Chinatown Houston : Houston City Guide

Things to Do in Houston

Houston proximity to the Gulf of Mexico, the Texas Hill Country and the picturesque Piney Woods of East Texas makes day-tripping a local preoccupation. So think like a native and gas up the car. It's time to get out of town.

To the sea — Head south from downtown Houston and about 50 miles later, you'll be crossing the bridge to Galveston, a Gulf Coast island with a haunted past. Sailboats and beach houses begin dotting the landscape where more than 100 years ago, a hurricane ravaged the town and took with it as many as 8,000 lives. For the full story, check out "The Great Storm" exhibit at Pier 21, also home to the Texas Seaport Museum and the 1877 square-rigger, Elissa (409-763-0027).

Other museums you might want to check out include the Railroad Museum (with its $75,000 interactive model railroad and collection of model automobiles) and the Lone Star Flight Museum with its adjoining Texas Aviation Hall of Fame (888-FLIGHT-8; ).

You could spend an entire day scouring the Strand National Historic District Landmark District, a 36-block area of historic downtown Galveston lined with antique stores and quaint seaside shopping, and the newly revitalized Postoffice Street Arts & Entertainment District that is just a few blocks away. Start on 20th Street and walk towards 25th Street on Strand or Mechanic. The Postoffice Street area extends from Market to Winnie streets (between 19th to 25th streets) and includes art galleries, antiques shops, restaurants, taverns and the Grand 1894 Opera (2020 Postoffice St.; 409-765-1894 or 800-821-1894;).

Art enthusiasts will want to make at least a few stops among the more than 20 galleries along Postoffice Street, including the Bremond House Gallery (2208 Postoffice St.; 409-621-1171), which features photography and stained glass artwork. Fans of contemporary art won't want to miss the Buchanan Gallery (2120 Postoffice St.; 409-763-8683).

For a look at life aquatic, head to Moody Gardens (One Hope Blvd; 800-582-4673), one of the island's premiere tourist destinations. Three pyramids dot the complex, each with a different theme. The 10-story Rainforest Pyramid is home to exotic birds and fish, the Aquarium Pyramid is swimming with marine life from the four oceans of the world, and the Discovery Pyramid is a hands-on look at the many facets of science. Open year-round, visitors can buy ticket packages starting at $14.95 for the various Moody Gardens attractions.
You can see the Strand by carriage with Island Carriages tours (2528 Postoffice St.; 800-979-9201 or 409-765-6951 for details).The 90-minute "Ghosts of Galveston" tour begins at 8 p.m. in front of the Railroad Museum (25th St. and the Strand; reservations required; 409-766-7957) and costs $10 for adults and $5 for children 12 and under. f you like walking tours (but not of the spooky nature), you can explore Galveston's pristine 19th century architecture on foot.

In particular, be sure to check out the rococo Bishop's Palace, the Italianate Ashton Village and the Menard home, Galveston's oldest residence. Also open for the first time since 1957 is the legendary Balinese Room (2107 Seawall Blvd.) a notorious gambling haunt (frequented by the likes of Frank Sinatra and Tony Bennett) that was eventually shut down by the Texas Rangers.
Island dining is always a treat. There are plenty of eateries along the Strand and Postoffice districts and spilling out near the water. The Fisherman's Wharf (Harborside Dr. at Pier 22; 409-765-5708; ) offers a classic taste of Gulf Coast cuisine. Known for its shrimp kisses and fresh red snapper dishes, The Fisherman's Wharf overlooks the water and is a casual, but classy place to catch a bite. Reservations are recommended for parties of eight or more, but the prices are moderate.

Families looking for a slice of authentic Italian fare with a view of the beach, head to Mario's on the seawall (409-763-1693). Pizza is the house speciality, but the menu is full of sophisticated dishes such as Penne del Sol, a mix of roma sun-dried tomatoes, spinach and garlic. An outdoor patio offers a breathtaking view and free Wi-Fi. A trip to Mario's Web site can save you money, where coupons are listed regularly.

After a day on the beach or shopping along the strand, how does a nice glass of wine sound? If you are in the mood for some vino with a Texas twist, then make plans to visit the Haak Winery, which is about 20 miles south of Galveston in the town of Santa Fe. The husband-and-wife-owned winery produces a variety of chardonnay, syrah and muscat wines. The winery is open days a week for complimentary tasting and tours, but the hours vary according to the season. Even non-drinkers will appreciate the beautiful landscape which includes grapes, olives and a stunning Mediterranean winery on the property. 6310 Avenue T; 409-925-1401;
Galveston Island Convention and Visitor's Bureau: 2215 Strand in Old Galveston Square. Open 11 a.m.-5 p.m. daily. 800-351-4236 or 888-GAL-ISLE.

Blast off — Want to try on a space helmet, simulate a space walk or see what it's really like at NASA's mission control? Make the 25-mile drive south of downtown Houston to the place where history continues to be made. Space Center Houston is the official tourist's link to NASA's Johnson Space Center, home of U.S. astronaut training and mission control. Space history comes to life with state-of-the-art interactive exhibits and Texas' largest IMAX theater. New to the Space Center is the behind-the-scenes Level 9 tour that grants visitors exclusive access and shows them the new mission control center, the Space Environment Simulation Lab and other generally off-limit sites. Tickets for this special, limited-size tour are $62.90 and includes lunch in the astronaut lunch room. Permanent exhibits include a 30-foot model of the International Space Station Odyssey and a look at how robotics will change the future. The center is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on weekdays and from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. Admission is $17.95 for adults; $16.95 for seniors; and $13.95 for children 4-11. Parking is $4. 1601 Nasa Road One; 281-244-2100.

The battle of San Jacinto — Located 22 miles east of downtown, San Jacinto Battleground State Historical Park in La Porte commemorates the site where General Sam Houston defeated Mexican forces in 1836 to secure Texas independence. The 1,000-acre park includes picnic facilities, a museum and the tallest stone structure in the world, the 570-foot high San Jacinto monument. A short walk away is Battleship Texas, a 1914 World War I battleship that saw extensive action in World War II before being permanently moored at the Houston Ship Channel.

The park is open year-round, 7 days a week (except Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve and Christmas Day). Admission to the battleground, monument and museum is always free, but separate charges apply for various attractions. It costs $3 for adults and $2 for children to take the elevator to the observation floor of the San Jacinto monument; a tour of Battleship Texas is $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, $3 for children aged 6-18; free for children 5 and younger; and the "Texas Forever! The Battle of San Jacinto" presentation is $3.50 for adults and $2.50 for children. The park is at 3523 Battleground Rd.; turn right on Park Road 1836 to reach the San Jacinto monument; continue on Highway 134 for one mile to reach Battleship Texas (entrance on the left). 281-479-2431.

Explore Chinese History — See 1/3-scale replicas of 6,000 terra cotta soldiers from 3rd century BC China in the little town of Katy, 20 miles east of Houston. Forbidden Gardens, an outdoor museum and cultural center built in 1997, painstakingly replicates archeological scenes from Imperial China. Highlights include scale models of the Forbidden City of Beijing and the Lodge of the Calming Heart, as well as numerous weapons and architecture rooms. Since most of the park is outdoors, you'll want to dress accordingly. Forbidden Gardens is open year-round, 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Friday, Saturday and Sunday (except for major holidays) with tours starting at 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m. Admission is $10 for adults; $5 for students, teachers and seniors; and $3 for children under 5. Group rates and guided tours are available. 23500 Franz Rd.; 281-347-8000.

Cowboy stories — Eleven miles south of downtown Houston on Almeda Road sits a little Texas ranch with a big story. Ancestors of Mollie Taylor Stevenson, the first African American to be inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame, began working this land more than 100 years ago. Today, the Taylor-Stevenson Ranch remains in the family and serves as a reminder of the African-American cowboys who helped tame Texas. Mollie Stevenson (and her daughter, also Mollie) founded the American Cowboy Museum on their working historical property to spotlight the achievements of African Americans, Native Americans, women and Hispanics in western heritage. Horseback riding is available for tourists. Several generations still reside at the ranch, so call before heading out (hours and days of operation vary greatly.) Admission is $5; ask about reduced rates for children and groups. 11822 Almeda Rd.; 713-433-4441.
Please visit Chinatown Houston while you are in town. Go to www.chinatownconnection.com for a preview.