Updated: Tuesday, June 2, 2020 at 2pm
Stay informed on the latest health and safety guidelines for reopening businesses and attractions in Houston.
As the State of Texas moves to phase in reopenings of businesses and attractions, we’re pulling together the health and safety guidelines from some of the city’s most beloved establishments to keep you informed as you consider whether it’s safe to venture out.
Recently, Harris County Judge Lina Hidalgo and health officials have extended the Stay Home, Work Safe order through Wednesday, June 10, 2020, which encourages businesses to allow employees to continue working from home and urges residents to hold off on heading out unless necessary and in accordance with public health precautions.
If you do decide to head out, public health experts continue to urge wearing face masks in public, practicing social distancing of at least six feet from others, wearing gloves or frequently using hand sanitizer or soap and water, limiting your touching of surfaces, and avoiding crowded spaces.
Click here for more information on best practices if you’re heading out.
Museums & Historical Attractions
Currently Open
- 1877 Tall Ship Elissa & Texas Seaport Museum in Galveston | Currently Open – Self-guided, physically distant tours are available at 25% of capacity on select days. Visitors are encouraged to wear face masks to be considerate of staff and other visitors. Hand sanitizer stations will be available, while handrails and other high touch surfaces will be routinely disinfected. Advance RSVP required. Click here for updates and more information.
- 1892 Bishop’s Palace in Galveston | Currently Open – Basement to Attic tours have resumed on select days at the historic Victorian mansion on Galveston Island. Tickets ($30 each) are limited to eight people per tour (25% of capacity), with RSVPs required. Tours are physically distant with staff and facilities following increased cleaning and sanitation guidelines. Click here for updates and more information.
- Houston Museum of Natural Science in the Museum District | Currently Open – Capacity is limited to 25%; face masks are required over the age of 10; hand sanitizing stations are available throughout the museum and staff will be regularly disinfecting galleries. Discounted online tickets are available to limit physical interaction and waiting in lines. Interactive exhibits and experiences are closed. The Burke Baker Planetarium, Wortham Giant Screen Theatre and satellite locations (HMNS-Sugar Land and George Observatory) are closed. Curbside pick-up available from the Museum Store. Click here to read additional guidelines.
- The Great Storm at Pier 21 Theater in Galveston | Currently Open – Physically distanced screenings of The Great Storm—telling the story of hurricane that hit Galveston Island on September 8, 1900—are offered on select days. Face masks are recommended for visitors and increased sanitation guidelines have been implemented. Click here for updates and more information.
- Holocaust Museum Houston in the Museum District | Currently Open – Capacity is limited to 25%; face masks are required over the age of 10, complimentary masks are available at the entrance security desk; required to use hand sanitizer at entrance with other stations available throughout the museum; required to follow social distancing of six feet at all times. Interactive exhibits and touch screens are disabled, docent-led tours are cancelled until further notice. Spaces will be disinfected throughout the day and The Legacy Café will serve prepackaged items with enforced social distancing (tables are six feet apart and only two people allowed to a table). Through Tuesday, June 30, 2020, members to the museum can visit during the first hour of each day for an exclusive members-only admission. Click here to read additional guidelines.
- Historic Harbor Tours in Galveston | Currently Open – Up-close tours Galveston Harbor aboard Seagull II are being offered on select days at 25% capacity. The operation features enhanced cleaning schedules, visitor spacing considerations, and encourages physical distancing. Click here for updates and more information.
- Lone Star Flight Museum in Southeast Houston | Currently Open – Capacity is limited to 25%; face masks are required over the age of 10; required to follow social distancing of six feet at all times; staff disinfecting and sanitizing throughout the museum. Pay-what-you-can through Sunday, May 31, 2020; discounted rates beginning Monday, June 1, 2020. Interactive and hands-on exhibits are disabled. Aviation Learning Center and flight simulators will remain closed. Online programming will continue for those uncomfortable visiting in-person. Click here to read additional guidelines.
- Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (Including Bayou Bend & Rienzi) | Currently Open – Capacity is limited to 25%; face masks are required over the age of 2; temperature check is required upon entry; required to follow social distancing of six feet at all times; hand sanitizer stations available throughout the museum; staff handles doors to encourage a no-touch or low-touch experience; no food or beverages allowed; credit cards only, no cash; no large bags, coat check is closed. MFA Café is closed. Anyone showing signs of illness will be asked to leave and return at a later date. Click here to read additional guidelines.
- National Museum of Funeral History in North Houston | Currently Open – Capacity is limited; face masks are encouraged and available for purchase in the gift shop; required to follow social distancing of six feet at all time. Click here to read additional guidelines.
Upcoming Scheduled Openings
- Miller Outdoor Theatre | Scheduled to Resume in August 2020 – Miller has announced that its stage will remain dark through at least July 2020.
Parks & Public Spaces
- Buffalo Bayou Park | Currently Open – While the park is open, all events and tours are suspended through at least Monday, May 31, 2020. All public boat tours are canceled through Tuesday, June 30, 2020. Beginning on Monday, June 1, 2020, Visitor Centers, Johnny Steele Dog Park, Cistern tours, and private pontoon boat tours will resume. Visitors are encouraged to practice social distancing of at least six feet between themselves and others when visiting any parts of the park.
- Discovery Green | Currently Open – Patrons are asked to wear masks and practice social distancing. No in-person events are scheduled at this time, but the park has rolled out a summer series of virtual events and programming that can be enjoyed at home for free. Click here to read additional guidelines and for updates as the situation changes.
- Evelyn’s Park | Currently Open – The park is open, but the children’s playground and restroom facilities are closed. All in-parks events and activities have been suspended until further notice. Click here for updates and more information.
- Levy Park | Currently Open – The park grounds and family restrooms are open, while the children’s playground and park, dog park, and main restroom facilities are closed. All in-park events and activities have been suspended until further notice. Click here for updates and more information.
Other Attractions
Currently Open
- Goode Company’s Armadillo Palace on Kirby Drive | Currently Open – Capacity limited to 100 seats; socially distanced seating; no dance floor; table service instead of bar orders. Click here for the latest updates on concert schedules and safety guidelines.
- Houston Improv near The Galleria | Currently Open – Capacity is limited to 50%; face masks are encouraged and available on request; temperature checks upon entry, exit will be staggered to limit crowding. Selling tables only, no individual tickets; tables will have six feet separation, limited to six people. Visitors are sat only with their group, no other individuals. Click here to read additional guidelines.
- Moody Gardens in Galveston | Currently Open – Capacity will be restricted; required to follow social distancing of six feet at all times. Purchasing tickets online is encouraged to limit personal contact upon entry. Click here to read additional guidelines.
- The Secret Group in EaDo | Currently Open – Face masks are required and available for purchase at the bar ($1); temperature checks upon entry; drink orders must be made while wearing a face mask; credit payments preferred; socially distanced seating, exit will be staggered to limit crowding; table service provided to limit crowding; patrons are encouraged to report any unsafe behavior. Click here to read additional guidelines.
- Warehouse Live in EaDo | Currently Open – Limited capacity; socially distanced designated seating (not allowed to move into other attendee’s space); temperature checks at entrance (over 100.1 not allowed entry); masks are encouraged and available to customers. Click here to read additional guidelines.
Upcoming Scheduled Openings
- Houston Zoo | Opening Wednesday, June 3, 2020 – Limited capacity; online timed reservations are required; face masks encouraged; required to follow social distancing of six feet at all times; hand sanitizer stations throughout; high-touch areas are closed; guests will follow a specified path through the park; cashless transactions at food stations. Click here to read additional guidelines.
- White Oak Music Hall in Near Northside | Scheduled to open Saturday, June 20, 2020 – Still exploring ways to safely re-open with most shows through June postponed or cancelled. Next scheduled concert is Saturday, June 20 and latest updates can be found here.
Shopping & Retail Destinations
- Katy Mills Mall | Currently Open – Capacity in stores will be limited; face masks are encouraged with free masks available at designated entrances; required to follow social distancing of six feet at all times; hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the mall and staff will disinfect high-traffic areas. Public seating and eating areas will require six feet of separation. Click here to read additional guidance.
- The Galleria | Currently Open – Capacity in stores will be limited; face masks are encouraged with free masks available at designated entrances; required to follow social distancing of six feet at all times; hand sanitizer stations are located throughout the mall and staff will disinfect high-traffic areas. Public seating and eating areas will require six feet of separation. Click here to read additional guidance.