Houston, Texas, is a first-class tourist destination and the fourth largest city in the United States. In fact, according to the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau, "at 634 square miles, the City of Houston could contain the cities of New York, Washington, Boston, San Francisco, Seattle, Minneapolis and Miami."Now that's big. In keeping with everything else in Texas, Houston offers a Texas-sized variety of activities and things to do with children.
Space Exploration
Houston is home to NASA's Johnson Space Center, where astronauts are trained. The official visitors' center is Space Center Houston. Its Kids' Space Place features a full-scale model of the space shuttle and moon rocks that children can actually touch. Tours of Mission control are available when there are no space missions in progress.
Hands-on Fun
The Children's Museum of Houston offers a host of hands-on interactive exhibits that will be sure to keep your children entertained. Be warned if you choose to visit on a free family night--usually Thursdays--it can get rather crowded.
You and your kids can pop into Art Mix, an art school on West Alabama Street for an art class. You're welcome anytime between 9 a.m. and 6 p.m. Wear old clothes so that you're not worried about spatters.
The kids can let off some steam bouldering or rock climbing at Texas Rock Gym. Bouldering is simply unroped climbing in approved areas of the facility. A Climb-Safe session is available to everyone, and climbing shoes are available to rent on site.
Water Fun
SplashTown Water Park, just north of Houston, should provide a full-day of water fun for you and your family. Your kids will love splashing through the streaming waters of Gateway Fountain at Discovery Green, located right in downtown Houston.
The Kinder Lake basin at Discovery Green was designed with model boats in mind. Rent a remote control boat for your kids to maneuver around the basin.
Near the playground, you will find another splash-worthy installation, the Mist Tree, which is actually a piece of art created by sculptor Doug Hollis.The Buddy Carruth Playground at Hermann Park Conservancy has a water play area as well.
Parks
Hop aboard the Hermann Park Railroad to take an interesting ride around Hermann Park Conservancy. The Conservancy is home to Bayou Parkland, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Houston Zoo, McGovern Lake and so much more. Venture out to Eleanor Tinsley Park at dusk to see the large colony of Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from under Waugh Bridge.
Local Attractions
What kid can resist a trip to the zoo? The Houston Zoo is located in Hermann Park and is home to more than 4,500 animals. For something out of the ordinary, why not reserve ahead of time for the opportunity to see the zoo and its animals after hours. The "Night Prowl" must be reserved three weeks before your planned visit. Houston also has the Downtown Aquarium with more than 200 species of aquatic life.
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