Houston is one of the most educationally diverse cities in Texas, offering guests of all ages something interesting and insightful to do during their visit. From the spacious Museum District to a multitude of different University experiences, there is certainly plenty to do to learn during your visit, which makes this one of our favorite cities for student field trips!
Below we have given the best options for field trips based on student age, allowing your group to make the most of your visit, educationally!
Field Trip Stockfresh
Kindergarten and Younger
- Houston Zoo
- This is the PERFECT spot to bring your kindergarteners and kiddos, this zoo offering some of the cities best events, educational programs, and animal exhibits. With over 6,000 resident animals, you can be sure your students will see and learn all they can handle and have a lot of fun while doing it!
- Children's Museum of Houston
- This is always a great option for young students, the museum serving as a true 'playground for your mind'. The museum offers 14 different galleries, such as the Challenge Course, Coding Hangout, and Tot Spot.
Elementary School
- Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
- There are half-day guided field trip experiences offered at this gorgeous nature center, as well as several different hands-on activities that teach about life cycles, habitats, and food chains. Earth Science, Weather Phenomena, Wildlife Viewing, and several other topics can be discussed as well!
- Houston Downtown Aquarium
- Aquatic education and discovery galore, the Houston Downtown Aquarium offers interactive touch pools, exciting shark tanks, and amazing ecosystem displays! Elementary students will love exploring the over 500,000 gallons of aquatic display!!
- Children's Museum of Houston
- This museum is good for many aged students, and we highly suggest elementary AND kindergarten aged groups consider it!
- Waugh Drive Bat Colony
- During the hot summer nights, you can head to Waugh Drive Bridge and see over 250,000 Mexican Free-Tail bats emerge from the caverns. This is a really cool way to teach your elementary students about bats, caverns, food chains, and local ecosystems. The general suggestion is to get to the bridge 15-30 minutes before sunset for the best viewing chances.
Middle School
- Buffalo Bayou Park
- Considered to be one of the country's great urban green spaces, Buffalo Bayou Park is the perfect place for Middle School students to come get some fresh air, have a picnic lunch, or take part in some outdoor recreation. There are places to walk, run, cycle, relax, and even skateboard!
- Space Center Houston
- Space Center Houston highlights all eras of American space travel through over 400 space artifacts, exhibits, attractions, and theaters. You will find the world's largest collection of moon rocks within the Starship Gallery (as well as the very cool Skylab Trainer Module), several spacecraft within Boeing's Independence Plaza, amazing shows within the 5-story Space Center Theater, and exclusive behind the scenes look at the Johnson Space Center with the NASA Tram Tour.
- Miller Outdoor Theater
- Always free for guests, the Miller Outdoor Theater is one of the best options for large groups of students during the evening. You will see 'artistically excellent and culturally diverse' performances, the company showing classical, contemporary and world music and dance, Shakespeare, musical theater, films and much more.
- Contemporary Art Museum – Houston
- This non-collecting, always free, American Alliance of Museums facility presents the 'best and most exciting international, national, and regional art of our time'. Student Groups will enjoy participating in a guided tour or curriculum-based workshop, all workshops meant to enhance ideas and perspectives and allow students to make the connection between art and everyday life.
- Houston Museum of Natural Science
- Immerse your students in the subjects of astronomy, space, Native American culture, paleontology, energy, gems, chemistry, minerals, Texas wildlife, and so much more at the Houston Museum of Natural Science, one of the nations most visited science museums and one of our favorite educational choices for middle school students.
High School
High School Field Trip Stockfresh
- Williams Waterwall
- Also known as the Geral D. Hines Waterfall Park, this is one of the most interesting landmarks you can visit here. This multi-story sculptural fountain serves as the cornerstone of Uptown Houston, sitting at 64 feet high and recirculates 11,000 gallons of water per minute. This is a great, FREE, place to enjoy the art and culture of Houston.
- Historic Market Square Park
- Follow the black granite band around the park and tour the artwork, get a bit of exercise, relax, have a picnic lunch, shop the open-air market, eat at Niko Niko's sidewalk cafe, or spend some time meditating in Lauren's Garden...this is a great spot for high schoolers to get some time to explore on their own!
- ArtCar Museum
- Often times referred to as 'Garage Mahal', this museum features artists who strive to show fundamental changes in our consciousness and an indication of independence we crave, all through the art of the autos. You will see art cars, low riders, and other interesting mobile contraptions, as well as various rotating art displays in all mediums.
- Blaffer Art Museum
- One of the most cutting-edge art facilities in all of Houston, this museum considers itself to be the 'Gateway' between the university and city of Houston. Student groups of 10 or more can set up special guided tours, custom created to fit your particular topic or curriculum. After your visit, you may want to hang around the University of Houston for a campus visit, or just to grab some lunch! There's always time for a little college prep!!
- COLLEGE VISITS
- Of course, one of the best field trips your high school students can take is to any of the many local colleges. Visit this page for more university info!
