Astrodome
| |  Matthew Stockman/Getty Images |
• Where: 8400 Kirby Dr. at South Loop
• What to Know: Opened in 1965, this venue gained a place in history as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." In the years since, it has been home to the Astros baseball team and the Oilers football team. It also hosts the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, college sporting events, and concerts. Hotel accommodations, a bowling alley, and many other amenities have gained a lot of use over the years.
• Prices: Adults, $4; Children 4-11, $3; Seniors over 64, $3.
• Parking: $4.
• Times: 11a.m., 1p.m., 3p.m. Tuesday-Saturday.
• Phone: 713-799-9544.
Bayou Bend
• Where: 1 Westcott St.
• What to Know: This 28-room mansion is the former home of Ima Hogg, a famous philanthropist. Visitors can wander through 14 acres of woodlands and formal gardens, or check out the house that contains 4,800 various works of art representing the American style from colonial to mid-nineteenth century. The house is a lovely lifestyle museum of that century. One warning, though -- children under 10 can wander the gardens but are not allowed in the house.
• Prices: Garden tours: Adult, $3; Children under 11, free. House tours: Adult, $10; Seniors over 54, $8.50; Children 10-18, $5.
• Times: Gardens: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Sunday. House: 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday-Friday; 10 a.m.-11:15 a.m. Saturday; 1 p.m.-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
• Phone: 713-639-7750.
Bayou Wildlife Park
• Where: 5050 FM Road 517, Alvin, Texas.
• What to Know: This 86-acre park is a prairie preserve that includes a petting zoo and a barnyard that children can romp through. To a kid, there is nothing quite like the squeal of a piglet or the honk of a goose. Don't be surprised to hear a few delighted squeals coming from the children, as well. The guided tram tour offers an opportunity to see the countryside and different species of wildlife in their natural habitat. It is also a wonderful place to enjoy a picnic lunch on a sunny afternoon.
• Prices: Adults, $8.95; Children 3-11, $5.50; Children under 3, free.
• Hours: 10 a.m.-3:30 p.m. Tuesday-Sunday.
• Phone: 281-337-6376.
Brazos Bend State Park
• Where: 21901 FM 762, Needville, Texas.
• What to Know: Welcome to the river bottomlands where you will find almost 5,000 acres of nature at its best. Explore miles of hiking trails, wooded oak paths, lakes and wildlife. Don't forget to stop at the Nature Center, and definitely keep your eyes open for a genuine alligator. You can spend a full day enjoying the picnic grounds, fishing pier and wild game viewing towers. Tent and RV sites with full hook-ups are available for the true outdoors enthusiasts who want to spend the night. If you are a star watcher, George Observatory is open on Saturday nights.
• Prices: Adults, $3; Seniors, $2; Children under 12, free. Observatory and camping fees are additional.
• Hours: 8 a.m.-10 p.m. daily.
• Phone: 979-553-5101 or 979-553-3400.
Children's Museum of Houston
• Where: 1500 Binz St.
• What to Know: This beautiful building opened in 1984 and is devoted to teaching through interactive play. Nine separate galleries cover history, cultures, fine and performing arts, technology, science, and geography. Adults are welcome to take a break in the Teacher and Family Resource Center, where extra teaching materials are available to boost those creative juices. Lots of fun, educational toys are available in the gift shop, and snacks are available to satisfy your hunger.
• Prices: Adults and Children, $5; Seniors over 65, $4; Children under 2, free.
• Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
• Phone: 713-522-1138.
Contemporary Arts Museum
• Where: 5216 Montrose Blvd.
• What to Know: Opened in 1948, this museum's goal is to present the "art of our time." Recently renovated in 1997, the building now sports an elegant new interior that is almost as appealing as the exhibits. Regional, national and international artists display their work here, and the museum can also take credit for the successful launch of several local artists' careers. The art exhibits are very diverse, exhibiting the use of various materials and subjects in a wide range of styles. The gift shop will put a significant dent in your wallet, but it is rumored to be one of the best in town.
• Prices: Free.
• Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday-Wednesday and Friday-Saturday; 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Thursday; noon-5 p.m. Sunday.
• Phone: 713-284-8250.
The Galleria
• Where: 5075 Westheimer Rd.
• What to Know: Wonderful shopping is available all over Houston, but this is the definitive place to go for designer shops, unusual gifts, wonderful imports or just plain fun. Boasting almost 300 stores, it is certain to offer exactly what you need. Clothing shops include Barney's of New York, Macy's, and Lord & Taylor. Shops such as Global Ideas and Royal Indian Jewelers represent only a portion of available gift and novelty shops. If you are more interested in art and culture, check out Ar Te Fact, Hanson Galleries or the Metropolitan Museum of Art store. Eighteen restaurants cater to hungry shoppers, and the ice skating rink is a popular way to cool off.
• Hours: 10 a.m.-9 p.m. Monday-Saturday; noon-6 p.m. Sunday.
• Phone: 713-622-0663.
Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
• Where: 4501 Woodway Dr.
• What to Know: With more than five miles of winding nature trails and more than 150 acres of woodlands, this park is beautifully landscaped and covered with local native plants. Outdoor lovers certainly will not be disappointed, and indoor lovers will also marvel at Botanical Hall and the gift shop. A special feature for children is the Discovery Room with its 25-foot learning tree and pondering pond. Challenge young ones to spot the turtles and crawfish in the water. Classes are available for both adults and children.
• Hours: Grounds -- 8:30 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; Building -- 9 a.m.-5 p.m. daily; Discovery Room and shop -- 10 a.m.-4 p.m. daily.
• Phone: 713-681-8433.
Houston Holocaust Museum
• Where: 5401 Caroline St.
• What to Know: In his midnight millennium speech, Pope John Paul said the most defining elements of the 20th century were the rise and fall of two oppressive ideologies that victimized millions of people -- Communism and Nazism. This museum is a tribute to the victims of the Nazi concentration camps during World War II. Through changing exhibits, films and lectures, it seeks to inform future generations of the racism of the holocaust and the horrifying results of hatred. In addition to exhibits, there is a library, theater and document archives.
• Prices: Free.
• Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; noon-5 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
• Phone: 713-942-8000.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
• Where: 1 Hermann Circle Dr.
• What to Know: This interesting showplace offers a wide variety of exhibits that are worthy of a full day's outing. The three-level live butterfly exhibit fascinates the young, as does the Challenger Learning Center with its great introduction to space science. Definitely spend some time exploring the dinosaur exhibits. Of equal appeal to the adults in the crowd are the oil and energy exhibits, the Native American exhibits, the collection of minerals and gemstones, and The Hall of Medical Science. If you need a break, enjoy an IMAX film or sit in on one of Burke Planetarium's shows.
• Prices: Adult, $6; Children 3-11, $3.50. IMAX, the butterfly exhibit and the planetarium are extra.
• Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday; 11 a.m.-6 p.m. Sunday.
• Phone: 713-639-4629.
Houston Zoological Gardens
• Where: 1513 North MacGregor Dr.
• What to Know: Set in lovely Hermann Park, this 50-acre park boasts more than 700 species of animals including a living coral exhibit, a gorilla habitat, a rainforest aviary and creepy vampire bats. It has a wonderful petting area for the children, as well as special shows such as the sea lion demonstrations and the bat feeding times. If watching the animals eat makes you hungry, there are two outdoor concession stands and one indoor dining area. Both feature hamburgers, hot-dogs, sandwiches and snacks.
• Prices: Adults, $5; Senior citizens, $3; Children 12 and under, $2; Children under 2, free.
• Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily.
• Phone: 713-533-6500.
San Jacinto State Historical Park
• Where: 3523 Battleground Rd., La Porte, Texas.
• What to Know: This is the battleground where Texas won its independence from Mexico in 1836. After the Alamo, General Santa Anna's large force chased Sam Houston's small army across Texas and was soundly defeated at this site. A limestone and concrete monument rises 570 feet above the coastal flatlands to pay tribute to the historical event. At the base of the monument you will find the Museum of Texas History, and the battleship Texas is berthed in the ship channel at the edge of the park.
• Prices: Admission to the park is free. There is a $3 charge to visit the monument's observation deck.
• Hours: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. daily.
• Phone: 281-479-2431.
Space Center Houston
| |  Life-size replica of the Mars Spirit Rover AP |
• Where: 1601 NASA Road One.
• What to Know: Ever since the Apollo flights, Houston has been synonymous with space travel. This section of NASA's Johnson Space Center allows visitors to take a look back at the making of space history. Enter into the five-story plaza which features a full-size shuttle mock-up, complete with flight deck. By far, the most popular highlight for adults is the tram tour that takes you to various buildings throughout the Space Center. You will be able to have a seat in the viewing room of the original Mission Control room and stroll past full-size mock-ups of the original Apollo rockets. When you need a break from all the activity, the Zero-G diner is on hand to fix you right up.
• Prices: Adults, 16.95; Children 4-11, 12.95; Seniors over 64, 15.95; Children under 4, free.
• Parking: $4.
• Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday; 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
• Phone: 281-244-2100 or 1-800-972-0369.
Trader's Village
• Where: 7979 North Eldridge Rd.
• What to Know: Everyone likes to get the best possible price, and you just might find it at this enormous flea market. Almost 800 merchants gather at this 50-acre complex every weekend. You will find a huge assortment of items including plants, antiques, arts, crafts and resale goods. If you are traveling through the area in a recreational vehicle, spend the night at the RV park after a hard day of shopping and fun. It is open every day of the year and offers amenities that include a recreation hall and swimming pool. Call for a schedule of the numerous seasonal events that occur throughout the year.
• Prices: Free; call for RV park fees.
• Hours: 9 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday-Sunday.
• Phone: 281-890-5500.
Tunnel Walks
• Where: 1121 Capitol St.
• What to Know: This downtown, multimillion-dollar tunnel system gives new meaning to the term underground. Those who venture beneath the city will be delighted at what they find hidden there. Restaurants, hotels, gift shops, and many more fun spots line the corridors. The temperature below is always pleasant and allows the busy people of downtown to navigate in comfort, regardless of the season. Major buildings that are connected by the tunnel system include One Allen Center, Shell Plaza, Alley Theatre and Wortham Center. If you are not familiar with the layout, you might want to pick up a tunnel map, or call to schedule a Tunnel Tour. Even the natives get lost in the jungle on occasion. Reservations are suggested for all tours.
• Prices: Guided tours are $5 per person.
• Tour times: 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. Monday-Friday.
• Phone: 713-222-9255.
Information from Yahoo! Travel.
