Visiting the attractions in the Houston vicinity was one of the main activities for the 30 million people who visited the area in 2008, according to the Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau. Historical sites, museums and cultural attractions can all be found in the downtown Houston area as well as within the outlying region.
Texas history comes to life at the 23,000-acre George Ranch Historical Park. Located approximately 25 miles from downtown Houston, visitors can tour the historical homes, farms and gardens of the early settlers. Visitors can also assist with corn grinding, weaving and harvesting of the crops to familiarize themselves with the type of work that was performed in the 1800s. Tourists are greeted at each landmark by presenters in costume who explain the history of the buildings and the lifestyles of each era. Visitors can watch the blacksmith make metal tools in the blacksmith shop and the cowboys roping the cattle outside the George Ranch House.
The George Ranch Historical Park
10215 FM 762
Richmond, TX 77469
281-343-0218
georgeranch.org
Located 20 miles south of Houston, the Haak Vineyards & Winery offers tours of their wine-making and bottling facility seven days a week. Guests can walk through the 1,800-square-foot cellar that holds the oak barrels filled with aging wine. Visitors can also taste test the winery's award-winning wines in the tasting room, or spend time on the pavilion areas that overlook the vineyards.
The Haak Vineyards & Winery
6310 Avenue T
Santa Fe, TX 77510
409-925-1401
haakwine.com
Located between Houston and Hunters Creek Village, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center provides a safe haven for native animals and plants of the Houston area. Visitors can view the habitats of the pond, meadow, forest and wetland areas by walking the 5 miles of trails that wander through the 155-acre nature center. The center caters to children through the interactive Discovery Room and to adults by offering wine and cheese nighttime hikes.
The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
4501 Woodway Drive
Houston, TX 77024
713-681-1191
houstonarboretum.org
The Health Museum has permanent and seasonal exhibits as well as hands-on activities for the entire family. Visitors can learn about the internal body organs by walking through the Amazing Body Pavilion exhibit. They also can stroll through the oversized brain, clogged artery stations and into a large eyeball to learn about the inner workings of the body. The McGovern Theater shows kid-friendly, health-related 3D movies. Visitors to the museums can visually age themselves 30 years with the Age-O-Matic computer imaging system and try the Life-Span-O-Meter to evaluate their lifestyles in the interactive gallery.
The Health Museum
1515 Hermann Drive
Houston, TX 77004
713-521-1515
thehealthmuseum.org
