Top Rated Attractions in Houston

Tucked away in the 20-acre Sam Houston Park downtown, you will find an impressive bit of Texas history. Visit the Heritage Society Museum & Tour, which features historical records, then take the outdoor tour of noble buildings restored to their original glory. Pathways lead to an assortment of prestigious homes in Greek and Victorian styles. The 1868 Victorian-style Pilot House also happens to be the site of the city's first indoor kitchen. All the homes on the tour are unique in structure and furnishings. There is also a quaint church built in 1891 by German farmers.

The African American Library at the Gregory School is an important repository of information not only because it has a collection of works pertaining to Afro-American life, but also because the library is housed within what was the first Afro-American Public School then. The library is a treasure trove of information with articles, journals and books associated with African American people. You can learn more about the history and the day-to-day life of the community and other details. If you are exploring the city, African American Library at the Gregory School is a very unusual and important landmark that tells the tale of the yester years of the society.

Historic Wunderlich Farm and Klein, Texas Museum was established in 1981 and is currently functioning as a museum and is available for small events, markets, and festivals. The museum has various relics and documents from the World War and the Civil War on display. They also have photographs and other collectibles which portray the rich history of the area. The museum and farmhouse are mainly available for school tours throughout the week and is open to regular visitors on the last Saturday of the month from 10a to 3p.

The selection of exhibits at Houston's Museum of Fine Arts covers both modern and ancient art and represents the talent of artists from Europe, Africa, Asia, Oceania and the Americas. You will find Frederic Remington's fine Western art mingling with medieval pieces and the work of early European masters. Paintings are abundant, but the lovely sculpture garden here is also worth viewing. Both the Glassell School of Art and the Hirsch Library for Art History call this museum home. Film buffs love the museum for its weekly showings of classic and foreign films. A gift shop and restaurant are both on hand to satisfy your hunger after a day of exploring.

Claimed to be one of the most beautiful sites in the city, McGovern Centennial Gardens at Hermann Park is a must-visit while in Houston. This picturesque park offers the perfect getaway from the bustling city, with its lush, landscaped gardens, blooming flower beds, bubbling fountains, and serene sculpture parks. A center of recreation and learning, the garden also provides you with a bit of information on some of its more exotic varieties of plant and flower species.

Saint Arnold of Austria (580-640 CE) is credited with the great miracle of quenching the thirst of his many caretakers with only one cup of beer that never ran dry. Saint Arnold Brewing Company, started in 1994 by two Rice University graduates, is the city's first microbrewery and is named after this saint. No brewing additives or preservatives are used, and to keep it pure, there is no pasteurization. Examples of the company's bestsellers include Kristall Weizen, Brown and Amber Ale. The brewery is not open for general drinking, but you can take tours on Saturday from 11a to 2p with tours leaving on the hour and 3p on weekdays. A beer tasting comes with every tour and unlike Saint Arnold, you won't have to share.