Hipmunk City Love: Sites You Won't Want to Miss in Houston

There’s something for everyone in Houston. If you’re planning a trip during your school vacation, you’ll want to get as much out of the city as you can. Pick any of these six spots to make your Houston vacation memorable.

The Downtown Tunnels

Several of Houston’s downtown businesses are connected by a six-mile maze of tunnels. The tunnels themselves have dozens of shops and restaurants. You can even grab a map and take a tour of the cheerful, attractive tunnels. Hilton Americas - Houston is located near the tunnels, and is also convenient to the Houston museum district, George R. Brown Convention Center, and the Toyota Center. This AAA Four-Diamond hotel provides plenty of comfort.

Space Center Houston

Image via Flickr by AGeekMom

You can’t come to Houston and not visit the Space Center. It is, after all, the pride of Houston. Space Center Houston is more than a museum. Along with artifacts from space explorations, there are many scheduled exhibits, and interactive adventures. One of the best events is Lunch with an Astronaut. You’ll find real astronauts with real stories sitting at the dining tables with visitors just waiting to share their stories.

Discovery Green

Discovery Green has often been called Houston’s Central Park, with its own style and flavor. There are tons of free events throughout the year, including movie screenings, concerts, ice skating, and festivals. One of the park’s best features are the Listening Vessels. These huge, concave sculptures allow you to hear nearly everything going on in the park, depending on where you’re standing. For a great view of Discovery Green, stay at Downtown Convention Center, which features cozy one-bedroom apartments available for up to four people at a cost-effective nightly rate.

The Houston Museum District

Take a world tour without ever leaving the city. The Museum District features 19 museums where visitors can discover an enriching, cultural experience. Artistic, scientific, and educational resources are all included in the District, which is comprised in a 1.5 mile radius of the Mecom Fountain. Stop by and check out the wide range of exhibits, collections, workshops, and live performances.

Market Square Park

Market Square Park packs a lot of fun into a small space. Discover plenty of live entertainment, great dining, a full schedule of events, and even an adjacent dog park. Take a stroll around the park and check out all the sights, including photography, gardens, historic remnants, and a beautiful mosaic fountain. Hyatt Regency Houston is located nearby, and provides luxurious guest rooms, a pool, and an on-site restaurant.

The Galleria

The Galleria features 400 stores spread out over several levels, and provides you a day full of window shopping. Check out exclusive stores such as Gucci, Apple, and Tiffany & Co. Choose from dozens of restaurants when you’re ready to eat, and check out the ice skating rink. The Galleria provides a great refuge from Houston’s summer heat, and an extravaganza at every holiday.

These six spots are the perfect choices to add to your Houston itinerary. Be sure to check for upcoming events and book tickets in advance.

Add Museums to Your Houston To-Do List

A trip to Houston may include taking in an Astros game or visiting Space Center Houston. Consider going in a completely different direction, though, and visit one of Houston's amazing museums.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science

If you like science, this is the place for you. Take in spectacular exhibitions and attractions, including mineral specimens, a dinosaur skeleton, space-station models, a six-story butterfly center, an IMAX theater, and a planetarium. There's plenty to keep the whole family busy all day. There are special exhibitions throughout the year and rotating IMAX and planetarium shows, as well as several regular exhibits. For true science buffs, Earth Forum is a must, with its mix of interactive technology that lets you explore the Earth.

Museum of Fine Arts

If art and sculpture are more your style, check out the Museum of Fine Arts. Exhibits rotate throughout the year, but they provide you with a spectacular array of art no matter when you visit. The museum's collections include more than 65,000 works of art created by artists from cultures all over the world, ranging from ancient times and to the present. For a sneak peak, check out the museum's website. You can book cheap hotels near the Museum, such as the Crown Plaza Houston River Oaks. For more hotels, check out Hipmunk's Houston hotels page.

Holocaust Museum Houston

Image via Flickr by jfleischmann

The Holocaust is one of history's most tragic events. Learn about its history while being educated on prejudice and tolerance. The museum includes archival film, a Danish rescue boat, and a World War II railcar used to transport victims to concentration camps. The Permanent Exhibition focuses on Holocaust survivors' stories, the history of Hitler and Nazism in Germany, and the timeline of the Holocaust. There are also galleries, an education center, and the Eric Alexander Garden of Hope, dedicated to the 1.5 million children whose lives were lost in the Holocaust. Parents may want to consult museum staff before planning a family tour. The Four Points by Sheraton Houston Southwest is close by and offers great rates.

Children's Museum of Houston

You won't want to miss a family day at the Children’s Museum of Houston. You and your kids will love exploring the exhibits and learning about science, technology, history, culture, health, human development, and the arts. Through several hands-on activities for both older and younger children, you can experience hours of fun during your visit. There are also plenty of events that take place throughout the year, so be sure to check out what will be happening during your visit. If you'd like to stay near the Children's Museum, check out the Mainstay Suites by Choice Hotels - TX Medical Ctr / Reliant.

National Museum of Funeral History

Are you looking for something completely unique to do on your visit? The National Museum of Funeral History houses the largest collection of funeral artifacts in the U.S. Trace the history of funeral services, see a display of hearses, and discover memorabilia from funerals of historical figures, including Dwight D. Eisenhower, Martin Luther King Jr., John F. Kennedy, and Elvis Presley. You can even learn about the history of embalming.

Museums are a great place to soak up local and world culture on your trip to Houston. Book your hotel, buy your Astros tickets, and write your list of dream museums when you plan your next trip.

Touring Houston

Houston, Texas is known as the world capital of space exploration, has a Theater District second only to New York City, and is home to the Astros. One of the best ways to get to know Houston is by taking a tour. There are many tours you can take around Houston with varying activities and sights. You can even create your own tour based on the activities you want to do. When choosing a tour, determine what you want to see and do on your vacation. Check Out the Tunnels In the hot summers, Houston residents stay cool by using the tunnel system located 20 feet underground. You can take a tour of these tunnels during your trip to Houston to get an up-close look at the city's architecture and learn about the city's history. During your tour, you'll be able to see all of Houston from Texas' highest sky lobby and explore the many underground shopping centers. The Heart of the Tunnel Walk is three hours long and can be booked for parties up to 12 people. Go Back in Time Image via Flickr by Rennett Stowe If you're interested in history, taking a tour of Houston's historical sites is perfect for you. Start with the Architecture Tour, which takes you to structures that trace the evolution of American architecture. Bayou Bend will give you a taste of southern aristocratic charm. For a good scare, check out some of Houston's local haunts, including Battleship Texas, Glenwood Cemetery, the Julia Ideson Building, and Alley Theater. Learn about Houston's significant civil aviation history at the 1940 Air Terminal Museum. Night Life For a night of fine wines and spirits, be sure to sign up for the Historic Downtown Pub Crawl, featuring four bars in the old Town of Houston. The bars rotate each night, so you can take the tour multiple times and discover new pubs every night. The tour always starts at The Cellar, located in the basement of Georgia's Market. The pubs date from 1861-1934, and offer unique tales of murder, gambling, brothels, and ghosts. If night clubs are more your style, check out Houston's amazing dance clubs, including The Flat, Fox Hollow, and Barbarella. Family Time Houston has several wonderful attractions for families that the kids will love. The Houston Zoo is one of Texas' best zoos, with plenty of animal habitats to explore, 4D experiences, and even giraffe feedings. Kemah Boardwalk has shops, restaurants, an aquarium, plenty of rides, and special events. For a little culture, check out the Children's Museum of Houston, where your kids can explore 90,000 square feet of interactive exhibits. The Houston Museum of Natural Science allows your kids to explore the far reaches of space, roam with dinosaurs, and wander through the African Serengeti. With so much to see and do, you and your kids will have as much fun putting your tour together as you will exploring the places on it. Putting a tour of Houston together is easy. Choose from existing tours or create your own. Look for Houston hotels during your search.