The city of Houston, Texas, offers a wide variety of activities
for those from every walk of life. Following are 10 of the
most popular activities. This list is based strictly on opinion.
1. The Children’s Museum of Houston
Located at 1500 Binz Street. The museum contains nine galleries that
cover a variety of topics including history, fine arts, science and
geography among others. All galleries contain interactive activities
that teach children as they play. The Teacher and Family Resource
Center is full of teaching materials to encourage creative pursuits
after leaving the museum. There is also a gift shop with
educational, but fun toys and snacks. Admission is $5 for adults and
children, $4 for adults over 65, and free under the age of two.
2. The Space Center Houston, 1601 NASA Road One
An extremely popular, unique attraction. A part of the Johnson
Space Center, it allows you to look back at the history of space
travel. A five-story
plaza models a full-size shuttle mock-up including
flight deck. A tram
connects the various buildings that make up the complex and is open
to tourists. The original Mission Control room is open for viewing
and outside are full-size models of the Apollo rocket originally
used in space exploration. Admission is $16.95 adults, $12.95 for
children 4-11, free for children under 4, and $15.95 for adults over
64. Parking is $4.00.
3. The Galleria, 5075 Westheimer Road
A shopping complex that encompasses more than 375 stores. Shops
such as Barney’s of
New
York and Lord and Taylor
can be found there. Novelty shops include Global Ideas and Royal
Indian Jewelers. For art and culture shop at Ar Te Fact or the
Metropolitan Museum of Art stores. There are a number of restaurants
as well as an ice skating rink.
4. The Water Wall, 2800 Post Oak Blvd
Located near the Galleria. A unique attraction it has thousands of
gallons of water that flow 64 feet down the wall every minute. A
popular resting spot for locals, it is also favored as a wedding
spot.
5. The Museum of Fine Arts, 1001 Bissonnet Street
Houses both Modern and Ancient art. All styles can be found here
ranging from Frederic Remington to early European masters as well as
Medieval art. Weekly a movie is shown that is either a classic or a
foreign film. The museum is also home to the Glasell School of Art
and the Hirsch Library for Art History. Admission is $7 for adults
and $3.50 for those over 65 and 6-18. On Tuesdays the museum is
free.
6. Six Flags AstroWorld, 9001 Kirby Drive
A
theme
park with many popular
rides and attractions. A two-day pass is recommended in order to see
all that is offered.
Six
Flags is home to one of
the country’s best all-wood roller coasters, the Texas Cyclone.
There are also cartoon adventures for young children, music and
dance shows, magic shows as well as plenty of food and sweets.
Admission is $38.99 for adults , $22.99 for children with those 2
and under free.
7. The Tunnel Walks, 1121 Capitol Street
A distinctive shopping experience. Located in the downtown area,
a map is needed so one doesn’t get lost. The Tunnels house a wide
variety of shops, restaurants and
hotels as well as link
One Allen Center, Alley Theatre, Wortham Center and Shell Plaza.
Guided tours are available for $5 per person and are highly
recommended.
8. The Houston Zoological Gardens, 1513 North MacGregor Drive
A 50-acre park with more than 700 species of animals. Among
these are vampire bats and a living coral exhibit. There’s a
children’s petting area and special sea lion shows and bat feeding
demonstrations. Admission is $5 adults, $2 for children 2-12,
children under 2 free.
9. The Houston Museum of Natural Science, 1 Hermann Circle
Drive
A full day's experience. There is a three level butterfly
exhibit as wells as a Challenger Learning Center. Other exhibits
include those on oil and energy, Native Americans, minerals and
gemstones as well as the Hall of Medical Sciences. Also housed there
is an IMAX theater and the Burke Planetarium. Admission is $6
adults, children 3-11 $3.50, 2 and under free. IMAX and the
Planeterium are not included in these fees.
10. Battleship Texas, 3523 Battleground Rd, La Porte TX
Worth the extra drive. A survivor of World War I, she also
served as a flagship for the D-Day invasion in 1944. She has been
restored and is now open to visitors. Admission is $5 adults, $2.50
ages 6-18, under 6 free.