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The Menil Collection: A Houston Crown Jewel

December 10, 2013 by

The Menil Collection is a must for Houston residents and visitors. It contains the collection of John and Dominique de Menil, who began collecting art in the 1940s, eventually amassing a vast treasure trove of paintings, sculpture, photographs, tribal decorative objects, and drawings. The collection encompasses everything from 20th century modern art, to antiquities, to tribal art pieces from around the world. The museum seeks to create a contemplative setting in which to view art, so there are no formal tours or tour guides in the museum. Open 11a.m. until 7p.m. Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free.

The Menil Collection
1515 Sul Ross Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 525-9400
http://www.yelp.com/biz/the-menil-collection-houston

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

November 26, 2013 by

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

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Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens: Uniquely American Art

October 29, 2013 by

The Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is proof that American art and craftsmanship are second to none. Located in the former home and grounds of local scion Ima Hogg, take a guided tour and you get to see many of the rooms on both floors, especially the main rooms used to entertain. You’ll also see some of the rarest artifacts in the collection, especially many objects native to the Texas region. You’ll also learn about Mrs. Hogg and how her singular devotion has resulted in one of the best collections of uniquely American art and antiques. You can also give yourself a self-guided tour of the home and the beautiful surrounding grounds. The Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is open Tuesday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., and on Sundays from 1 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
1 Westcott Street
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 639-7750
http://www.yelp.com/biz/bayou-bend-collection-and-gardens-houston

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Station Museum of Contemporary Art: Around the Art World

September 3, 2013 by

The Station Museum of Contemporary Art is a small venue showcasing local, national and international artists, with a particular focus on the cultural diversity of Houston's varied neighborhoods. Past international exhibitions have included artists from Peru, Colombia, Venezuela, Mexico, South Africa, Congo, Czech Republic, Austria, Palestine, Iraq, India, Afghanistan, and Russia. Solo exhibitions by Texas artists showcased the work of Mel Chin, James Drake, Dick Wray, Jesse Lott and George Smith. The museum also hosts film screenings, concerts, lectures, and fundraisers for social causes. Open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free.

Station Museum of Contemporary Art
1502 Alabama
Houston, TX 77004
(713) 529-6900
http://www.yelp.com/biz/station-museum-of-contemporary-art-houston

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Burke Baker Planetarium: To The Stars

August 6, 2013 by

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

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Art Car Museum: Creativity on Wheels

July 9, 2013 by

Automobiles are functional, but style is important. The Art Car Museum builds on that style, as artists use many materials to not just decorate, but turn the automobile into a real work of art. Located across from Spotts Park, the Art Car Museum might be one of the most unique museums that you will ever see. You’ll have a good time just walking around and seeing how an artist’s vision can transform a station wagon or classic car into something so much more. But that’s not all – you’ll also see interesting paintings, sculptures that use re-purposed materials and featured artist that use all sorts of media. The Art Car Museum is open Wednesday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Art Car Museum
140 Heights Boulevard
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-5526
http://www.yelp.com/biz/art-car-museum-houston

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

June 4, 2013 by

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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Houston Museum of Natural Science: A Place of Fun & Learning

April 23, 2013 by

Enjoy and learn about the beauty of the natural world at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Located in the Museum District directly across from the Mary Gibbs and Jesse H. Jones Reflecting Pool, the Museum of Natural Science is for kid, adults and families. The main goal of the museum is to educate everyone about the natural sciences, be it through the exhibits of dinosaurs in the Morian Hall of Paleontology, the beautiful specimens in the Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals, or other amazing exhibits. Come to Energy Hall and learn about fossil fuels. Check out examples of African wildlife and go to the Farish Hall to learn even more about the wildlife of Texas. There’s so much to see and learn about, that you’ll just have to come back!

Houston Museum of Natural Science 
5555 Hermann Park Dr
Houston, TX 77030
(713) 639-4629
http://www.yelp.com/biz/houston-museum-of-natural-science-houston

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Space Center Houston

January 8, 2013 by

Houston’s voice is universal. Synonymous with Mission Control and space flights, Houston is home to both NASA’s Johnson Space Center and to Space Center Houston. Space Center Houston is your ticket to space education and adventure. At Space Center Houston, you can simulate rocket blast-off and everyday life in the microgravity environment of the astronauts.   Get close up to astronauts’ spacesuits, equipment, and capsules; touch a real moon rock, and take a tour of the training and communications facilities at the Johnson Space Center. You can also sign up to take the special Level 9 Tour behind the scenes, or play Star Wars: The Clone Wars and spend the day shooting blaster light wands through a labyrinth or biking upside down.

Whatever activities you pick for your visit, you’ll find it out of this world.

Space Center Houston
1601 NASA Parkway (formerly NASA Rd. 1)
Houston, TX 77058
(281) 244-2100
www.spacecenter.org

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