Karbach Brewing has been brewing and serving Houston since 2011. The brewery turns out craft brews in several categories: the "starting lineup" of regular year-round beers, the "seasonal lineup", limited release beers and their "F.U.N Series." Favorites from Karbach around the city include the Hopadillo IPA, Weekend Warrior Pale Ale and Karbachtoberfest to name just a few. Friday evenings and Saturday afternoons come in to the brewery for a tour. Admission price gets you a souvenir glass and four drink tickets. In addition to the brews, open house days also see food trucks come in to the drinking area so you can soak up a little of that beer.
Situated in the lovely Hermann Park, the Houston Zoo is home to more than 6,000 animals and over 900 species. Experience a true wildlife adventure as you check out the lions, Komodo dragons, flamingos, tigers, gorillas, bears, and bats, just to name a few! There is a wonderful Natural Encounter area where you can get up close and personal with otters and meerkats; and be sure to take a spin on the Wildlife Carousel, featuring hand-carved and decorated animals that showcase many endangered species of the world. If watching the animals eat makes you hungry yourself, there are two outdoor concession stands and one indoor dining area. Get ready to spend a day with the animals as you learn more about the beauty and wonder of the natural world.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science offers a wide variety of exhibits that are worthy of a full day's outing. The three-level live butterfly exhibit will fascinate visitors of any age, as will the dinosaur exhibit in the Morian Hall of Paleontology. The Wiess Energy Hall and the Hall of Gems and Minerals are also worth a visit. You can also catch an interesting IMAX show at Wortham Giant Screen Theatre and spend the night stargazing at the George Observatory.
With over five miles (8.04 kilometers) of winding nature trails and more than 150 acres (60.7 hectares) of woodlands, Houston Arboretum & Nature Center is beautifully landscaped and covered with local native plants. Outdoor lovers certainly will not be disappointed, and indoor lovers will also marvel at Botanical Hall and the gift shop. A special feature for children is the Discovery Room with its 25-foot (7.62 meters) learning tree and pondering pond. Challenge young ones to spot the turtles and crawfish in the water. Classes are available for both adults and children.
If you are driving by downtown Houston, this magnificent theater will surely catch your eye. It is the stately home to both the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera. The impressive stage and interior are worth a tour even if you do not have a chance to take in a show. The Nutcracker, produced by the Houston Ballet, is the most popular annual arts show in the city. If opera is your cup of tea, then you will definitely want to pick up some tickets for the latest production.
On most battlegrounds you would not find a battleship, but San Jacinto State Historical Park is a definite exception to the rule. This majestic ship is berthed on the Houston Ship Channel at the edge of the park. She is the only survivor of the World War I dreadnoughts and also served as a flagship for the World War II D-Day invasion in 1944. President Eisenhower, a native Texan, presided over the dedication ceremony when the ship was retired, and the U.S. Navy has proudly preserved and restored her in the years since. Visitors are welcome to explore most parts of the ship. Tours are available, and many areas display items and memorabilia from ship life.