Houston Zoo

Free hours: Free daytime admission typically falls on the first Tuesday of each month, September through May, from open to close; in January, the second Tuesday is free.
Notes: Is a zoo a museum? Well not exactly, but Houston’s sprawling zoo is something of an exuberant, artistic piece… but with live animals, of course. For nearly 10 decades (interestingly, the venue celebrated their 100th anniversary this past April), the Houston Zoo has committed to redefining what a zoo can be, such as sporting “beautiful and immersive habitats, compelling guest experiences, and an unyielding commitment to saving wildlife.”