Houston is an exciting city with many activities to do that you can save big on. Although I don’t always agree with the insane heat and humidity that Texas summers have to offer, I still love to go out and try new things in this diverse city.

Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park offers free performances from March to November each year. This theatre offers the most diverse professional entertainment of any Houston performance venue, including classical music, jazz, ethnic music and dance, ballet, musical theater and much more. Relax in the covered seating area or enjoy a pre-performance picnic on the hillside.

There are a lot of beautiful parks within the city of Houston where locals and visitors spend hours enjoying the beautiful scenery. Historic Market Square Park has free movie screenings and other events listed on their calendar online that everyone can enjoy.

Discovery Green, downtown's 12-acre park, has constant activities every season. In the spring and fall, spend happy hour listening to local musicians live and browse from local craftsmen at monthly markets.

The Menil collection—“a local treasure, global destination and one of the top free attractions in Houston”— opened to the public in June 1987 to house the art collection of philanthropists John and Dominique de Menil. Widely considered one of the greatest of the twentieth century, the collection consists of more than 16,000 works dating from the Paleolithic era to the present day.

Museums are always a nice way to spend an afternoon. Each Thursday, enjoy seven museums for free in Houston’s Museum District during the times listed below.

• Houston Museum of Natural Science — free Thursday 3– 6 p.m.

• Children’s Museum of Houston — free Thursday 5– 8 p.m.

• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — free Thursday 10 a.m. – 9 p.m.

• The Health Museum — free Thursday 2– 7 p.m.

• Houston Museum of African American Culture — free Thursday 6– 8 p.m.

• Buffalo Soldiers National Museum — free Thursday 1– 5 p.m.

• Holocaust Museum Houston — free Thursday 2 – 5 p.m.

Another popular attraction in Houston includes the “most photographed site,” the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park. This dramatic 64-foot U-shaped fountain has water rushing down its inside and outside walls.

Whatever you like to do, from biking on a trail or having a picnic to observing modern art or listening to local music, Houston is the city where you can do it all without hurting your wallet. Personally, I enjoy taking a stroll through the local parks and getting to know the city I live in.

To learn more about free things to do in Houston, visit this website.