Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
AROUND HOUSTON
Some of Houston's most interesting attractions are actually out of town. Those we list here
are within 50 miles of downtown Houston. But don't forget that so are the historic homes
and sandy beaches of Galveston (
Click here
)
.
The
Bay Area Houston Convention & Visitors Bureau
(
281-474-9700;
www.visitbayareahouston.com
;
913 N
9am-5pm Mon-Fri, 10am-5pm Sat & Sun)
provides regionwide information on-
Meyer Rd, Seabrook;
line or in person.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Clear Lake & Around
Less than 30 miles south of downtown Houston is the Clear Lake area, Houston's recre-
ational boating port of call. In addition to astronaut-central, Space Center Houston along
NASA Rd 1, you'll find a harbor with water sport rental and a beachy bar-restaurant or
two.
At the lake's outlet, look out for the communities of Seabrook and Kemah; the latter, an
entertaining waterfront village with amusements and eateries. You could definitely visit the
whole area as a day trip, but the number of things to do - and the traffic to and from Hous-
ton - makes an overnight worthwhile.
Sights & Activities
Space Center Houston
( 281-244-2100;
http://spacecenter.org
; 1601 NASA Pkwy 1; adult/child $23.50/19.50 with audio guide;
9am-7pm)
Dream of a moon landing? You can hardly get closer than at the official visitor
center and theme park-esque museum of the National Air & Space Admistration's (NASA)
Johnson Space Center. The 90-minute tram tour of the center itself includes the historic
Mission Control (you know, the 'Houston' as in the
Apollo 13
transmission, 'Houston, we
have a problem.').
While manned US space missions such as the Apollo and shuttle programs have their
high-profile launches from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida, the planning and most of
MUSEUM
