Sights to See/Things to Do

The Parking Office, located on the fourth floor of Pressler Garage, ext. 3-PARK, has a number of discount coupons available to employees for various cultural and recreational activities including restaurants, movie theaters and amusement parks.

Armand Bayou Nature Center
8500 Bay Area Blvd
Pasadena
(281) 474-2551

Non-profit organization dedicated to preserving the wetlands prairie, forest and marsh habitats surrounding Armand Bayou. Educational opportunities include school field trips, special 'EcoExplorations', children's camps, teacher workshops and wetlands education. Activities include a visit to Martyn's Farm for an experience of 1800s Texas farm life, and guided canoe tours or an excursion on the 'Bayou Ranger' pontoon boat through the bayou. Open daily except Monday. Donations appreciated.


Gulf Greyhound Park
I-45 South at Exit 15
La Marque, Texas
(1 (800) 275-2946

Just 30 miles south of Downtown, this four-level complex offers air-conditioned clubhouse seating for 1900 patrons. The track runs all year long, rain or shine. Evening races are held Tuesday through Sunday; matinee races Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday. Must be 21 to be admitted. Features Wiener Dog Races. General admission and reserved seating available. Admission fee.


Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
4501 Woodway (near Memorial Park)
(713) 681-8433

A 155-acre non-profit nature sanctuary, one of the largest collections of flora and fauna native to the Southwest, featuring walking trails, narrated tours, a Discovery Room with interactive exhibits and gift shop. Educational programs include children's classes and summer camp, Urban Nature Series for adults, school programs and teacher workshops, and the Marie Vann Memorial Library. Most exhibits open daily.


Mercer Arboretum and Botanical Gardens
22306 Aldine Westfield Road
Humble, Texas
(281) 443-8731

Two hundred fifty acres of East Texas piney woods showcasing the region's largest collection of native and cultivated plants. The site is home to the Arboretum, which includes an outdoor classroom, picnic area, barbecue pavilion and three miles of walking trails, as well as 20 acres of Botanic Gardens. Open daily. Admission is free; however, donations are appreciated.


The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art 
2402 Munger St
(713) 926-6368

A folk art environment constructed by one man over a period of 25 years with found objects to illustrate his philosophy of good health and nutrition. Performances, workshops and community-oriented events that help both children and adults become involved in the creative experience and learn about folk art. Sponsor of the popular annual Everyone's Art Car Parade. Admission is $1, free for children under 12.


Reliant Astrodome
8400 Kirby
(832) 667-1400 or (713) 259-8000

Located between Fannin and Kirby at Loop 610, the 'Dome was the first domed stadium and was home to the Houston Astros for 35 years, and served as temporary shelter in 2005 for thousands of New Orleans residents displaced by the flood caused by hurricane Katrina.The $36-million structure seats 55,000 plus and is labeled the Eighth Wonder of the World. Open daily for guided tours ((713) 799-9595). Gift shop.

Sam Houston Boat Tour
Port of Houston & Houston Ship Channel
Sam Houston Pavilion
Gate 8 on Clinton Drive
(713) 670-2416

One and one half hour excursions on Sam Houston Inspection Boat. Visitors enjoy air conditioned lounge seating and standing room on the rear deck, as well as a complimentary beverage. The tour is free; however, reservations are required. Photo identification is required of all passengers over 18 years of age.


Sam Houston Race Park
Sam Houston Race Park is located on the south side of Sam Houston Parkway (Beltway 8) between 290 and I-45 ((281) 807-7223). The Race Park encompasses nearly 240 acres, including a three-level grandstand where you can watch the races in an air-conditioned setting; reservations can be made for restaurants and box and counter seats. Races are run on winter, summer and fall schedules. In the summer, the Texas Music Explosion concert series brings live country music to the park after the final race. Admission fee; children under 12 admitted free. General parking is $3.00.


San Jacinto Monument and Museum
San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site
The Battleship Texas
3523 Highway 134 off Highway 225
La Porte, Texas
(281) 479-2431

This monument marks the site where Texas won independence from Mexico. The 460-acre site features the 570-foot San Jacinto Monument, the world's largest monumental column, and the San Jacinto Museum of History. The Battleship Texas (U.S.S. Texas) is moored at San Jacinto Battleground. It was launched in 1912 and is a veteran of the two world wars and a dozen campaigns.

Six Flags Splashtown
21300 I-45 North at Spring
(281) 355-3300

The largest waterpark in Texas with more than 35 rides and attractions, which include a five-story interactive water playground for all ages. Open April through September, on weekends in the spring and fall, daily in the summer.

Space Center Houston
1601 NASA Road 1 (Exit off I-45 South)
Adjacent to Johnson Space Center/NASA
(281) 244-2100

This state-of-the-art education and entertainment complex will let you experience the thrill of manned space flight and the drama of man's reach for the stars. Land the shuttle by simulation, walk through Skylab, visit Mission Control and Space Station Control and observe astronauts training in the Weightless Environmental Training Facility. Open daily, except Christmas day.

State-Wide Events

The state's annual activities include:
Cotton Bowl Parade (New Year's Day), Dallas, Texas
State Fair and Livestock Exposition (September-October), Dallas, Texas
Citrus Fiesta, Mission, Texas
Shakespeare Festivals:

Austin (November-May)
Kilgore (June-July)
Odessa (August-September)

Texas State Arts & Crafts Fair(May), Kerrville, Texas
Texas Folklife Festival (June), San Antonio, Texas

Most of the state's municipalities maintain parks and recreation departments and sponsor a variety of activities for residents. Information about scheduled programs and activities may be obtained at the appropriate city halls, or contact:

Inexpensive Things To Do

Ride the MetroRail train from the Medical Center to downtown. Buy a hot dog from a downtown James Coney Island. Walk around the downtown tunnel system (entrances open and close from most major buildings at different times) and find your way to the Texas Commerce Building, Texas at Travis. Take the elevator to the 60th floor observation deck and look at downtown Houston. Then go to the First Interstate Tower, Louisiana at Capitol, to compare the view from their observation deck. Both buildings are open Monday through Friday.

Visit the Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden, 5101 Montrose Blvd. at Bissonnet, across from the Museum of Fine Arts. Find a good patch of grass and plant yourself. Admission is free.

Visit the Menil Collection, 1515 Sul Ross ((713) 525-9400). The permanent collection includes antiquities, medieval and Byzantine art, tribal art and 20th century painting and sculptures. Admission is free.

Visit the Children's Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz ((713)522-1138). It's an adventure for children of all ages. Admission is free for children under two years of age.

Watch the boats and yachts come and go along the Ship Channel. From Highway 146, go to the Morgan's Point side of the channel and find a place to sit along the edge of the harbor.

Walk through the greenery and flowers at Bayou Bend Garden, 2940 Lazy Lane. Visit the Ima Hogg estate and grounds. Tour the River Oaks Garden Club Forum of Civics garden (2503 Westheimer, (713) 523-2483).

Visit the Water Wall at Williams Tower, 2800 Post Oak Blvd. Sit on the lawn and watch and listen to the waterfall. Then walk south to the man-made lakes on Post Oak. Soak your feet in the water and feed the ducks.

Take your bicycle to Braeswood Bike Trail and bike for miles along Brays Bayou, from South Main to Loop 610.

Visit the Houston Zoo ((713) 523-5888) and pet the animals in the petting zoo. Open every day. Admission is free for children under two years of age.

Ride Galveston's Bolivar Ferry. On the 25-minute ride between Galveston and Bolivar Peninsula, you can see porpoises and smell the salt air. Take a few pieces of bread and feed the gulls.

Ride your bike or roller skate along the seawall in Galveston.

Buy a roll of string, collect some old chicken necks and go to Galveston and stop anywhere along the freeway, at the end of the seawall or along Causeway Bridge to try to catch a few crabs. This is great to do with kids!

Visit Sea Wolf Park on Pelican Island for a small fee per vehicle. Tour the submarine, ship and naval display. Make use of the lighted fishing pier, playground and picnic tables. Open daily.

Learn about your body and health at the Hall of Health Science. The exhibits on the lungs, heart and teeth are an educational experience. The museum is in the Houston Museum of Natural Science building. Admission fee. Open daily.

Learn about the history of printing and newspapers at the Museum of Printing History, 1324 W. Clay, ((713) 522-4652). Admission is free. Open Tuesday through Saturday .

Visit hundreds of homeless cats, dogs, kittens and puppies at the Houston Humane Society, 14700 Almeda Road; free tours by appointment only ((713) 433-6421).