Houston: Explore Space City’s best adventures
By RACHEL STRICKLAND | Photos courtesy of Houston First Corporation
Known for its thriving social scene, world-renowned rodeos and connection to space travel, visiting Houston is a must while living in Texas. Reportedly, Houston is the fourth most populated city in the country, and it is home to more than 2.3 million people, so it’s no surprise that there are countless things to do and places to go in Houston. However, a few things should go to the top of your list to get the whole “H-Town” experience.
Space Center Houston
Known as Space City, Houston is home to the NASA Johnson Space Center and its official visitor center and museum, Space Center Houston.
Created by the Manned Space Flight Education Foundation in 1992, the Space Center is Houston’s top destination and has entertained and educated more than 26 million people. The museum has more 400 space artifacts, including the Apollo 17, Gemini 5 and Mercury 9 space capsules. The Space Center is home to several immersive exhibits and experiences that will educate and enthrall visitors curious about America’s human spaceflight program, NASA and all things space-related.
There are several permanent exhibits at the Space Center where you can see the actual suits from space explorers and board a replica of the Space Shuttle Independence. Other exhibits include the Starship Gallery, Mission Mars and International Space Station Gallery, as well as several films and live presentations. There are also limited-time experiences and events, so things are never boring. The Space Center is an iconic part of Houston and a must-see for visitors and locals alike.
Website: www.spacecenter.org
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Founded in 1909, the Houston Museum of Natural Science started small with displays in the downtown area before moving to the Houston Zoo. Finally, the museum found its permanent home in Hermann Park following the opening of the Burke Baker Planetarium in 1964. Since then, the museum has continued to grow and expand. It is now renowned as a mammoth in natural science education. People from all over the globe travel to Houston to experience the museum’s exhibits and galleries.
You can explore King Tut’s Tomb, the Morian Hall of Paleontology, Vintage Texas Wildlife dioramas, the Morian Cabinet of Curiosities, the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals, and more. The museum is also home to the Cockrell Butterfly Center and Brown Hall of Entomology. This three-story glass conservatory offers an immersive experience where you can walk amongst 1,500 butterflies from farms all over the globe.
There are also hands-on experiences where you can learn about some of the world’s weirdest and most fascinating bugs.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science always has several rotating exhibitions, so it’s advisable to check the website to see which exhibits interest you most.
Website: www.hmns.org
Hermann Park Conservancy
Established in 1914, Hermann Park Conservancy boasts 445 acres of gorgeous land with countless things to do, including relaxing in the Commons, admiring the contemporary art in the Art in the Park exhibits, or exploring the McGovern Lake on a pedal boat. Take your dog for a walk in the McWilliams dog park and then grab a healthy bite at Ginger Kale. Kids are sure to have a blast at the Lott Family carousel, while folks of all ages are welcome to enjoy a relaxing train ride through the park.
Within Hermann Park sits the Japanese Garden, established in 1992 by world-renowned Japanese landscape architect Ken Nakajima. He designed the garden to recognize Houston’s growing Japanese community and the friendship between Japan and the United States. A Japanese team visits the garden every year to oversee improvements and upkeep.
McGovern Centennial Gardens, formerly the Houston Garden Center, is an eight-acre space renamed to commemorate the Hermann Park’s 100th anniversary. The gardens have more than 490 trees across 50 species and thousands of shrubs, bulbs, and more.
Within the Centennial Gardens, you can explore the Rose Garden, the Celebration Garden, the Woodland Garden, and the Family Garden, an educational space that houses seasonal vegetables, herbs and fruit trees.
Visiting Hermann Park is a great way to explore Houston culture, have fun and connect with nature.
Website: hermannpark.org
Discovery Green
Discovery Green, a 12-acre park in the heart of Houston, is a hub for all kinds of art, entertainment, and fun. The city of Houston and the nonprofit Discovery Green Conservancy opened the park in 2008 as a collaborative space for Houstonians to express their talent and creativity.
According to their mission statement, they hope to “provide an uncommonly beautiful, urban green space in the heart of Houston that serves as a village green for our city, a source of health and happiness for our citizens, and a window into the incredible diversity of arts, talents, and traditions that enrich life in Houston.”
At its core, Discovery Green is a wide-open, gorgeous venue for all sorts of community programming, most of which are free and completely open to the public. There’s always something happening at Discovery Green, including outdoor yoga classes, recycling events, skating rink events, concerts and so much more.
Website: www.discoverygreen.com
