tied prior to your flight.
When you book the flight, you will be assigned a time; aim to arrive at least fifteen minutes before, giving yourself ample time to get dressed and prepared.
You will also need to sign a flight waiver during this time – this can be read online during the booking process to save time. Once the waiver has been signed, there will also be an orientation talk.
There are a few booking options at iFly. Prices start from $69.99 per person, which includes two off-peak flights; alternatively, for the same package during peak time, the cost would be $99.99. For three flights, you would be looking to pay $124.99. $154.99 entitles you to four flying experiences. For five flights, you will pay $179.99.
If you want to experience this as a family, there is a group package available for 389.99, which gives you ten flights to split between five people. The package also includes five video clips from your session, as well as flight certificates.
There isn’t a cafe at iFly; however, right around the corner, you will find Newk’s Eatery. A casual, cozy diner offering soups, salads, sandwiches, pizza, and treats – Their sweet and spicy BBQ steak sandwich on Parisian bread is incredible!
Related: The Best Cozy Coffee Shops in Houston
4. Cidercade Houston
| Address | 2320 Canal St Suite 100, Houston, TX 77003 |
| Website | https://www.cidercadehouston.com |
| Opening Times | Sunday - Thursday 10 am - 12 am, Friday & Saturday 10 am - 1 am |
| Age Range | All ages before 8 pm, over 18's only after 8 pm |
Cidercade is one of Houston’s largest arcades. It features almost three hundred retro, classic, and modern arcade games, including; Super Pac-Man, Donkey Kong, Super Mario Bros, Asteroids, and Super Cobra. They also have nineteen pinball machines with themes from Game of Thrones and Stranger Things to Toy Story and Ghostbusters.
There is a vast drinks menu; Cidercade only serves drinks they make, and so has a massive collection of hard cider, seltzers, and kombuchas – feel free to open a tab here so you can free play without the hassle of waiting around to pay.
Cidercade does not have its own kitchen; however, they welcome visitors to bring in their own food and drink from home or from one of the local food trucks or takeaway restaurants. There are tables available for you to enjoy your food. Southside Pizza is next door to Cidercade; they offer freshly cooked pizza and the most fantastic pizza rolls.
Admission to Cidercade is just $10.00 per person for unlimited play on any of the games. They offer exclusive hire if you are looking for a quirky venue to host a party or event.
See Also: The Best Places in Houston Serving Halal Food
5. The Woodhouse Day Spa
| Address | 10420 Louetta Rd #112, Houston, TX 77070 |
| Website | https://locations.woodhousespas.com/dir/tx/houston/10420-louetta-rd |
| Opening Times | Monday - Saturday 9 am - 6 pm, Sunday 12 pm - 5 pm |
| Age Range | Adult only |
If you are on your own, with a friend, or with the one you love, what could honestly be better than heading to a spa on a chilly, rainy day to indulge in some luxurious pampering? Houston has some truly beautiful spas, but The Woodhouse Day Spa has to be one of my favorites. I love walking into the peaceful, welcoming atmosphere before being handed a steaming hot cup of tea.
This spa has such an opulent feel to it, from the general decor of decadent crystal chandeliers, grand fireplaces, and quaint furniture to how they stock their products using giant afternoon tea stands and vintage bookcases.
On a rainy day where money is no object, I would highly recommend the unlimited reset package. Included in the $585.00 are the Woodhouse signature Meditative Mood soak, CBD manicure, CBD pedicure, HydraFacial deluxe, and a lovely lunch where a glass of prosecco or mimosa can be added to make it even more special. You will leave the spa feeling like a completely new person.
At The Woodhouse Day Spa, you can also try one of their couples retreat packages from $210.00, a sports massage from $145.00, or a mother-to-be session from $120.00. All packages can be added to a gift voucher if you want to treat someone to this incredible experience.
The Woodhouse Day Spa has three other locations in Houston; The Woodlands, Sugar Land, and Baybrook.
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6. The Houston Museum of Natural Science
| Address | 5555 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77030 |
| Website | https://www.hmns.org |
| Opening Times | 9 am - 5 pm daily |
| Age Range | All ages |
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is located within the city’s museum district, and so this area as a whole is a fantastic place to head to during a rainy day – just be sure to bring your umbrella if you intend on darting between museums.
Other indoor museums in this area include; The Health Museum, Children’s Museum Houston, Holocaust Museum Houston, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Audrey Jones Beck Museum, and The Museum of Fine Arts.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is the best museum, in my opinion, for the whole family to enjoy. There are exhibits to challenge and excite young and old minds alike – The Morian Hall of Paleontology exhibit is a firm favorite of all ages, as is the Wiess Energy Hall.
The Wiess Energy Hall is a magnificent 30,000-square-foot space packed with the world’s most advanced, comprehensive technology. There is a renovated Geovator that takes visitors on an incredible voyage back in time.
You will also find a mesmerizing 3D 2,500 square foot landscape of Houston which you may find yourself getting completely lost.
Within the museum, you will find three places to dine. A healthy culinary experience where you can enjoy artisan sandwiches and burgers called Periodic Table. Then there’s a sustainable coffee shop called Katz Coffee. Finally, you can head to Elements Grill for a more traditional restaurant offering.
Adult entry to the museum is $25.00. For ages three to eleven and seniors, you will pay $16.00 – two and under explore for free. Discounts are available for students, military personnel, group bookings, and members.
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7. The Galleria
| Address | 5085 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056 |
| Website | https://www.simon.com/mall/the-galleria |
| Opening Times | Monday - Thursday 10 am - 8 pm, Friday & Saturday 10 am - 9 pm, Sunday 12 pm - 7 pm |
| Age Range | All ages |
If you really can’t decide what to do in Houston when it rains and aren’t able to pay admission fees to activity centers or museums, why not go for a walk around the mall?
The Galleria is the largest shopping mall in Texas, so it can make for a fun day out to explore, even if you have no intention of buying anything. This is a tourist hotspot with plenty to do and an uplifting vibe.
The Galleria has over four hundred stores, restaurants, two hotels, a full-sized ice rink, two swimming pools, a children’s play area, and a plethora of other tantalizing amenities to keep you entertained until the showers stop. You can spend an entire day here and not see everything.
It’s worth keeping an eye on The Galleria website prior to your visit, as there are always events happening, many of which are free to attend. The happy hours, sales, and promotions are also listed here.
Related: The Best Boutiques in Houston
8. Space Center Houston
| Address | 1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058 |
| Website | https://spacecenter.org |
| Opening Times | Monday - Friday 10 am - 5 pm, Saturday & Sunday 10 am - 6 pm |
| Age Range | All ages |
It wouldn’t feel right to dedicate a guide to indoor activities without including the Space Center Houston. This historical landmark is the official museum/visitor center for NASA.
There are more than four hundred artifacts and exhibits to explore during your time here, with the guarantee that you will stumble upon something new if you visit more than once.
Within the Space Center, you will have the chance to inspect the world’s most comprehensive collection of space suits, gaze upon the magnificent Apollo 17, and even go inside the shuttle replica Independence – this is the only place on earth you can do this.
Bonus Read: About Houston
To Sum Up
Hopefully, this guide will have helped you to create a shortlist of some fun indoor things to consider doing when it rains in Houston.
If you’ve found this guide helpful and want to know about some of the other things you can see and do in Houston, I recommend checking out Adventurous Things to do Outdoors in Houston for another informative read.