Discover Houston
Houston Educational Tours
As the largest city in the state of Texas and the fourth largest city in the United States, Houston really lives up to the saying “everything is bigger in Texas!” This thriving metropolis boasts a large theatre district, and is a great location for groups interested in the performing arts.
Houston Overview
As you’d expect from such a large city (2.2 billion people!), the city of Houston is jam-packed with attractions. The Houston Museum District is one of the largest museum campuses in the country, and features 19 institutions devoted to medical science, the Holocaust, fine arts, contemporary art, and other subjects – all within walking distance. Be sure to check out the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, a versatile and ever-changing complex which features internationally-acclaimed traveling exhibitions and permanent collections, two art schools, a decorative arts center, a sculpture garden and an auditorium that showcases everything from cutting-edge films to fascinating lecture series.
South of the museum district is Hermann Park, which sprawls across 445 acres of the city. Hermann Park is the site of the Houston Zoo, the Museum of Natural Science (which includes a planetarium), various public gardens, and McGovern Lake. Make sure to stop by the most prominent feature in the heart of the park, the 740-foot-long Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflection Pool.
Houston is a hub for human spaceflight activity, which means students interested in science, technology, engineering and medicine can find totally unique learning opportunities here. NASA’s Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is located in the Clear Lake area of Houston, and welcomes curious visitors through Space Center Houston (NASA’s official visitor center). Space Center Houston includes many exhibits, two films, four live shows, several artifact galleries, Independence Plaza, and more. Those interested in getting as close as possible can ride the NASA Tram Tour, which takes visitors on a guided tour of of Johnson Space Center.
Houston is one of the few American cities with a professional symphony orchestra and resident professional companies in ballet, opera, and theatre. The downtown theatre district is home to the major performing arts organizations. The Houston Symphony (founded 1913) is based at Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, the Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera (both founded 1955) perform at the Wortham Theater Center, and the Alley Theatre houses the city’s resident theatre group.
Johnson Space Center & Space Center Houston
“NASA’s Johnson Space Center has served as a hub of human spaceflight activity for more than half a century. It is home to the nation’s astronaut corps, the International Space Station mission operations, the Orion Program, and a host of future space developments.”
“The Manned Space Flight Education Foundation is a nonprofit educational foundation offering extensive science education programs and a space museum. The cornerstone of its education mission is Space Center Houston, a leading science and space exploration learning center. It is one of Houston’s top attractions, the area’s No. 1 attraction for international visitors, the Official Visitor Center of NASA Johnson Space Center and a Smithsonian Affiliate.
Educational emphasis is placed on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in a fun and engaging way. It uses space exploration to inspire wonder and interest in science and math.
The center features more than 400 space artifacts, exhibits, experiences and theaters related to the exciting future and remarkable past of America’s human space-flight program. The experience is designed to engage adults and children alike.”
