Houston Sightseeing

 

Houston Museum of Natural Science
Zoo and Miller Theater
Saint Arnold Brewery
Shopping
Parks

The Houston Museum of Natural Science

A great museum with enough variation to keep everybody happy. We even became a member (mainly for the IMAX). There are several halls with temporary and permanent exhibitions. A few of my favorites are The Wiess energy hall (a great way for introduction to my new job), the Foucault pendulum (I always have to wait till another pin falls), the Farish Hall of Texas Wildlife and the McGovern Hall of the Americas.

But if you don't feel like doing a museum go and look at some other things: the Cockrell Butterfly Center (with hundreds of butterflies in a greenhouse garden), the Burke Baker Planetarium or the Wortham IMAX theatre with at least 2 different movies, on BIG screen every day.

While you're in the neighbourhood why not visit the Houston Zoo too ? One of the cheapest attractions in Houston (they charge 2.50 and on most holidays admission is free) and worth a visit. Currently they are renovating, but there is still enough to look at. The primate-exhibit is great as well as the tropical bird-house. If you go in summer try to visit in the early morning or later evening hours. The animals tend to keep inside and in the shade during the big heat.
And if you still have some time left you can visit the outdoor Miller Theater. Free concerts during most of the summer-months, star-gazing while listening, a whole new experience !
 

The Saint Arnold Microbrewery is something completely different. Set up by two guys who wanted to do something fun for a change, this is exactly it for the beer-fan. Go there on Saturday-afternoon at 1 pm for a free tour (of about 10 minutes) and after that indulge yourself in their home-brews ! Free drinking and a great atmosphere. Even for non-beerdrinkers like me it is fun to talk to the regular (some people go every week)or new guests.
 

The Galleria, a 3.6 million square feet shopping center is the must-see, must-do shopping center. Be careful though, a lot of shops are exclusive and expensive. There is an ice-rink, hotels, restaurants and ofcourse shops, shops, shops.Personally I prefer Highland Village on Westheimer, less shops but nicer; Coldwater Creek, Crate and Barrel. It's outside, so you have to beat the heat, but you can cool off with a frozen Cappucino at Starbucks....
 

My favorite because I can promote "my" park where I used to volunteer: Jesse Jones Park in Humble. It's a great park to walk or bike (only on sunday mornings) or take part in one of the free programs for both kids and adults. One thing you don't want to miss is Pioneer Day in november or Pioneer Christmas. It;s a lot of fun and hey, you may even learn something ! The park is at Kenswick Drive on the north-east corner of FM 1960.