Ready to take advantage of these longer summer days to get back out there and enjoy some of the fabulous activities you can only do in greater Houston? The summer is only just beginning, but it will fly by with all the exciting places to go and family events that are back in action! Some of the favorites on our summer list are one day only (those are near the top), but most can be enjoyed all season long. Check out our 2021 list of the top 35 things we can't wait to do in the Bayou City from Memorial Day to Labor Day, even on those 100-degree days.

1. Family Movie Night at Levy Park

We will definitely be heading out to Levy Park on May 28 and June 25 for their family movie nights.

2. Splashin' Into Summer Movie Night Featuring Finding Nemo at Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion

Another great summer movie option on May 28: FInding Nemo on the big screen at the pavilion. Plus, your ticket purchase includes popcorn! 

3. Rienzi Garden Tour

On May 29 you can take a family-friendly, self-paced tour through the Rienzi gardens for FREE to see the museum's outdoor sculptures and architectural elements. 

4. Prelude Music at Levy Park

Also on May 29 enjoy our favorite music school, Prelude Music's Family Concerts at Levy Park, then stick around the park for some outdoor play. 

5. Memorial Day in The Woodlands

Start out the summer right by celebrating on May 30 at Town Green Park. This festival remembers fallen military service men and women with live music, strolling entertainers, kids' activities, and a fireworks show.

6. Miller Outdoor Theatre

Summer Symphony Nights always put on amazing family-friendly concerts that showcase classical favorites and this summer you can catch a concert on June 10th and June 12th. 

7. Screen on the Green

Grab your lawn chairs and blankets and head to Discovery Green June 19 and June 26 for free movie screenings on the lawn. 

The new Nature Playscape at the Arboretum is definitely worth a trip this summer. Photo by Vicky Yip

8. Houston Arboretum

We'll be going on lots of walks on the trails at the Houston Arboretum to discover all that nature has to offer right here in the city and playing on the new Nature Playscape. Be sure to keep your eyes peeled for snakes, both in the water and on the trails!

9. Nearby water parks

Super hot weather calls for a day splashing in the pools and slipping down slides at a water park, like Strawberry Water Park in Pasadena. 

10. The Dr. Seuss Experience Tour

This immersive Dr. Seuss experience travels through nine different Dr. Seuss books that have been brought to life, and we can't wait to tour them all. 

Photo courtesy of Discovery Green

11. Splash pads

And when we want to cool down quickly, we'll hit up one of the city's many splash pads! Our current favorites are Dolphin Lagoon, Zube Park, and Levy Park, but we can't wait to try all of the ones on this list.

12.  Armand Bayou Nature Center

We can't wait to book a Friday firefly hike or family night hike with our families and friends for a unique evening experience in nature. 

13. Outdoor go-kart tracks

We can't wait to zip around the tracks at one of Houston's amazing outdoor go-kart tracks for a summertime racing adventure. 

14. Grand Reopening of the Children's Museum of Houston

After an entire year of doing things entirely online, the Children's Museum of Houston is finally reopening just in time for summer and we are here for it!

15. Swimming lessons

These are practically a summer requirement and there are lots of great options to choose from, like the YMCA.

16. Galveston

No summer is complete without a trip to the island for more water fun. Make sure you check out one of the many family-friendly beaches Galveston has to offer, and don't forget to make a stop at the Strand!

Enjoying the beach in Galveston. Photo by Kennon Evett

17. Moody Gardens

While we're in Galveston, we'll also try to check out the pyramids and Palm Beach at Moody Gardens for a fun respite from the sand and the waves.

18. Dolphin tours 

Also in Galveston, we'll take a ride around the bay by boat on a dolphin tour to see if we can spot any friendly creatures swimming in the sea.

19. Local kid-friendly breweries

The summer months are the perfect time to hang out on the patio while the kids play at one of Houston's various kid-friendly breweries. 

20. Splashway Water Park 

For a weekend adventure that combines camping and water park fun, Splashway in Sheridan is at the top of our list. 

21. Houston Day Trips

A day trip to one of Houston's suburbs like The Woodlands, Tomball, Seabrook, or Katy is definitely in the plan for one or more of our summer days. 

22. Beyond Human Limits

We can't wait to see Beyond Human Limits, the newest summer exhibit at Space Center Houston, which explores the ins and outs of different extreme sports around the world. 

23. Pearland Concerts in the Park

Friday nights during the summer are for heading to Pearland and dancing the night away to live music.

Picnicking at the "Move One Place On" sculpture in Evelyn's Park. Photo by Ashley Jones

24. Evelyn's Park

We love this local park and are excited about going to events there, such as open air markets, live music on Fridays, and just hanging out at the "Move One Place On" sculpture.

25. Kid-Friendly Brunch Spots

Houston has some pretty fabulous brunch options, and we plan on taking full advantage by dining at all of them this summer.

26. Astros games 

Take us out to the ballgame! We can't wait to spend the summer eating peanuts and crackerjack while cheering on our home team, and as an extra bonus each month features a handful of games that are Dollar Dog Nights. $1 hot dogs for the family? Yes, please.

27. Prehistoric Beasts at the Houston Zoo

From Sabortooth Tigers to the infamous Megalodon and many other prehistoric predators, checking out all of these animatronic beasts that are taking over the Houston Zoo is definitely on our summer bucket list. 

28. Sneak-A-Peek at Nature Discovery Center

This interactive summer program for preschoolers is one of our favorites! On select Saturdays preschoolers are invited out for a session of crafts, nature walks, live animal encounters, investigations, and hands-on activities at the Nature Discovery Center.

29. Frozen desserts

Cool, tasty treats are perfect for beating the Houston heat. We'll be heading to get fancy popsicles and other frozen desserts all around town this summer. 

Can you land the plane? Try the flight simulator. Photo courtesy of Lone Star Flight Museum

30. Lone Star Flight Museum

Visiting the Lone Star Flight Museum is always a hit with the historic aircraft on display. Kids 10 and older can also test out the Flight Simulators on Saturdays and get a taste of what it's like to fly a plane. 

31. Pick-Your-Own Farms

Summer means that berry season is upon us, and we can't wait to visit some of the local pick-you-own farms to get our fill of fresh strawberries, blackberries, blueberries, and more. 

32. Seismique Houston

This interactive art experience is home to 40 state-of-the-art gallery exhibits and experiences designed by local and international artists and offers a break from reality (and a respite from the heat since it's all indoors!). Visiting this museum is perfect for those days when outdoor activities are not on the list. 

33. Pompeii: The Exhibition 

A visit to the Houston Museum of Natural Science is always on our summer list, and this year's traveling exhibit is a must see. Pompeii: The Exhibition takes visitors back in time and immerses them into the lives of the residents of Pompeii before and after the famous catastrophic eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 AD.

34. Rock the Dock at Kemah Boardwalk

Thursday evenings during the summer mean live music at the Boardwalk, which we think is a perfect way to end a day spent exploring all of the fun to be had in Kemah. 

35. TGR Exotics Wildlife Park

Spend a little quality time with the kangaroos, sloths, monkeys, and tortoises at this Spring wildlife park, where kids can get up close and cuddly with a wide variety of non-Texan animals.

36. Noah's Ark Pool

No summer is complete without a trip to Noah's Ark Pool at the Quillian Center where kids can splash and play the day away. 

This post was originally published in May 2017.