The Ultimate Self-Guided Driving Tour of Houston, Texas

Tour Details

Type
Driving
Duration
2 - 3 Hours
Audio Stories
53
Deep Dives
45

Welcome to the Self Guided Driving Tour of Houston

Welcome to Houston! On this two-hour Houston tour, we’ll see everything that makes Houston special, from historic districts to stunning parks and, of course, the famous Space Center! This self-guided audio and GPS tour takes you through Houston with maximum flexibility, safety, and value. Simply hop in your own car, get the tour guide app set up on your phone, and get started. All audio plays automatically based on location.

About the Tour

Start by the bayou which has long been the lifeblood of this city and hear about the deadly battles which took place along the river. Then visit Sam Houston Park, where past and present collide in the architecture, offering a hugely varied glimpse into life in the area.

Next, head to the Historic District and get to know some of Houston’s complex past. At Christ Church Cathedral, hear a quintessential story of a southern community back in the 1800s. Then continue on to Emancipation Park and get familiar with the significance of Juneteenth within Houston.

As you drive through the Museum District, uncover the secrets behind some of Houston’s more notorious urban legends, then visit the grandest green space in the city: Hermann Park. It even features a zoo!

After that, swing through the famous Rice University and hear the tale of a wild senior prank pulled back in the ‘80s, engineered by a student still known only as “the mastermind.”

Continuing on to MacGregor Park, get the scoop on how the intense Hurricane Harvey impacted Houston, then learn about the importance of oil and gas to this city. Finally, get some stellar space facts and visit the world-famous Johnson Space Center! The tour concludes here.

Starting Point Address: Lamar St La Branch St, Houston, TX 77010, USA

What You'll See

Welcome
Our journey through Houston will encompass all of its rich, complex history, from the battles that forged the state of Texas to the importance of African American history within the city and, of course, the famous Space Center. So buckle in and hit the road! First, we'll hear about the tribe who controlled the land before Europeans showed up and how they lost it.
Bayou Battleground
As we drive, we'll pass the Buffalo Bayou River and get some insight into its tremendous importance during Texas's war for independence from Mexico.
Bayou Park & Cisterns
Next, we'll arrive at the Buffalo Bayou Park, where we'll get a chance to see the enormous cisterns the once quenched the thirst of the entire city! We'll also learn how the city transformed and found new uses for these cisterns once they weren't needed for drinking water any longer.
Sam Houston Park
Our drive takes us past Sam Houston Park next, where a row of preserved historic homes display how Houstonians from all walks of life lived, from freed slaves building new lives for themselves to affluent merchants.
City Hall
We'll park at City Hall and hear about the challenges of building it during the Great Depression. We'll also get a good look at the statues of Houston's founders which stand before the hall, and learn about how those statues had to wait over 80 years to be built!
Pennzoil Place
We'll keep driving until we see Pennzoil Place, a pair of huge black towers looming over Houston. Here, we'll pick up some facts about the imposing buildings and the innovative architect behind them.
Historic District / Market Square Park
Our route takes us next through Houston's Historic District, chock full of gorgeous old buildings. We'll also hear about the multiple fires which swept across the old City Hall, and the celebrities like Johnny Carson who have partied in this very district!
Chase Tower / Frescoes
The next sight we'll see is the Chase Tower, the tallest building in all of Texas. Here, we'll uncover some secrets of its construction, like how the original design was hazardous to air traffic and it sports a helipad that's never been used!
Christ Church Cathedral
Next, we'll park at the Christ Church Cathedral, Houston’s very first religious congregation which dates back to 1859. We'll also hear about the generous stranger who's responsible for a steer's head being part of the church seal.
Minute Maid Park
Our route then passes Minute Maid Park, the famous baseball stadium designed to imitate the Golden Age of baseball.
Emancipation Park
Next, we'll see Emancipation Park, a lovely recreational space with a rich history. We'll hear about emancipation, Juneteenth in Texas, and how this park became an epicenter for the Black community in Houston. Then, we'll get the real facts on some of Houston's most notorious urban legends.
Museum District
As we drive, we'll enter Houston's Museum District, home to fascinating museums covering everything from Black history to natural science to fine arts and beyond. If you want a really deep dive into the city of Houston, this is the place to be.
Hermann Park
Next, we'll pass Hermann Park, home to plenty of attractions for the little ones, including an entire zoo featuring cheetahs, chimps, and more!
Rice University
Our route brings us through the Rice University campus next, where we'll get some insight into the founder and hear about a baffling--and very ambitious--senior prank conducted by an alum known only as "The Mastermind."
Rice Statue
Next, we'll see the subject of the prank itself: the William Marsh Rice Statue, and learn about how the pranksters banded together to protect one of their own from repercussions.
Skyspace
As we continue through the Rice campus, we'll see the strange, pyramid-shaped building known as Skyspace. Here, we'll get a quick rundown of what this odd building is for, and how you can experience its beautiful sky viewings for yourself.
Hermann Park, Part 2
As we loop around we'll see Hermann Park again, and hear about the American and Japanese friendship which led to the creation of a famous Japanese garden within the park. Then, we'll hear the harrowing tale of the devastating Hurricane Harvey and how it impacted Houston.
MacGregor Park
We'll keep driving past MacGregor Park and listen to the story of how he revolutionized Houston's transit system by replacing the donkeys it relied on for far too long.
Old Spanish Trail
As we drive, we'll end up on the Old Spanish Trail. Once upon a time, it spanned the entirety of the country! This trail stretched over 2,750 miles from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific. Next, we'll look down get the inside scoop on the importance of oil and gas in Texas's development, and look up at the stars to hear about NASA, the infamous Apollo 13 mission, and world-famous astronomer Carl Sagan.
Johnson Space Center / Conclusion
Finally, we'll arrive at the sprawling, 1,600-acre Johnson Space Center, where astronauts train before being sent into space. We'll hear about the missions that launch from this site and even get an opportunity to look around the facility! This is where our tour officially ends.
Alt: San Jacinto Museum of History
One optional detour takes us to the San Jacinto Museum of History, where you can learn about the battles that shaped Texas, like the famous Battle of the Alamo!
Alt: Discovery Green Park
Another detour leads us to Discovery Green Park, a perfect place for those seeking a little rest and relaxation or looking for some extra activities.
Alt: Houston Graffiti Building
We can make an optional stop at one of Houston's funkiest sites: the Houston Graffiti Building. Home to a graffiti mural festival since 2015, it's a great place for aspiring artists and photographers!
Alt: Holocaust Museum
The next museum detour show us to the Holocaust Museum, founded by a Houston resident and Holocaust survivor and dedicated to ensuring this dark era of history is never forgotten.
Alt: Houston Museum of Natural Science
Another optional detour leads to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, a huge, 5-floor museum dedicated to the wonders of life on Earth.
Alt: Museum of Fine Arts
Art-lovers will want to check out this optional detour at the Museum of Fine Arts. This museum features over 60,000 works from across every continent, so there's too much to pass up!
Alt: Children's Museum
Need to let the little ones blow off a little steam? Visit this detour at the Children's Museum, which features loads of educational exhibits and activities for kids.
Alt: Health Museum
Our last optional detour is the Health Museum, dedicated to the medical sciences and all things to do with the human body.

Preview the Tour

Stop 1 : Welcome

Stop 44 : Johnson Space Center

How It Works

Additional Information

What do we do?

Simply put, Action Tour Guide is an audio guide, map, and tour book – all in one app! We are a GPS-enabled app-based tour that narrates information based on your location right on your phone. You can experience our driving and walking tours at your own pace and literally at any time of the day!

Lifetime Validity

Changing travel date? No worries! All individual tours come with lifetime validity.

No Network Needed

The tour works offline which means you do not need your phone network to enjoy the tour. However, we do suggest you download the tour at your home, hotel, visitor center, etc before you head out for a completely immersive experience.

Ultimate Houston Self-Guided Driving Tour

Tour Details

Welcome to the Self Guided Driving Tour of Houston

About the Tour

What You'll See

Welcome

Bayou Battleground

Bayou Park & Cisterns

Sam Houston Park

City Hall

Pennzoil Place

Historic District / Market Square Park

Chase Tower / Frescoes

Christ Church Cathedral

Minute Maid Park

Emancipation Park

Museum District

Hermann Park

Rice University

Rice Statue

Skyspace

Hermann Park, Part 2

MacGregor Park

Old Spanish Trail

Johnson Space Center / Conclusion

Alt: San Jacinto Museum of History

Alt: Discovery Green Park

Alt: Houston Graffiti Building

Alt: Holocaust Museum

Alt: Houston Museum of Natural Science

Alt: Museum of Fine Arts

Alt: Children's Museum

Alt: Health Museum

Preview the Tour

Stop 1 : Welcome

Stop 44 : Johnson Space Center

How It Works

Additional Information

Reviews

COMPANY

SUPPORT

CONTACT US