Houston: Double-Decker City Tour & Downtown Aquarium All-Day Pass

See Houston from the Top Deck, Then Spend the Afternoon at the Aquarium

You ride an 80-minute double-decker bus tour through downtown Houston, passing the Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park, Market Square, Buffalo Bayou Park, and other landmarks with a guide narrating as you go. After the tour, you get an all-day pass to the Downtown Aquarium with access to all exhibits and rides. The package includes entry fees and taxes. You'll arrange your own transport between the tour endpoint and the aquarium.

Step-by-step itinerary

Houston city tour and aquarium visit

• Start at Visitors Center
• Take 90-minute guided city tour
• Pass by Market Square Park
• See Toyota Center, home of Rockets
• Pass Downtown Aquarium
• View Buffalo Bayou Park
• See Minute Maid Park, home of Astros
• Pick up all day pass for Aquarium rides

The experience

I wasn't expecting the double-decker bus to give me that kind of view. You're actually high enough to see past the street-level clutter and into the shape of the city. The 80-minute guided tour starts at the Visitors Center (a Texas Cowboy-themed spot with actual historical artifacts, if you want to grab photos before boarding) and then rolls through the downtown historic district, past the Toyota Center where the Rockets play, Minute Maid Park, Market Square, and along Buffalo Bayou Park. The guide points out Convention Center, City Hall, the Heritage Society park, and Midtown as you go. It's the kind of tour where you're not getting out and walking much. You're sitting up there, moving through the city, and the guide's telling you what you're looking at. That matters if you want to cover ground without the logistics of getting yourself from one spot to the next.

After the bus tour wraps, you pick up your all-day pass to the Downtown Aquarium. That's the part that changes the day, instead of rushing through exhibits on a time limit, you can actually spend the afternoon there. The aquarium has sea life from around the world, and the pass covers all the exhibits plus the rides, so if you want to loop back to something or spend an hour at one tank, you can. It's not a quick in-and-out. It's a real afternoon. The aquarium is downtown, so it's close to where the bus tour ends, but note that additional transportation between the tour and the aquarium isn't included. You'll need to arrange that yourself, whether that's a short ride-share or walking if you're comfortable with the distance.

Buffalo Bayou Park comes up during the bus portion, and seeing it from above actually makes sense of the layout. It's 124 acres winding through the city with views back at the skyline, plus a fountain and a skate park if you want to explore on foot later. The whole day is structured so you're not managing multiple bookings or entry lines. Everything's arranged, and you show up ten minutes early at the Visitors Center. Arrive early enough and you've got time to look around before boarding.

What’s included

• 80-minute guided double-decker bus tour of downtown Houston covering the historic district, Toyota Center, Minute Maid Park, Market Square, Buffalo Bayou Park, Convention Center, City Hall, Heritage Society Park, and Midtown.
• all-day pass to Downtown Aquarium with access to all exhibits and rides.
• all taxes, fees, and handling charges.

Before you book

Days and timesEvery dayDeparts at 10:00

Book up to1h before

AgesAdult (12 to 64 years) · Senior (65 and older) · Child (3 to 11 years) · Infant (under 3): free

GroupUp to 40

Live guideEnglish

Meeting point and pickupNo hotel pickup: you go to the meeting point. Ends back at the starting point.

Cancellation and refundsFree cancellation up to 24 h before the start. After that, no refund.

Prices and times updated yesterday

Good to know

Low physical effortStroller-friendlyPets welcomePublic transport nearbyNot recommended with heart problemsInfants must sit on laps

Operated by Houston City Tours

Is this one for you?Pick this if you want to see Houston's main landmarks from a bus without arranging separate transport and entry to each one, then have a full afternoon at the aquarium without feeling rushed: the fixed tour schedule and included pass handle both in one booking.

Traveler reviews

4.61★★★★★★★★★★

61 verified traveler reviews

5 ★49

4 ★7

3 ★1

2 ★1

1 ★3

Read all the reviews ›

Top questions

Can children come?

Yes. Ticket types: Child (3 to 11 years); Infant (under 3): free.

How long is the bus tour part?

The guided city tour is 80 minutes on the double-decker bus.

What's included in the all-day aquarium pass?

All exhibits and rides at the Downtown Aquarium for the rest of the day after your tour ends.

Where does the tour start?

At the Visitors Center, a Texas Cowboy-themed facility with historical artifacts. Arrive 10 minutes before departure.

Is transportation between the bus tour and aquarium included?

No. You'll need to arrange your own transport from where the tour ends to the Downtown Aquarium downtown.

What attractions does the bus tour pass?

The downtown historic district, Toyota Center, Convention Center, Minute Maid Park, Market Square, Buffalo Bayou Park, City Hall, Heritage Society Park, and Midtown.

Can I bring a stroller or wheelchair?

Yes. Strollers and prams are welcome. Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated if someone assists with boarding and disembarking.

Is this tour wheelchair accessible?

The tour is wheelchair accessible. Collapsible wheelchairs with removable wheels can be accommodated with assistance.

Do I need to be in good physical condition?

The tour is suitable for all fitness levels. It's mostly seated on the bus, though it's not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health.