Houston

Space Center Houston, the official visitor center for NASA, features interactive exhibits, attractions and presentations that not only educate, but also entertain visitors. Learn about the history of space exploration in museum exhibits and short films and get a unique chance to touch a moon rock. Take a tram-tour to the Mission Control, the Astronaut Training Facility and the Rocket Park, where a life-size Saturn V rocket ship is on display.

A great piece of Texas history. Located in the battlefield where Texas gained its independence from Mexico, this museum, situated at the base of the 567-foot tall San Jacinto Monument, holds one of the largest collections of Texan art, artifacts, and history. Take an elevator ride to the top of the tower to get beautiful views of the area where the battles took place.

Visitors can walk through the aquarium exhibits and amaze themselves with an unexpected exhibit of white tigers. Outside, a Ferris wheel and other rides make for a fair-like atmosphere. There's a train that takes you around the small complex, stopping in the middle of an acrylic tunnel tank filled with sharks that swim above you. The aquarium contains, all in all, more than 200 species of marine life. Apart from the exhibits and fun rides, the Downtown Aquarium also features a restaurant, a bar, a ballroom, and a gift shop.

Recently named one of America’s great public spaces, this massive green area in the heart of Houston is a great opportunity for those looking to mingle with the locals, do some outdoor activities or just lay down on the grass and relax. Around the park, you'll find paddle boats for rent, jogging and bike trails, a bird island, a golf course, a Japanese garden, the Miller Outdoor Theater as well as the Houston Zoo.

Hiking and biking trails, as well as walking tours help locals and visitors stay active while taking in the tranquility of the scenery. The Discovery Green Park features a lake, restaurants, a children's area and multiple recreational areas. It also hosts events such as concerts and outdoor movies. Other parks such as Hermann, Sam Houston can be found downtown, while Memorial Park is just west of downtown.

The seaside town of Galveston is a popular weekend getaway and it has become a regular departure destination for cruise ships. You should bring your walking shoes since the island offers 14 museums and 20 art galleries, but don't forget to spend some time relaxing in the sun and on the beach.

The Battleship Texas in La Porte provides an educational experience for visitors. It takes about three hours to tour the ship on the inside and on the decks. There is also a great video that tells the story of the Battleship Texas and the important role it has played in both World Wars.

The Museum of Fine Arts offers a fantastic collection spanning classical to modern art, and every period in between. This huge museum has two gallery buildings, a sculpture garden, visitors center, library, café, movie theater, two art schools, two house museums, and two gift shops.

The Houston Zoo has over 6,000 animals housed in natural settings, with beautiful trees and flowers. This is a great place to experience animal life and its different ecosystems.

If you ever dreamed of flying then you should head over to iFLY Indoor Skydiving. Here you can experience the rush of skydiving without jumping from an airplane, just you floating in a vertical wind tunnel with the help of professional instructors. No skills are needed, and it is suitable for both kids and adults.

Houston's city government is housed in this 1939 Art Deco building, northwest of Tranquility Park. It can be admired from the outside, but the visitor's center on the first floor is also worth a peek.