Entertainment, Unique Attractions. If you visited one Houston area attraction a day every day for two years, you still would not see everything, what with the number of theater, sports, nature, and indoor attractions. Below is a synopsis of a few of Houston's main attractions: A list of telephone numbers of these attractions and others in the Houston area appears at the bottom of this page.

Downtown. Get Tickets to as many shows as you can see, since you will be within walking distance of the Theater District. Downtown has also become the THE spot for live music (from Latin and pop to alternative and ultra-cool jazz), dancing, and meeting new people. You can also stroll the landscaped downtown streets, take the trolley, or go underground and take a tour of the unique tunnel system. When you are ready to eat, choose from dozens of places to indulge your appetite. You can also attend a baseball game at the newly built Minutemaid Park, home of the Houston Astros. During the holiday season the Ice Plaza in front of Wortham Theater is a wonderful place for some nostalgic, wintertime fun.

Museum District. For the arts, sciences, or just plain fun, explore all the possibilities: Contemporary Arts Museum; Children's Museum of Houston; Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Museum of Medical Science; Houston Museum of Natural Science; Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens; Holocaust Museum; Houston Zoo and the new Children's Zoo; The Menil Collection; Rice University Art Gallery; Lawndale Art Center; and the Jung Educational Center.

Six Flags Astroworld. Adjacent to the Astrodome on Loop 610 south at Kirby, it is the area's largest amusement park, featuring rides and games for all ages.

Uptown Houston. Travelers come from around the world to enjoy all the pleasures of Houston's Uptown Area. Minutes from Uptown Houston, the top-quality shops of Highland Village are always a lure. Every Houstonian knows about the Galleria, legendary for its upscale shops, ice-skating rink, and international ambiance. If you have not gotten your fill of shopping you can explore the new shops and restaurants in Uptown Park on Loop 610 between San Felipe and Westheimer, just across from the Galleria. When you have had your fill for the day you can choose from more than 4,500 rooms in 22 hotels, motels, and residential suite hotels.

Midtown Houston.With trendy sushi restaurants, neighborhood bars and loft apartments, Midtown is the place to be for Houston's young professionals. Location, Location, Location: Midtown is positioned just South of Downtown Houston. The Midtown boundaries are west of SH 288, east of Bagby Street, south of I-45, and North of US 59. Being surrounded by freeways makes this district one of the most desirable places to live in the city because of its effortless accessibility.

Kemah. The Kemah Boardwalk has turned a small fishing town on Galveston Bay into a tourist phenomenon. Less than 50 minutes south of downtown, the Boardwalk is an entertaining mix of restaurants, shops, and a 52-room hotel, and amusement rides.

Galveston. For Houstonians who think of Galveston as a day at the beach, the possibilities for new experiences are almost limitless. The Grand 1894 Opera House is a charming venue for live productions. The Aquarium at Moody Gardens, a 1.5-million-gallon exhibit open just over a year, takes visitors to four major marine habitats, from tropical Pacific to Antarctica. On the way to Galveston make a stop to Space Center Houston, 25 minutes from downtown. Moon rocks, space suits, IMAX, hands-on simulators, Kids Space Place -- everything you expect is there. You can also go the dogs at Gulf Greyhound Park, the world's largest pari-mutuel greyhound racing complex. Also in Galveston learn the intriguing history of the Island. Ghost Tours of Galveston takes you on an interesting one-hour walking tour.

Richmond Strip. Along the Richmond Avenue strip, the nighttime scene comes alive with music, fun and food for every taste. Do you want to dance? This is place to find the right nightspot. Do you love to club hop? Crisscross your way dance floor to dance floor. Disco, country, rock and roll, midway games, karaoke, darts- name your pleasure. Cajun-style dishes, seafood, burgers, brews and barbecue are all here.

East End. Bounded on the west by downtown and on the east by the Houston Ship Channel, Houston's East End is a historic and culturally varied community in the heart of the city. You can plan an outing to the San Jacinto Monument and the Battleship Texas. Another attraction is the quirky display paying homage to the orange, known as the Orange Show. Don't miss seeing the Tien Hou Temple, built in 1986, this beautiful Chinese Temple features elaborately carved dragon columns, altars and other symbols of the Buddhist, Taoist and other Eastern ideologies.

Minutemaid Park. Since its opening in 2000, Minute Maid Park has become one of baseballs "crown jewels." Located on a 25 acre site in downtown Houston, construction began October 30, 1997. The ballpark was constructed with steel and concrete, with the facade consisting of brick and limestone. The design of the ballpark was greatly influenced by the surround neighborhood including the 1911 vintage Union Station that forms the ballpark's main entrance. Part of the design for the ballpark includes a retractable roof that is necessary to keep the summer heat out and to keep fans cool. The retractable roof consists of three panels that can open or close in 20 minutes. For its first two years the ballpark was known as Enron Field before the company went bankrupt. During part of the 2002 season, the ballpark was known as Astros Field before the naming rights were sold to The Minute Maid Company purchased the naming rights.

Toyota Center. Houston is fortunate to have another new state-of-the-art sports venue downtown (other than Minutemaid Park). Since opening in October 2003, Toyota Center has set a new standard for sports and entertainment, becoming one of the premier live entertainment venues in the nation. Laid over the span of six city blocks, Toyota Center is home to the NBA’s Houston Rockets, WNBA’s Houston Comets and the AHL’s Houston Aeros. Toyota Center also plays host to the nation’s top concerts and touring shows.Toyota Center also plays host to the nation’s top concerts and touring shows. Winner of the Allen Award for Civic Enhancement by Central Houston in 2003, “Rookie of the Year” by the Harlem Globetrotters in 2004 and a finalist for Pollstar Magazine’s “Best New Concert Venue" award, Toyota Center welcomed more than 1.5 million fans during it’s first year alone. Designed by HOK Sports and Entertainment Group in conjunction with Houston based Morris Architects, Toyota Center is highlighted by large open windows and some of the most comfortable seats of any arena anywhere. The arena’s playing surface is set nearly 32-feet below street level giving Toyota Center the largest lower level of any arena in the nation. Coupled with the exclusive Lexus Lounge and Red and White Bistro’s superior food and service, Toyota Center offers something for everyone making it the hottest spot for sports and entertainment in Houston.

                       Niki Mettrick

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