The Health Museum, Houston, Visitor Guide & Things to Do Nearby

The Health Museum, formally the John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical Science, is a hands-on science museum about the human body and the history of medicine in Houston, Texas. It stands at the edge of the Museum District beside Hermann Park and the Texas Medical Center, which makes it a natural fit for the neighbourhood.

The story behind it

The museum grew out of Houston's medical community and sits close to the Texas Medical Center, one of the largest concentrations of hospitals and research institutions in the world. Rather than a collection of old instruments behind glass, it is built as a place to learn by touching, trying and moving through the exhibits.

Its galleries follow two threads. One explores how the body works, from anatomy to physiology and everyday health. The other looks at the history of medicine and how medical understanding has advanced over time.

What to look for

• The Amazing Body Gallery takes you through the body's systems with interactive displays you can operate yourself.
• The exhibits on the history of medicine show how treatments and ideas about health have changed over the years.
• The building's position beside Hermann Park is worth a look from the outside, with trees and open green space close at hand.
• Look at how the displays are designed for families, with hands-on elements pitched at both children and adults.

Tips for your visit

• Plan a couple of hours inside if you like to try every interactive display, and check current opening hours and admission before you go.
• Families with children tend to get the most from the museum, since so much of it is meant to be touched and tried.
• Combine it with the rest of the Museum District and Hermann Park, which are close by on foot.
• Arriving earlier in the day usually gives you more room at the popular displays.

See it on a quest

The Oz Escape in Houston brings you to the Health Museum on foot as one stop on a longer route through the area. The app tells you about each place as you arrive and sets a puzzle in what is in front of you. It is a paid quest, and one ticket covers the whole group.

Murder Mystery: Death in the Shadows in Museum District, Houston suits you if you like a mystery theme with your sightseeing. You reach the museum as part of a walk through the district, hear about it from the app, and solve a puzzle on the spot. One ticket covers the whole group.

The Oz Escape: A Wicked Glitch in Houston is a second Oz-themed route that passes the museum. You walk between stops at your own pace, learn about each place as you get there and work out a puzzle along the way. One ticket covers the whole group.