HOUSTON

Altitude 55

General

Houston lies on I-10, a segment of the Ports to Plains Highway connecting the state's heartland to coastal ports.

Institutions of higher learning include Baylor College of Medicine, Houston Baptist University, Rice University, South Texas College of Law, South Texas Junior College, Texas Southern University, University of Houston, University of Houston Junior College, Texas Southern University, University of Houston Downtown, University of St. Thomas and University of Texas Health and Science Center.

Major annual events include the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in late Feb. and early Mar., largest livestock exposition in the state with championship cowboys and popular entertainers.

Houston International Festival each April celebrates the performing and visual arts with 20 day outdoor festival of multicultural music, dance, arts and crafts, and food.

ALKEK VELODROME

ALLEN'S LANDING; OLD MARKET SQUARE

ANHEUSER-BUSCH BREWERY TOUR

ASTRODOME CONVENTION CENTER

ASTROWORLD/WATERWORLD

BAYOU BEND COLLECTION

CHILDREN'S MUSEUM

CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL

CIVIC CENTER

CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM

CYNTHIA WOOD MITCHELL PAVILION

FAME CITY WATERWORKS

FUNERAL SERVICE MUSEUM, AMERICAN

FUNPLEX

HOUSTON ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER

HOUSTON FIRE MUSEUM

HOUSTON GARDEN CENTER

HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE

HOUSTON UNDERGROUND

HOUSTON ZOOLOGICAL GARDENS

JAPANESE GARDEN

MENIL MUSEUM

MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE

MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS

OIL RANCH

ORANGE SHOW

PORT OF HOUSTON

RAILROAD TRAIN MUSEUM

ROTHKO CHAPEL

SAM HOUSTON HISTORICAL PARK

SAN JACINTO BATTLEGROUND STATE HISTORIC PARK

TEXAS LIMITED

TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER

Attractions

• ALKEK VELODROME - Site of 1989 Texas Track Championships. The 33,334 meter track is banked nine to 33 degrees. Bicyclists may ride Mar. - Oct. Tues., Thurs. 5 to 9 p.m. Sat., Sun., from 4 to 8 p.m.; Nov., Feb. Mon., Wed., Fri. 5 to 9 p.m. Sat., Sun. 2 to 6 p.m. In Cullen Park at 19008 Saums Road.
• ALLEN'S LANDING; OLD MARKET SQUARE - Park on Buffalo Bayou where Allen brothers arrived in 1836 to promote new real estate venture; Houston, General area, now Old Market Square became the center of the new city. Several important 29th Century buildings restored; now devoted to dining and entertainment, including quaint bar in Houston's oldest commercial building.
• ANHEUSER-BUSCH BREWERY TOUR - Tour of one of the largest breweries in the state and see the brewing process from start to high-speed packaging lines. Tours are Mon. - Sat. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For additional information call 713-670-1695. From downtown, I-10 east to 775 Gellhorn.
• BAYOU BEND COLLECTION - Operated as a branch of the Houston Museum of Fine Arts; 28 room Latin Colonial structure was the home of the late Miss Ima Hogg, daughter of James Stephen Hogg, first native-born governor of Texas. The collection consists of more than 4,800 works form colonial period to early 19th Century, including furniture, paintings, metals, ceramics, glass, and textiles. The gardens consist of 14 acres bounded on three sides by Buffalo Bayou. They are made up of natural woodlands and eight cultivated formal gardens with imported and native plants. The collection is open Tues. -` Fri. 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. (mornings reserved for school and group tours); Sat. 10 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. Tours of the house open to children 10 and above accompanied by an adult. Admission. Gardens are open Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sunday from 1 to 5 p.m. Admission. 1 Westcoff Street. For more information call 713-520-2600.
• CHILDREN'S MUSEUM - Variety of hands-on exhibits for children 4 months to 14 years in areas of science, history, culture, and the arts. Other features include outdoor discovery garden and greenhouse. Open Tues. - sat. from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun. noon to 5 p.m. 1500 Binz in the Museum District. Admission.
• CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL - Founded in 1839, is Houston's oldest church on the original site. Contains handcarved woodwork and fine stained-glass windows including one designed by Tiffany. Open by request. Noon Eucharist in Golding Chapel. 1117 Texas Avenue.
• CIVIC CENTER - Centerpiece is Tranquillity Park, bounded by Smith, Rusk, Bagby and Walker Streets. Commemorates Apollo flights with two-block long 32 level fountain and towers resembling rockets. Bronze plaques in 15 languages tell the Apollo story. Restful oasis; occasional outdoor events.

Jesse H. Jones Hall for Performing Arts - Louisiana and Capitol Streets. Houses both offices and performances of Houston Symphony Orchestra. Dramatic grand lobby features Richard Lippold's "Gemini II" sculpture floating in gleaming curve toward 66 foot ceiling. open only during scheduled events.

Nina Vance Alley Theater, 615 Texas St., is ultramodern facility called "one of the most striking theaters in the world: by the New York Times. Tours by appointment (713-228-9341). Fee.

Sam Houston Coliseum and Music Hall host Broadway shows, concerts, performances and sporting events; 810 Bagby Street.

Wortham Center, contains two theaters, home to the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet, also hosts productions of the Society for the Performing Arts, the Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Texas Chamber Society, and others. The Grand Foyer, a 12,000 square foot public space is actually built above Prairie Street. The 3.2 acre site is bounded by Texas, Smith and Preston Streets and Buffalo Bayou. A 2,000 car under-ground parking garage is welcome feature of Civic Center.

Sesquicentennial Park, on Buffalo Bayou is adjacent to the Wortham Theater, Three story pavilions surrounded by cascading waterfall to pool at monument's base. hike and bike trails switch back from lower bayou waterfront bat landing to street level promenade. Gardens of azaleas and crape myrtle trees accent magnificent view of Houston's striking skyline.

• CONTEMPORARY ARTS MUSEUM - A non-collecting museum dedicated to bringing the cutting edge of contemporary art to the city through its nine exhibitions yearly. Open Tues. to Fri. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Sat. - Sun.; noon to 5 p.m. 5216 Montrose Bld. 713-526-0773
• CYNTHIA WOOD MITCHELL PAVILION - a 1,000 seat outdoor performing arts center surrounded by lush, green forest. Located in The Woodlands, performances held Apr. - Oct. From Houston, I-45 north, exit either on Woodlands Pkwy. or Lake Woodlands Drive. Follow signs to pavilion parking. For performance information. 713-363-3300.
• FAME CITY WATERWORKS - 10 acres of water highlighted by Big Mo, a twisting, turning rapids that drops six stories. There are also speed slides, a wave pool, a lazy river for drifting, and children's area. Open weekends in may and daily June through Labor Day. For waterpark information. 713-530-3263. 13700 Beechnut.
• FUNERAL SERVICE MUSEUM, AMERICAN - Nation's largest collection of funeral service memorabilia, including two dozen vehicles; horse drawn hearses, a funeral sleigh, 1941 hearse/ambulance, and of special interest, a 1915 Packard "mourning bus" that carried the casket, pallbearers, and 20 mourners at a top speed of 15 mph. Also displayed are Civil War cast iron caskets, and turn-of-the-century embalming artifacts, lush video presentations. Open Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.; Sun. noon to 4 p.m. 415 Barren Springs Drive. Admission.
• FUNPLEX - Indoor complex includes a roller rink, bowling, miniature golf, arcade areas, rides, three movie screens, and food in air conditioned comfort. Hours vary; call for information 713-530-9957. 13700 Beechnut.
• HOUSTON ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER - Environmental education center with classes for children and adults. A preserve for native Harris County plants and animals. Botanical hall contains discovery room and gift shop. Over five miles of nature trails wind through 155 acres of woodlands, ponds, and prairie. Trails open from 8:30 a.m. to 6 p.m. Building open Mon. - Sat. from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Sun from 1 to 5:30 p.m.
• HOUSTON FIRE MUSEUM - Visitors see evolution of firefighting, from :bucket brigade: to modern firefighting vehicles. Collection includes late 19th Century hand-drawn and operated pumper and hose reel, 1892 steam fire engine, early 20th Century motorized pumper, and other memorabilia. Open Tues. - Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. In former Houston Fire Dept. Station No. 7 at Milam and McIlhenny Streets. Admission is charged.
• HOUSTON GARDEN CENTER - Garden trails, rose garden and center headquarters. Building is open Mon. - Fri. 8 a.m. to 5 p.. ; tails and gardens open Mon. to Fri. 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. ( 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. summer) North edge of Hermann Park, 1500 Hermann Drive.
• HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE - Exhibits feature space science plus geology, archaeology, and natural history. In Hermann Park. Open Mon. - Sat. from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.; Sun. noon - 6 p.m. 1 Hermann Circle Drive. Admission. Of special interest are:

 Burke Baker Planetarium - Called most sophisticated science teaching device in the world. 232 seat planetarium can reproduce celestial pastures as they would be seen from any point on earth or in space. Fly into a black hold! Zoom through constellations faster than the speed of light! Celestial shows (fee) Mon. - Fri. 1,2, and 3 p.m.; Sat., Sun., every half-hour 1 to 3:30 p.m. Weekend evenings feature entertaining rock and roll laser shows (fee). Planetarium also houses an array of scientific exhibits. For ticket and show information, 713-639-4629.

Lillie and Roy Cullen Gallery of Earth Science - Displays the Sams Collection of more than 600 rare mineral specimens and hundreds of gemstones which are among the fines specimens in the world. Also the Cockerel Hall of Minerals with some of the worlds best examples of gems and minerals from around the globe. There's a Hall of fluorescent Minerals, and a Hall of Gems an Jewelry.

Wortham IMAX THEATRE - Features exciting films projected onto six-story tall screen. Shows are hourly Mo. - Thur. 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.; Fri. to Sat., 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.; Sun noon to 8 p.m. Information, 713-639-4629.

Butterfly House, a tropical rainforest center, features some 2,000 live butterflies flying inside among tropical plants, flowers, and a cascading 40 foot waterfall.

Hall of Health - transparent anatomical mannequin displays various organs; lungs, heart, teeth, et.; hands-on exhibits, audio explanations.

• HOUSTON UNDERGROUND - A 4 mile system of underground pedestrian tunnels that includes a variety of shops and restaurants. Maps available in banks along route and at Visitor Information Center.
• Houston Zoo. Set in a lush 55-acre landscape in Hermann Park, the Zoo is home to more than 3,100 exotic animals representing more than 500 species including elephants, lions, tigers, orangutans, and bears. Known for its diverse reptile and bird collection. Tropical Bird House features a free-flight rain forest aviary. The Houston Zoo is open 365 days of the year from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. March through September and from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission.
• Houston Zoo. Set in a lush 55-acre landscape in Hermann Park, the Zoo is home to more than 3,100 exotic animals representing more than 500 species including elephants, lions, tigers, orangutans, and bears. Known for its diverse reptile and bird collection. Tropical Bird House features a free-flight rain forest aviary. The Houston Zoo is open 365 days of the year from 9:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. March through September and from 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. Admission.
• JAPANESE GARDEN - Designed by Ken Nakajima, world-renowned Japanese landscape architect who designed gardens in Moscow, Montreal, and Rome. Features Yukimi Stone Lantern, Azumaya (Tea House), and waterfalls amid winding paths and lush exotic plants. Open daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. In Hermann Park. Admission
• MENIL MUSEUM - Collection of John and Dominique de Menil includes contemporary, surrealistic and 20th Century art, antiquities, Byzantine and medieval art, and tribal art. Housed in architecturally significant 100,000 square foot building designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano of Italy. Open Wed. - Sun 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. 1515 Sul Ross.
• MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE - Performances feature a variety of entertainment from grand opera to jazz, ballet to Shakespeare, musical comedy to symphonic concerts. Outdoor theatre in Hermann Park seats 1,750 under unusual polygon roof; additional seating on grass hillside.
• MUSEUM OF FINE ARTS - The city's finest collection of art objects, paintings and sculpture, visited by more than a half-million people each year. Accredited by American Association of Museums. Among superb displays is Finnigan collection of ancient art from Egypt, Greece, and Rome. Straus collection feature.
• OIL RANCH - Day ranch activities include pony rides, hayrides, petting zoo, picnicking, swimming, and much more. Take U.S. 290 30 miles northwest. Open Mon. to Fri. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ; Sat. 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Sun. hours seasonal. Reservations recommended. 713-859-1616.
• ORANGE SHOW - Virtually impossible to describe, the construction of a Houston eccentric over 26 years. A labyrinth of outdoor and indoor passages, colored tiles, folk antiques, junk, and native art embellished with odd mottoes and parables. Colorfully bizarre!! Open mar. to Dec. from non to 5 p.m. Sat. & Sun.; memorial Day to labor Day Mon. to Fri. from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. 2402 Munger Street Admission. 713-926-6368.
• PORT OF HOUSTON - Among the top three seaports in the United States, sixth largest in the world in total tonnage. The port is connected to Gulf of Mexico by a 50 mile long ship channel nearly 5,00 ships and 40,000 barges transit the channel yearly,. World Trade Center Building is hub of Houston's international commerce, and location of many foreign consuls assigned here. Visitors may view famous Houston Turning Basin from observation deck reached through Gate 8 at 7300 Clinton Drive. Observation deck open daily form 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.
• RAILROAD TRAIN MUSEUM - Antique railroad cars and equipment. Open mar. to Dec., 1st and 3rd Sunday from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. 7390 Mesa Road
• ROTHKO CHAPEL - Interfaith chapel houses canvasses of the late Mark Rothko. Open daily 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 3900 Yupon.
• SAM HOUSTON HISTORICAL PARK - Project of Harris County Heritage Society, a monument to early history of Houston; 19 acre park features seven restored historic buildings ranging from oil field pioneer Henry T,. Staitis's 17 room house built in 1905 to the 1826 Old Place, depicting early life in Harris County. Open Mon. - Sat. 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. ( last tour at 3 ) Sun. 1 to 5 p.m. ( last tour at 4 ).

Museum of Texas History is sampler of Heritage Society's collection, covering Lone Star history since 1519. Frequently changing exhibits range from Spanish treasure to space exploration.

Housed n the adjacent building is the Long Row, a reconstruction of a shopping strip built in 1837 that houses gift shop and tearoom that's open for lunch Mon., Fri. Across from Texaco Heritage Plaza at 1100 Bagby.

• SAN JACINTO BATTLEGROUND STATE HISTORIC PARK - Site is adjacent to city's northeast city limits. Four historical markers on Battleground Road (Texas 34) within city attest to city's claim as "Birthplace of Texas."
• TEXAS LIMITED - Relive unhurried luxury rail travel aboard the Teas Limited as it travels from Houston, America's fourth largest city to romantic Galveston Island. Restored cars from the ' 30s, ;40s, and '50s. Trains run Fri. to Sun with night run 3rd Sat. of month. Passengers from Houston may ride to League City to attend races at Gulf Greyhound Park or to visit Space Center Houston and catch returning train from Galveston. Departs Houston from 567 T.C. Jester; in Galveston, the Railroad Museum a 25th and Strand. For ticket information call 713-228-7246.
• TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER - Organized in 1945, an immense complex of hospitals, medical and nursing schools, and research institutions whose purpose is total coordination of health education, patient care and research. More than 100 buildings occupy 650 acres in southwest Houston south of Herman Park. Major units now operating at Texas Medical Center include Albert B. Alkek Institute of Biosciences and Technology of Texas A&M University, Baylor College of Medicine, City of Houston health and Human Service, Gulf coast Regional Blood Center, Ben Taub General Hospital, Lyndon B. Johnson General Hospital, Hermann Hospital, Harris County Psychiatric Center, The hospice at Texas Medical Center, Houston Academy of Medicine-Texas Medical Center Library, Houston Community College System's Health Services, Houston ISD' High School for Health Professions, Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Institute of Religion, Harris County Medical Examiner's Office, LifeGift Organ Donation Center, Methodist Hospital, Prairie View A&M College of Nursing, Ronald McDonald House, St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, Shriners Hospitals, Texas Heart Institute, Texas Women's University, Houston Center, University of Houston College of Pharmacy, University of Texas Health Science Center (which includes Dental Branch, Division of Continuing Education, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Medical School, School of Allied Health Sciences, School of Nursing, School of Public health, and Speech and Hearing Institute), University of Texas M>D> Anderson Cancer center, Veterans Affairs Medical Center in Houston, and the YMCA Child Care Center in the Teas Medical Center.

Free tours, for information and reservations call 713-790-1136. Assistance Center in Texas Medical Center is at 1155 Holcombe, just east of Fanin.

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09/13/08