Photographer: Kenny Braun

In one of Houston’s most scenic areas, the Museum District is home to 15 institutions, restaurants and beautiful green spaces such as Hermann Park. The Mecom Fountain and the Sam Houston statue are must sees. Museums include:

Children’s Museum of Houston—Variety of hands-on exhibits for children four months to 14 years in areas of science, history, culture and the arts. Other features include outdoor discovery
garden and greenhouse. Open Tues.–Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m. 1500 Binz. Admission fee. www.cmhouston.org.

Contemporary Arts Museum—A non-collecting museum dedicated to bringing the cutting edge of contemporary art to the city through its yearly exhibitions. Open Tues.,Wed., Fri. & Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m.; Thurs. 10 a.m.–9 p.m.; Sun. noon–5 p.m. 5216 Montrose Blvd. 713/284-8250. www.camh.org.

Czech Cultural Center Houston—Museum and gallery houses valuable paintings, artifacts, photography, sculpture, porcelain, crystal, music and samples of folk arts in permanent and changing exhibitions. 4920 San Jacinto. Admission fee. Open Mon.–Sat. 10 a.m.–4 p.m. 713/528-2060. www.czechcenter.org.

Holocaust Museum Houston—Facility is designed to be a living testimonial to those who died, a place to honor those who survived, and a source from which the vital education of generations now and in the future can begin. Included is a permanent exhibit, memorial, classrooms, changing exhibit gallery, theater, library, an interactive learning center and archives repository. Open Mon.–Fri. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sat.–Sun. noon–5 p.m. At 5401 Caroline St. www.hmh.org.

Houston Center for Contemporary Craft—Dedicated exclusively to contemporary craft, visitors experience excitement of handmade crafts through museum-quality exhibitions, educational programs, community-based outreach initiatives and the Asher Gallery. 4848 Main St. Open Tues.–Sat. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m. Free admission. 713/529-4848. www.crafthouston.org.

Houston Garden Center—Garden trails, rose garden and center headquarters. Building open Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–5 p.m.; trails and gardens open Mon.–Fri. 8 a.m.–6 p.m. (8 a.m.–8 p.m. summer); Sat.–Sun. and holidays 10 a.m.–6 p.m. (10 a.m.–8 p.m. summer). North edge of Hermann Park, 1500 Herman Dr.

Houston Museum of Natural Science—Exhibits feature space science plus geology, archaeology and natural history. In Hermann Park. Open Mon.–Sat. 9 a.m.–6 p.m., Sun. 11 a.m.–6 p.m. 1 Hermann Circle Dr. Admission fee. www.hmns.org. Of special interest are:

Burke Baker Planetarium— 232-seat planetarium can reproduce celestial patterns as they would be seen from any point on earth or in space. Fly into a black hole! Zoom through constellations faster than the speed of light! Celestial shows (fee) Mon.–Fri. 1, 2, & 3 p.m.; Sat.–Sun. every half-hour 1–3:30 p.m. Weekend evenings feature entertaining rock ’n’ roll laser shows (fee). Planetarium also houses an array of scientific exhibits. 713/639-4629.

Cockrell Butterfly Center—A six-story glass cone houses some 2,000 live butterflies flying freely amid a tropical rain forest. Visitors can stroll within the 25,000 square-foot area to view flowers, medicinal plants, giant trees, a 40-ft. waterfall and scores of exotic butterflies. Open daily. 713/639-4600.

Lillie and Roy Cullen Gallery of Earth Science—Displays the Sams Collection of more than 600 rare mineral specimens and hundreds of gemstones, which are among the finest specimens in the world. Also the Cockrell Hall of Minerals with some of the best examples of gems and minerals from around the globe. There’s a Hall of Fluorescent Minerals and a Hall of Gems and Jewelry.

Wortham IMAX Theatre—Features exciting films projected onto six-story-tall screen. Shows are hourly Mon.–Thurs. 10 a.m.–8 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Sun. noon–8 p.m. 713/639-4629.

John P. McGovern Museum of Health &Medical Science—Museum features hands-on experience for all ages. With its walk-through design of the human body, museum allows visitors a chance to understand the body’s inner workings and how one area influences the next. The museum also features changing exhibits throughout the year. Open Tues.–Sat. 9 a.m.–5 p.m., Sun. noon–5 p.m. At 1515 Hermann Dr. For information, call 713/521-1515. Admission fee.

Japanese Garden—Designed by Ken Nakajima, world-renowned Japanese landscape architect who designed gardens in Moscow, Montreal and Rome. Features Yukimi Stone Lantern, Azumaya (Tea House), and waterfalls amid winding paths and lush exotic plants. Open daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m. In Hermann Park. Admission fee.

Menil Museum—Collection of John and Dominique de Menil includes contemporary, surrealistic and 20th-century art, antiquities, Byzantine and medieval art, and tribal art. Housed in architecturally significant 100,000-sq.-ft. building designed by architect Renzo Piano of Italy. Open Wed.–Sun. 11 a.m.–7 p.m. 1515 Sul Ross. www.menil.org.

Miller Outdoor Theatre—Performances feature a variety of entertainment from grand opera to jazz, ballet to Shakespeare, musical comedy to symphonic concerts. Outdoor theater in Hermann Park seats 1,750 under unusual polygon roof; additional seating on grass hillside. www.milleroutdoortheatre.org.

Museum of Fine Arts, Houston—The city’s finest collection of art objects, paintings and sculpture, visited by more than a half-million people each year. Accredited by American Association of Museums. Among superb displays is Finnigan collection of ancient art from Egypt, Greece and Rome. Straus collection features Renaissance paintings and bronzes. Visitors will find Indian art of Southwest, plus Frederic Remington’s robust masterpieces. Native arts from Africa, Australia and South Pacific. Special Junior Gallery with changing exhibits of appeal to youngsters. Open Tues.–Wed. 10 a.m.–5 p.m., Thurs. 10 a.m.–9 p.m., Fri.–Sat. 10 a.m.–7 p.m., Sun. 12:15–7 p.m. 1001 Bissonnet. Fee. www.mfah.org.

The Cullen Sculpture Garden, displaying fine sculpture outdoors, is across from the museum. Open 10 a.m.–10 p.m.

Rothko Chapel—Interfaith chapel houses canvasses of the late Mark Rothko. Open daily 10 a.m.–6 p.m. 3900 Yupon.