Houston Auto & Boat Show: What to Expect (Family Guide)
- Family Traveling USA
- 3 days ago
- 4 min read
The Houston Auto & Boat Show is a popular annual event at NRG Center that brings together cars, trucks, SUVs, off-road vehicles, and boats all under one roof. We recently visited the Houston Auto & Boat Show and loved checking out the wide variety of vehicles and boats. If you’re deciding whether to attend or want to know what it’s like before you go, this guide covers what to expect from a family perspective.
What Is the Houston Auto & Boat Show?
The Houston Auto & Boat Show is a multi-day event held at NRG Center in Houston, Texas (this year: Jan 28–Feb 1, 2026). The show features a wide range of vehicles and boats from major manufacturers and dealers. Visitors can explore everything from everyday family SUVs to luxury vehicles, off-road builds, and boats with full living spaces. The event is interactive and easy to explore at your own pace.
Where Is the Houston Auto & Boat Show Held?
The event takes place at NRG Center, located near NRG Stadium in Houston. The indoor venue makes the show a great option regardless of weather and allows visitors to comfortably explore cars and boats in one place.
Location: NRG Center, Houston, Texas
Dates: Jan 28 – Feb 1
What You’ll See at the Houston Auto & Boat Show
Cars, Trucks, and SUVs
After arriving, we registered with Ram outside in the parking lot for a monster truck ride, which turned out to be a fun surprise and a big hit with the kids. Riding in the back of a monster truck was a memorable way to kick off our visit and really set the tone for how interactive the show can be.
A major highlight of the Houston Auto & Boat Show is the wide variety of vehicles on display, including:
Family-friendly SUVs and crossovers
Luxury vehicles
Off-road and adventure-style SUVs
Trucks and specialty builds
Many vehicles are open for viewing, allowing visitors to sit inside and get a feel for the interior, which is especially fun for kids.
In addition to viewing vehicles, some manufacturers also offer ride experiences. During the show, visitors can sign up to ride as passengers in Jeep and Ram vehicles on an indoor off-road course inside NRG Center. We didn’t do this experience during our visit, but it’s another interactive option available for those looking for a little extra adventure.
There was also an outdoor off-road course set up for Polaris vehicles near the monster truck ride area. This experience was for adults only (18+), but it was still fun to watch and added to the overall off-road atmosphere outside the venue.
Boats and Marine Displays
In addition to cars, the show also features an impressive boat section. Boats on display range from smaller recreational options to large boats with full living spaces, kitchens, and bathrooms. This section was a highlight for our family and added a unique element compared to a traditional auto show.
Is the Houston Auto & Boat Show Good for Kids?
Yes, the Houston Auto & Boat Show can be a really fun experience for kids, especially those who enjoy vehicles.
What our kids loved:
Sitting inside different cars and boats
Seeing luxury and oversized vehicles up close
Exploring unique features and interiors
During our visit, our kids also enjoyed stopping to see the puppies available for adoption near the Subaru area, which was a fun and unexpected break from walking the show floor.
The open layout makes it easy to move around with children, and the variety of displays helps keep things interesting for different ages.
How Long Does It Take to Walk Through?
We arrived on a weeknight at 5:30 pm and stayed until closing at 8:00 pm, spending about 2.5 hours exploring the Houston Auto & Boat Show. Even with that amount of time, we could have easily stayed longer because there was so much to see. We also tend to move at a slightly slower pace with three little ones climbing in and out of vehicles.
You can move through the show more quickly for a shorter visit, or take your time exploring the sections that interest you most.
Tips for Visiting the Houston Auto & Boat Show
Wear comfortable, clean shoes – There is a lot of walking, and many vehicles and boats are open for viewing.
Plan a leisurely pace, especially if visiting with younger kids, as they’ll likely want to climb in and out of the cars and boats!
Strollers are easy to bring – We used a small umbrella stroller, which was easy to maneuver on the show floor.
Don’t forget a camera to capture the details of your favorite vehicles and boats.
Is the Houston Auto & Boat Show Worth It?
If you enjoy cars, boats, or family-friendly experiences in Houston, this event is definitely worth checking out. The combination of vehicles and boats makes it feel more interactive than a standard auto show, with something for every interest level.
Watch Our Houston Auto & Boat Show Walkthrough
We shared a full video walkthrough showing what the Houston Auto & Boat Show is like, including our favorite vehicles and boats from a family perspective.
Watch the video here:
Disclosure
Thank you to the Houston Auto & Boat Show for hosting our family. We were provided complimentary admission to attend. All opinions are our own.
For official event details, tickets, and updates, visit the Houston Auto & Boat Show website.
If you’re looking for more family‑friendly things to do in Houston, be sure to explore more of our guides and videos on FamilyTravelingUSA.com.
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