Things to Do in Houston
Museums/Exhibits
Houston Zoo
With over 4,500 permanent residents (the animals), the Houston Zoo provides a fun, unique, and inspirational experience for the 1.5 million guests who visit the Zoo each year.
Open daily 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
$10 for adults, $5 for children age 2-11
www.houstonzoo.org
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Every visit to HMNS is an opportunity to experience the wonders of science and nature firsthand. The spectacular exhibit halls and state-of-the-art venues offer remarkable insight into the world around us, from the age of dinosaurs to the era of space exploration.
Open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 11 a.m. to 5 p.m.
$9 for adults, $7 for children age 3-11
www.hmns.org
Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is a not-for-profit, non-collecting institution dedicated to presenting the art of our time to the local, regional, national and international public.
Tuesday-Wednesday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday 10 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Friday-Saturday 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
Admission is free
www.camh.org
The Children's Museum of Houston
With 14 galleries of vibrant exhibits bursting with action-packed fun, the Children's Museum of Houston gives kids from birth to 12 the ultimate discover and learn experience.
Open Monday-Saturday 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.
$5 General admission
www.cmhouston.org
For a complete list of Houston museums visit the Houston museum district web site.
Shopping Centers
The Galleria is the reigning mall champion of Houston. In addition to its upscale shops like Fendi, Chanel, Gucci, Coach and Louis Vuitton, it also has an enormous skating rink. The Galleria features large chains like Foley’s and Nordstrom’s and is also home to 70 additional merchants. The mall is located just West of Loop 610. Top Picks
This stylish shopping center is just east of the Galleria on Westheimer Road, and is full of charm. Stop by Crate & Barrel, Williams-Sonoma, James Avery Craftsmen, the exclusive Tootsies, and Restoration Hardware for starters. Top Picks
This mall is a must-see for serious shoppers. It includes tons of outlet stores like Off 5th - Saks Fifth Avenue Outlet, Bose Factory Outlet, The Children’s Place Outlet, and ever-so-popular The Gap Outlet. Top Picks
Located near Rice University, the Village as its known to most Houstonians is one of the city’s oldest and most prized shopping districts. The Village is home to stores like Banana Republic, White House Black Market, Express and many more. This district exhibits an eclectic personality due to its amazing Thai restaurants, antique shops, and boutiques like Z. Bead. Top Picks
The shopping center is one of the oldest in Texas. It features the upscale resale shop Twice New, and the do-it-yourself pottery shop The Mad Potter. Top Picks
Spas, restaurants and neat boutiques make Uptown Park a distinctive shopping experience to discover. Uptown Park is making a name for itself with its unique European style villages. Try Andre’s Pastry Shop after a full day of shopping excellence. Top Picks
