Houston, Texas, is about 40 miles north of the beaches of Galveston in the southeast section of the state. Houston is the home of one of the most famous NASA space facilities in the country, Space Center Houston. In addition to learning about the history of our country's space exploration, visitors to Houston can experience one of the most popular children's museums in the U.S. Another popular Houston attraction is the Houston Zoo, which also features a children's water park and an aquarium.
Space Center Houston is dedicated to the history of space exploration in the United States. Space Center Houston features two theaters that show movies on the history of space travel and an interactive space travel movie with sights, sounds and 4-D experiences. The facility offers a tram tour that takes visitors all over the Johnson Space Center and lets guests sit in models of the space shuttle and other space craft. Another attraction at Space Center Houston is an exhibit of all the different space suits worn by NASA astronauts. A play area for children has space-themed slides and play equipment to let kids get some exercise.
Space Center Houston
1601 NASA Parkway
Houston, TX 77058-3145
281-244-2100
spacecenter.org
The Children's Museum of Houston features 14 interactive exhibits designed specifically for children between the ages of 3 and 12. The museum's exhibits teach children about things such as inventions and how they work, nanotechnology, art, the power of water, science and architecture. The Children's Museum of Houston offers children a 35-foot play area with slides and climbing structures. The museum has a cafe with 12 different sandwiches and main dishes, along with side dishes, drinks and desserts. The Children's Museum caters to school groups, church groups and other large groups who need special accommodations.
Children's Museum of Houston
1500 Binz
Houston, TX 77004-7112
713-522-1138
cmhouston.org
The Houston Zoo has traditional zoo exhibits such as cats, primates, reptiles and birds. However, it offers visitors other attractions such as a children's water park with pools, fountains and climbing structures all centered in and around the water. A large animal-related carousel for children is at the entrance to the zoo. The Houston Zoo includes an aquarium with 23 different underwater animal exhibits. One of the aquarium's exhibits features jellyfish from the South Pacific. The Houston Zoo has four cafes and restaurants that serve lunch and dinner each day.
Houston Zoo
6200 Golf Course Drive
Houston, TX 77030-1710
713-533-6500
houstonzoo.org
