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
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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
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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
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The Menil Collection: A Houston Crown Jewel

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
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Houston Center for Photography: Snap

Houston Center for Photography is a must for anyone interested in viewing the world through the lens of an artist’s camera. Their exhibitions have included the work of renowned photographers of the 20th and 21st centuries, as well as emerging photographers. A changing array of exhibits is featured at the museum, which is just a hop-skip from the Menil Collection, a must for any lover of art. Past exhibitions included PictureThis!, featuring works from a collaboration with Texas Children’s Cancer Center in which HCP instructors work with young patients and their families, allowing them a photographic perspective on their surroundings. Upcoming shows include the 31st Annual Juried Membership Exhibition.

Open Wednesday through Sunday. Admission is free.

Houston Center for Photography
1441 West Alabama Street
Houston, TX 77006
(713) 529-4755
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Station Museum of Contemporary Art: Around the Art World

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
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Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens: Uniquely American Art

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
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Art Car Museum: Creativity on Wheels

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 Blvd
Houston, TX 77007
(713) 861-5526
http://www.yelp.com/biz/art-car-museum-houston

 

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