Indoor Fun: Staying out of the Houston Rain and Sun

Getting out of the house does not have to mean going outside. When I leave for college, I will miss my people and our favorite places, but not the weather. After almost four years of visiting the same Starbucks, my friends and I decided to find some new haunts that still keep us out of the hot Houston sun and rainy days, so here are my picks for a fun day indoors.

As a teen, my primary qualifiers for a good hang-out spot are safety, friendliness, and “bang for your buck.” These are my tried and trues. Hopefully you enjoy my recommendations – if you end visiting any of them, chances are we’ll run into each other!

Go to a museum

Buzz intern Lucy Walker (second from left) visited the HMNS's Cockrell Butterfly Center to celebrate her birthday with friends Chloe Allis, Anna Oliva, and Abby Manuel.

Houston Museum of Natural Science
Address: 5555 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, TX 77030
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 9 a.m.-5 p.m., Fri-Sun: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. 
Admission: General admission for non-members is $16 for kids over 2-12 and $25 for adults. Enjoy “Free Tuesdays” from 5 p.m.-8 p.m.

Each exhibit in the museum takes on a whole new immersive feeling when it’s storming outside. Little kids love the collection of dinosaur fossils and models in the Paleontology Hall, and the Planetarium and Cockrell Butterfly Center are very relaxing after a busy day with small kids – I speak from experience as a former tour guide and chaperone to my small cousins. I was also excited to see that the HMNS has reinstated a popular exhibit I enjoyed when I was in elementary school, Death by Natural Causes, which features interactive depictions of the dangers of the natural world. 

Clockwise, from bottom: Lucy Walker, Anna Oliva, and Abby Manuel showing off their fancy footwear at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. 

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
Address: 1001 Bissonnet St., Houston, TX 77005
Hours: Open Sun from 12:30 p.m.-6 p.m.; closed Mon-Tues; open Wed-Thurs from 11 a.m.-9 p.m.; and Fri-Sat from 11 a.m.-6 p.m. 
Admission: General admission for non-members is $24 for adults, $20 for youth under 19, and free for kids 12 and under. Enjoy free admission to permanent exhibits on Thursdays.

The MFAH is a great way to spend a day inside. Spend time in any of the museum’s permanent collection of over 60,000 works, or enjoy one of their visiting exhibits, including art from the Japanese Meiji period and an installation by Jacolby Satterwhite. 
When we want to celebrate a big accomplishment or are just feeling fancy, my friends and I like to come here dressed in our coolest outfits and be artsy. Often this means recreating the museum scene from Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I also recommend journaling or drawing in the neighboring Sculpture Garden.

The Health Museum 
Address: 1515 Hermann Park Dr, Houston, TX 77004
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun from 12 p.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: General admission for non-members is $10 for kids 3-12 and $12 for adults.

Take a journey through larger-than-life replicas of your nervous, gastrointestinal and skeletal systems with the Museum’s Amazing Body Gallery, learn about microbiology in the kid-friendly DeBakey Cell Lab, or examine the impact of local pollutants on our bodies with the Your Body Your Air exhibit. My 10-year-old self and everyone else in my fifth-grade class can confirm coming here was one of the best field trips ever.

Visit a good bookstore or record shop

Kaboom Books
Address: 3116 Houston Ave #6736, Houston, TX 77009
Hours: Open every day from 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Kaboom! has one of the most extensive collections around as well as a great atmosphere. Once, on a visit here, my friend and I made a game to see who could find the most bizarre book cover. I think I won with a sci-fi paperback featuring intergalactic cats, which was definitely an interesting read. Peruse the floor-to-ceiling selection of used books while you try and spot the bookstore cat. Located in the Heights, Kaboom Books is a must-see for any bookworm.

Buzz intern Lucy Walker perusing the children's section on a trip to 1/4 Price Books last summer.

¼ Price Books
Address: 3820 S Shepherd Dr, Houston, TX 77098
Hours: Sun-Sat: 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

This spot has been around since the ’90s, but it has every kind of book from every decade. Mid century sci-fi mingles with antique leather-bound European literature, and the owner of the store is an expert who will help you find whatever you’re looking for. He’s probably got it somewhere – and for 75 percent off, to boot. Recently, I bought a fantastic vintage copy of Alice in Wonderland for my mother, who collects different versions and printings. Best Mother’s Day gift ever.

Buzz intern Lucy Walker (middle) and her friend Anna Oliva getting Neal Shusterman's new book signed at an event organized by Blue Willow.

Blue Willow Bookshop
Address: 14532 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079
Hours: Mon-Sat from 10 a.m.-5 p.m.

Though it’s a little out of the way for me, Blue Willow has a fantastic collection with even better staff who will take time to give you a personalized list of recommendations. Be sure to check out their online calendar of store events hosting authors like Rick Riordan and Neal Shusterman for talks and book-signings.

Sig’s Lagoon
Address: 3622 Main St Suite e, Houston, TX 77002
Hours: Mon-Sat: 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sun from 12 p.m.-6 p.m.

Sig’s Lagoon proudly proclaims they are “Midtown’s only record store.” In this case, quality certainly trumps quantity. The selection at Sig’s, both used and new, is amazing. Last fall, my friend rejoiced after finding Blue – as a Spotify user, she had not been able to listen to that album since Joni Mitchell pulled her music from the platform in 2021. In addition to records, Sig’s sells an assortment of relics including 8-tracks and mint 45s. If analog media isn’t your thing, stop by just for a game of iSpy – the walls are plastered with too many old band posters and sleeves to count.

Grady McMillin shows off his picks in the back room of Cactus Music.

Cactus Music & Record Ranch
Address: 2110 Portsmouth St, Houston, TX 77098
Hours: Mon-Thurs: 10am-7pm, Fri-Sat: 10 a.m.-8 p.m., Sun 12 p.m.-7 p.m.

Don’t want to be a “Fool in the Rain”? With great vibes and great staff, Cactus is a discophile’s dream. Peruse their selection of records, tapes, CDs, and pre-loved audio equipment. It was here I bought my first tape (Duran Duran’s Decade compilation). Since showing my Walkman off to all of my friends in middle school, I have continued to bond with other music lovers on trips here. Make sure to check out their calendar of pre-release listening parties and local performances to see if your visit coincides with a fun event!

Enjoy the rain

Buffalo Bayou Park Cistern
Address: 105-B Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007
Hours: Wed-Fri: 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sat-Sun: 11 a.m.-5 p.m.
Admission: $12

Buffalo Bayou Park’s Cistern is a calming, inspiring way to enjoy the rain. Especially on a stormy day, stepping into the Cistern is like stepping into another world. Book a tour to learn about the structure’s architectural history and Houston’s water system. (Please note, no children under 9 are allowed in the Cistern.) Currently, visitors can experience Haha Real by Rachel Rossin, an original, site-specific media and sound installation created for the Cistern. Inspired by the classic children's story The Velveteen Rabbit, the installation invokes themes of transformation and loss. Tours are 30 minutes.

Rothko Chapel
Address: 3900 Yupon St, Houston, TX 77006
Hours: Open Tues-Sun from 10 a.m.-6 p.m.
Admission: Free

The Rothko Chapel describes itself as a “sanctuary for the seeker.” It hosts a variety of artistic events, including lectures and musical performances, but on the days it is not in use, the public can visit and enjoy the quiet. On a rainy day, enjoying the pitter-patter in the Chapel is sure to be a calming and rejuvenating experience.

For kids and kids at heart

The Color Factory
Address: 3303 Kirby Drive, Houston, TX 77098
Hours: Open Sun-Mon from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tues from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.; Weds 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Thurs from 9 a.m.-7 p.m.; Fri-Sat 9 a.m.-8 p.m.
Admission: General admission starts at $29, prices may vary. Check the Color Factory website for updates.
This experience is great for any aspiring influencers in the family. As visitors travel through 14 immersive exhibits, each dedicated to a particular color scheme or mood, guests will enjoy complimentary sweet treats and photo opportunities. 

Cidercade has all kinds of games, including the historical fighter pilot variety.

Cidercade
Address: 2320 Canal St., Suite 100, Houston, TX 77003
Hours: Every day from 10 a.m.-12 a.m.
Admission: Unlimited gameplay for $12.

If you’re looking for a nostalgic way to spend your rainy day, release your inner kid in an arcade with almost 300 new and old games including a wall of pinball machines, Street Fighter, Galaga, Dig Dug and more. I came here with my family on my 17th birthday and had a blast playing Guitar Hero and ping pong with my cousins. (I’d like to note here that I remain the reigning air hockey champ.) Cidercade, as the name would imply, is a classic family-style arcade that serves small bites and signature alcoholic beverages, but  note that entry is 18 and up after 9 p.m. Known for their “play all day” policy, Cidercade gives visitors unlimited access to all games without the hassle of chips or tokens. 

Editor’s note: Have more ideas of indoor fun? Comment below or email us at [email protected] See our online events calendar to find upcoming events.