Houston Special Events & Attractions

The "when in Rome" adage certainly applies to enjoying time in Houston. Many residents retreat to cooler, drier climates during the summer but return in droves to enjoy the breathtaking fall season that's full of such festivals as the Bayou City Arts Festival in late March and the Greek Festival in early October.

Mild winters give way to fresh, shower-infused springs that are equally as lovely, and locals embrace the weather and the activities that go along with it.

Dining al fresco is elevated to an art form when the weather permits, and restaurants and bars capitalize on the desire to spend quality time outside with live music, exotic beverages, and quality bites appropriate for the season. There is little doubt that Houston is bursting at the seams with experiences for every taste, budget, and style. You just have to know where to look.

Insider's Guide: The Best of Special Events & Attractions in Houston

Although Houston is best traversed by car, another way to truly see a different side of the city is by boat. Buffalo Bayou (1800 Allen Pkwy) is a 52-mile stretch of water that flows through downtown, and parts of it are navigable by canoe and kayak.

Downtown skyscrapers jut from behind mammoth green trees, and overpasses offer shade while floating down the bayou that shows the softer side of Houston. Tours are available for the whole family or for solo jaunts.

©2006 Greater Houston Convention and Visitor's Bureau Catch a glimpse of downtown Houston from serene Buffalo Bayou Park.

If you just feel like being a spectator instead of a participant, check out any one of the city's six professional sports teams. In recent years, the city has built new homes for just about all of its teams. The Houston Rockets, Houston Comets, and Aeros play at the shiny Toyota Center; the Houston Texans call Reliant Stadium home; the Houston Astros battle it out at Minute Maid Park; and the Houston Dynamo soccer team plays at the University of Houston's Robertson Stadium. With so many teams, there are sporting events to take in year-round.

Space Center Houston (1601 Nasa Rd 1) is a scientific theme park that gives kids and their parents a chance to play astronaut. Sign up for the Level 9 tour that takes curious visitors 14 and older behind the scenes of Johnson Space Center and includes the new Mission Control Center, the Space Environment Simulation Lab (otherwise known as the Vacuum Chamber), and lunch at the Astronaut Cafeteria.

It may not be the great wall, but the Forbidden Gardens (23500 Franz Rd, Katy) is an outdoor museum that replicates some of China's major historic scenes. Highlights of this unique destination include the first Emperor's 6,000-piece terra-cotta Army replicated in 1/3 scale. Forbidden Gardens is open for tours Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

Houston Museum of Natural Science (1 Hermann Circle Dr) keeps the little ones enthralled with its permanent dinosaur collection but still manages to stay current with contemporary traveling exhibits. If the kids are tired watching from afar with their eyes, take them to the basement of the museum where they can test and kid-approve all kinds of hands-on scientific theories.

©2006 Greater Houston Convention and Visitor's Bureau The Houston Zoo includes a hands-on kids' zoo and is open every day except Christmas.

The Houston Zoo (1513 N MacGregor Dr) is located in the shadow of the Texas Medical Center. More than 4,500 animals spend their days in the sprawling Houston Zoo, while curious animal lovers linger over popular exhibits. Get up close and personal with meerkats in the Natural Encounters exhibit, or stroll the primate exhibit where you'll be mere inches away from some friendly orangutans.

The Children's Zoo is a hands-on experience that allows kids to pet, feed, and watch animals in six different habitats. The zoo is open 364 days a year, closed only on Christmas day.

Sam Houston Race Park (7575 N Sam Houston Pkwy) is a place to bet on an exciting time. Race fans can cheer on their favorite horse or watch a nationally televised race on more than 1,000 TV monitors. Go for the races and stay for the live music that rocks the track each week.

More contemplative than interactive, Mecom Rockwell Fountain (between Fannin and San Jacinto sts) consists of three large soup-bowl shaped fountains that bubble continuously and offer a dose of visual refreshment. Some consider it one of the most beautiful structures in town.

Texas history is alive and well at the San Jacinto Monument (1 Monument Circle), a 567-foot-tall memorial for those who fought for Texas independence and marks the spot where the Battle of San Jacinto was fought. Take the time to read up on the battle at the San Jacinto Museum of History located on the campus.

If your Texas history knowledge doesn't extend past old Dallas TV program episodes, then a trip to George Ranch Historical Park (10215 FM 762) is in order. The 23,000-acre working ranch features an authentic Victorian home and livestock, and depending on the time of year, visitors can even help bring in the harvest.

Houston has a thriving arts and culture scene, highlighted by its theater district and its mix of art museums. See the next page for details on arts and culture in Houston.