Join local fitness and wellness instructors at these weekly classes at Discovery Green. Enjoy a gentle flow yoga session and accompanying sound meditation on Tuesdays, get your body moving through Zumba on Wednesdays, or take a basic vinyasa yoga class on Saturdays. Since all the classes take place outside in one of Houston’s most beautiful public parks, your mind and spirit will get in better shape alongside your body.

Looking for some transcendental bliss? Need an art fix, too? Look no further than the Rothko Chapel, which recently underwent a $30 million renovation. John and Dominique de Menil, late cofounders of Houston’s beloved Menil Collection, founded it more than 50 years ago. It’s since become one of Houston’s most treasured spaces, and over 100,000 people visit it annually. The chapel houses 14 monumental paintings by Mark Rothko in solemn shades of black. It’s a dark and moody space perfectly tailored for the creation of sublime spiritual moments.

One semester long, long ago, we spent an entire afternoon here after withdrawing from all our college classes. Although it didn’t lessen any of the repercussions of that decision, we were able to sail through a dreaded phone call with our parental units later that evening with the serenity, grace, and peace of mind one can only achieve through staring at Rothkos for five or six hours.

It’s basically free therapy, so use it to your benefit.

Get lost in nature without having to leave the city, courtesy of the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. The 13 walking trails are populated by a variety of native birds, insects, squirrels, armadillos, wildflowers, trees, and wild blackberries you are most definitely not allowed to pick. Since the arboretum is notoriously hard to navigate, make sure you spend some time studying a map and checking out our guide to the spot before you Lewis and Clark your way around. Both family- and dog-friendly, the trails provide bountiful learning opportunities for newbies and seasoned naturalists alike. The arboretum also hosts free educational programs, including a homeschool program for ages 5 through 12, the Arboretum After Dark, and various seasonal classes.

No matter your niche, there’s something for everyone at Miller. Take your pick from concerts by local bands, performances by Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Ballet, and the Houston Symphony, plus the annual Houston Shakespeare Festival and a bevy of other concert events. You can also attend movie screenings and fully improvised, kid-friendly musical theater productions by Express Children’s Theatre.

Bring your comfiest lawn chairs to these free outdoor screenings held once a month at Market Square Park and Trebly Park, both located downtown. Enjoy a mix of cult classic comedies like Legally Blonde and 10 Things I Hate About You, recent blockbusters like Barbie and Wonka, as well as family favorites like Moana and WALL-E. Want an additionally cost-effective evening? Although there are plenty of restaurants near each park, bring some snacks or picnic meals from home in lieu of dining out.

Houston’s first public skatepark is home to one of the largest cradles in the nation. Occupying 30,000 square feet, there’s plenty of space for novice and pro skaters alike. Whether you’re there to hop on a board yourself or simply spectate, the downtown skatepark is great for all ages. Parents can drop the kids off for free after-school skating lessons or wander down to Skater Alley to discover all the graffiti art (and maybe make some of your own). The park offers all the fun of skateboarding culture—with some Houston flair.

The holy grail of Houston bike trails, Buffalo Bayou Hike and Bike Trail has quite a lot to offer cyclists of every commitment level. The 15-mile route, located just outside of downtown, follows a picturesque stretch of Buffalo Bayou across the city. Perfect for both short and long rides, the trail offers great views of Houston’s iconic skyline. There are also many clearings along the trail to stop for a quick breather and some snacks while you people watch. If you don’t have a bike, consider renting one from a nearby Houston BCycle station. 

Reserve a 90-minute boat tour and celebrate a slice of Houston’s history on the M/V Sam Houston, Port Houston’s 64-year-old public tour boat whose maiden voyage launched in 1958. Sip a complimentary drink as you sightsee around the biggest port in Texas, maybe even throw a wave at passing international cargo vessels down at the Houston Ship Channel. Learn about the history and daily operations of Port Houston as you relax in the ship’s lounge and admire the view. Although you won’t see any dolphins or whales (we sure hope they’re not swimming around in that water), you might catch a glimpse of some snapping turtles or alligator gar, which we find equally impressive.

When you have a day to yourself and no plans, explore the city and take some Instagram-worthy pictures. The old industrial buildings making up Houston’s graffiti hot spot are covered with murals of legends such as Bun B and the late DJ Screw and Kobe Bryant. Although your photos aren’t guaranteed to break the internet, an afternoon spent here most definitely won’t break your bank account.

This farmers market, located in the Heights on Airline Drive, is the oldest and the largest in the city. The 18-acre market, established in 1942, is a great spot to pick up fresh produce, herbs, spices, plants, eggs, and home goods. It’s also home to Underbelly Burger, Comalito, and Crawfish & Noodles, so you can grab a quick bite either before or after shopping. Though it’s free to visit, you’ll likely end up heading home with a few bags stuffed with home goods, fresh produce, and perhaps a money candle or two.

Built in 2012 by world-famous installation artist James Turrell, the Skyspace at Rice University should be on every Houstonian’s bucket list. The massive pyramidal structure, located adjacent to the Shepherd School of Music, can accommodate 120 people between two levels and was designed to host musical performances. Twice a day, at dawn and dusk, the structure lights up in a mesmerizing sequence that changes colors to complement the shifting of natural light. While the structure is open all day, the 40-minute light shows are only available during sunrise and sunset six days a week.

There are many beautiful areas of Hermann Park, but none come quite as close to perfection as the Japanese Garden. Designed by world-renowned landscape architect Ken Nakajima, the garden is a serene oasis full of wandering stone paths, ponds, waterfalls, and bridges—plus turtles and ducks for good measure. The lush gardens here feature many a crepe myrtle, as well as Japanese maples, dogwoods, cherry trees, and azaleas; whatever time of year you visit, you’re sure to see some beautiful, colorful foliage or flowers. The garden is open daily from 9am to 6pm and is always free.

Glenwood Cemetery, founded in 1871, is the oldest professionally designed cemetery in Houston, and is the final resting place of notable Houstonians such as Charlotte Baldwin Allen, Howard Hughes, William P. Hobby, George Hermann, and Anson Jones. Located along Washington Avenue, the cemetery is full of stunning monuments and statues, majestic trees, and rolling hills overlooking Buffalo Bayou. Glenwood is a perfect spot for a picnic or lazy afternoon stroll spent hunting tombstones of Houston’s big-name residents. The cemetery’s gates are open every day from 7am to sunset. Two-hour guided walking tours are also available on Saturday mornings throughout the year.

Many people don’t know this, but downtown Houston is home to a six-mile network of underground tunnels that stretch more than 95 blocks. It’s the largest of such networks in North America. Home to restaurants, salons, specialty shops, medical offices, and convenience stores, the tunnels are a staple for downtown workers. They’re also a popular place for tourists looking for a way to explore the city without having to deal with the heat afflicting those at street level. There are plenty of fun things to do in the tunnels, but the best way to explore them is through your stomach by going on a restaurant tour of the underground city, home to standout Filipino restaurants, Mexico City­–caliber street food, and much more. The downtown tunnels are open Monday through Friday from 6am to 6pm. 

An estimated 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats call the Waugh Drive Bridge home, and every day at sunset you can watch them emerge all at once from beneath it, as they venture out into the city to feed. There is a viewing platform on the southeast corner of Buffalo Bayou’s bank along Allen Parkway that’s perfect for enjoying the nightly aerial show. If you’re looking to learn more about the bats ahead of their sunset emergence, consider attending one of the “bat chats” that occur at the bridge on Friday nights 30 minutes before sunset.