Houston Museums: Free Admisstion

Specific Free Times: General Admission Only

 

http://houmuse.com/free-admission-times/

Texas Parks, Lakes and Outdoors

Texas Best All Time Lake

  • Caddo Lake
    On the Texas / Louisiana border
    This is the only natural major lake in Texas. The lake was formed by an earthquake as a result of the Cado’s chiefs failure to obey the great spirit. It was actually formed from a log jam in the red river.

Texas Best Fishing Lake 

  •  Lake Fork Reservoir
    Quitman, Texas in Wood County. Named after the Lake Fork of the Sabine River.

Texas Best Recreational Lake  

  • Lake Lewisville
    Lewisville, Texas.
    On the Elm Fork of the Trinity River. The lake was formed by joining Lake Dallas and Garza Little Elm Reservoir. Because of too many boats people and beer it is also the most dangerous lake in Texas.

Texas Best Scuba Diving Lake 

  • Possum Kingdom
    Palo Pinto County, Texas
  • Canyon Lake
    New Braunfels, Texas
  • Lake Travis
    Austin, Texas

Texas Best Mountain Peak 

  • Guadalupe Peak
    Colberson County, Texas
    8,751 feet above sea level.

Texas Best Volcanos 

  • Pilot Knob
    Central Texas, south of McKinney Falls State Park
  • Pine Canyon Volcano
    Big Bend National Park
  • Sierra Quemada Volcano
  • Tuff Canyon Volcano
  • Paisano Volcano
    Davis Mountains

Texas Best Canyon 

  • Palo Duro Canyon
    Amarillo, Texas
    120 miles long and up to 1,100 feet deep.

Texas Best Sand Dunes 

  • Monahans, Texas

Texas Best State Park 

  • Big Bend National Park
    1250 square miles in the Big Bend of the Rio Grande River. The river flows for 107 miles of the parks southern border with Mexico. The park is to remain largely unaltered by human activity.

Texas Best Water Park 

  • Schlitterbahn
    New Braunfels, Texas
  • SplashTown Waterpark – Houston, Texas
    21300 I-45 North, Spring, TX 77373. 713-355-3307, e-mail: splashtn@neosoft.com
    SplashTown is the largest and most popular waterpark in Houston. More than 50 acres of rides, slides, attractions, live entertainment and special events.

Texas Best Short River 

  • Comal River
    New Braunfels, Texas.
    3 mile spring fed river with crystal clear water, 70 degrees year round. The world’s shortest river.

More Best of Texas!

Texas Best Meteor Crator 

  • Meteor Crater
    Odesa, Ector County, Texas.
    Third largest in the US. 500 to 650 feet wide and five to seven feet deep.

Texas Best Footbridge 

  • Footbridge
    Alto, Texas.
    Nation’s longest footbridge.

Texas Best Ship 

  • Elissa, Tall Ship
    Galveston, Texas

Texas Best Outdoor Ice Skating 

  • West End Marketplace
    650 Munger
    Dallas, Texas 75202
    November 29 through first weekend in March.

Texas Best Ski Slope 

  • Lookout Mountain
    Jacksonville, Texas
    903-586-2644
    Artificial ski slope open October thru March.
  • Mt. Aggie
    Texas A & M
    College Station, Texas
    Artificial slope.

Texas Best Indian Battleground 

  • Adobe Walls Historic Battleground
    Hutchinson County, Texas
    The first battle of Adobe Walls was one of the largest engagements between whites and indians on the Great Plains. (11-26-1864) Kit carson with less than 400 troops attacked a 150 lodge kiowa camp. He didn’t know about the 3000 to 7000 Comanches within a mile which made the battle a little more interesting.
    The second battle of Adobe walls (6-27-1874) occured when 700 Cheyennes, comanches and Kiowas under Quanah Parker attacked buffalo hunters camped at the walls.

Texas Best Observatory 

  • McDonald Observatory
    Jeff Davis County, Texas

Texas Best Cave 

  • Caverns of Sonora
    Sonora, Texas
    Experts agree this is the most beautiful cave in the world and this fact cannot be exagerated even by Texans.
  • Inner Space
    Georgetown, Texas.
    Newest and most accessable cavern. This cave was discovered by the Texas Highway Department while drilling in 1963. It is convienient to the new highway.

Texas Best Equestrian Center 

  • Will Rogers Memorial Center
    Ft. Worth, Texas.
    The nation’s premiere equestrian center.

Texas Best Drive-in Movie 

  • Brazos Drive In
    1800 W. Pearl Street, Granbury, Texas.
    817-559-4473
    1950s vintage. Opened in 1952. Owned by Jennifer Miller for the last 20 years. 2-2006

Texas Best Flea Market 

  • First Monday Trade Days
    Canton, Texas
  • Traders Village
    Grand Praire, Texas
  • Traders Village 
    Houston, Texas
    7979 N. Eldridge Rd.
    Houston, TX 77041
    713-890-550
    Traders Village – Houston is the largest marketplace on the Texas Gulf Coast. More than 50 acres of shopping, rides, live entertainment, and special events.

Texas Best River Walk 

  • River Walk
    San Antonio, Texas.
    One level below the downtown streets. Paso Del Rio. A must visit.

Texas Best Roller Coaster 

  • The Texas Giant
    Located at Six Flags Over Texas
    Arlington, Texas
    Named the number one roller coaster in the world in 1996 by Inside Track Magazine.

Texas Best Inland Beach 

  • Chrystal Springs Beach
    2 miles west of Maud on US 78
    903-585-5246
    12 acre spring fed lake surrounded by sandy beaches.

Texas Best Swimming Hole 

  • Hamilton Pool
    Austin, Texas
  • Barton Springs
    Austin, Texas
    The fourth largest spring in Texas. Spanish explorers wrote about the spring in 1714.
  • Balmorhea State Park

Texas Best Natural Thermal Springs
U.S. Geological Survey, 1981 

  • Boquillas Hot Spring
    Two miles west of Rio Grande Village
    Located in Big Bend National Park the man made pool is in tact with 105F water. The Spanish found Apaches living around the pool in 1747. The spring still flows into an ancient walled pool.
  • Emory Peak
    Indian Wells
    90 Farenheit to 106 Farenheit
  • Las Cienegas
    Presidio, Texas
    86 Farenheit
  • Capote Springs
    Marfa, Texas
    99 Farenheit
  • Union Springs
    90 Farenheit
  • Ruidosa Hot Springs
    113 Farenheit
  • Red Bull Springs
    99 Farenheit
  • Indian Hot Springs
    117 Farenheit

Texas Best Health Spa 

  • The Greenhouse
    Arlington, Texas
    817-640-4000
    One of the countrys most elite women only facilities. Guests including Nancy Reagan, Cindy Crawford and Dixie Carter have partisipated in this luxury program located in a 37 room plantation style mansion. Each guest has their own private maid and receive a tuck in masage at bed time.
  • Lake Austin Spa Resort
    1705 Quinlin Park Road
    Austin, Texas
    800-847-5637
    Facilities include docks, decks, walking and jogging trails on this river based resort. Spa treatments such as massages, mud baths, scrubs, body wraps and herbal body wraps are included.

Texas Best Concrete Arch
Longest In The World 

  • Jesse H. Jones Memorial Bridge
    Houston Ship Channel
    1500 feet
    1995 Guiness Book of World Records

Texas Best Column
Tallest Column In The World 

  • San Jacinto Monument
    San Jacinto River near Houston
    570 feet tall
    Built 1939
    1995 Guiness Book of World Records

Texas Best Roofspan
Largest Roofspan In The World 

  • Texas Stadium
    Irving, Texas
    787 feet
    1995 Guiness Book of World Records

Texas Best Breakwater
World’s Longest Breakwater 

  • Galveston, Texas
    6.74 miles
    1995 Guiness Book of World Records

Outdoors

Texas Best Rock Hunting

  • Llano Uplift
    Llano, Texas 78643
    915-247-5354
    The 1.5 billion acre Llano Uplift is a geological meca for amethyst, azurite, dolomite, galena, garnet, quartz, serpentine, and llanite found only in Llano County.
  • Mason County
    Mason, Texas
    915-347-5758
    Loaded with the Texas gemstone, Topaz.
    Paid hunting available.
  • Alpine, Texas
    Woodward Ranch
    Alpine, Texas
    915-364-2271
    Gemstones for fifty cents a pound on the 4,000 acre ranch.

http://www.texas-best.com/places/texas-parks-lakes-and-outdoors/

2016 Houston Summer Camps!

Houston Summer Art Camps

Sunrise International Dance Company Summer Camp
1570 S. Dairy Ashford Suite121, Houston, TX 77077
Contact: Oksana Chernyuk
Ph: (832) 814-5099
Email: oksanadancer@yahoo.com
Website: www.SunriseDanceCompany.org   

City ArtWorks Summer Art Camps
1330-R Wirt Road, Houston, TX 77055
Ph: (713) 681-1331
Email: Mandy@CityArtWorks.org
Website: www.CityArtWorks.org   

Description: At City ArtWorks, we focus on Art for Life: giving children the ability to create, interpret, and explore through art. We offer art, while encouraging creative problem solving and critical thinking.

Sassy Southern Sewing Summer Camp
8369 Almeda Rd. Suite- P, Houston, TX 77054
Ph: (713) 470-9775
Email: SassySouthernSewing@gmail.com
Website: www.SassySouthernSewing.com   

Description: 4 days of sewing fun in San Marcos, TX. Overnight or day camp with kid and adult classes. Come sew with us!

Claire's School of Dance's Summer Magic
1703 Heights Boulevard, Houston, TX 77008
Contact: Roxanne Claire
Ph: (713) 880-5565
Email: info@SummerMagic.com
Website: www.SummerMagic.Com

Elite Music & Fine Arts Summer Camps
2353 Rice Blvd., Houston, TX 77005
Contact: Jere' Derouin
Ph: (832) 477-5555
Email: Contact@EliteMusicFineArts.com
Website: www.EliteMusicFineArts.com

Houston Ballet Summer Intensive Program
501 Texas Avenue at Smith Street, Houston, TX 77002
Contact: Stanton Welch
Ph: (713) 227-2787
Email: HBacademy@HoustonBallet.org
Website: www.HoustonBallet.org

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston  -  "The Glasssell Junior School"
5100 Montrose Blvd., Houston, TX 77006
Contact: Pam Perez
Ph: (713) 639-7700
Email: JuniorSchool@MFAH.org
Website: www.MFAH.org

Houston Summer Sports Camps

FCBarcelona Soccer Camps
19823 Styebner Airline Road, Spring, TX 77379
Contact: Janet Castillo
Ph: (954) 652-2100
Email: info@FCBarcelonaSoccerCamps.com
Website: www.FCBarcelonaSoccerCamps.com   

Description: The Official FCBarcelona Soccer Camp Houston offers the unique and exciting opportunity to experience specialized soccer training through an official partnership with the world's most successful soccer team.

Quillian Memorial Center Sports Camps
10570 Westpark Drive, Houston, TX 77042
Contact: William Melton
Ph: (713) 781-9195
Email: qmc@QuillianCenter.org
Website: www.QuillianCenter.org    

Description: Quillian Center's summer camp has many exciting activities for campers. We have a gym, two swimming pools, big open fields, and energetic counselors to give your children a safe and exciting summer.

Fencing Summer Camp
4141 Directors Row, Suite E, Houston, TX 77092
Contact: Bethlehem Witte
Ph: (713) 410-6655
Email: inform@alliance-fencing-academy.com
Website: www.alliance-fencing-academy.com/fencing-camps/

Fun Fair Positive Soccer Summer Camps
24 locations in Houston
Contact: Jack Hendrie
Ph: (800) 828-PLAY ext. 911
Email: jack@ffps.org
Website: www.ffps.org

YMCA of Greater Houston Summer Camps
18 locations around Houston
Ph: (713) 659-5566
Website: www.ymcaHouston.org

Space City Futbol Club Summer Camps
2750 W. Main Street, Suite B, League City, TX 77573
Contact: Randy Evans
Ph: (281) 724-9915
Email: execdir@SpaceCityFC.org
Website: www.SpaceCityFC.org

The Little Gym Summer Camps
8415 Stella Link Road, Houston, TX 77025
Contact: Dawn and Andrew Koenig
Ph: (713) 668-7777
Email: TLGhoustonbellaireTX@TheLittleGym.com
Website: www.TheLittleGym.com

Houston Summer Academic Camps

Digital Media Academy
Rice University, UT Dallas & UT Austin
Contact: Guest Services
Ph: (866) 656-3342
Email: info@DigitalMediaAcademy.org
Website: www.DigitalMediaAcademy.org    

Description: STEM summer camps for ages 6-18 taught by professionals. Locations at Rice U, UT Dallas, UT Austin, Stanford, Harvard, UCLA, NYU, and many more!

RoboScience Academy Summer Camps
Contact: Mona Altabbit
Ph: (832) 310-4245
Email: info@RoboScienceAcademy.com
Website: www.RoboScienceAcademy.com 

Description: With an 85% repeat registration rate, RoboScience is considered a Real STEM Robotics Camp. Campers learn how design, build, and program LEGO robots with EXTREME FUN. Location: UH SugarLand & others.

Creative Writing Camp
Sponsored by Writers in the Schools and Rice University
Contact: Regina Vigil, Program Coordinator
Ph: (713) 523-3877
Email: mail@witshouston.org
Website: www.WitsWriting.org/camp

The Health Museum's Duke University Talent Identification Program
1515 Hermann Drive, Houston, Drive, Houston, TX 77004
Contact: Amy S. Kapadia
Ph: (713) 521-1515
Email: akapadia@thehealthmuseum.org
Website: www.TheHealthMuseum.org

American Robotics Academy Summer Camps
Contact: Deanna Johnson
Ph: (281) 599-7626
Email: AmericanRoboticsAcademy@gmail.com
Website: www.RoboticsAcademy.com

Houston Summer Residential Camps

Camp Stewart for Boys
612 FM 1340, Hunt, TX 78024
Contact: Jeb Lapeyrolerie
Ph: (830) 238-4670
Email: Jeb@CampStewart.com
Website: www.CampStewart.com    

Description: Camp Stewart offers over 80 camping activities, plus an exclusive Advancement program that helps develop activity skills, social skills, character and responsibility. Stewart is a private camp for boys 6-16.

Camp Coyote
2715 11th Street, Huntsville, TX 77340
Ph: (936) 294-9338
Email: CampCoyote@CampCoyote.com
Website: www.CampCoyote.com

Camp Peniel
6716 E. FM 1431, Marble Falls, TX 78654
Contact: Donna Kiley
Ph: (800) 848-1731
Email: dkiley@CampPeniel.org
Website: www.CampPeniel.org

Description: Swim, hike, ride horses, or fly down the zip-line! Strengthen youth relationships with Jesus Christ in a week of extreme fun and rock solid Bible training. Day camp for 1st grade through 5th, Overnight for ages 8-18.

Camp Olympia
723 Olympia Drive, Trinity, TX 75862
Contact: Tommy Ferguson
Ph: (800) 735-6190
Email: CampInfo@CampOlympia.com
Website: www.CampOlympia.com

Camp Honey Creek For Girls
401 Honey Creek Road, Hunt, TX 78025
Contact: Sandra Schmitt
Ph: (830) 238-4630
Email: chc@CampHoneyCreek.com
Website: www.CampHoneyCreek.com

Houston Summer Specialty Camps

Camp Invention
Locations in the greater Houston area.

Ph: (800) 968-4332
Email: CampInvention@Invent.org
Website: www.CampInvention.org    

Description: Led by local educators, the weeklong Camp Invention experience immerses elementary school children in hands-on activities that reinvent summer fun.

Houston Arboretum Nature Trekkers Summer Camp

4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, TX 77024
Contact: Carol Taylor
Ph: (713) 681-8433
Email: arbor@HoustonArboretum.org
Website: www.HoustonArboretum.org    

Description: Explore the natural world through indoor & outdoor adventures at 155-acre nature sanctuary. Topics: First Texans, Grossology, Wild Fliers & more! Half (9am-noon) & full day (9am-3pm). Art Camp: 3-5pm

Summer Play Camp

4949 Caroline Street, Houston, TX 77004
Contact: Lynn McLean
Ph: (713) 669-0211
Email: lynnmcleanlcsw@gmail.com
Website: www.SummerPlayCamp.com  
 Description: Summer Play Camp provides a positive camp experience for typically developing children as well as children with learning differences, ADHD, and autism spectrum disorders including Asperger's Syndrome.

San Jacinto College Summer Camps
Camp locations in Pasadena, Clear Lake, and North Shore.

Ph: (281) 998-6150
Website: www.sanjac.edu/summer-camps    

Description: San Jacinto College hosts fun and enriching camps for kids of all ages at each of its three campuses. Camps range from athletics and career exploration, to music and STEM, and everything in between.

Recipe For Success Summer Camps
4400 Yupon Street, Houston, TX 77006
Contact: Marisol Castro
Ph: (713) 520-0443
Email: gracie@recipe4success.org
Website: www.Recipe4Success.org

Houston Zoofari Summer Camps
6200 Hermann Park Drive, Houston, TX 77030
Ph: (713) 533-6739
Email: education@HoustonZoo.org
Website: www.HoustonZoo.org/camp

Houston Humane Society Companion Camp
14700 Almeda Road, Houston, TX 77053
Ph: (713) 433-6421
Email: camp@HoustonHumane.org
Website: www.HoustonHumane.org

Houston Bike Trails

Best Bike Trails in town!

The Anthills / Terry Hershey Park is a 16 mile out and back trail located near Houston, Texas and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for mountain biking, road biking & walking and is accessible year-round. Dogs are also able to use this trail but must be kept on leash.

15200 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77079

http://terryhersheypark.org/

Memorial Park Trails Color coded trails for increasing difficulties. (purple=easy, red, blue, orange/yellow=intermediate to advanced). They are interconnected, with trail heads at the rugby pitch and baseball fields. Also has a separate green trail, referred to as the "triangle" trail for advanced riding.

6501 Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77007

Lake Houston Park Peach Creek Trail is a 4.7 mile out and back trail located near New Caney, Texas and is rated as moderate. The trail is primarily used for hiking & mountain biking and is accessible year-round.

 25840 Farm-To-Market Rd 1485, New Caney, TX 77357

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center Outer Loop Trail is a 2 mile loop trail located near Houston, Texas and is good for all skill levels. The trail is primarily used for hiking & mountain biking and is accessible year-round.

4501 Woodway Dr, Houston, TX 77024

https://houstonarboretum.org/visit/plan-your-visit/trails/

George Mitchell Preserve fitness trail and separate bike trail that is very narrow and filled with tree routes. If you're a taller rider the bike path will be more challenging due to the hanging limbs and cuts in the trail.

5171 Flintridge Dr, The Woodlands, TX 77381

https://www.google.com/maps/d/viewer?msa=0&mid=z_j3z63Q9NAA.kTyffLkpqCUY

​

Family Road Trip

Driving East on I-10 is a great way to see part of America. Stops along the way are easy and fun each providing a differ- ent resort-style getaway.

Gulf-Shores and orange Beach

Your first stop: the white-sand beaches of Alabama. Only
a day’s drive away; here you’ll find a wide range of accommo- dations, diverse attractions and exquisite cuisine, all set in an atmosphere that exudes ultimate relaxation. You’ll absolutely love Turquoise Place (managed by Spectrum Resorts). Here you get all the comforts of home and then some. Watch the magnificent Gulf coast sunset from your own private outdoor hot tub on the balcony of your beautifully decorated 3, 4, or 5-bedroom suite. Each is fully equipped with indoor/outdoor kitchens, wet bar; even washers and dryers. Resort amenities include state of the art exercise area, spa appointments, air- conditioned poolside cabanas, Tiki bar and a 450-foot lazy river. The atmosphere and experience will have you booking your return stay before you get home. Now is the perfect time to discover why Alabama’s Gulf Shores and Orange Beach are known as “Pleasure Island.” Travelers to this southern beach resort have compared it to Hawaii, Laguna Beach and the Bahamas. This breathtaking destination has much to offer relaxation, fun and entertainment.

Destin

Visits to Destin revolve around the gorgeous Emerald waters. Find your dream vacation rental through Newman-Dailey Resort Properties. For over 29 years, they have managed the area’s premier rental properties. We stayed in a cute cottage called the Royal Bahamian in Crystal Beach. Just minutes from the beach, spend your first day exploring the water. Dinner at Camille’s is casual and comfortable. The Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park has just completed a $4 million dollar renovation. The dolphins are the stars here and you could spend hours watching them swim in their pavilion. After learning about dolphins, look for them in the wild. The Sea Blaster Sunset Dolphin Cruise is a party boat that searches the coast for dolphins. It’s a perfect way to end the day. 

Sandpiper Bay Club Med

It’s true when they say everything is included at Club Med. On this property enjoy tennis, volleyball, golf, sailing, stand- up paddle boarding, and a circus and trapeze school. All- inclusive eating and drinking and a kid’s program starting at 4 months make this your ultimate family destination. This stop on Florida’s East coast marks the halfway point on the road trip. Time to head back to Texas.

Grande Lakes orlando

Home to over 500 acres of the most enchanting natural surroundings, the Grande Lakes Orlando is world’s away from your typical Orlando vacation. When you stay at the Ritz Carlton, you have access to all the amenities at the adjacent JW Marriott. Master the art of golf on a Greg Norman Signature course. The secluded lush gardens at the Spanish-Moorish style Spa create a relaxing environment. They surround over 40,000 square feet of spa facilities, including 40 treatment rooms. Unique to the Ritz are treatments in the outdoor Rooftop Eco-Space and herb garden. The Eco-Hammock Massage combines “zero gravity” and massage techniques including Thai stretching, deep tissue and Cranial Sacral (balancing the central nervous system through neck massage). For dinner, the new Highball & Harvest features handcrafted cocktail classes, and a creative, playful menu. Look for Cajun-inspired dishes from young Chef de Cuisine Mark Jeffers, infused with local Floridian citrus flavors and ingredients from local purveyors and the resort’s on-property 7,000-square-foot Whisper Creek Farm. Don’t miss the Pig-n-Potatoes, an all- day breakfast dish of poached egg, potato hash, and tender pork cheeks with sweet peppers, caramelized onions, H&H Hot Sauce, and hollandaise sauce.

Hilton San Destin

You’ll love the view at the Hilton Sandestin Beach Golf Resort & Spa. Florida’s largest full-service beachfront resort hotel boasts 602 spacious accommodations, a world-class spa, fitness center and more. The wrap-around patio is the perfect vantage point to enjoy the full moon. Picnix Poolside Market is a casual eatery right in the center of the action. In addition to its stunning ocean views and breath-taking beachfront location, kids of all ages can work off their energy exploring the emerald green waters on paddleboards or kayaks, or just jumping waves while parents relax in their beach lounge chairs under their shady blue signature Hilton umbrella. The hotel even offers a shuttle to the nearby Village of Baytowne Wharf where guests can spread a blanket on the lawn and watch family-friendly films on Thursday evenings for the “Sunset Cinema” or pick up a new swimsuit and shades at Silver Sands Premium Outlets.

The Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel

Located in Mobile, Alabama, the rotunda at the Battle House Renaissance Mobile Hotel is breathtaking. The glass is ceiling here and in the restaurant are certified Tiffany glass. The current building was built in 1908 and is the second hotel to stand in this location, replacing an earlier Battle House that was built in 1852 and burned down in 1905. Stay here and you are just walking distance from many bars and restaurants. The friendly atmosphere here resembles New Orleans. This is the perfect location to wrap up your road trip. 

 

FoR MoRE inFoRMATion:

http://turquoiseplace.spectrumresorts.com
http://www.destinvacation.com/
http://www.gulfarium.com/
http://www.clubmed.us/cm/sandpiper-florida
http://www.grandelakes.com/
http://www.hiltonsandestinbeach.com http://www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/mobbr-the-battle-house-renaissance- mobile-hotel-and-spa/ 

By Laurette Veres