Catch a Game: For all of Emery’s athletes and sports lovers, you’re in the right place. Houston is home to seven major sports teams including the Houston Astros Baseball Club (MLB), Houston Texans football team (NFL), Houston Rockets basketball (NBA), the Houston Dynamo soccer team (MLS), and more. Beautiful stadiums dot our city with spirit, food, and many devoted fans. There is no better way to spend your evening than with family or friends bonding over your favorite player scoring a touchdown or going wild for a home run, and ultimately watching the best athletes in the world compete right before your eyes. So, when bored in Houston, a sports game should be your first stop, especially so you can see our national champion Astros in action.

Hit the Mall: Houston is home to over five hundred shopping malls! From clothes, shoes, toys, electronics, and so much more. The Galleria, specifically, is a perfect space to shop, walk around with friends, eat, browse, or just enjoy a good indoor activity. For Emery students, the Galleria is a great and close option to enjoy what a mall has to offer. The Galleria has a wide range of stores, delicious food in the food court, and even ice skating at the indoor rink. Rain is no stranger to us Houstonians, and this can get in the way of outdoor lives. It’s on these days that the mall is a perfect place to spend some extra time on the weekends.

Visit the Houston Zoo: Some might say the zoo is for little kids, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. A person’s love for animals never expires, and the zoo is the perfect way to bring back that love and some happy childhood memories. The Houston Zoo is home to over 6,000 animals from around the world. From snakes to sharks to lions, the zoo has it all for around 25 dollars per adult. New at the zoo is their Galapagos Island exhibit. You can see amazing animals like Humboldt penguins, and Galapagos Native Tortoises. It is a perfect place to spend the afternoon in Houston’s warm weather with family and friends, eating, hanging out, and exploring the animal kingdom.

Attend a Concert or Festival: For all of our music and dance fans out there, Houston is constantly ringing with the sound of music from performers of all genres There are concerts in the greater Houston area every single weekend. Houston has fun venues like the White Oak Music Hall, 713 Music Hall, House of Blues, Toyota Center, and Miller Outdoor Theater. These venues have events every weekend and often on weeknights featuring many famous performers as Houston is a routine tour stop for most artists. Even if your favorite band or artist isn’t playing, it’s the perfect way to try something new and expand your music taste. The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo also hosts a variety of artists that perform. An easy way to find these concerts is on apps such as AXS and TicketMaster.

Visit the Houston Aquarium: Explore magical underwater habitats and get up close with marine life at the Downtown Aquarium. With its thrilling rides, interactive exhibits, and vibrant marine life, there’s never a dull moment. Teens commonly embark on adventures such as the Shark Voyage, where they go through an underwater tunnel surrounded by sharks and other mesmerizing sea creatures. For those who are more hands-on, the Stingray Reef offers the chance to touch and interact with gentle stingrays. If you have any interest in marine life the aquarium is a perfect place for you. If not it is still an awesome and fun activity to do with friends and family. 

Explore Markets: For our foodies and shoppers you are in the right place. Houston is home to the most diverse eating scenes in the country and copious amounts of shopping. Eating is fun but doing so in a cool place is even more fun. Places such as the Heights railway market, Montrose Night Market, and the POST offer unique environments and diverse but delicious food.  Additionally, they also all offer small shopping vendors such as locally owned clothing and jewelry and thrifting. These food scenes are worth checking out especially if you are bored and want an entertaining way to grab a bite with friends.