20+ Fun Things to See & Do in Houston in the Fall
Autumn is typically awesome in Houston, with mild temperatures and just a few days of rain each month. The comfortable forecast makes it the perfect time for seniors to discover all the great things to do in Houston. In fact, Houston’s active events scene is one of the reasons the city is such a popular place to retire.
To help you plan your fall adventures, here’s a list of 20+ favorite indoor and outdoor venues and events you’re sure to enjoy. It’s likely that social distancing will continue to be the order of the day, so we included several outdoor options, as well as indoor options that have various activities with excellent safety precautions in place.
Plan your list of fun things to do in Houston by browsing the categories below. Also be sure to check out The Buckingham’s list of things to do and see. Every suggestion is guaranteed to wow, impress and entertain you!
Great for Dates
Houstonians look forward to the fall for many reasons, but what tops most of the things-to-do-in-the-fall lists for the Houston area is Oktoberfest Houston, held in H-Town. From multiple biergartens to dancing and music, it’s a terrific way to toast sweater weather.
Also great for a couple’s or group outing in the fall are the Southern Smoke BBQ competition and Topgolf, a cool way to hit some balls, and share some great food and drink from the comfort of a covered, multi-tiered facility.
Perfect for Art Lovers
The Bayou City Art Festival brings out Houston’s best and brightest artists for a fall festival in downtown Houston, along with live entertainment and some of the city’s best food trucks. All the while, the Bayou City Art Festival remains dedicated to raising funds in support of local nonprofit organizations.
Fun for Foodies
A favorite for seniors are Houston’s numerous fall food festivals – be sure to come with an empty stomach and a big appetite. Mark your October calendar for the Original Greek Festival in Montrose and save the very next weekend for the Houston Italian Festival, also in the Montrose area.
Sky-High Fun
The skies above Ellington Field become the main attraction in October thanks to Wings Over Houston, the annual air show. Be sure to also check out the aviation museum to see loads of cool airline memorabilia.
Gridiron Fun
If you’re a football fanatic, you’re definitely living in the right town. Whether you’re into collegiate competition (think University of Houston, Texas Southern, Rice or Houston Baptist) or love NFL action (go Houston Texans), fall is filled with opportunities for cheers … and beers!
Fun with Grandkids
If you’re looking for things to do in Houston with kids, the city offers several attractions guaranteed to make everyone smile.
- A short road trip to Todd Mission takes you to the Texas Renaissance Festival to see jousting, barbarians, pirates and, of course, the king and queen of the fair.
- Head to Zoo Lights in November (it runs into January) to see the Houston Zoo like never
before – at night all dressed up for the holidays in two million twinkling lights. - Blast off to Space Center Houston to see a replica of a Space Shuttle, touch a real moon rock, step inside the space station, Skylab, and enjoy some hands-on astronaut-level fun. It’s out of this world.
Museum Fun
Houston is home to The Museum District, aptly named for the 19 museums located within walking distance of one another (even better, many are free to the public). A few to put on your tour list: Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Houston Center for Photography, and the Houston Center for Contemporary Craft.
Retail Fun
Fun things to do in Houston simply must include a little retail therapy! The Galleria will satisfy your shopping desires with more than 400 high-end shops to explore, plus great restaurants, an ice rink, salons and spas, and much more. Prefer vintage stuff, quirky shops and one-of-a-kind gifts? Be sure to check out 19th Street in The Heights.
Outdoor Fun
Love the great outdoors? Buffalo Bayou Park is the place to be. This gorgeous 160-acre urban park runs through the heart of the city and features trails for hiking and biking, as well as a dog park. You can also rent a kayak or paddleboard to cruise the bayou. The park is also famous for the bats that live under the Waugh Drive Bridge and fly out each evening at sunset. It’s quite a sight.
Cultured Fun
Don’t miss the drama (or comedy or musicals) on stage in the theater district. The season ramps up across all the live theaters in the fall, including the Alley Theatre, the Hobby Center for Performing Arts and Theatre Under the Stars. For music lovers, the acclaimed Houston Symphony and the Houston Grand Opera are must-see experiences.
Kitschy Fun
In November, the streets become canvases in downtown Houston during the Via Colori Painting Festival. Stroll the avenues and watch over 200 artists do their thing while raising thousands of dollars to fund health and educational services for children with hearing loss.
Absolutely Free Fun
Nothing feels better than experiencing something fabulous at no charge – and Houston is happy to oblige. To inspire you, here are a few free things to do in Houston this fall:
- Tour Houston’s amazing collection of wall murals using the Houston Mural Guide.
- See a free musical performance at the Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park.
- Enjoy the Annual Village Art Car Show featuring creative, eye-catching vehicles
with unique paint jobs, build-outs, and themes.
So Many Choices…
Still can’t decide where to go when the weekend gets here? Click here to explore things to do in Houston this weekend. Ready for something different right here and now? Click here to see things to do in Houston today. And be sure to put a tour of The Buckingham on your to-do list. As one of Houston’s premier senior living communities, our residents love staying active, so The Buckingham’s calendar of things to do and see is always full!