Break a Sweat at New Heights at Texas Rock Gym

Get climbing at Texas Rock Gym, Houston’s indoor rock climbing gym. The large space features 42 rock wall stations, five with auto-belay, as well as a designated bouldering area. Whether you are an experience climber or newbie, all skill levels are welcome here. Patrons find it a fun yet challenging activity to try when the weather forces you indoors. But unlike the mall, here you’ll get in a great workout. The friendly staff puts a lot of effort into maintaining the gym; everything is kept clean and the routes are changed regularly so the climbs don’t get too easy.

Customers can get all the rental gear necessary, a class, and all day access for just $30. If you really love rock climbing, consider becoming a member and you’ll benefit from unlimited access to the rock gym as well as yoga, Kung Fu, and Tai Chi classes. The "School of Rock" program is designed just for kids with after school and school break camps. Texas Rock Gym also offers private and group lessons for those who want to hone their skills. Try to visit on a weekday as it can get crowded on Saturdays and Sundays.

Texas Rock Gym
1526 Campbell Road
Houston, TX 77055
(713) 973-7625
http://www.texasrockgym.com
http://www.yelp.com/biz/texas-rock-gym-houston-2

CC-BY-2.0/Flickr/jeffwilcox

Burke Baker Planetarium: To The Stars

Have an interstellar experience at the Burke Baker Planetarium, located in the Museum of Natural Science. High-resolution video technology projects images of planets, stars, meteors, solar systems and galaxies on the domed surface of the theatre. Their computerized SkySkan DigitalSky Starfield projector is the most advanced in the world, providing stunning simulations of stars, planets, comets and nebulous objects. It lets you play astronaut with jaw dropping three-dimensional simulated flights through space. A state-of-the-art digital stereo sound system enhances the Dome Theatre experience with a variety of music and sound effects. Films like Stars of the Pharaohs take you back 6,000 years to ancient Egypt to see how astronomers aligned their temples and pyramids with the stars.

Admission is $8 for adults, $7 for seniors and students.

Burke Baker Planetarium
1 Hermann Circle Drive
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 639-4629
http://www.yelp.com/biz/burke-baker-planetarium-houston

The Museum of Printing History: A Monument to the Page in Houston

The Museum of Printing History lets you explore the history, science, and art of printing from the earliest days of the form until the present. A tour of the museum lets you see a page of the Gutenberg Bible pulled just as it was in 1455 and watch the Declaration of Independence printed on a 19th-century iron hand press. Artifacts exhibited include Mesopotamian cylinder seals, ancient papyrus fragments, Asian movable type, illuminated manuscripts, a 1450 Gutenberg press replica, old master etchings and engravings, and Ben Franklin’s “Pennsylvania Gazette”. The Museum is open Tuesdays through Saturdays from 10 a.m. until 5 p.m. Admission is free for self-guided tours.

The Museum of Printing History
1324 West Clay Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 522-4652
http://www.yelp.com/biz/museum-of-printing-history-houston

Wabash Antiques and Feed Store: Your Friendly Neighborhood Farm Supply

You don’t have to leave the city to take care of all your urban farming needs – Wabash Antiques and Feed Store is a multipurpose shop that sells plants, pet foods, and even some small livestock as well as antiques and knickknacks. The garden center carries a wide variety of plants of the edible and decorative varieties. For the urban homesteader or those with a fondness for unusual pets, Wabash also sells several kinds of chickens as well as ducks, rabbits, pigeons, and doves. The feed selection ranges from top of the line cat and dog foods to bird seed and chicken scratch! And finally, Wabash offers a wide range of rustic and country style antiques, yard art, decorations, and gifts. It's an interesting place to browse and experience the rustic charms of country life.

Wabash Antiques and Feed Store
5701 Washington Avenue
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 863-8322

Cockrell Butterfly Center: A Butterfly Habitat in Houston

Butterflies are beautiful, but also perform a vital function in nature. And you can learn all about them at Houston's Cockrell Butterfly Center. As part of the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Cockrell Butterfly Center is a great experience for the whole family. First, you will get to walk right in the Rain Forests Conservancy, a large butterfly habitat surrounded by winged creatures that might just land on you! In the Brown Hall of Entomology, you’ll learn about insects by checking out lots of specimens and models. You’ll even get a close look at Houston’s largest cockroaches! On the lower level, you’ll get to see what an entomologist’s lab looks like. The Cockrell Butterfly Center is an affordable tour, and groups are also welcome.

Cockrell Butterfly Center
5555 Herman Park Drive
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 639-4629
http://www.hmns.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=56&Itemid=8
http://www.yelp.com/biz/cockrell-butterfly-center-houston

A Day at the Ranch: Buckhorn Style

It’s time to plan that special party, day out, or annual gathering. You’re looking for something that works across age groups, something that allows for some wild fun but stays safe and contained. You seek a venue where you can relax too, leave the activities to others, and not have to fuss. Buckhorn Ranch and Lake may be your place!

New things are happening at this site, about twenty minutes from downtown Houston. Enjoy paddleboats on the lake or arrange a day of fishing (fish and release, only) for various perch, bass, and catfish. There are covered pavilions with playgrounds, volleyball, horseshoes, and traditional sports fields and equipment, and a swimming pool.  You’ll find moonwalks and entertainment by a chainsaw sculptor. Among the horses and other animals on this ranch is a giant Flemish rabbit, over a meter long and weighing over 16 pounds.

There are plenty of eating options, but how can you miss out on a yummy BBQ!?

Buckhorn Ranch and Lake
5627 Garrett Road
Houston, TX 77044

Dionisio Winery: In Vino Veritas, Houston

Friends of the mighty grape like to congregate at Dionisio Winery. It’s a great place for date night or to meet up with friends and tip back a glass or two. Choose from a variety of wines made on site by the winery’s friendly owner. Reds include merlot, pinot noir, shiraz, zinfandel and cabernet sauvignon. If white’s your thing, sample some chardonnay, sauvignon blanc or zinfandel. Fruit wines made at the winery meld flavors for a super-sweet taste that many people love. Peach Chardonnay, Green Apple Riesling, Strawberry White Merlot and Black Cherry Pinot Noir are some of the luscious flavors to try. Want to learn more about wine or try bottling your own? Sign up for one of their fun, informative classes. Open Wednesday through Saturday.

Dionisio Winery
2110 Jefferson Street, Suite 119
Houston, TX 77003
(713) 906-2499
http://www.yelp.com/biz/dionisio-winery-houston

Khon’s Wine Darts Coffee Art: A Space for Everyone

No matter what you’re expecting when you go to Khon’s, you will likely be surprised at what you find. The tiny, inviting space, its walls covered in art, has the ambience of a coffee shop, and the espresso drinks are top notch – but Khon’s also boasts a full bar stocked with craft brews and fine wines. As the name promises, you can play darts, but this is not the sort of place one thinks of as a “dart bar." What Khon’s is is a family-friendly, community-driven gathering place for folks of all sorts. Whatever you like to drink when you go out, Khon’s has you covered. Whether you want to listen to music, have a meeting, play a game, or just relax with friends and family, you can do it at Khon’s!

Khon’s Wine Darts Coffee Art
2808 Milam Street
Suite H
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 523-7775

Pinot’s Palette: Unleash Your Inner Artist

Have you always wanted to make art, but didn’t know where to start? Pinot’s Palette in Midtown offers fun, social art classes that provide just the right atmosphere to help you lose any self-consciousness and start creating. The process begins when you choose a class – each session is based around recreating a specific piece of art – some famous, some not so famous. The pieces are pictured on the web schedule so you can choose a class according to your taste. Bring your own food and drink (yes, you may bring wine) and let talented professional artists facilitate your creation. The process is simple, fun, and easier than you might think, and you will end up with a piece of art you'll be proud to display. The space is also available for private classes and parties.

Pinot’s Palette
2406 Taft Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 523-4769

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston: The Heart of the Arts

The Museum of Fine Arts is the largest cultural institution in the southwest and a flagship center for art and culture in the Houston area for over a century. Check out some of the collections of African sculpture and artistic expressions from around the world. The Bayou Bend collection of art from the 17th through the 19th centuries spearheads a number of personal collections for your enjoyment. Visiting exhibitions can highlight collections from Europe, featuring classic art and modern expressionism. There are also a number of tours and programs for kids, adults, families and groups. The Museum of Fine Arts is open seven days a week.

Museum of Fine Arts Houston
1001 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005
(713) 639-7300
http://www.yelp.com/biz/museum-of-fine-arts-houston-houston

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