Founded in 1836 on the banks of Buffalo Bayou, Houston evolved from a modest trading post into one of America’s most dynamic and influential cities, propelled by the oil boom of the early 1900s. Today, Houston is the fourth largest city in the United States, and is one of its most diverse with over 145 languages spoken and communities from nearly every corner of the globe. Houston has a lot to offer: world-class museums, a thriving food scene, a skyline that reflects its boundless ambition and even the NASA Space Centre, earning it the nickname of “Space City.” I visited Houston in November 2025 to present a research poster at the American Society of Nephrology (ASN)’s Kidney Week conference, but of course, I made time to explore. Here’s what I got up to with four days in Houston.
Before we get started, subscribe for new adventures from Elle.
Also, check out my book and GetYourGuide storefront for more travel ideas.
NASA Johnson Space Centre
No trip to Houston is complete without a trip to the NASA Space Centre, so I made sure to visit on day 1. NASA is the American government agency responsible for the nation’s space program, aeronautics and space research. It was established in 1958 to oversee American space exploration, including human spaceflight, scientific missions, and the development of new aircraft. NASA’s Johnson Space Centre is located 25 miles from Downtown, but well worth the drive. Tickets are cheaper when booked in advance, so click to reserve this experience with transport included.
Walking into the Space Centre felt like stepping into a dream. I had a little under 3 hours to spare at the Space Centre so I skipped the tram tours, but I hear those really add to the experience. Three tram tours are included in the regular ticket price, so try to spend at least 5 hours to explore everything, including behind-the-scenes of the astronaut training facilities. The Space Centre features interactive exhibits for kids and all ages– from piloting a simulated space shuttle to seeing and touching moon rocks. It also has multiple flown space craft, a space suit collection and detailed exhibits outlining how the US plans to land the first people on Mars. My self-guided tour at the Space Centre was eye-opening; astronauts have to anticipate spending at least a year in space confined to small spaces with minimal comforts, and with the dangers of weightlessness like difficulty swallowing, loss of muscle mass and ill-health. I left feeling awed by human curiosity and innovation, but also conflicted. Why are we making all these scientific advances yet can’t solve human crises like wars or famine?
Downtown Houston Walking Tour
I hurried from the Space Centre to catch my walking tour which started at 2pm. My guide was fantastic, and the tour turned out to be super intimate and educational as I was the only tourist. The tour began outside the Toyota Centre with a brief history lesson of the city’s origins, then we passed by the George R. Brown Convention Centre and Discovery Green. Discovery Green is an 11.78-acre urban oasis located in the centre of Downtown, and is home to dozens of huge oak trees, well-manicured lawns, pedestrian paths, a dog run, rides for kids and a water fountain. Houston was a warm 28°C that afternoon, but there was a noticeable temperature drop in the park thanks to the shady trees.
Our next stop was the Teen How Taoist Temple which reflects Houston’s strong Asian presence. This temple offers an immersive spiritual and cultural experience backed by intricate depictions of Chinese deities, offerings and incense coils. The temple serves as both a place of worship and a community hub which hosts various events, such as lively Lunar New Year celebrations complete with fireworks. After a few minutes, we ventured to Graffiti Park with dozens of really cool murals, then rounded out the afternoon with Minute Maid Park, Hermann Park and the Museum District. In case you’re wondering, thankfully I didn’t walk the entire way. Our guide drove us between some of the points, so I only walked for roughly two-thirds of the tour. It was cool seeing Houston start its preparations for the 2026 FIFA World Cup too! Major road works and infrastructure expansions were underway. If you’d like, reserve my walking tour here.
Pro Tip: Book travel insurance before your trip.
ASN Kidney Week 2025
After exploring the city on my first day, I spent the rest of my time at the conference. We had full days from 8am to 6pm. It was a lot of information to digest with multiple tutorials happening concurrently. My senses were overwhelmed as it was a huge conference centre with three levels and approximately twelve thousand people. That being said, the experience was mostly pleasant as I gained new knowledge, got free professional headshots taken and had loads of networking opportunities with drug representatives, faculty and other nephrology professionals. I saw a few familiar faces too– four nephrologists from home, as well as a colleague who migrated to the USA some years ago. My poster presentation went well; it stirred stimulating discussion, especially with an Indian nephrologist who also practices in a resource-poor setting. Given the high incidence of kidney disease in Jamaica, perhaps nephrology is my final calling. It requires an additional two years of training though, so let’s see. I left ASN feeling inspired.
I’d planned to fit in more sightseeing on my final day in Houston, but unfortunately I came down with a nasty flu and had to abandon those lofty plans. Instead, I ordered Dominos, took some over-the-counter medicines and rested before my flight the next morning. I’d never had to slow down while abroad before, but listening to your body is important. Sometimes slowing down is necessary so on my final day in Houston, I did just that.
Where I Stayed & Ate
Houston is ranked as one of America’s more affordable cities but even so, expenses added up very quickly. There are no straight flights from Kingston, Jamaica to Houston, so I connected via Atlanta. My flight costed US$557.58 roundtrip. I stayed at an Airbnb 7 minutes away from the conference centre by Uber for US$90 per night. It was very comfortable, private and clean, so I was pleased with my choice.
By a stroke of luck, my husband was also in Houston for work (completely unplanned!) and our dates overlapped a little. Thus, we shared dinner on my first night in Houston at The Rustic, a lively country-themed restaurant with great drinks and decent food. I had a mango margarita made with mezcal, a smoky version of tequila which I’d had for the first time in Tulum, Mexico earlier this year. His days were too packed for sightseeing, and we were too tired in the evenings to do anything fun so I’m grateful I’d done some sightseeing on my own. If I’d had more free time in Houston, I would’ve checked out:
- Buffalo Bayou
- Houston Aquarium
- Museum of Fine Arts
- Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Houston Tunnel System, a six-mile long underground climate-controlled shopping district located 20 feet below Downtown Houston’s streets. Visiting with kids? Check out the Children’s Museum Houston.
Pro Tip: Purchase the Houston CityPASS to save up to 51% on Houston’s top attractions.
Wrap Up
There you have it: how I spent 4 days in Houston, and the best places to visit in Houston which I wished I’d had time to visit. 😅 Life happens when you’re busy making plans, ha! Have you ever visited Houston before or would you like to visit? Sound off in the comments section below! If you enjoyed this post, you may also like:
- 48 Hours in Panama City
- 48 Hours in Niagara Falls, Canada
- 8 Reasons to Visit Medellin, Colombia
- 8 Reasons to Visit Antigua, Guatemala
Before you go, don’t forget to subscribe. And, if you’ve never used GetYourGuide, download the app then enter ADVENTURESFROMELLE5 to save 5% off your first excursion. ‘Til next time.
Find Elle on Facebook, Instagram & lend your support to keep me on the road.
Leave a Reply