Activities
Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens
| An oasis of serenity and natural beauty along Cypress Creek, Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens is a horticultural masterpiece. These 300 acres of East Texas Piney Woods showcase the region's largest collection of native and cultivated plants. A living museum, it is also home to a wealth of animal life. Mercer invites you to join the dedicated group of volunteers who share their time, talent, knowledge, and enthusiasm to help make Mercer a premier botanic facility. Mercer, rooted in volunteer commitment Since opening to the public in 1974, Mercer has flourished from a strong volunteer base.Volunteers help with all aspects of the gardens. They work alongside staff in the gardens and greenhouses, lead education tours, improve the Mercer library, and catalogue plant specimens for the herbarium. From building benches and propagating plants to organizing March Mart , the largest plant sale fund-raiser in Southeast Texas, there is a variety of fun and interesting volunteer opportunities. Mercer's volunteers include plant and nature enthusiasts of all ages and skill levels including community groups, corporations, Master Gardeners, Texas Gulf Coast Gardeners, and many more. Mercer, offering volunteer benefits Mercer offers job diversity. From digging in the dirt, to educating people, to working on the computer, there is something for everyone at Mercer. Become a garden assistant, trail guide, administrative assistant, financial specialist, collection curator, special event planner, or any of the over 25 different positions. Volunteers also enjoy flexible work hours and a range of commitment levels. Mercer provides volunteer appreciation events during National Volunteer Week in April, an annual picnic the last Wednesday in October, field trips, ongoing training, and a free subscription to The Leaflet (PDF), a quarterly publication highlighting gardening news and information. Mercer Volunteer Application Forms Volunteer Application (Online) Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens
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Old McDonald's Farm
oldmacdonaldshumble.com
Old MacDonald's Farm opened its gates for the first time in Spring of 1991.
We are a 15 acre children's paradise with petting zoo, pony rides, train ride and swimming pool.
We cater to family outings, school field trips, day cares and church groups.
We also specialize in birthday party discounts with group.We do not accept credit/debit cards for payments, only cash and checks.
History
Old MacDonald's Farm opened its gates for the first time in Spring of 1991. We are a 15 acre outdoor park specializing in education and entertainment. The park is safe and secure with an 8 foot fence surrounding the whole property with only one entry/exit gate monitored by our staff at all times. All activities are included with the admission fee and there is no time limit for your one day pass.
We have 12 petting zoo barns, train ride, pony rides, swimming pool, and many other activities for your enjoyment. There are plenty of playgrounds, Fort Apache, and an Indian Village. The children will certainly enjoy the “wavy slides” and the volleyball area is great for older children and adults. There is a Hay Barn with swings in the rafters and a Sand Mountain complete with sand toys.
Our petting zoo barns will allow the children hands on contact with a wide variety of farm animals including goats, sheep, cows, and pigs. Our exotic animals include deer, llamas, emus, and a wallaby. Feed may be purchased for the animals for $1.00 per bag. You are welcome to bring your own bread to feed the ducks in the duck pond.
Please call ahead and we will reserve a covered gazebo for groups and parties. We have different size gazebos to accommodate small birthday parties, medium sized church outings, and even large company picnics. All groups and families are welcome to pack their own picnic lunches or we have a concession stand open every operating day for food, drinks, ice cream, disposable cameras, and t-shirts.
Hours
Open 10:00 a.m. Daily
(March 1st – October 31st)
** Closing time varies with season
** Management reserves the right to close due to inclement weather
** Closed Easter Sunday
Open weekends November through February weather permitting (please call first to confirm)
(November & February)
Closed Christmas and New Years weekends
Admission:
$8.00 per person
(Tax included - Cash & checks only!)
** Babies under 18 months free
** All activities are included with admission price
** No time limit for your stay during the day
Parks
Canoeing and Kayaking
Precinct 4 offers launches at Collins Park, Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center, Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens, and Pundt Park for those interested in canoeing/kayaking Spring or Cypress Creeks and associated waterways.
Precinct 4 Canoeing/Kayaking Rules and Regulations
Please review the following information and submit a completed Canoeing/Kayaking Reservation Form to Harris County Precinct 4 prior to launching.
Rules:
- Online reservation forms must be submitted Monday through Friday before 3 p.m. This includes reservations for weekend trips.
- Notice must be given to the Harris County Precinct 4 launch and/or retrieval location at least 24 hours in advance of launch for weekday trips. Weekend reservations must be submitted by 3 p.m. on Friday.
- Completed reservation forms and advance notice of canoe/kayak trips are processed at Jones Park, Mercer Arboretum, Pundt Park, and the Parks Reservations Office Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.
- Canoes/kayaks may not be launched and retrieved from the same Precinct 4 location.
- All participants are required to adhere to Texas Parks & Wildlife watercraft and personal flotation device regulations. For more information, visit www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/safety/life_jackets .
- Visitors should be aware of the water conditions on their planned date and route.
- Vehicles remaining at a Harris County Precinct 4 location after hours are subject to towing at the owner's expense.
- Collins Park, Jones Park, Mercer Arboretum, and Pundt Park do not rent canoes/kayaks. (Tip: SouthWest PaddleSports in The Woodlands rents canoes.)
- Trip start times should be scheduled early in the day to ensure completion before the parks are closed.
Download Canoeing/Kayaking Reservation Form (PDF)
*Identifies facilities maintained by Harris County Precinct 4. All others are operated by separate entities.
Note: Precinct 4 Parks are open every day of the year except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and New Year's Day.
Harris County Precinct 4
Launch and/or Retrieval Locations:
Collins Park
6727 Cypresswood Drive
Spring, Texas 77379
Phone (281) 353-4196 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Hours of Operation
Monday through Friday: 7 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Saturday and Sunday: 8 a.m. to 10 p.m.
Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center
20634 Kenswick Drive
Humble, Texas 77338
Phone: (281) 446-8588
Fax: (281) 446-8832
E-mail: jjp@hcp4.net
Hours of Operation
Entrance gate closes 30 minutes prior to park closing.
December through January: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
November and February: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March through October: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Nature Center
Open daily from: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
Mercer Arboretum & Botanic Gardens
22306 Aldine Westfield Road
Humble, Texas 77338-1071
Phone: (281) 443-8731
Fax: (281) 209-9767
E-mail: mercerarboretum@hcp4.net
| Summer Hours (Begins the first Monday in April) | ||
| Arboretum (west side of Aldine Westfield) Botanic Gardens (east side of Aldine Westfield) |
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| Monday-Saturday: 8 a.m.-7 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. |
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| Visitor Center | ||
| Monday-Saturday: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. Sunday: 10 a.m.-4:30 p.m. |
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| Winter Hours (CST) | ||
| Arboretum (west side of Aldine Westfield) Botanic Gardens (east side of Aldine Westfield) |
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| Daily: 8 a.m.-5 p.m. | ||
| Visitor Center | ||
| Daily: 8 a.m.-4:30 p.m. | ||
Pundt Park
4129 Spring Creek Drive
Spring, Texas 77373
Phone (281) 353-4196 Monday through Friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., or
(832) 527-7436 after hours and weekends.
Hours of Operation
December through January: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
November and February: 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.
March through October: 8 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Other Launch and/or Retrieval Locations:
For more information regarding launch and/or retrieval sites in Montgomery County and The Woodlands:
Montgomery County Parks Department
301 North Thompson, Suite 104
Conroe, Texas 77301
Phone: (936) 788-8325
Fax: (936) 760-6958
www.co.montgomery.tx.us/parks
SouthWest PaddleSports
26322 I-45 North, Exit 76A
Phone: (281) 292-5600
Events and Programs
Mercer holds several popular events and programs annually.
For a current list of events and programs, click here.
Annual Events
March Mart "Members Only" Plant Sale
Thursday, March 24, 2011
VIP Membership: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
TMS Members: Noon to 2 p.m.
March Mart Plant Sale
Friday and Saturday, March 25 and 26, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
March Mart, Mercer's largest plant sale, is held the fourth Friday and Saturday in March and highlights unusual and choice plant varieties unavailable in local markets. For more information on March Mart, click here.
Garden Party and Auction
Saturday, May 7, 2011 from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m.
At this event, party-goers dine under the stars while bidding on unique and extraordinary treasures. Cocktails and a silent auction kick off the evening at 5 p.m. followed by dinner and a live auction. Proceeds benefit special garden projects and programs at Mercer.
Tropical Symposium
Saturday, July 23, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
This symposium and sale, held the fourth Saturday in July, features tropicals, gingers, and other local favorite plants that thrive with heat and humidity.
Children's Summer Programs
Each summer, Mercer staff and volunteers host hands-on activities and outdoor observations for children ages 9 to 12 years old. This three-day program covers bird species and identification, reptiles and amphibians, and butterflies and dragonflies. For program and registration information, click here.
Bamboo Festival
Next festival to be hosted in 2012
Local bamboo experts are on hand to discuss all things bamboo during this two-day festival. Each day features a talk, a workshop, and plant sale.
Garden Faire & Fall Festival
Saturday, September 24, 2011 from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and
Sunday, September 25, 2011 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Garden Faire is held the fourth Saturday and Sunday in September and features regional plant societies, local artists who specialize in garden art, and garden-related authors. Garden-related art, books, and plants are available for purchase. For more information, click here.
Ongoing Programs
Lunch Bunch meets on the second Wednesday of the month from noon to 2 p.m. Bring a lunch to enjoy while listening to a lecture on a variety of garden topics. For a program schedule, click here.
Gardeners CEU Classes meet the third Tuesday of each month from 10 a.m. to noon. Need to earn credit for CEU hours, or just want to learn more about gardening? Plan now to attend these garden-related classes.
Mercer Bamboo Meetings are held the fourth Saturday of each month from 9 a.m. to noon, except in November and December. Monthly meetings feature hands-on training in the bamboo gardens.
Educational Programs
Mercer places a high priority on education. Adult programs include horticultural workshops, seminars, demonstrations, continuing education, and the Texas Gulf Coast Gardening educational series . Children can participate in a variety of programs and classes, and receive support for science projects. Internships are available for high school and college students.
Houston Activities
From the everyday to the esoteric, Houston attractions are sure to satisfy almost any curiosity. The Houston Space Center, Downtown Aquarium, Houston Zoo and surrounding parks offer family-friendly activities, and the Houston Museum District is sure to please even the most discerning art patron. Sports fans will marvel at the modernity of Minute Maid Park and Reliant Park, as well as the recently constructed Toyota Center. For those seeking attractions off the beaten path, Houston sights such as the Orange Show Monument and the National Museum of Funeral History will undoubtedly appease a desire for the unusual. Any way you slice it, Houston has something for everyone.
Houston Livestock Show and RodeoReliant Stadium, 8334 Fannin Street, Houston, Texas: Tel. 832.667.1000The biggest event of the year in Houston is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Riders compete in traditional rodeo events, while national and international superstar musical entertainers perform nightly for sell-out crowds. The Houston Rodeo is home to the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. more on Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo>> |
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Downtown Aquarium410 Bagby Street, Houston, TX 77002; Tel. 713.223.FISHSea creatures of every shape and size are on view at the Downtown Aquarium. The Sunken Temple exhibit reveals the wonders of ancient Mayan culture and the underwater world, while a journey on the Shark Voyage gives you an intimate view of the ocean's most infamous predators. A great place for family fun, the aquarium also features outdoor attractions such as the 100-foot Diving Bell Ferris Wheel and the Dancing Fountains. Drink and dine at the Aquarium Restaurant or the Dive Lounge. And while there, make sure to check out the new white tigers exhibit. |
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Houston Zoo1513 N. MacGregor, Houston, Texas 77030; Tel. 713.533.6500Just minutes away from downtown, the Houston Zoo is tucked inside Hermann Park, home to a wealth of family friendly destinations. The zoo covers an expanse of 55 acres and is home to thousands of animals that represent more than 500 species, from winged creatures that fly free in the Tropical Bird House, to the slithering reptiles that constitute one of the nation's largest collections of venomous snakes. A zoo favorite is Blanco, an American Alligator whose white coloring makes him an extremely rare breed (there are only 14 others known to exist). If you need a chance to cool off from the humidity, take a spin on the newly added Wildlife Carousel, a covered ride that features a distinctive variety of animal-shaped figures, including native Texan icons like the armadillo. In keeping with their nationally recognized commitment to wildlife preservation, the Houston Zoo uses part of the nominal fee collected at this attraction to fund ongoing conservation projects. |
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Lynchburg Ferrywww.houston.com/attractions/lynchburgferry.html 1001 South Lynchburg Road, Baytown, TX 77520; Tel. 281.424.3521 | ||
Market Square Historic District
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Memorial Park6501 Memorial, Houston, TX 77098This popular spot is a must for locals who enjoy the outdoors. Spread over more than 1400 acres, Memorial Park offers a variety of activities and excursions including six miles of recreational trails along the bayou (perfect for biking or jogging) and the behemoth Memorial Park Golf Course. It's no secret that this is also a great place to see and be seen — particularly on the trails, where many can be found strutting, stretching and showing off their stuff. For those less interested in the spectacle, the park also offers tennis courts equipped for night play, a driving range and plenty of grassy plots to picnic or relax. The park has one restaurant that offers good food at affordable prices, as well as a juice shop stocked with power bars and nutritional drinks. |
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Menil Collection1515 Sul Ross, Houston, Texas 77006; Tel. 713.525.9400Shortly after their arrival to the United States in 1941, Dominique and John de Menil began to amass what would soon become one of the nation's most important collections of art. Decades later, the de Menils began to forge plans to create a permanent home for the collection, though the project came to a halt after John's death in 1973. Commissioning Italian architect Renzo Piano to design a space for the holdings, Dominique forged ahead with plans and the Menil Collection opened its doors to the public in 1987. The more than 15,000 works, as a whole, embody a uniquely eclectic selection of artwork that exemplify the de Menils' dedication to and interest in modernism, as well as their refusal to conform to traditional norms throughout their assemblage of this fine arts collection. Four major areas are represented: Antiquity, Byzantine and Medieval, Tribal and 20th Century Arts. Most notable in the Menil Collection are the holdings in surrealist art –- the most comprehensive collection in the museum –- that includes works by Salvador Dali, Man Ray and Pablo Picasso, amongst others. |
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Museum of Fine Arts, Houston1001 Bissonnet Street, Houston, TX 77005; Tel. 713.639.7300 or 713.639.7310With a collection of more than 45,000 works housed in a family of buildings that boast 300,000 square feet of space, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is the fifth largest museum in the country. Holdings include works that span from ancient to modern times and represent a vast array of mediums. Collections in French Impressionism, Italian Renaissance, decorative arts, and post-1945 paintings and sculpture are amongst its most significant holdings, and the Reinzi and Bayou Bend Collections (each on display in homes just a short distance from the museum's main campus) offer distinctive examples of decorative arts from the American and British traditions, respectively. The Modern and Contemporary exhibit includes an extensive collection of Texas art and is also home to key works by Abstract Expressionist artists. Most notable, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is the second largest repository of works by Jackson Pollock. |
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National Museum of Funeral History415 Barren Springs Drive, Houston, TX 77090; Tel. 281.876.3063It goes without saying that this destination is one of a kind. Opened in 1992, the National Museum of Funeral History has dedicated itself to the history and heritage of the undertaker. Sure, it's a little creepy, but that only complements the experience of discovering the some of the secrets of this relatively esoteric industry. Where else could you find an exhibit dedicated to Dr. Thomas Holmes, Civil War embalmer or a collection of vehicles specially designed to deliver the departed to their final resting place? The Museum of Funeral History's collection of artifacts, instruments and the like includes items from all over the world, and installations like the 1900s Casket Factory provide a historical perspective of the funeral industry. Not to be missed at the Museum of Funeral History is the collection of “fantasy coffins” from Ghana that depict the personality, social status or occupation of the deceased. The assemblage includes caskets in the shape of a chicken, fish and automobile, amongst others. |
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Space Center Houston1601 NASA Road 1, Houston, TX 77058; Tel. 281.244.2100Space Center Houston is about as close as you can get to the moon without actually going there. Through a combination of live presentations, film and a large collection of artifacts, visitors to the Houston Space Center learn everything there is to know about the history of human space travel. Exhibits like the Living in Space simulate the challenges presented to astronauts when they attempt to perform everyday tasks like bathing in microgravity, while the tram tour takes visitors behind closed doors to catch a glimpse of the action at the nearby NASA Johnson Space Center. Also on view at the Houston space facility are large collections of artifacts and equipment including spacesuits, flight capsules and moon rocks. True space enthusiasts may enjoy Space Center Houston's Level 9 Tour where they are personally escorted on a exploration of NASA's control and training facilities such as the Space Environment Simulation Lab and the new Mission Control Center. |
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The Galleria5085 Westheimer Rd., Suite 4850, Houston, TX 77056; Tel. 713.622.0663The designers of this retail behemoth took to heart the notion that everything's bigger in Texas. One of the largest shopping malls in the nation, The Houston Galleria is more like a miniature city than a place to shop for just the right get-up for a night on the town. The mall houses an indoor skating rink, two hotels and 2.4 million square feet of shops, in addition to office buildings, theaters and restaurants. If you're on a retail mission, chances are you'll find it here. The 375 stores include high-end clothing and accessory stores like Lord & Taylor, Gucci and Armani, as well as more budget-friendly splurge spots like Abercrombie and Eddie Bauer. Also on hand are shops featuring electronics, home furnishings, books and music, toys and much more. If you're not up for a buying binge, The Galleria also houses a selection of sit-down restaurants, as well as cushy leather seating inside the mall on which visitors can perch and people-watch. |
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The Health Museum1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, TX 77004Providing the ultimate journey—inside you—it lets guests explore giant sculptures of human organs, including a brain, ribs and even teeth, at the Amazing Body Pavilion. That's just one of the exhibits and hands-on activities at the museum, which has many programs in Spanish and ranks as one of the most visited health museums in the country. New permanent exhibits include: Mindball—a new relaxation game for two where the player that maintains the most calm and relaxed state wins by pushing the Mindball toward their opponent; the Amazing Imaging Machine gives users a look inside the body at X-Rays, Gamma Rays or MRI; and the Adjustable Eye, a giant model of en eyeball that allows visitors to see how their eye lens operates and how the eye focuses. Free family Thursday hours are 2-5 p.m. |
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The Houston Museum of Natural ScienceOne Hermann Circle Drive, Houston, TX 77030; Tel. 713.639.4629Giant dinosaurs, precious gems and ancient Egyptian artifacts are all on display at The Houston Museum of Natural Science, one of Houston's most popular attractions for locals and tourists alike. Exhibition halls dedicated to the natural sciences include video, interactive and traditional installations that inform and educate museum goers about the wild beasts of the African continent, the ancient traditions of Egypt and the diverse cultures of Native American tribes. The Strake Hall of Malacology gives a rare glance into the living of invertebrates and includes a sizeable collection of shells, as well as live creatures. Another highlight is Foucault's Pendulum –- first exhibited at the World's Fair in Paris –- that physically demonstrates the rotation of the Earth. Some of the finest gems stones in the world can be found in the Museum of Natural Science's Cullen Hall, where more than 750 precious specimens are housed. |
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The Orange Show Monument2401 Munger Street, Houston, Texas 77023; Tel. 713.926.6368Described as a “folk-art environment,” The Orange Show Monument's whimsical design is difficult to classify. But if carnival showboats made out of found objects like wooden wheels and tractor seats ever existed, this would be a meticulously crafted rendition. Judging from the outside, it comes as no surprise that while exploring this outdoor oddity visitors encounter things like a beardless Santa Claus figure, mannequins and handmade signs with fruit-friendly aphorisms such as, “Clown found happiness by drinking cold fresh orange juice every day.” It took more than twenty years for the late Jefferson Davis McKissack to construct this homage to the orange, his favorite fruit, and the end result is a unique, albeit bizarre architectural novelty that consists of a series of mazes, a wishing well and frog pond amongst other features, making it clear why The Orange Show Monument remains one of the most important examples of American folk art to date. |
Even to the untrained eye, it's clear that Houston is a city that loves its museums. While this city evidences a true appreciation for keeping history within reach with destinations like the Houston Maritime Museum, the Museum of Natural Science and the Houston Holocaust Museum, it also shows off a love for contemporary additions to the world. The fascinating ArtCar Museum (a must for those with a love for the unconventional), the stunning Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, and the Contemporary Art Museum are just a few of the intriguing destinations that captivate both locals and travelers on a regular basis.
Houston Museums & Galleries
ArtCar Museum140 Heights Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77007; Tel. 713.861.5526If there's one thing that Houston artists and museum heads have mastered well, it's the ability to break from conventions. After all, where else in the world could a place dedicated to funeral history or delights of citrus fruit (the orange to be specific) exist? The ArtCar Museum is yet another fine example, and in keeping with the strangely sublime nature of other local art spots, the self-proclaimed “Garage Mahal” is a delightful experience unlike any other. Embellished with scrap metal and sweeping loops of wire, the museum building pays homage to the ingenuity and creative spirit that spawned this one-of-a-kind attraction along with the must-see parade event that takes place in the city each year. On display inside the ArtCar Museum is a collection of automobiles and other wheeled contraptions that have endured a creative process that can best be described as Extreme Makeover for Vehicles. The results are astonishingly clever and imaginative masterpieces that range from animal motifs to space age modeling. |
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Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens1 Westcott Street; Houston, Texas 77007; Tel. 713.639.7750As a satellite location of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, it's clear why the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens stands alone. The early 20th century mansion showcases extraordinary works both inside and out – a highlight of which is one of the most comprehensive, as well as distinctive collections of American decorative arts in the country. The estate was donated to the museum by Ima Hogg, an avid collector and philanthropist from the area, who used it as a private residence until the late 1950s. The collection of furniture and other examples of American decorative arts (dated between 1620 and 1870) are strewn throughout more than 25 meticulously rendered “period” rooms inside the mansion. The grounds of the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens are a beautiful compliment to the museum, offering tree-lined trails, grand sculptures and decorative plantings. It would be easy to make a satisfying and pleasurable afternoon of strolling around without ever stepping foot inside the mansion. |
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Children's Museum of Houston1500 Binz, Houston, Texas 77004; Tel. 713.522.1138The Children's Museum of Houston is a popular destination for area families. And with permanent exhibits both indoors and outdoors, there's unique opportunity for fun and engaging hands-on learning. At the museum's EcoStation biologists- and botanists-to-be can experience nature in a whole new way as they make tree rubbings, collect insects or literally dig into the dirt. Outdoor excitement also awaits along a rushing fountain where kids can launch boats and other toys. Indoors, a Mexican village exhibit puts a new spin on the standard shop-and-learn play space found in most children's museums, while the bubble factory and simple machine installations are more traditional but still provide enough activity to keep kids busy. The farming exhibit features live chicks and tech-savvy youngsters can cool out inside the Cyber Clubhouse and play computer games. If you're at the Children's Museum of Houston during the weekend, you might be able to catch a live, kid-friendly performance in the auditorium. |
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Contemporary Art Museum Houston5216 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006; Tel. 713.284.8250Enveloped in a stainless steel exterior, the design of the Contemporary Art Museum Houston exudes the ultra modern artistry to which its space is dedicated. Designed by famous architect Gunnar Birkerts, the building's silver, rippled panels glint beneath the Houston sunlight and beckon attention amidst the more traditional architecture found in this corner of the Museum District – a site to see in and of itself. For the museum lover – and of course the contemporary art museum lover in particular – the space is sure to please. Focusing on individual, as well as thematic exhibitions, the museum has an impressive record of presenting popular national and international artists in addition to introducing lesser-known artists who have gone on to claim wider recognition. Free from the limitations set forth by galleries dedicated to a particular medium, the Contemporary Art Museum Houston features works by photographers, sculptors, painters and much more. |
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DiverseWorks Art Space1117 East Freeway, I-10 at North Main, Houston, Texas 77002; Tel. 713.223.8346 or 713.335.3443 (tickets)There are plenty of great places (and spaces) to see contemporary art in Houston, but DiverseWorks is one of the most popular, and, as its name suggests, one of the most eclectic. As a center for visual, performing and literary art, the space is a perpetual host of contemporary exhibitions and events featuring both established and emerging artists from Houston and beyond. Roam the main gallery, a 3000 square-foot space where both group and solo visual exhibitions are housed, and preview the gallery subspace to catch a glimpse of works by local artists before they become single name phenomena. The performing arts line-up includes variety that encompasses spoken word, theatre, film, dance, and other special events that challenge and engage audiences with cutting-edge and contemporary expressionism. From the sublime to the subversive, DiverseWorks has a satisfying range. |
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Holocaust Museum Houston
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Houston Center for Contemporary Craft4848 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002; Tel. 713.529.4848This not-for-profit studio features exhibitions of contemporary works created with such items as fiber, metal, glass clay and wood. A great place to take the kids, Houston Center for Contemporary Craft offers a wide selection of temporary installations, events, and projects – enough activity to keep the little ones busy all afternoon. But grown-up visitors will enjoy this space as well. Classes that instruct on the art of crafts such as blacksmithing and woodworking are frequently offered in addition to other educational opportunities. Spend just a few hours (located in the museum district, this could easily be a stop on a planned tour of the area) or all day if you have the time. |
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Houston Center for Photography1441 West Alabama, Houston, Texas 77006; Tel. 713.529.4755The Houston Center for Photography is an ever-evolving exhibition space featuring contemporary imagery. The exhibits keep pace with the continually changing medium and encompass styles that range from traditional portraiture to digitally manipulated abstractions. Works in the mediums of film and video are also on display. The center's three separate galleries include both individual and group shows throughout the year, as well as an annual juried exhibition. Talented artists, ranging from emerging to established, and native to national (and international) are all represented in bodies of work at the Houston Center for Photography that deal with issues ranging from cultural investigation to natural landscapes. |
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Houston Maritime Museum2204 Dorrington, Houston, Texas 77030; Tel. 713.666.1910The sea has long been a great source of intrigue and mystery to humans, and places like the Houston Maritime Museum pay historical tribute to this fascination. Housed in a small building that faintly resembles a structure you might find along a boardwalk, the museum features a sizeable amount of artifacts, replicas and other nautical specimens that date back more than five centuries. The museum began as a personal amassment of maritime artifacts by naval architect and museum curator James L. Manzolillo during his extensive travel throughout the world. The collection has since grown to include addition holdings that are comprised of more than 150 model ships and hundreds of naval artifacts. While there, cruise through the collection of ship models that feature impressive detail and are supplemented with an abbreviated lesson on their historical significance. Also not to be missed are the naval artifacts collected from around the world. |
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Museum of Printing History1324 West Clay, Houston, Texas 77019; Tel. 713.522.4652This small gem is sure to please anyone with a love for the written word. Located inside what is presumably one of the most unassuming exteriors of all the museums in the Houston area, the Museum of Printing History is a repository of antique documents, posters, books and related items. Peering at fragments of ancient texts written on papyrus and 15th century facsimiles is fascinating enough, but the most intriguing items in the collection by far are the array of printing equipment. Resident artists and other volunteers are often on hand to give demonstrations on how 19th and 20th century presses are operated, and more modern office equipment like typewriters and copy machines provided an almost startling document to how far the art of publishing has come in such little time. Aside from serving as a chronicle of publishing through the ages, many of the Museum of Printing History's collection of printed materials also tell the stories of the social and political conscience during the eras they were produced. The works of contemporary print artists are also on display. |
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The Houston Museum of Natural ScienceOne Hermann Circle Drive, Houston, TX 77030; Tel. 713.639.4629Giant dinosaurs, precious gems and ancient Egyptian artifacts are all on display at The Houston Museum of Natural Science, one of the most popular attractions in the city for locals and tourists alike. Exhibition halls dedicated to the natural sciences include video, interactive and traditional installations that inform and educate museumgoers about the wild beasts of the African continent, the ancient traditions of Egypt and the diverse cultures of Native American tribes. The Strake Hall of Malacology gives a rare glance into the lives of invertebrates and includes a sizeable collection of shells, as well as living creatures. Another highlight is Foucault's Pendulum – first exhibited at the World's Fair in Paris – that physically demonstrates the rotation of the Earth. Some of the finest gems stones in the world can be found in Cullen Hall where more than 750 precious specimens are housed. |
