Last Updated on September 25, 2008

Area Attractions

Family Fun

• Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
  The HLSR celebrates Texas' traditions as only Houston can - with size, sizzle and style. After 37 years in the world famous Astrodome, the world's largest rodeo moves to its spectacular new home at the the Reliant Stadium. Among the highlights are a rodeo competition; award-winning chili and other country fare; concerts each night by country-and-western, pop, rock and jazz superstars; and a Livestock Show featuring acres of animals raised by young farmers competing for scholarships.
• Kemah Boardwalk
  Amusement complex of restaurants, shopping, games and live entertainment for the entire family.
• Moody Gardens
  The natural beauty of Moody Gardens is home to the King Penguin exhibit, with 40 of our fine feathered friends. It is also home to the Discovery Museum, a 3D IMAX Ridefilm theatre, the Rainforest Pyramid, and the Aquarium.
• Schlitterbahn Galveston Island Waterpark
  Splash, soak and slide year round at Texas' first climate-controlled indoor and outdoor water park. The 70,000-square-foot park features more than a dozen water park attractions including a torrent tidal wave river, four enclosed tube slides, three speed slides, a man-made beach, hot tub and three different activity areas for kids.
• Splashtown
  Splashtown is Houston's largest and most diverse water park, featuring 40 acres and over two million gallons of summer fun. From the kid-friendly Crocodile Isle to the five-story drop of The Texas Freefall, Splashtown offers spectacular water adventures, splashy river rides and thrilling body slides, including the all-new Tornado-Ride, The Ultimate Storm! Texas' favorite tropical paradise for water-loving thrill-seekers! The whole family will enjoy dozens of splashy water adventures and acres of incredible rides, slides, chutes and floats.
• Downtown Aquarium
  Eat, drink and play at this 7-acre (2.8-hectare) downtown aquatic adventure. The $36 million complex boasts 500,000 gallons of visible underwater tanks with more than 200 species of marine life. The Shark Voyage is a highlight: travel via train into an acrylic tunnel with live sharks swimming overhead. For an incredible view of the city, ride the 100-foot Diving Bell Ferris Wheel or go for a spin on the Aquatic Carousel.

Parks & Outdoor Activities

• Galveston Island
  Fifty miles south of Houston, this popular island provides an oasis of beaches, shopping, restaurants and assorted tourist amusements. The over 30 miles of beaches have long been a draw, but with the revival of the historic Strand District and the addition of Moody Gardens with its aquarium, 3-D Imax theatre and rainforest pyramid, Galveston's appeal has broadened.
• Hermann Park
  Hermann Park is the site of the Kipp Aquarium, the Houston Zoological Gardens, a golf course, jogging trails and an amphitheatre. The park also features miniature train rides, picnic areas and children's playgrounds.
• Memorial Park
  Memorial Park has herb gardens, a golf course, tennis courts, a completely lighted 3-mile jogging trail and five lighted playing fields.

Historical Sites

• Battleship Texas
  Walk the deck of Battleship Texas, and the ship's history comes to life as if you were there in the middle of the action. The USS Texas is a lucky battleship. It survived World Wars I and II, was hit by enemy fire only twice and lost only one sailor. After Britain began building the first dreadnaughts in the late 1890s - a class of battleship designed to hold powerful guns - every large, arms-bearing nation followed suit. The United States was the last to build and the Texas is now the only remaining dreadnought in the world.
• George Ranch Historical Park
  A 480-acre (194-hectare) outdoor living history museum interprets Texas history through four generations of a family that lived on the ranch for more than 150 years.
• San Jacinto Battleground and Monument
  A tribute to Texan independence, this towering tourist attraction commemorates the victorious battle against Mexico. The 570-foot San Jacinto Monument, 15 feet taller than the Washington Monument, is constructed of reinforced concrete faced with Texas fossilized limestone. Visitors can ride to the observation floor for dizzying views of the city and the Houston Ship Channel.

Miscellaneous

• Downtown Theatre and Cultural District
  Houston's Theatre and Cultural District covers 16 blocks and includes Jones Hall, Alley Theatre, Wortham Centre, Tranquility Park, and the Hobby Centre for the Performing Arts. Downtown architectural tours are available.
• Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
  Housing one of the largest collections of flora and fauna native to the Southwest, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center offers walking trails and narrated tours.
• Space Center Houston
  Observe Mission Control in action, watch astronauts in training, view IMAX movies, touch moon rocks and walk through the Sky Lab. Learn how astronauts eat, sleep and shower in space!