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The permanent exhibit at the Museum is called “Bearing Witness: A Community Remembers” and it focuses on the stories of Holocaust survivors living in the Houston metropolitan area. A tour begins with a look at life before the Holocaust. Visitors then see the beginnings of Nazism and Adolf Hitler’s rise to power. The displays progress through the disruption of normal life, to segregation, to imprisonment in concentration camps, and finally to extermination. The roles of collaborators, by-standers, rescuers, and liberators are portrayed through artifacts, film reels, photographs, and text panels. The main exhibit ends with the moving short films, “Voices” and “Voices II”, which alternate daily in the 100-seat theater. These films are compilations of verbal testimony from area survivors.

Holocaust Museum Houston is also widely known as an education center and the facility includes two classroom areas and a research library. The Boniuk Library and Resource Center contains more than 4,000 titles relating to the Holocaust, World War II, religion, and anti-Semitism. The video section contains over 300 titles on related subjects and the tapes can be viewed in the Museum’s video room. Thousands of historic and original photographs, documents, letters, diaries, and other artifacts from the 1930s and 1940s are cataloged in the archives.

Admission is always free. A donation of $5 per person is suggested. Advance reservations are not required, except for group tours of 10 or more. For more information, visit http://www.hmh.org/default.asp.

Located in the heart of Texas’s largest city, the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston is a dynamic cultural complex consisting of two museum buildings, two art schools, two decorative arts centers, and a sculpture garden.

The San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site holds a significant responsibility to preserve the proud history of the State of Texas and the

United States

. The famous Battle of San Jacinto that brought TEXAS its independence was fought on this site. Because of the great importance of the Battle to the course of history, the Battleground is of state, national and international significance, a fact that is attested to by the site's National Historic Landmark status.

The primary purpose of the 1,200-acre site is to commemorate the Battle and to preserve the Battleground on which Texian troops under General Sam Houston achieved the independence of Texas by defeating a Mexican Army led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna on April 21, 1836.

The TexasParks and Wildlife Department's San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site consists of the Battleground, Monument and Battleship TEXAS. It is located within minutes of downtown Houston and a short distance to the beaches of GalvestonIsland. Millions of visitors come to this area each year to enjoy the mild coastal climate and cultural and sports activities. Students and visitors alike are most fortunate to be able to experience history first hand through living history at the San Jacinto Battleground and BattleshipTEXASState Historic Sites. For more information, visit http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org/.

Still known by most residents as the Transco Tower, this architectural masterpiece by Philip Johnson rises 900 ft/280 m above the Galleria area on Houston's west side. It's one of the tallest freestanding skyscrapers outside a downtown area in the country. The blue-glass structure reflects the clouds and sky and serves as sort of an air-quality indicator (the top floors vanish on smoggy days). With a nod to classic Greek architecture, the WaterWall creates the feeling of a temple as you step between the pillars and are encircled by a glorious, roaring wall of water. The fountain is a favorite place for couples to kiss and tourists to pose for pictures. A nearby green lawn is popular for picnicking and kite-flying.

The Williams Waterwall is a gorgeous piece of architecture located right next to the Williams Tower in the Uptown District. The 60+ ft. tall structure is in the shape of a semi-circle with water that cascades down over it and down a series of steps towards the bottom. When you stand in front of it, especially at night when it is illuminated by lights from beneath the water, it is really a spectacular sight. It is situated at the end of a lovely little park surrounded by oak trees, and is a favorite photo opportunity for locals and visitors alike in Houston.

2800 Post Oak Blvd. (Galleria area, near Loop 610 at West Alabama Street), Houston. http://www.2800postoak.com.

Discovery Green, a 12-acre park located in downtown Houston, opened on April 13, 2008. With its proximity to the George R. Brown Convention Center, Minute Maid Park and Toyota Center, Discovery Green is an ideal location for the city's newest attraction. Visitors to Discovery Green can see the remarkable skyline of downtown Houston, but be transported into a natural setting filled with greenery and trees. Visitors to Discovery Green can chose from two contemporary restaurants or pack a picnic lunch or dinner to enjoy with family and friends.

Emulating the model of great urban parks around the country, Discovery Green is designed as an engaging and active place with dedicated management and programming to serve all ages and backgrounds, as well as workers, residents and visitors alike. Discovery Green has a unique and entertaining menu of activities and attractions for visitors of all ages to enjoy year-round. For more information, go to http://www.discoverygreen.com/.

Memorial Park is one of America’s largest urban park expanses, and is a well-loved getaway for Houstonians. Located a short hop west of downtown, the park offers a variety of outdoor recreation opportunities. Often referred to as one of the crown jewels in the Parks Department’s inventory, Memorial Park is rich in history as well as greenspace. A favorite among Houston’s joggers, Memorial Park also features tennis courts, playing fields, a fitness center, swimming pool and six miles of mountain and recreational bike trails along the bayous. One lap jogging or walking around Memorial Park is 2.88 miles, and there are distance markers located every 1/4 mile in both directions.

Located on the western edge of Memorial Park, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center (HANC) offers an escape from the hustle and bustle of city life and the opportunity to experience the natural world. This 155-acre non-profit urban nature sanctuary provides education about the natural environment to Houstonians of all ages. It plays a vital role in protecting native plants and animals in the heart of the city where development threatens their survival.

Visitors can walk five mile of trails free of charge. Each summer children gain in-depth knowledge leading to life-long appreciation of the natural world through week long Discovery Classes. Thousands of school children visit HANC on field trips designed for their age and grade level. For more information, visit http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/memorialpark.html.

7. Herman Park and Houston Zoo

Picnic in the shade or hike on nature trails in the 80-acre natural area known as Bayou Parkland. Flanking Brays Bayou in Hermann Park, Bayou Parkland offers a relaxing atmosphere for anyone who enjoys the outdoors. Walk, run, or jog under the shade of mature live oak trees planted in memory of World War I veterans. The trail is approximately two miles long and travels through the Park.

Take the Children to the Buddy Carruth Playground. This playground offers equipment for children of all abilities. Most equipment is handicap accessible. Children can cool off in the refreshing interactive water playground. Picnic pavilions may be rented for family gatherings or birthday parties. The Fannin Pavilion, the oldest structure in the Park, is also available for rent. For rental information, call (713) 865-4525.

A Hermann Park tradition, the miniature train runs daily from 10 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. on weekdays, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on weekends. $2.75 admission. Board the train at Kinder Station in Lake Plaza, located across from the main entrance to the Houston Zoo. Set in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, Houston Zoo is home to more than 4,500 exotic animals representing more than 800 species. For hours, prices, membership information, and more, call (713) 533-6500 or visit the Houston Zoo website at www.houstonzoo.org.

While at Herman Park, check out the Miller Outdoor Theater. Obtain a free ticket for the covered seating area or lie on the large, grassy, green hill and enjoy a variety of arts, music, and festivals. Relaxing and entertaining for all ages. For show times, call (281) 373-3386 or visit the Miller Outdoor Theatre website at www.milleroutdoortheatre.com.

Once you step on the ice at The Galleria you'll discover it's truly the most unique ice skating experience around. With hundreds of stores, shoppers and restaurants to surround you, we put you in the center of it all. So take a lesson, have a party, or just go for a spin.

The rink is open 7 days a week, and is available for public skating mornings, afternoons and all evenings with continuous all-day sessions on Fridays and Saturdays. Learn to skate in their group classes taught by members of their staff of professional coaches. For all those non-skaters, Broomball is a favorite alternative to on-ice fun. Broomball is similar to ice hockey but is played with a ball. Players run on the ice wearing sneakers not skates. Broomball is played after hours on private ice!

Houston Premium Outlets is more than just a great collection of the finest designer labels and brands. During your next trip to the area, include a shopping trip. Located approximately 30 miles northwest of downtown, off of US 290 exit at Fairfield Place Drive in Cypress, TX. Upscale, fashion conscious shoppers who prefer designer labels have found that all outlet centers are not all the same. Outlet shopping centers that are owned and operated by Chelsea Property Group are where shoppers can expect the largest collection of designer brands.

The Lee and Joe Jamail Skatepark is a state-of-the-art 30,000 square foot in-ground public facility thought to contain the largest cradle in the nation. Clark Condon & Associates of Houston and Grindline, Seattle-based skate park design specialists, teamed up to create the park design. Houston’s new skateboarding facility provides the first world-class, in-ground skate park in our region, and has vaulted the city to the forefront of American venues for this fast-growing, dynamic sport. The park has areas for skaters of all levels, from the seasoned pro to the beginner. Skaters can work on their kick flip, ollie, fakie big spin...or simply learn to stay balanced!

Don't miss the displays of urban art located along “Skater Alley,” the winding walkway between Sabine Street and the skate park entrance. The Houston Parks Board teamed-up with the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art to coordinate the display of five large panels showcasing urban art created by local aerosol artists. For more information, visit http://www.houstonparksboard.org/projects/lee_joe_jamail_skatepark.php.

Cheap Things To Do In Houston This Summer