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Kid-Friendly Attractions in Houston

November 28, 2014 by

Houston is home to a wide variety of museums that appeal to people of all ages, but two in particular stand out to children. One of these museums will have your little ones looking back into the past, while the second provides a glimpse far into the future.

Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the most widely visited natural history museums in the country. It offers a wide variety of traditional attractions as well as an innovative approach to teaching the sciences to kids. Travel back in time through the Hall of Ancient Egypt, then venture even farther in the Morian Hall of Paleontology. Your family will learn how energy is made and used in the Wiess Energy Hall, and they'll enjoy stargazing at a recreated authentic night sky in the Burke Baker Planetarium. Kids love learning here, but you'll be surprised at how much adults enjoy it, too!

The Children's Museum of Houston
The Children's Museum of Houston is synonymous with fun, and this highly interactive learning center will make your kids excited about learning. Watch them engage in an ecological study inside the EcoStation. In the Cyberchase exhibit, kids will enter into an interactive world where math is not just learned, but experienced. This colorful center also provides countless programs and fun classes, so make sure to check the calendar for upcoming events.

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Find Fresh Fruit and Veggies at These Houston Farmers’ Markets

October 24, 2014 by

Farmers' markets provide a great place to stock up on the week’s produce, spend the afternoon outdoors, and support the local farming community while you do it. In Houston, you’ll find a number of bountiful farmers' markets offering much more than the usual fruits and vegetables. Check out one of these great options this week.

Houston Farmers' Market
The Houston Farmers' Market is the city’s main farmers' market, which becomes apparent when you see how many quality vendors there are on its grounds. The market is held every Tuesday afternoon in the parking lot behind Rice Stadium and offers a very large space for browsing. While you'll encounter local farmers selling fresh, organic produce, there are also many places to buy prepared foods that are supplied by local eateries. From homemade samosas to goat cheese made with local milk, you’ll find a wide assortment of foods at this impressive market.
Rice University Campus West Stadium Lot, 5600 Greenbriar Drive, Houston, TX 77005

Canino Produce
If you’re only looking for fresh produce, Canino Produce is a wonderful alternative to the traditional grocery store. This outdoor market is housed in an airy, barn-like building filled with bountiful stalls overflowing with fresh strawberries, local squash, ripe tomatoes, and many other seasonal fruits and veggies. Best of all, the prices are so low that you can shop local and organic without spending a fortune.
2520 Airline Drive, Houston, TX 77009; (713) 862-4027

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Plan a Visit to These Must-See Parks Near Houston, Texas

October 2, 2014 by

There's more to Houston that just bright lights and a little Western flair. In fact, you'll find that many of Houston's attractions lie just outside the city. Case in point: These two must-visit parks near Houston. One park lies on the river, while the other is known for its vast biological diversity. Either way, both make for a memorable getaway.

Big Thicket National Preserve
Big Thicket National Preserve is located about two hours outside of Houston. Here, you can find species from very different habitats living among each other in a relatively small area. Take a hike on a variety of different trails, ranging from a brisk boardwalk stroll to an extreme 15 mile trek. The preserve is also a popular destination for birdwatching, as approximately 185 migratory bird species make Big Thicket their home between March and early May. Canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts travel to Big Thicket year-round to cruise the Neches River and Village Creek.

Stephen F. Austin State Park
You'll find Stephen F. Austin State Park just 30 minutes from the outskirts of Houston, so it makes a quick day trip for anyone looking to get outdoors. This scenic retreat offers traditional camping activities such as hiking and fishing, as well as the more modern geocaching. If you'd like to keep it simple, go fishing for catfish along the Brazos River. There are wide variety of campsites to accommodate your camping needs, whether they be a place to hook up your RV, a cabin for shelter, or just a little spot to put your tent.

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Go Meat-Free at These Vegetarian Eateries in Houston

July 18, 2014 by

Though the great state of Texas is known for its barbecue, Houston’s vegetarians enjoy a number of meat-free restaurants that would rival any steakhouse in depth of flavor. Check out these tasty vegetarian eateries that serve much more than just tofu!

Pepper Tree Veggie Cuisine
This casual, healthy Asian restaurant is the ideal place to pop in for a quick lunch. All of the food items are 100% vegan, and absolutely no MSG is used while cooking. The colorful salad bar offers a wide variety of unique items, and the lunch buffet includes almost 20 different foods ranging from hot soups to egg rolls. The dinner menu also offers a number of Asian-inspired dishes, including a vegan General Tso’s Chicken that regulars insist you’ll crave for days afterward.

Field of Greens
Field of Greens uses a macrobiotic approach to eating that revolves mainly around whole grains and fresh vegetables. While this may seem restrictive, the upscale restaurant’s meat-free dishes are bright, diverse, and always flavorful. The eatery’s interior is airy and full of plants, and the cozy cafe-style tables are ideal for an intimate dinner. The expansive menu includes vegetarian salads, pastas, and a wide variety of meat-free sandwiches. The vegan daily soup includes split pea and tomato basil, and the dessert menu offers chocolate tofu pie, vegan carrot cake, and even vegan cupcakes in a number of flavors.

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Explore the Country’s Most Visited National Parks

April 11, 2014 by

Looking for adventure? Challenges, education, and exploration await at our country's 401 national parks— 84 million acres' worth in every single state across the U.S.! Here are the country's three most-visited National Park Service sites and reasons why you should visit:

1) Great Smoky Mountains National Park: 9,354,695 visitors in 2013
Straddling the North Carolina-Tennessee border, the Great Smoky Mountains National Park offers 800 spectacular miles of trails over 521,490 acres. In addition to hiking, visitors can camp, picnic, bicycle, explore historical sites, or fish the park's 700 miles of streams. (See a full list of to-dos here.) Watch your step: A trip to this national park might put you within range of a black bear, elk, or white-tailed deer.

2) Blue Ridge Parkway: 12,877,368 visitors in 2013
Awe-inspiring mountain passes are the hallmark of the Blue Ridge Parkway, a scenic 469-mile drive that connects Virginia's Shenandoah National Park with North Carolina's Great Smoky Mountains National Park. A good old-fashioned road trip along the Parkway promises pit stops way better than your standard fuel-up: Expect scenic overlooks, hiking trails that lead to secluded waterfalls, and plenty of native flora and fauna. Check out suggested itineraries here.

3) Golden Gate National Recreation Area: 14,289,121 visitors in 2013
America's most visited national park site, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area comprises 24 attractions in and around San Francisco, California. These include Alcatraz, the Muir Woods redwoods forest, and of course, the Golden Gate Bridge. Read more about the Golden Gate National Recreation Area here.

Ten Most Visited Parks [National Parks Conservation Association]

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Combat Jet Lag With These 3 Simple Tips

February 28, 2014 by

An unfortunate side effect of travel, jet lag can easily suck the fun out of the first few days in a new time zone. Whether you're planning on traveling to a new city for business or pleasure, these three tips will help expedite your acclimation.

1. Ease your body into the time zone of the city you'll be visiting.
Take a week or so before your departure to incrementally shift your sleep schedule so that upon arriving in your destination, your circadian rhythm is already in sync. Go to bed earlier for an eastward trip, later for a westward trip. If you'll be traversing multiple time zones, you may want to consider breaking up your travel into smaller flights.

2. Get outdoors.
Staying inside only worsens jet lag. Being exposed to sunlight will help stimulate a correction of your biological clock. Try taking a short walk to clear your head.

3. Stay hydrated.
Once you're in the air, drink eight ounces of water per hour. This will help curtail the dehydrating effects of cabin air. You may be tempted to reach for a cocktail, but be forewarned that alcohol worses jet lag. Avoid caffeine, as well, as it acts as a stimulant and may prevent restful sleep.

Jet Lag [Centers for Disease Control and Prevention]
Jet Lag and Sleep [National Sleep Foundation]
Avoid Jet Lag with our Top 10 Tips [Fodors]

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Must-Read Tips for a Perfectly Packed Suitcase

February 14, 2014 by

More often than not, you have to limit the amount of things you pack in your suitcase on a vacation or work trip. This often involves packing and unpacking items, and maybe even sitting on top of your suitcase to force it to zip! These helpful tips will help you pack a perfect suitcase and even save room for that last minute item.

  • Try a roll up. Instead of a normal fold, which can waste space and often result in messy wrinkles, roll your clothing into tight tube shapes.
  • Utilize shrink-wrap. If the rolled fold still doesn’t give you enough space, vacuum-sealed plastic bags will surely do the trick. This is especially good for winter coats, towels, or other bulky items.
  • Check the weather. This may seem like a no-brainer, but we’ve all forgotten a bathing suit, umbrella, or a warm jacket for chilly nights out when traveling in different climates.
  • Properly pack toiletries. Avoid leaks by only filling soap and shampoo bottles halfway, then squeeze the excess air out and cap them tightly.
  • Protect your shoes. If you have to pack expensive heels or leather loafers, stuff them with tissue paper and then place them in a cloth bag to prevent scuffing or crushing.
  • Check your list. After you finish packing, cross-reference your suitcase with your checklist. You’ll thank yourself later if you realize you forgot deodorant on your beach vacation!

How to Pack a Suitcase [Travel + Leisure]
How to Pack a Suitcase Efficiently and Perfectly [LifeHack]
Packing a Suitcase [Martha Stewart]
How to Pack a Suitcase for Airline Travel [USA Today]
How to Pack a Suitcase [Instructables]

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Safety Tips For International Travel

October 18, 2013 by

Traveling abroad sometime soon? Planning a vacation can be exciting, but it also encompasses lots of little details. Making a list can help! Along with booking airlines, trains, and hotels and creating a list of essential items to pack, check out this list of Tips for Traveling Abroad from the State Department's Travel.State.gov website. Here are some of the site's most useful tips:

  • Register for the State Department's "Smart Traveler Enrollment Program" for assistance in case of emergency. The confidential online service helps get in touch if you've got a stateside family emergency, or if you need assistance when abroad.
  • Learn about local laws. While visiting a foreign country, you're subject to its laws. You can find info on specific countries by visiting this State Department site.
  • Check medical coverage. Ask your insurance provider if your policy's applicable overseas. If it isn't, consider purchasing supplemental medical insurance.

Want to see more tips for safe international travel? Click here to visit Travel.State.gov.

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Trip Idea: Phoenix, Arizona

October 11, 2013 by

One of the country's fastest growing cities, Phoenix features warm-weather year round along with a huge variety of things to see and do. Majestically situated in the desert with a breathtaking mountain backdrop, it's won over more than a few visitors over the years. If you're planning a visit, here are some things worth making time to see:

Camelback Mountain
If you're a fan of the great outdoors, make sure you take a trip to Camelback Mountain. This is a great spot for hiking and getting some exercise. See beautiful views while enjoying a wonderful outdoor adventure. The hike may not be easy, but it's definitely rewarding! Visit the website for more information. 

Phoenix Art Museum
See well curated collections of wonderful exhibits during your trip. More than 17,000 works of American, Asian, European, Latin American, Western American, modern and contemporary art, and fashion design are on display at the museum. Independent films and lecture series are also regularly held at the museum. Check out the website for hours and details. 

Tacos Atoyac
No trip to Phoenix would be complete without trying some delicious Mexican food. And one of the city's most popular spots among diners-in-the-know is Tacos Atoyac. This place offers street-food-style tacos filled with al pastor, fish, carne asada, and chorizo. It's affordable, too, so you can feel good trying them all!

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Trip Idea: Yellowstone Park, Wyoming

August 22, 2013 by

Yellowstone National Park is a great spot to bring the whole family. Where else can you see bison, elk, wolves, and even bears in the wild? Just remember not to get too close! To get the most out of your trip make sure you check out these great attractions. 

Yellowstone National Park Tours
The best way to get acquainted with the area is to take a guided tour. Learn all about the landscape, wildlife, and the geothermal activity. In the summer months tours are by bus and in the winter months you have the option of snowmobiles or snow coaches. Private tours are available for larger groups.

Grand Canyon of Yellowstone
See breathtaking views at the Grand Canyon of Yellowstone. From the canyon you can view two astounding waterfalls, the Lower Falls and Upper Falls. The 20 mile long canyon is the perfect spot to take panoramic pictures. 

Old Faithful Geyser
Prepare yourself for one of the most famous geysers in the world. It doesn't take long to see the water erupt from the ground. About every 90 minutes the geysers erupts shooting water over 100 feet into the area. It is truly a site to see.

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