Where to Have Indoor Fun in Houston This Summer

Nothing could have has prepared us for the scorching, relentless, record-breaking summer of 2023. Last year, we jumped into pools and fanned ourselves by hand to no avail. So this year, we learned our lesson. Say it with us: thanks for the invitation, but I’m staying inside. But a summer indoors doesn’t necessarily mean less fun. In this insider’s guide (literally!), we’ve compiled lots of great ideas for every type of person.

For foodies

Summer days are perfect for branching out and exploring Houston’s diverse culinary scene. To escape the heat, head to Asiatown Hong Kong City Mall. When you enter, you will feel like you are setting foot in another country. The mall has more than 20 restaurants and cafes (many of which are family-owned) as well as a multitude of stores, including the huge grocery store that anchors the development, where you can find Vietnamese, Korean and Chinese as well as excellent produce.

If you want to stay in the know, take a walk the tunnels of downtown Houston. The underground system is located 20 feet below downtown streets and stretches more than six miles long. According to the Downtown Houston website, the network was once used to connect two movie theaters in the 1930s, but today it connects 95 blocks and is full of delicious food from various beloved spots , whether you want a burrito, a hamburger, or kolaches. , pasta, pastries, coffee or a smoothie. Direct street access can only be found at Wells Fargo Plaza and McKinney Garage on Main Street. —Sofia González

For artistic people

During summer Now is the perfect time to get into art by starting a new hobby, it’s always best to know what you’re getting into first. Enrolling in an amateur art class is a great way to determine if a particular activity is right for you before emptying your bank account on a supply run. The last thing you want is to spend your summer watching a pile of craft materials gathering dust in the corner because you realized you would much rather love macrame from afar than make it yourself . Luckily, Houston is home to a wide variety of classes like this, and most of them take place indoors, meaning you can enjoy some nice, gentle air conditioning while trying to discover your Kapoor or Kusama interior.

Try your hand at pottery by signing up for a class at Studio McCheek. If painting is more your style, you can convince the watercolorist in you with some courses at Honey Art Coffee. Do you prefer a touch of science with your crafts? Spend a day making candles, perfume or soap Love and create. An incense making workshop Amano that could also do the trick.

If you’re the type of person who would much rather look at art than try to create it yourself, then you can’t do better than a day spent at Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. The buildings of this huge, air-conditioned museum are connected by underground tunnels, meaning you can spend an entire day there (meals and all) protected from the humidity outside. Look at art. Have lunch at Café Leonelli. Watch a movie. Look at more art. Dinner at The gardener. You have over 300,000 square feet of well-appointed and meticulously air-conditioned space. —Daniel Renfrow

For thehospital addicts

Without crazy holidays and lots of relaxed vibes, summer is the perfect season to spend some extra money and maybe splurge too. If you find yourself in the Upper Kirby area, stop by a lifestyle and design store. Kuhl-Linscomb. This store spans five buildings and occupies two city blocks. In the first building, find all types of furniture, lighting, patio furniture, linens, beds and clearance items. In building two, the laundry section is expanded with additional options for bath, as well as garden and flowers. Meanwhile, buildings three to five are linked together and offer children’s toys, women’s fashion, a men’s boutique, books, housewares and an apothecary. You could say that Kuhl-Linscomb is an “everything store.”

If you like shopping local, another great place to visit is Ironwork. Located in the popular and growing East End neighborhood, Ironworks is housed in a 60,000-square-foot industrial building that previously housed oilfield manufacturing company Cameron Iron Works. Find vintage stores, a CBD lab, a tattoo parlor and even a place to spoil your fur babies with personalized accessories and clothing: Furrever doggies. -SG

For sportive people

The Texas Sun is relentless, but that doesn’t mean your summer fitness routine has to suffer. Houston offers a surprising variety of indoor activities that appeal to the athletic soul, so you can ditch the sweat-soaked workouts and stay active indoors. If you’re looking for a full-body workout that works multiple muscles, opt for rock climbing. Texas Rock Gym in the spring branch and Momentum Indoor Climbing Both Sawyer Yards and Katy have towering walls with routes designed to test your strength and agility. Both gyms also offer other fitness classes like yoga, if you want a change.

Want the crack of a bat? Head toward Canoe at home to Katy. Whether you’re a seasoned baseball player or just starting out, indoor batting cages offer you the opportunity to perfect your swing without having to battle the heat. With adjustable launch speeds and instant feedback on your shots, you can refine your technique and unleash your inner MVP in a comfortable, cool setting. Home Run Dugout also has an on-site restaurant offering burgers, tacos, sandwiches, wings and other classics.

Don’t forget Houston’s growing sports trend, pickleball. Texas Elite Pickleball Club welcomes players of all skill levels to have fun in the city’s first fully indoor facility. Pickleball is a low-impact, high-energy activity perfect for staying active. Guest court prices start at $40 and equipment is available for sale or rental if needed. —Uvie Bikomo

For adventure lovers

With summer comes the urge to unleash our inner daredevil, but Houston’s scorching temperatures can quickly cramp our style. Houston Funplex lures with its range of attractions that promise an adrenaline rush like no other. Compete in a strike, master the latest arcade games or push your limits on the go-kart track: there’s something for every thrill-seeker, from friendly competition to thrilling races.

For those craving a more cathartic release, BreakLife Houston provides an outlet to channel your inner rock star, with a hammer, of course. Put on protective gear and take out your pent-up rage in a designated room overflowing with destructible objects. Smash plates, demolish furniture and scream your heart out. Boy, do we have to let off some steam when the temperatures hit triple digits.

For the thrill of a water slide, look no further than Slick City Adventure Park. Interestingly, this park has no water. This fun zone instead has more than a dozen dizzying dry slides that mimic the twists and turns of a waterslide experience – without the soaking part – so you can enjoy the exhilaration of a high-speed descent without ruin your hairstyle. The ultimate adventurer looking for variety can head to AGR Sports for an overall experience. This expansive facility offers a wide variety of options, including paintball, “mini-ball” (like paintball but with small gel balls), ax throwing, and laser tag. When you need a break from the action, have fun at the venue’s arcade, where classic games and modern favorites await. —UB