Offbeat Houston

@afar
 on 2022.02.03
10 Places
@afar
Houston may have the reputation as a business-oriented city, but it also has a plethora of unique and offbeat attractions. Discover Houston’s unpretentious side by visiting a monument inspired by oranges, a beer can house, or a weekly bingo night at the lodge. Yup—wacky, weird, and quirky—this city has got it all and may surprise you. Credit: Collected by Jessica Lymberopoulos, AFAR Local Expert

2580 Shearn St

Washington Avenue

"Hang with the Beatles & Teddy Roosevelt in Houston You cross multiple railroad tracks and pass through warehouse-lined streets before arriving at a parking lot field full of massive president heads. Each sitting about 20 feet tall, it is quite a sight to behold. Behind them, the Beatles, towering at about 40 feet, rock out, adding to the curiosity of this entire setup. Test your knowledge of U.S. history and wander about through this unique, unmarked sculpture garden."

Beer Can House

Museum · Washington Ave.

"What started as one man’s simple hobby has turned into a Houston landmark that attracts visitors from across the country: The Beer Can House. Back in 1968, owner John Milkovisch, a retired upholsterer for Southern Pacific Railroad, realized he really enjoyed drinking beer but was tired of throwing his cans away. Instead, he decided to recycle them as decorations for his house, from aluminum beer-can siding to beer can garland that hangs from the roof’s edge. Now, 50,000 cans later, it’s a stunning work of art that stands as a testament to, well, beer. Admission is $5; children 12 and under are free. Open noon to 5 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday between Memorial Day and Labor Day; open Saturday and Sunday only the rest of the year."

Photo courtesy of Visit Houston

Waugh Drive Bat Colony

Tourist attraction · Neartown

"A Foggy Morning on the Bayou Eleanor Tinsley Park in Houston is a great place to spend time outdoors. There's the Waugh Bridge Bat Colony, hiking and biking trails, and tons of green space to enjoy. By Darius R. Porter"

NASA Johnson Space Center

Research institute · Clear Lake

"Space Center Houston Who hasn’t daydreamed about being an astronaut at least once?Thankfully, Space Center Houston makes it easy to learn about the great beyond. It’s the area’s No. 1 attraction for international visitors and the first Smithsonian Affiliate in the greater Houston area. The center features more than 400 space artifacts and several exhibitsrelated to the past, present, and future of America’s human spaceflight program. It’s also home to the world’s largest collection of moon rocks and lunar samples for public view, and offers guests the opportunity to go behind the scenes to see NASA's Johnson Space Center."

Photo courtesy of Space Center Houston

The Orange Show

Museum · Pine Valley

"Celebrating “the artist in everyone,” this fantastic art space created out of folk art—and, OK, sometimes junk—proves that one person’s trash truly can be someone else’s treasure. It was created by Jefferson Davis McKissack between 1956 and 1979 and serves as a museum, playground, and art space for the local community. It includes a stage, a pond, a wishing well, and raised platforms that make it a fantastic place to lose yourself. Surprises such as tractor seats, mannequins, and wagon wheels can be found around every turn. Admission is $5; children under 12 are free. Hours vary depending on the season."

Photo courtesy of Visit Houston

Anderson Fair

Live music venue · Montrose

"Hear Folk and Country Music at A-Fair Many people consider Anderson Fair – Houston 's legendary folk and acoustic music "listening room"– an unsung cultural treasure. Grammy Award-winning artists like Nanci Griffith, Lyle Lovett, and Lucinda Williams have all played here. It began as a coffee shop and restaurant, hence the name. Doors are usually open on Thursdays at 8 p.m. for a $10 cover (bring cash). Photo via Flickr user Nieve44/Luz"

SPJST Lodge Pokrok

Fraternal organization · Lazy Brook

"Play Bingo at SPJST Lodge No. 88 As strange as it sounds, about 700 Houstonians of all ages meet on Thursday evenings to play bingo at a Czech Farmers Insurance Lodge. People actually start lining up just after 4 p.m. for a 7 p.m. start time! What makes this place so appealing to so many? Getting to people watch among the diverse, mishmash of participants? The cheap pitchers of Shiner Bock? People booing the winners (in good fun)? Go play and see for yourself."

Photo courtesy of Lodge 88

Art Car Museum

Permanently Closed

"One of the most beloved Houston celebrations is its annual Art Car Parade, which takes places in downtown Houston every spring and showcases cars decorated in every material imaginable. Even if you can’t make it to the parade, you can still find the flavor of the festivities at the Art Car Museum, which is free and open from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. The museum includes a variety of exhibits by local, national and international artists as well as actual art cars. It was founded in 1998 and has since become an excellent place for up-and-coming artists to be seen while also paying tribute to the postmodern age of car culture. Even the building facade, which is covered in scrap metal and chrome, is a work of art."

Photo courtesy of Visit Houston

National Museum of Funeral History

History museum · Greenspoint

"When you hear the name of this unusual museum—the National Museum of Funeral History—you can’t help but have a little morbid curiosity about what’s inside. The motto here is “Any day above ground is a good one,” and the inside is filled with death-related artifacts and exhibits that have included a “fantasy coffin” collection with casket shapes including a shallot, a Mercedes, and a chicken; a re-creation of a 1900s casket factory; a tribute to Batman starAdam West; a diorama on embalming practices during the Civil War; and a full-scale replica of Pope John Paul II’s crypt. Admission is $10 for adults, $9 for seniors and veterans, $7 for children under 12, and free for children fiveand under."

Photo courtesy of National Museum of Funeral History

Landmark's River Oaks Theatre

Movie theater · Neartown

"See a Movie at River Oaks Theatre Built in 1939, this is Houston 's oldest continually operating movie theater, showing lots of independent and foreign films, as well as monthly midnight showings of Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Room . Try to get tickets for a showing in the main theater downstairs. There are two smaller screens upstairs that have their own charm, but the art-deco style of the main theater is really worth experiencing."

Photo by Michael Coppens/Flickr