Republic of Texas. The city has experienced phenomenal growth since a small riverboat landing was established on Buffalo Bayou by the Allen brothers in August 1836. Hous- ton lies on I-10, a segment of the Ports-to-Plains Highway. It is home to 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 St. Thomas and University of Texas Health Science Center. The Texas Medical Center, organized in 1945, has free
tours. The Assistance Center is at 1155 Holcombe. For more information, call 713/790-1136. Houston has the world’s largest indoor air-conditioned
pedestrian tunnel system, with shops and restaurants. It is usually open weekdays and is wheelchair accessible. Tours available. Maps at the Visitor Information Center. Major events include Freedom Over Texas in July, the
Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in March and the Houston International Festival each April.
1940 AIR TERMINAL MUSEUM—This civilian aviation history museum is housed in an art deco building designed by Joseph Finger. The museum received congressional recognition for its importance to the preservation of civil aviation heritage. 8325 Travelair St. On the west side of Hobby Airport. 713/454-1940. www.1940
airterminal.org.
ALKEK VELODROME—The 33.334 meter track is banked nine to 33 degrees. 19008 Saums Road. In Cullen Park.
www.houstoncycling.org.
ALLEN’S LANDING—This park on Buffalo Bayou is where the Allen brothers arrived in 1836 to promote a new real estate venture: Houston. Several restored 19th-century buildings are now devoted to dining and entertainment. Bounded by Travis, Milam, Congress and Preston streets.
ART CAR MUSEUM—Custom decorated cars feature whimsical motifs—a motorcycle in a woman’s red high-heel shoe and a giant polyester bunny VW. Many of the cars participate in the annual Art Car Parade. 140 Heights Blvd. 713/861-5526.
www.artcarmuseum.com.
BATTLESHIP TEXAS—See LA PORTE.
BAYOU BEND COLLECTION & GARDENS—A branch of the Houston Museum of Fine Arts, this 28-room Latin Colonial structure has a collection of works from the colo- nial period to the early 19th century. The 14-acre gardens are bounded on three sides by Buffalo Bayou. The Lora Jean Kilroy Visitors and Education Center has a library, shop and terraces all dedicated to American art, culture and history. Admission charge. 6003 Memorial Drive. 713/639-7750.
www.mfah.org.
BREWERIES AND DISTILLERY—8th Wonder Brewery, Buffalo Bayou, Karbach Brewing Company, Saint Arnold Brewing Company, and Yellow Rose Distilling LLC. See BREWERIES AND DISTILLERIES listing.
CHRIST CHURCH CATHEDRAL—Founded in 1839, this is Houston’s oldest church at its original site. It contains hand-carved woodwork and fine stained-glass windows, including one designed by Tiffany. Noon Eucharist in Golding Chapel. 1117 Texas Ave. 713/222-2593.
DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM—This entertainment and dining complex features marine life, a train ride through a shark tank, Dive Lounge, Ferris wheel, boardwalk games, dancing fountains and gift shop. 410 Bagby St. 713/223-3474.
www.downtownaquarium.com.
DUNHAM BIBLE MUSEUM—Exhibits ancient and medieval manuscripts and examples of the earliest printed Bibles. Tells the story of the Bible’s preservation, history, transmission and influence. Free. 7502 Fondren Road. In the Morris Cultural Arts Center at the Houston Baptist University. 281/649-3287.
www.hbu.edu/biblemuseum.
GULF GREYHOUND PARK—See LA MARQUE.
HOUSTON ARBORETUM AND NATURE CENTER— This 155-acre nature sanctuary has more than five miles of
PHOTO: WILL VAN OVERBEEK/TXDOT
The Cullen Sculpture Garden is across the street from the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston.
LAKE HOUSTON WILDERNESS PARK—The park includes lodges, campsites, nature trails, and an equestrian area, as well as swimming, birding, hiking, biking and horseback riding (no horses provided). Admission charge. 25840 F.M. 1485 in New Caney. 281/354-6881. www.houstontx. gov/parks/ourparks/
lakehoustonpark.html.
MINUTE MAID PARK—The park is home to the Houston Astros, the newest American League club in Major League Baseball. The facility features a retractable roof, which ensures no weather delays. For groups of 25 or more, batting practice viewings, and
clubhouse tours: 713/259-8687 or
www.astros.com/tours. 501 Crawford St. 713/259-8000.
www.astros.com.
MUSEUM DISTRICT—One of Houston’s most scenic areas, the Museum District is home to 18 institutions, restaurants and beautiful green spaces such as Hermann Park. The Mecom Fountain and the Sam Houston statue are must-sees.
www.visithoustontexas.com. Byzantine Fresco Chapel—This museum features
13th-century frescoes from the island of Cyprus. One of the ancient frescoes depicts the Virgin Mary. Another fresco, a domed one that took four years to restore, de- picts Christ as the ruler of all things. Chapel is located at the corner of Branard and Yupon streets. Menil Collec- tion: 713/525-9400.
www.menil.org/visit/byzantine.php. Children’s Museum of Houston features hands-on
exhibits for children four months to 14 years old in areas of science, history, culture and the arts. Includes an
trails. The center features interactive exhibits and aquari- ums. 4501 Woodway Drive. 713/681-8433. www.houston
arboretum.org.
HOUSTON FIRE MUSEUM—Features the evolution of firefighting from the “bucket brigade” to modern vehicles. Collection includes an 1892 steam fire engine and an early 20th-century motorized pumper. Admission charge. 2403 Milam St. 713/524-2526.
www.houstonfiremuseum.org.
LAKE—Lake Houston—This City of Houston lake offers boat ramps, marinas, fishing and water sports. About 18 miles northeast of Houston via U.S. 59 or Beltway 8 to F.M. 1960. Also accessible from Humble. 713/440-1587.
outdoor discovery garden and greenhouse. Admission charge. 1500 Binz. 713/522-1138.
www.cmhouston.org. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is a non-
collecting museum dedicated to bringing the cutting edge of contemporary art to the city with yearly exhibi- tions. 5216 Montrose Blvd. 713/284-8250.
www.camh.org. Czech Center Museum Houston houses paintings,
artifacts, photography, sculpture, porcelain, crystal, music and samples of folk arts in permanent and changing exhibitions. Admission charge. 4920 San Jacinto. 713/528-2060.
www.czechcenter.org. Holocaust Museum Houston is dedicated to educat-
ing people about the Holocaust, remembering those who died and honoring the survivors. Included is a permanent exhibit, memorial, changing exhibit gallery, theater, library, interactive learning center and archives. 5401 Caroline St. 713/942-8000.
www.hmh.org. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft is dedicated
exclusively to contemporary craft. It features handmade crafts through museum-quality exhibitions, educational programs and the Asher Gallery. Free. 4848 Main St. 713/529-4848.
www.crafthouston.org. Houston Garden Center has garden trails, a rose gar-
den and center headquarters. Call or visit website for hours. 1500 Herman Drive. 713/284-1986 or 713/284-1989.
www.houstontx.gov/parks/ourparks/gardencenter.html. Houston Museum of Natural Science features space
science plus geology, archeology and natural history. Admission charge. 5555 Hermann Park Drive.
www.hmns.org. Of special interest are: Burke Baker Planetarium reproduces celestial patterns
as they would be seen from any point on earth or in space. Planetarium also houses an array of scientific exhibits. 713/639-4629. Cockrell Butterfly Center is a six-story glass cone that
houses live butterflies flying amid a tropical rain forest. Visitors can stroll within the area to view flowers, medici- nal plants, giant trees, a 40-foot waterfall and scores of exotic butterflies. 713/639-4600. Hall of Paleontology—is the new hall packed with
prehistoric beasts, showing the predators and prey in action. 713/639-4629. Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals displays rare mineral
specimens and gemstones. Nearby is the Lester and Sue Smith Gem and Mineral vault of rare jewelry. Wortham Giant Screen Theatre features exciting films
projected onto a six-story-tall screen. See website for show times. 713/639-4629.
www.hmns.org. Houston Zoo—This zoo is a live animal adventure and
an educational and conservation resource. Set in a lush tropical landscape, it is home to more than 4,500 exotic animals. Admission charge. 6200 Hermann Park Drive. 713/533-6500.
www.houstonzoo.org. Japanese Garden—Designed by Ken Nakajima,
world-renowned Japanese landscape architect who de- signed gardens in Moscow, Montreal and Rome. Features Yukimi Stone Lantern, Azumaya (Tea House) and water- falls amid winding paths and lush exotic plants. Admission charge. In Hermann Park.
www.hermannpark.org. John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical
Science—With its walk-through design of human anato- my, the facility provides a chance to understand the body’s inner workings. Exhibits change throughout the year. Admission charge. 1515 Hermann Drive. 713/521-1515. The Menil Collection—An architecturally significant
building—designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano— houses the John and Dominique de Menil collection of contemporary, surrealistic and 20th-century art; antiquities; Byzantine and medieval art; and tribal art. 1515 Sul Ross St. 713/525-9400.
www.menil.org. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston—Among the displays
are art from Africa, Asia, Mexico, South America, Europe, North America and the South Pacific. The museum also offers Native American art of the Southwest; Frederic
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