What can I say about Houston other than everything is bigger in Texas, and Houston delivers on that promise in every single way.
From concerts to rodeos to malls the size of small cities and food that makes you want to move there, Houston is a girls trip heaven. I went with my two friends Mea and Dani, who both live in Dallas, so even they had not done most of the things on this list. We all discovered Houston together and left obsessed.
We stayed in an Airbnb next to a university that was super central to everything, which I highly recommend. One thing to know going in: you absolutely need a car in Houston. Every place is about 25 minutes from the last place. That is just Houston. But once you accept that and build it into your day, it is completely fine and the city has so much to offer that it is worth every minute of drive time.
I came home with a full heart, a DKNY denim dress, a story about a funeral museum, and a new appreciation for Lizzo. Let me tell you everything.
1. The National Museum of Funeral History: The Most Surprisingly Incredible Museum You’ve Never Heard Of
📍 415 Barren Springs Dr, Houston, TX 77090
Perfect for: Anyone who loves history, culture, unique experiences
I know. I said funeral museum. Stay with me.
The National Museum of Funeral History in Houston is the largest collection of funeral service artifacts in the entire country, housed in over 30,500 square feet of exhibit space. It was founded in 1992 and has since become one of the most unique and genuinely educational museum experiences I have ever had. And I have been to a lot of museums.
Here is what blew my mind about this place. It is not just caskets and hearses (though yes, those are there and they are fascinating). The museum covers over 17 permanent exhibits spanning centuries of funeral traditions from around the world, including:
The Celebrating the Lives and Deaths of the Popes exhibit, developed in collaboration with the Vatican, which includes the actual Popemobile used by Pope John Paul II in 1982, original Swiss Guard uniforms, and vestments from the Rome tailor shop that has clothed the last seven Popes. They show the entire process of a papal funeral and how the Pope is displayed publicly for days before the funeral procession. That alone was wild to see and learn about.
The post-mortem photography exhibit, which covers the practice of photographing the deceased that was common in the 19th century. It sounds dark and it is genuinely eye-opening, but it is presented with so much historical context that you come away understanding why families did it rather than just being shocked by it.
The Presidential Funeral Gallery, which includes artifacts from the funerals of multiple U.S. presidents, a full-scale recreation of Abraham Lincoln lying in repose (including a lock of his actual hair), and even the original $99.25 funeral bill for George Washington.
A Celebrity Memorial exhibit called Thanks for the Memories, featuring authentic memorial folders and personal items from the funerals of Michael Jackson, Marilyn Monroe, Whitney Houston, Frank Sinatra, Jim Henson, and others.
And a tribute to New Orleans jazz funerals, which is one of the most joyful sections of the whole museum.
I walked in not knowing what to expect and walked out having genuinely learned things I will think about for a long time. It is not morbid. It is human. It is one of those places that reminds you that honoring the people we love is one of the oldest and most meaningful things we do as people.
Hours: Mon through Fri 10am to 4pm, Sat and Sun 10am to 5pm
Lisa’s tip: Give yourself at least 90 minutes here. Do not rush it. And yes, you will have things to talk about for the rest of the trip.
2. Boheme’s Famous Drag Brunch: The Best Show I Have Ever Seen, Period
📍 307 Fairview St, Houston, TX 77006
Perfect for: Girls trips, date night, literally anyone who wants the best Sunday of their life
I have been to a lot of drag shows. A lot. And I say this with full confidence: Boheme’s Drag Brunch at Bar Boheme in Houston’s Montrose neighborhood is the best drag show I have ever seen in my life.
Not the best brunch drag show. The best drag show, period.
Bar Boheme is a beloved spot in the Montrose neighborhood and every Sunday they host two back-to-back drag brunches. The first show runs from 11:30am to 1:30pm and the second from 2:30pm to 4:30pm. The $45 per person cover includes access to the full unlimited brunch buffet and the show, which is genuinely one of the best deals I have encountered for this type of experience.
The buffet is not your average brunch spread. We are talking Filipino biscuits and gravy, Argentinian empanadas, French toast, brisket, churros, fruit, and more. The food was amazing and it was unlimited, which means you are well fed and happy before the queens even hit the floor.
And then the queens hit the floor.
These performers gave absolutely everything for the entire duration of the show. We are talking splits, working the crowd, lip sync battles, comedy, and audience interaction that had everyone screaming. The energy was electric from the first second to the last and never once dipped. What also stood out to me was looking around the room and seeing tons of straight guys in the audience genuinely having the best time. That kind of universal joy is rare and it speaks to how talented and magnetic these performers are.
I would go back to Houston specifically to go to this show again. That is not an exaggeration.
Good to know: Reservations are required and recommended well in advance because this fills up.
Lisa’s tip: Book early, sit wherever the queens can reach you, and add the mimosa carafe for an extra $30. You will thank me.
3. Papabubble: Make Your Own Candy for $30 and Leave Feeling Like a Kid Again
📍 927 Studewood St Suite 120, Houston, TX 77008
Perfect for: Girls trips, date nights, unique activity for groups of all ages
Drop everything. Papabubble is the only U.S. location of an artisan candy brand born in Barcelona, Spain in 2004, and the Heights neighborhood shop is part candy store, part live show, and part hands-on experience all in one. It was one of our favorite things we did on the entire trip.
We did the 30-minute lollipop class which starts at $30 per person and walked away with three custom handmade lollipops each. Here is how it works: the maker pours liquid candy onto a heated table, folds in your colors and flavors, and then invites you behind the counter to flex, bend, and shape the warm sugar into your own custom design. You choose the shape. You get to keep everything you make.
It sounds simple and it is genuinely one of those experiences where you look up after what feels like five minutes and everyone in your group is laughing and completely in the moment. We had the best time. No phones, no distractions, just warm sugar and good friends making something with their hands.
They also offer image candy classes starting at $75 per person, where a miniature illustration gets embedded into every piece of hard candy so every single slice reveals the design inside. That one is on my list for next time.
Good to know: The shop is BYOB for adult evening classes, they offer private bookings for groups up to 15, and they can even bring a portable candy-making table to your event anywhere in Houston.
Lisa’s tip: Book your class in advance, especially on weekends. This is genuinely one of the best $30 you will spend in Houston and works as a date night, a girls trip activity, or honestly any excuse to make candy with people you love.
4. Leeland House: Brunch with Drinks That Steal the Show
📍 2119 Leeland St, Houston, TX 77003
Perfect for: Girls trips, casual brunch, sports fans who want good food and great vibes
Leeland House is a cozy neighborhood bistro in Houston’s East Downtown (EaDo) neighborhood and it has the kind of energy that makes you want to stay longer than you planned.
The food was good, solid brunch fare done well. But honestly the drinks were even better. Their cocktail menu is creative and well-crafted and we were impressed right from the first round. The outdoor seating is a big draw because the patio is spacious and they have TV screens outside so you can watch sports while you eat and drink. It is the kind of spot where you show up for brunch and end up staying through the afternoon because nobody wants to leave.
The building itself is a remodeled old house in the EaDo neighborhood, which gives it a warmth and character that bigger restaurant spaces just do not have.
Hours: Wed through Fri 8am to 2pm, Sat and Sun 8am to 4pm (closed Mon and Tue)
Lisa’s tip: Sit outside if the weather is nice and order the cocktails. That is all I will say. The cocktails.
5. The Nomad Reserve: When the Vibe IS the Point
📍 12970 Westheimer Rd Unit 100, Houston, TX 77077
Perfect for: Girls trips, groups, anyone who wants a full evening of music, hookah, and drinks
Let me be real with you about The Nomad Reserve so you know exactly what you are walking into, because when you know the assignment going in, you will have a great time.
The Nomad Reserve is a bar and restaurant with hookah, games, a DJ or live music, and an eclectic upscale modern vibe. We played games, listened to music, ordered appetizers, and just vibed with each other for a few hours. The atmosphere is genuinely cool. The decor is striking. The energy is exactly what you want for a laid-back but lively girls night.
Now the honest part: the service was not great. We had to stay on our server to get things and it was not the most attentive experience. But here is the thing: if you know going in that this environment is built for drinking, chilling, and enjoying your friends at a slow pace, you will be completely fine. Go patient. Go with time to spare. Order your hookah and your drinks and let the music and the vibe do the rest.
The Nomad Reserve is not the place for a quick efficient dinner. It is the place for a full evening where the point is the experience, not the service speed. When you approach it that way, it delivers.
Hours: Mon through Fri 6pm to 2am, Sat and Sun 11am to 2am
Lisa’s tip: Order the hookah. Let the playlist carry you. Go with the right people and the right energy and this spot will be exactly what you need.
6. The Galleria Houston: The Mall That Has an Ice Skating Rink Inside It
📍 5085 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056
Perfect for: Shopping lovers, girls trips, anyone who needs a flex moment
I need to talk about the Galleria because it is not just a mall. It is an experience.
The Galleria Houston is one of the largest malls in the United States and it is the kind of place that makes you rethink what a mall can be. It spans four levels, houses over 400 stores and restaurants, and in the center of it all is a full-size indoor ice skating rink that operates year-round. I have been to some malls in my time and this one is on another level.
I found an amazing DKNY denim dress here and the shoes to go with it, which I wore to Black Heritage Night at the rodeo. When a mall outfit can hold its own at a major event, you know the shopping was good.
The Galleria has everything from luxury brands to accessible favorites and the food court and restaurant options are genuinely solid. Plan a few hours minimum and wear comfortable shoes because this mall will humble you if you underestimate its size.
Lisa’s tip: Go on a weekday morning to avoid the biggest crowds. The Galleria is a full half-day activity on its own.
7. Pop Air Inflatable Museum: Heads Up, It Has Moved to Miami
Perfect for: Content creators, fun-seekers, groups
I want to be honest with you about this one because Houston visitors will search for it. We went to Pop Air, Houston’s inflatable museum, and had the absolute best time. Huge inflatable installations, great photo opportunities, and genuinely fun interactive experiences throughout.
However, Pop Air has temporarily relocated to Miami through September 27th, so if you are visiting Houston right now it will not be there. Check their website before you plan around it because Houston may be back on the schedule. When it returns, add it immediately. It was one of the most fun and content-friendly experiences of the whole trip.
Lisa’s tip: Check Pop Air’s website and social media for their current location and Houston return dates before booking your trip around it.
8. Only in Houston: Bean Pies, Daiquiri Drive-Throughs, and Street Culture You Won’t Find Anywhere Else
Perfect for: Anyone who loves a city with its own personality
This section is for the Houston moments that do not fit neatly into a category but absolutely need to be on your radar.
The bean pie moment. My friend Mea had never eaten a bean pie before. Now if you grew up in Baltimore like me, you know bean pies. The Nation of Islam has been selling them for decades, usually individual slices or small pies, often alongside The Final Call newspaper. It is a cultural institution in Black communities across the country. But in Houston, a man on the street was selling them and this was no small slice. This was a full 8-inch bean pie, and he handed us a Muslim newspaper to go along with it. We stood right there on the street and had a genuine moment around a pie and a conversation about history and culture and food. That is Houston. The unexpected moments are just as good as the planned ones.
The daiquiri drive-throughs. I need to talk about this because I had genuinely never seen anything like it in my life. Houston has daiquiri drive-through shops all over the city. Not one or two. A bunch of them. You drive up, order a daiquiri, and drive away. To go. In a cup. Now I was not the one driving so I felt perfectly comfortable getting one for the road. My friends handled the wheel and I handled the daiquiri. This is apparently completely normal in Houston and I am still thinking about why every city does not have this. Absolutely iconic.
Keep your eyes open when you walk around Houston because the street culture and the everyday moments here are just as memorable as anything you will book in advance.
9. Black Heritage Night at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo: An Experience That Moved Me
📍 NRG Stadium, 1 NRG Pkwy, Houston, TX 77054
Perfect for: Everyone, especially those who want to connect with Black Western history
I saved this one for last because it was the biggest event of the whole trip and deserves to close the list with the energy it brought.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo takes place at NRG Stadium, one of the biggest venues in the country, and Black Heritage Night is a full-day and evening celebration specifically dedicated to honoring the contributions of Black cowboys, cowgirls, and artists to Western heritage. The celebration includes the Black Heritage Committee Corral featuring history of the Black Cowboy artifacts, student talent showcases, step performances from Divine 9 Greek organizations, and line dancing throughout the day.
I went for Lizzo’s performance and I want to be upfront: I was not her biggest fan going in. After that show, she is top tier in my eyes. She brought out Paul Wall and other artists and gave a performance that had the entire stadium on its feet. She was incredible.
But the concert was only part of it. What I did not expect was how much the rodeo events themselves would captivate me. Yes, there is bull riding, which is thrilling to watch up close in that massive stadium. But there were also events I had never seen before:
Mutton Bustin: Little kids riding sheep and hanging on for dear life. This is exactly as chaotic and adorable as it sounds and the crowd went absolutely wild.
Calf scramble and junior events: Teens and young riders competing with calves and young bulls in events that require serious skill and fearlessness. The energy around these was incredible.
The Black Cowboy exhibit inside the venue was a full display sharing the history and contributions of Black cowboys to the American West, an often undertold story that is finally getting the recognition it deserves. Walking through that exhibit felt important.
The fashion on Black Heritage Night deserves its own paragraph. People came dressed in full western wear, Cowboy Carter inspired outfits, custom boots, rhinestones, and denim. The whole stadium was a fashion show and I came prepared with my DKNY denim dress from the Galleria, my Wrangler cowboy hat from Fort Worth, and the cowboy boots I had been hunting for since Dallas. I was feeling myself that night.
Lisa’s tip: This event happens annually as part of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, which runs for three weeks every spring. Plan early because tickets to the concert portion sell out fast. Dress the part. You will absolutely want to.
Houston is a Girls Trip Heaven and Here Is Why
Beyond every individual experience on this list, Houston has a specific energy for a girls trip that is hard to put into words. The city is big enough that there is always something happening. The food scene is incredible. The Montrose neighborhood creates some of the most welcoming and genuinely fun nightlife and entertainment you will find anywhere in the South. And the culture here, especially around Black heritage, art, and community, is something you feel everywhere you go.
A few practical things before you go: stay in an Airbnb in a central neighborhood, you will get more space for the money and be closer to everything. Rent a car or coordinate rides because every destination is about 25 minutes from the last one. And build in buffer time because Houston rewards the people who are not rushing.
Houston also has world-class concerts coming through constantly. The rodeo alone draws some of the biggest names in music. If you can time your trip around an event that excites you, whether it is Black Heritage Night, a specific concert, or festival season, Houston becomes a truly unforgettable destination.
Houston Girls Trip FAQ
Spring is incredible if you can catch the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in February and March. Fall is beautiful weather wise. Summer is hot but the indoor entertainment scene means you can stay cool and still have an amazing time.
Like any major city, Houston has areas that are more tourist friendly than others. The Montrose neighborhood, Galleria area, Museum District, and downtown are all active and well-traveled. We felt comfortable and welcome throughout our entire trip.
Yes. Houston has a large and thriving Black community and Black Heritage Night at the rodeo alone speaks to how embedded Black culture is in the fabric of this city. We never felt out of place or unwelcome anywhere we went.
A long weekend (3 to 4 days) is enough to hit the highlights. A full week lets you slow down and really explore neighborhoods, restaurants, and day trips.
Yes, absolutely. Houston is one of the most spread-out cities in America. Every destination is roughly 25 minutes from the last one. A car is not optional here, it is essential.
We stayed in an Airbnb near a university that put us close to most of what we wanted to do. A central neighborhood like Montrose, Midtown, or EaDo will keep you within a reasonable distance of the best spots.
Their website notes the shows contain adult content and strong language, so it is best suited for adults.
Have you been to Houston? Drop your favorite spots in the comments because I feel like this city has layers I have not even discovered yet. Follow me at @itssummerssomewhere for more travel content, girls trip ideas, and honest reviews from a real person who actually went there.
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