You can get a real feel for old Houston from the 19th-century buildings that line two sides of the square, the historical center of downtown. A few restaurants line the square, including La Carafe in the historic 1848 Kennedy Trading Post building, and there's a cafe in the park. In summer the small green space plays host to concerts and outdoor movies.
Market Square Park
Houston
Lonely Planet's must-see attractions
2.67 MILES
Commissioned by Dominique and John de Menil (also founders of the Menil Collection) in 1964 to create a nondenominational chapel, American abstract…
3.56 MILES
This 445-acre park is home to playgrounds, a lake with paddleboats, a picturesque Japanese Garden, the Hermann Park Miniature Train and the Houston Zoo…
2.78 MILES
The Menil Collection is considered one of the most important privately assembled art collections of the twentieth century and is a Houston highlight…
0.85 MILES
This sinuous 160-acre city park follows Buffalo Bayou west from downtown, with easy pedestrian access and plentiful parking en route. Sweeping views…
Houston Museum of Natural Science
3.25 MILES
Don’t even dream you’ll see the whole of this colossal and absolutely stellar museum – the most popular in Texas – in a single visit. The permanent…
21.52 MILES
Dream of landing on the moon? You can’t get closer than the visitor center/museum alongside NASA's Johnson Space Center, where interactive displays…
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
16.97 MILES
A hallowed site for some Texans, this 1100-acre park is where Texas fought for – and won – its independence in 1836. You can learn about the battle by…
3.05 MILES
This nationally renowned palace of art starts its displays with ‘Splendors of the Ancient World’, and has a fine collection of pre-Columbian golden…
Nearby Houston attractions
0.2 MILES
Named after Houston's founders, Allen's Landing marks the spot on Buffalo Bayou where Houston's settlement began. So far the original wharf has been…
2. Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park
0.58 MILES
Use your phone to follow a free tour around the 10 historic structures that have been moved to this park. Among them is the Yates House (1870), home to a…
0.67 MILES
Your place to frolic downtown. This 12-acre park has a lake, playground, fountains to splash in, outdoor art, restaurants and a performance space. The…
0.85 MILES
This sinuous 160-acre city park follows Buffalo Bayou west from downtown, with easy pedestrian access and plentiful parking en route. Sweeping views…
1.14 MILES
The beer hall at Houston's most famous craft brewery overlooks the production area and is freely open for drinking and eating. Tours are usually offered…
2.12 MILES
This often-missed gem traces the history of printing from its advent until the early newspaper era. Rare and unusual printed works include the Dharani…
2.2 MILES
You never know which wildly decorated autos you’ll see in this small indoor museum, which honors the annual, not-to-be-missed Houston Art Car Parade…
2.67 MILES
Commissioned by Dominique and John de Menil (also founders of the Menil Collection) in 1964 to create a nondenominational chapel, American abstract…