Hot spots
Butler Longhorn Museum
Residents can learn about local resident Milby Butler, who helped save the longhorn from extinction. The museum features local art, history and science exhibits, and contains a gift shop.
1220 Coryell St., League City
281-332-1393
www.butlerlonghornmuseum.com
Hours: Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Sun.-Mon.
Admission: Free (age 7 and younger), $6 (ages 8-16, and 60 and older), $12 (ages 17-59)
Clear Creek Vineyard
Clear Creek Vineyard offers a diverse menu of red and white wine, vodka, and coffee. People can also take a tour to see how Clear Creek Vineyard makes its wines and spirits along with an opportunity for a tasting.
709 Harris Ave., Kemah
281-334-8300
www.clearcreekvineyard.com
Hours: Wed.-Thu. noon-6 p.m., Fri.-Sat. noon-8 p.m., closed Sun.-Tue.
Admission: $30-$35 (reservation required)
Italian Heritage Museum
This museum was once a home built in the 1900s and owned by J. C. League, League City’s founder, and sold to Sebastian Ghirardi, the son of the first Italians to immigrate to the city. It features exhibits and displays of the 12 Italian families who migrated to the city.
1220 Coryell St., League City
281-332-1393
www.leaguecity.com/3869/italian-heritage-museum
Hours: Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4 p.m., closed Sun.-Mon.
Admission: free (age 7 and under), $9 (ages 8-16, and 60 and older), $12 (ages 17-59)
Lone Star Flight Museum
Visitors can see various exhibits, including Heritage and Waltrip hangars, which are each over 30,000 square feet and feature different types of aircrafts.
11551 Aerospace Ave., Houston
346-708-2517
www.lonestarflight.org
Hours: Tue.-Sat. 10 a.m.-5 p.m., Sun. noon-5 p.m., closed Mon.
Admission: $10 (ages 4-11), $13 (ages 12-17, and 65 and older), $15 (ages 18-64)
Moody Gardens
Moody Gardens offers a multitude of attractions, including its Aquarium Pyramid, Rainforest Pyramid, the Discovery Museum focusing on music, and 3D and 4D theaters.
1 Hope Blvd., Galveston
409-744-4673
www.moodygardens.com
Hours: 10 a.m.-6 p.m. daily; hours vary seasonally and per attraction
Admission: varies by season and attraction
Space Center Houston
Space Center Houston offers a variety of exhibits and attractions that look into the history of space exploration and plans for future missions. Activities include the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket exhibit and a NASA Tram Tour that takes people to the Johnson Space Center.
1601 NASA Parkway, Houston
281-244-2100
www.spacecenter.org
Hours: 10 a.m.-5 p.m.; hours vary on select days
Admission: free (age 3 and under), $24.95 (ages 4-11), $27.95 (age 65 and older), $29.95 (ages 12-64)
Stingray Reef
Tucked away inside the Aquarium Restaurant is an opportunity to get up-close and personal with the stingrays at Stingray Reef. While other fish and marine life are featured, visitors are able to pet and feed only the stingrays, making them a favorite attraction.
215 Kipp Ave., Kemah
281-334-9010
www.aquariumrestaurants.com/aquariumkemah/exhibits.asp
Hours: Wed., Thu. and Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m., Fri.-Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m.; closed Mon. and Tue.
Admission: $5.25 per ticket, $6.99 per value pass which includes entry and fish food
Outdoor destinations
Armand Bayou Nature Center
People can enjoy various activities, including a 2- to 3-mile kayak tour and hikes along the prairie, forest and bayou. The Armand Bayou Nature Center also offers a variety of programs for children in the fall.
8500 Bay Area Blvd., Pasadena
281-474-2551
www.abnc.org
Hours: Wed.-Sat. 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (last entry 4 p.m.), Sun. noon-5 p.m. (last entry 4 p.m.), closed Mon.-Tue.
Admission: free (age 3 and under); $4 (ages 4-12, 60 and older, and other discounted patrons); $6 (ages 13-59)
Bayou Wildlife Zoo
Bayou Wildlife Zoo offers tram rides for people to experience the animals the zoo has to offer. Addie Lou’s Barnyard features pygmy goats, lemurs and giraffes.
5050 FM 517, Alvin
409-904-2525
www.bayouwildlifezoo.com
Hours: Wed.-Sun. 10 a.m.-4 p.m, closed Mon.-Tue.
Admission: free (age 2 and under), $12 (ages 2-11), $20 (age 65 and older), $22 (ages 12-64)
Clear Lake Park
This 59-acre park features plenty of activities and attractions for families, including playground equipment, sports fields, a half-mile trail and access to fishing on Clear Lake.
5001 NASA Parkway, Seabrook
713-274-7275
www.facebook.com/clearlakepark
Hours: 7 a.m.-10 p.m. daily
Admission: free
Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier
Pleasure Pier offers amusement park rides and dining, including Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., funnel cakes and turkey legs, on the Gulf Coast.
2501 Seawall Blvd., Galveston
409-766-4950
www.pleasurepier.com
Hours: closed for the season; will reopen in 2022
Admission: $7 (age 65 and older), $8 (under 48 inches tall), $10 (48 inches tall and above); rides cost extra
Galveston Island State Park
The park has both beach and bay sides, offering various activities for day trips and overnight stays. There are four miles of hike and bike trails, as well as a canoe and kayak launch. There is also a fish cleaning station on site, and a fishing license is not required to fish from shore at a state park.
14901 FM 3005, Galveston
409-737-1222
www.tpwd.texas.gov/state-parks/galveston-island
Hours: open daily; beach side closed until 2022
Admission: $5 per person
Kemah Boardwalk
Kemah Boardwalk offers a variety of restaurants, amusements and retail stores on the waterfront.
215 Kipp Ave., Kemah
877-285-3624
www.kemahboardwalk.com
Hours: Mon.-Thu. noon-9 p.m., Fri. noon-10 p.m., Sat. 11 a.m.-10 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.-9 p.m.
Admission: free (admission), $18.99-$24.99 (all-day ride pass)
Nassau Bay Peninsula Wildlife Park
The Nassau Peninsula is a 76-acre wetland area connected to Nassau Bay at the end of Harbour Drive. A nature trail, complete with information signs and benches, is open to the public. There is no parking on Harbour Drive; visitors should park David Braun Park at Lake Nassau.
East end of Harbour Drive, Nassau Bay
281-333-4211 ext. 2944
www.nassaubay.com/201/nassau-peninsula
Hours: dawn to dusk
Admission: free
