Best helicopter tours in Houston

The city of Houston is the fourth largest metropolis in the United States of America. From the NASA Space Centre and Hermann Park to the Museum District and Theatre District, Houston has a wealth of attractions to offer those who choose to visit. All of these are definitely worth seeing, but if you want to see the city from a different angle, a great way to do so is with an aerial tour.

Aboard a helicopter you will have the opportunity to fly over every inch of the city from the heights, getting an unbeatable panoramic view of all the tourist attractions. Houston also has more than 70 skyscrapers, which you can see from above. If you're interested in what I've told you so far, read on, because here's everything you need to know about taking a helicopter tour of this amazing Texas city. This is definitely one of the most fun things to do in Houston.

This exclusive tour is unique in that it only takes place at sunset. The tour is perfectly coordinated so that, after flying over the most iconic points of the city, you can see the sunset in the heart of Houston, where its famous skyscrapers are located.

In this helicopter you will pass by the Williams Tower, which will surprise you with its immensity and beauty. You'll also fly over iconic landmarks such as the Houston Zoo, NRG Stadium, Minute Maid Park and the Downtown Aquarium. All of these sites are ideal for taking a great panoramic photo, or simply enjoying the views of Houston in a unique way.

This is undoubtedly one of the best tours in Houston, and the fact that it takes place at sunset adds a romantic touch to the experience, which makes it ideal as a plan to share with your partner.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €395 per person.
• Duration: the itinerary lasts 35 minutes in total.
• Means of transport: pick-up and drop-off at your accommodation is not included. The tour is on board a modern helicopter.
• Advantage of this option: includes complimentary drinks.
• Disadvantage of this option: if the weather is not suitable, the tour will have to be cancelled and rescheduled for another day.

This is a quick tour of the highlights of the city of Houston, and can be taken at any time of the day, depending on the availability of the organiser. For the touch of elegance and the beautiful spectacle that the lighting brings to the city, this tour is truly one of the best things to do at night in Houston.

The tour starts at the meeting point, West Houston Airport, one of the most modern and beautiful airports in the region. The helicopter will then take you to the heart of Houston where you will see Minute Maid Park from above, and then take you over the sky over the city's commercial area where its 5 largest shopping districts are located. You will then be taken to the south side of Houston, where you will fly over the Texas Medical Center, which is very dear to Houstonians.

You will also fly over the NRG Stadium, the Houston Zoo, Hermann Park, the Autodrome, the prestigious Rice University and the Greenway Plaza. Nothing will be left out of this tour that will introduce you to the best of Houston.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 360 euros per person.
• Duration: the itinerary lasts 30 minutes in total.
• Means of transport: ride aboard a modern helicopter.
• Advantage of this option: Includes complimentary drinks.
• Disadvantage of this option: no transfers to the meeting point or back to the hotel or place of stay.

This is an experience only for the most daring. If driving a helicopter is on your bucket list, here in Houston you'll have the chance to tick it off.

The tour, known as a "Bucket list ride", consists of a short flight over the city of Houston where you'll have a brief helicopter driving lesson, and for about 10 minutes you'll get to be in charge of the aircraft. Of course, always supervised by a professional pilot.

The time is enough for you to decide if you want to take helicopter flying lessons in the future, or discover that this is something you never want to experience again in your life.

In this adrenaline-filled ride you will fly over the outskirts of the city, downtown Houston, NRG Stadium and Memorial City, among many others. A truly unique experience that you can't miss for anything.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 479 euros per person.
• Duration: The general itinerary lasts 30 minutes. You will have 10 minutes to take the controls and drive yourself.
• Means of transport: ride aboard a modern helicopter.
• Advantage of this option: individual and personalised experience.
• Disadvantage of this option: no transfers to the meeting point or back to the hotel or place of stay.

The Williams Tower was the first skyscraper built in the city of Houston, and is now one of the tallest in the region. On the helicopter tour known as the Galleria-Uptown Loop, you'll come face to face with it.

This tour takes you on a no-nonsense tour of this iconic architectural landmark. The helicopter departs from West Houston Airport and heads straight for the Williams Tower. Once there, the aircraft will circle the tower so you can see all its faces and then return you to the starting point.

On the way there and back you'll get a chance to see other iconic sites in passing, such as Energy Stadium, the city's mall, Memorial City, the city's outskirts and Addicks Reservoir.

Details of interest:

• Price: from €379 per person.
• Duration: The tour lasts between 20 and 25 minutes.
• Means of transport: Pick up and drop off at your accommodation is not included. The ride is aboard a modern helicopter.
• Advantage of this option: This is an ideal experience for architecture lovers, as on this tour more than any other you will be able to appreciate the charm of the Williams Tower in detail.
• Disadvantage of this option: it does not offer transfers to the meeting point or back to the hotel or accommodation.

Here are the most frequently asked questions when booking a helicopter tour in Houston, and the answers to these questions.

How safe is it to travel by helicopter?

Helicopter tours comply with all the regulations to guarantee maximum passenger safety. The probability of having an accident in a helicopter is very low, even statistically lower than on board an aeroplane.

Does the weather influence a helicopter flight?

Yes, this is an important point, as a helicopter flight requires specific weather conditions in order to be carried out safely. Therefore the tour may be cancelled and rescheduled if these conditions are not met. At this point you should pay attention to the weather forecast at the time of booking, and also to the dates of your stay in Houston, so that you do not have to reschedule your helicopter flight. If you are no longer in the city on the rescheduled date, the cost of the flight will be refunded 100%.

Can children travel by helicopter?

Yes, people of all ages can take a helicopter flight, but in the case of travelling with children, they must have their own seat in the helicopter from the age of 2 years old. Please bear this requirement in mind when making your reservation to avoid any last minute inconveniences. This activity is really fun and is one of the top 10 things to do with kids in Houston.

Can pregnant women take helicopter rides?

Pregnant women should avoid helicopter rides specifically during the first trimester of pregnancy and after the 36th week of pregnancy. Outside of these periods, pregnant women can travel by helicopter without any problems, unless specifically indicated by a doctor.

Can a wheelchair user travel by helicopter?

Of course they can, but they must make this clear at the time of booking their ticket so that they have the necessary space and assistance at the time of the tour.

If I am afraid of heights, can I get on a helicopter?

Yes you can, and it is indeed a fascinating experience. But it is up to you to decide if you are ready to face your fear. It is recommended that you do relaxation and breathing exercises beforehand to prepare yourself properly for the experience.

Can people who suffer from dizziness or vertigo go up in a helicopter?

Flying in a helicopter can cause dizziness or vertigo in people who suffer from this condition, as they are aircrafts that change direction suddenly or dive downwards. In any case, if this is your case, you can talk to your doctor beforehand to take the necessary precautions and not miss the opportunity to enjoy this experience.

What is the load limit of a helicopter?

Generally, the helicopters used in the city of Houston for sightseeing tours are small aircraft, and like all helicopters, they have a limited weight capacity, which in this case is usually about 254 kilograms excluding the pilot. Therefore the maximum number of passengers on these tours is 3, and people weighing more than 130 kilograms are not accepted for safety reasons.

Are there different prices for helicopter tours?

Prices for the experience of flying over Houston in a helicopter may vary and may be reduced if the flight is shared. Most helicopter tours have a fixed price that does not vary between a single person and three tourists. In the latter case, the cost is obviously split between the participants of the tour, making it a much more economical ride.

What happens if I decide to cancel my helicopter flight?

If you wish to cancel your helicopter tour you can do so up to 48 hours before the booked date. Rescheduling the flight is completely free of charge, but cancellations may include a cancellation fee of approximately 10% of the total amount paid for the flight.

If you are interested in helicopter tours in Houston, you might be an adrenaline junkie or a lover of aeronautical activities. That's why I'm going to tell you about two other activities that you can't miss if you plan to visit Houston.

Indoor skydiving at the Houston Memorial

This activity is perfect if you've always dreamed of jumping out of a plane with a parachute, but never dared to do it for fear. At FLY Houston Memorial there is an indoor skydiving facility that gives you the opportunity to have the same feeling as if you were jumping out of a plane, but with the full assurance that you will come out unscathed.

The simulator consists of a vertical wind tunnel that replicates the speed of freefall. You will first receive a brief instructional class given by a professional, and then, accompanied by the same instructor, you will experience the indoor parachute jump.

You don't need any previous experience to do this activity, and you will also receive a nice certificate that proves your participation. Undoubtedly, an activity only suitable for the bravest.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 104 euros per person, which includes two flights.
• Duration: between preparation, instruction and the experience itself, the activity lasts between one hour and one hour and fifteen minutes.
• Means of transport: this activity does not include transport, as it takes place indoors.
• Advantage of this option: it is a fun and safe experience.
• Disadvantage of this option: it does not offer transfers to the centre or back to the hotel or place of stay.

Feel like a pilot in the F-18 Super Hornet flight simulator

If you've ever wanted to fly a fighter jet, as seen in action movies, or want to feel like a professional navy pilot, this is the activity for you. In the OptiFly flight simulation centre you will be able to fly a Super Hornet F-18 aircraft in a totally realistic way.

The flight simulator offers multiple variants, such as choosing between any airport in the world to take off or land your aircraft, landing on a ship in the middle of the ocean, flying in different weather conditions and even flying in a dogfight.

This activity is suitable for children, and can also be done in a group, with family or friends.

Details of interest:

• Price: from 63 euros per person.
• Duration: the flight simulation lasts 35 minutes in total.
• Means of transport: transport not included.
• Advantage of this option: accessible by public transport.
• Disadvantage of this option: no transfers to the centre or back to the hotel or place of stay.