February is a great time to explore the Houston, Texas, area. The temperate climate means you can get outside and see different activities and events without having to worry about freezing weather. Many outdoor activities, such as sightseeing tours and sporting events, begin annually in February, along with interesting cultural events.
While you might not think of it as being a winter wonderland, Houston has plenty of opportunities for you to lace up your skates and hit the rink.
The Aerodrome Ice Skating Complex offers hockey leagues for kids, along with figure skating programs for children 3 and older. A more relaxed skating atmosphere is found at the Polar Ice Galleria, which is located inside of a mall and offers free skating seven days a week along with skating lessons for beginners and broom ball for people who don't want to skate.
While the annual tradition of Mardi Gras is usually associated with New Orleans, there are plenty of festivities every February in the Houston area. The nearby island city of Galveston hosts 11 days of fun and excitement featuring parades, live entertainment and food from local restaurants.
While traditional Cajun foods are generally poor options for healthy eating, seafood options like shrimp and crawfish are good low-fat alternatives.
In February 2010, the Houston Zoo offered Scout troops' families the opportunity to spend a night with the animals by camping out overnight at the zoo grounds. Children 7 and older and accompanying adults were able to interact with animals at the zoo before enjoying a night of camping under the stars.
The Second Saturday Buffalo Bayou Boat Rides also start in February and give visitors a chance to see the city's waterways and local animals such as heron, alligators and jumping fish.
Houston has several professional sports teams that are in action during February, giving visitors the chance to become cheerleaders and support their favorite team.
Basketball fans can watch the Houston Rockets at the Toyota Center, which also hosts the minor-league Houston Aeros hockey team.
Robertson Field on the University of Houston's campus is home to the two-time Major League Soccer champion Houston Dynamo. Fans can get active at Dynamo games by taking part in the interactive Amigo Energy Soccer Fest, which starts two hours before every home game.
Celebrate the Chinese Lunar New Year at the Beltway Plaza, which attracts thousands of people to watch a traditional New Year's parade featuring firecrackers, dancing costumed lions and dragons, and other cultural activities.
The Children's Museum of Houston also hosts annual events to celebrate Lunar New Year, including martial arts troops, hula dancing lessons and arts and crafts for kids.
