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. Museums include:
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, depicts Christ as the ruler of all things. Chapel located at the corner
of Branard and Yupon streets, a few blocks from the Menil Collection. Menil
Collection: 713/525-9400. www.menil.org.
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 outdoor discovery garden and greenhouse. Open
9 a.m.–5 p.m. Tue.–Sat. and noon–5 p.m. Sun. Admission charge. 1500 Binz. www.cmhouston.org.
Contemporary Arts Museum — Non-collecting museum is
dedicated to bringing the cutting edge of contemporary art to the city through
its yearly exhibitions. Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tue.–Wed. and Fri.–Sat., 10 a.m.–9
p.m. Thu. and noon–5 p.m. Sun. 5216 Montrose Blvd. 713/284-8250. www.camh.org.
Czech Center Museum Houston — Museum and gallery
houses valuable paintings, artifacts, photography, sculpture, porcelain,
crystal, music and samples of folk arts in permanent and changing exhibitions.
Open 10 a.m.–4 p.m. Mon.–Sat. Admission charge. 4920 San Jacinto. 713/528-2060.
www.czechcenter.org.
Holocaust Museum Houston — This facility is
designed to be a living testimonial to those who died, a place to honor those
who survived, and a source from which the vital education of generations now and
in the future can begin. Included is a permanent exhibit, memorial, classrooms,
changing exhibit gallery, theater, library, an interactive learning center and
archives repository. Open 9 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri. and noon–5 p.m. Sat.–Sun. 5401
Caroline St. www.hmh.org.
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft — Dedicated
exclusively to contemporary craft, visitors experience the handmade crafts
through museum-quality exhibitions, educational programs, community-based
outreach initiatives and the Asher Gallery. Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tue.–Sat. and
noon–5 p.m. Sun. Free. 4848 Main St. 713/529-4848. www.crafthouston.org.
Houston Garden Center — Facility has garden trails,
a rose garden and center headquarters. Building open 8 a.m.–5 p.m. Mon.–Fri.
Trails and gardens open 8 a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Fri. (summer 8 a.m.–8 p.m.) and 10
a.m.–6 p.m. Sat.–Sun. and holidays (summer 10 a.m.–8 p.m.). 1500 Herman Drive,
north edge of Hermann Park.
Houston Museum of Natural Science — Exhibits
feature space science plus geology, archaeology and natural history. Open 9
a.m.–6 p.m. Mon.–Sat. and 11 a.m.–6 p.m. Sun. Admission charge. 1 Hermann Circle
Drive, in Hermann Park. www.hmns.org. Of special interest are:
Burke Baker Planetarium — A planetarium that reproduces celestial
patterns as they would be seen from any point on earth or in space. Celestial
shows (fee) 1, 2 and 3 p.m. Mon.–Fri. and every half-hour 1–3:30 p.m. Sat.–Sun.
Weekend evenings feature entertaining rock 'n' roll laser shows (fee).
Planetarium also houses an array of scientific exhibits. 713/639-4629.
Cockrell Butterfly Center — A six-story glass cone houses about
2,000 live butterflies flying amid a tropical rain forest. Visitors can stroll
within the 25,000 square-foot area to view flowers, medicinal plants, giant
trees, a 40-foot waterfall and scores of exotic butterflies. Open daily.
713/639-4600.
Lillie and Roy Cullen Gallery of Earth Science — Displays the Sams
Collection of more than 600 rare mineral specimens and hundreds of gemstones and
the Cockrell Hall of Minerals with some of the best examples of gems and
minerals from around the globe. There also is a Hall of Fluorescent Minerals and
Hall of Gems and Jewelry.
Wortham IMAX Theatre — Features exciting films projected onto a
six-story-tall screen. Shows are hourly 10 a.m.–8 p.m. Mon.–Thu., 10 a.m.–9 p.m.
Fri.–Sat. and noon–8 p.m. Sun. 713/639-4629.
Houston Zoo — Founded in 1922, the Houston Zoo is a
live animal adventure that provides a educational and conservation resource. Set
in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, it is home to more than 4,500 exotic
animals, representing more than 800 species. Open during Central Standard Time 9
a.m.–6 p.m. daily and during Central Daylight Time 9 a.m.–7 p.m. daily. Last
admission is one hour before closing. Closed Dec. 25. Admission charge. 6200
Hermann Park Drive. 713/533-6500. www.houstonzoo.org.
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 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily.
Admission charge. In Hermann Park.
John P. McGovern Museum of Health & Medical
Science — The museum features hands-on experience for all ages.
With its walk-through design of the human body, the facility gives visitors a
chance to understand the body's inner workings and how one area influences the
next. The museum also has changing exhibits throughout the year. Open 9 a.m.–5
p.m. Tue.–Sat. and noon–5 p.m. Sun. Admission charge. 1515 Hermann Drive.
713/521-1515.
The Menil Collection — An architecturally
significant 100,000-square-foot building designed by architect Renzo Piano of
Italy houses the John and Dominique de Menil collection of contemporary,
surrealistic and 20th-century art; antiquities; Byzantine and medieval art; and
tribal art. Open 11 a.m.–7 p.m. Wed.–Sun. 1515 Sul Ross. www.menil.org.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston — The city's finest
collection of art objects, paintings and sculpture is accredited by the American
Association of Museums. Among the superb displays is the Finnigan collection of
ancient art from Egypt, Greece and Rome. The Straus collection features
Renaissance paintings and bronzes. Visitors also will find Native American art
of the Southwest; Frederic Remington's robust masterpieces; native arts from
Africa, Australia and South Pacific; and a special Junior Gallery with changing
exhibits that appeal to youngsters. Open 10 a.m.–5 p.m. Tue.–Wed., 10 a.m.–9
p.m. Thu., 10 a.m.–7 p.m. Fri.–Sat. and 12:15–7 p.m. Sun. Fee. 1001 Bissonnet.
www.mfah.org.
The Cullen Sculpture Garden, displaying fine sculpture outdoors, is
across from the museum. Open 10 a.m.–10 p.m.
Rothko Chapel — Interfaith chapel houses canvasses
of the late Mark Rothko. Open 10 a.m.–6 p.m. daily. 3900 Yupon St.