Free Attractions in the Downtown Houston, Texas Area Part 1

It is a new year for Houstonians but unfortunately the troubles from 2008 follow us into 2009 - the Big 3, a recession, layoffs and high gas prices. With the future of the economy unknown - here are some free attractions in the Downtown Houston area. More free attractions and venues will be published after further research.

Art Car Museum:

The Art Car Museum is a part of the Orange Show Center for Visual Art and a unique exhibit of cars and photographs from past events. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 6pm.

Beer Can House:

The Beer Can House is a part of the Orange Show Center for Visual Art. John Milkovisch "got sick of mowing the grass" so he covered his lawn with marbles and other metal objects. With the yard complete, Milkovisch turned to covering his house with beer cans. This is a definite sight to see especially on windy days when you can hear the musical sounds of the wind through the cans.

Blaffer Gallery:

The Blaffer Gallery is in the Fine Arts Building of the University of Houston off I-45. The hours of operation are Tues-Sat from 10am-5pm. Guided tours are available during normal business hours. Exhibitions beginning January 17 are Texas Oil: Landscape of an Industry and, Electric Mud.

Buffalo Bayou Art Park:

Less than a mile from the Beer Can House, Buffalo Bayou Art Park temporarily displays local and guest artists in the park. This is a great location to introduce yourself and your children to innovative outdoor art displays. The park is also a great place to shoot some great photos.

City Hall Tours:

Tours of City Hall take place the second Monday morning and fourth Thursday afternoon of the month. Attendees should make reservations two weeks in advance via the City Hall Tours website.

Discovery Green:

The park is 12-acres with a one-acre lake, children's playground, basin for model boats, beautiful works of art and dog runs. Bring a blanket and picnic to rest in the pleasant atmosphere under the sun or in the shade. Enjoy complimentary Wi-Fi and surf the web for business or pleasure.

The Heritage Society Museum:

The small museum in Sam Houston Park is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm and Sunday from 1pm to 4pm.

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center:

This is a 155-acre venue is open seven days a week and will provide a day full of interesting activities and learning. Admission is free but donations are greatly appreciated by this 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.

- Grounds and Trails: Five miles of walking trails with lots of wildlife including flying squirrels, nine-banded armadillo and evening bats. Visit the Wildlife Garden, Hummingbird & Butterfly Island and Carol Tatkon Sensory Garden. 7am to 7pm

- Building: 9am to 5pm

- Nature Shop: If you are looking for a gift for a nature lover then this is the place to visit. Buy or window shop from 10am to 4pm.

- Discovery Room: This room holds a world of wonder with interactive exhibits, puzzles and exploration spaces. 10am to 4pm (Closed Mondays)

- Marie Vann Memorial Library: The library has over 3,000 volumes and cozy bean bags to curl up and read in. 10am to 4pm

Houston Museum of Natural Science:

The permanent exhibit halls of the museum are free from 2pm to 8pm every Thursday. Make sure to visit the Albert and Margaret Alkek Education Center on the lower level. Print off a museum map available from the Interactive Map page.

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum:

Museum hours are Monday to Saturday from 10am to 4pm but if you visit Thursday from noon to 4pm you will get free admission. Samplings of exhibits are the:

- Weather Studio: Where children can make a weather forecast

- Climates of the World: Learn and witness climates from around the world.

- Hurricanes, Cyclones & Typhoons: Watch a video of aerial images from hurricanes that hit the Gulf Coast.

- Weather Wizard Corner: Meet meteorologists as they demonstrate different effects of nature.

- Tornadoes and Tornado Chamber: Learn about tornadoes, how they form, the rating scale and then witness first hard what you learned as a tornado is formed from water vapor.

Main Street Square Fountains:

The fountains are a beautiful sight to see in the evening. Do not make a special trip to witness this but combine with a planned trip downtown. Visit the website provided below for dates and times.

The Menil Collection:

The collection is named after John and Dominique de Menil who met and married in Versailles, France before moving to Houston, TX in the fforties. The collection includes: Byzantine Fresco Chapel, Cy Twombly Gallery, Dan Flavin Installation, Menil Neighborhood, Museum Building, Parks and Outdoor Sculpture and The Rothko Chapel. This is a must see for the whole family.

- The Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum is open Wednesday to Sunday from 10am to 6pm.

- Cy Twombly Gallery displays contemporary art from 11am to 7pm, Wednesday through Sunday.

- The design for the Dan Flavin Installation was finished by minimalist Dan Flavin two days before his death.

- Menil Neighborhood also known as "a neighborhood of art" serves as offices and residences.

- The Museum Building designed by Renzo Piano houses the Menil's collection of art. Dominique insisted that the museum contain natural light for viewing her pieces.

- Tour the eleven larger than life sculptures around the complex. The piece by Barnett Newman, Broken Obelisk, is dedicated to the memory of Martin Luther King, Jr.

- The Rothko Chapel is open 365 days per year from 10am to 6pm. The Menils built the chapel for believers of any faith and envisioned the chapel as a place to meditate and contemplate. The Broken Obelisk sits outside of the chapel doors.

Observation Decks

- The tallest building in Houston is the JPMorgan Chase Tower at 75 stories. During normal business hours visitors can take in the view of Houston from the 60^th floor.

- The second tallest building in Houston is the Wells Fargo Plaza at 71 stories. This building provides an astonishing view of Houston from the 58^th floor.

Sam Houston Park:

Sam Houston Park is Houston's oldest park with peaceful scenery and home to inspiring works of art.

Self-Guided Audio Walking Tours:

Three tours are available for downloading to your MP3 and print the companion map.

- Ultimate Downtown Walking Tour: Hosted by Dan Workman who owns Sugar Hill Studios

- Museum District Walk & Roll: Hosted by former Ch. 13 new anchor, Shara Fryer

- A Walk in the Park: Discovery Green Walking Tour: Hosted by Discovery Green Conservancy's president and director, Guy Hagstette.

Station Museum of Contemporary Art:

Exhibits include fine art and alternative artists. Open Wednesday through Sunday from 11am to 6pm.

Texas Medical Center Tour:

Tours of the world's largest medical center, Texas Medical Center, must be prearranged by writing or emailing the Public Affairs office. For a quick video tour watch Welcome to Houston, Home of the World's Largest Medical Center.

Resources:

Art Car Museum: www.artcarmuseum.com

Beer Can House: http://www.orangeshow.org/beercan.html

Blaffer Gallery: http://www.blaffergallery.org

Buffalo Bayou Art Park: http://www.bbap-houston.com/index.php

City Hall Tours: http://www.houstontx.gov/cao/cityhalltours.html#tour

Discovery Green: http://www.discoverygreen.com

The Heritage Society Museum: http://www.heritagesociety.org/park.html

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center: www.houstonarboretum.org

Houston Museum of Natural Science: www.hmns.org

The John C. Freeman Weather Museum: http://www.wxresearch.org/hours.html

Main Street Square Fountains: http://www.houstondowntown.com/Home/Lifestyle/WhatToDo/FamilyFun/MainStreetSquareFounta/

The Menil Collection: http://www.menil.org/visit/ataglance.php

Observation Decks: http://www.houstondowntown.com/Home/Lifestyle/WhatToDo/FamilyFun/ObservationDecks/

Sam Houston Park: http://www.heritagesociety.org/park.html

Self-Guided Audio Walking Tours:http://www.houstondowntown.com/Home/Lifestyle/WhatToDo/FREESelf-GuidedAudioTo/

Station Museum of Contemporary Art: www.stationmuseum.com

Texas Medical Center Tour: http://www.texmedctr.tmc.edu/root/en/GetToKnow/FAQ/FAQ.htm

Welcome to Houston, Home of the World's Largest Medical Center: http://www.texmedctr.tmc.edu/root/en/GetToKnow/TMCVideo/Largest+Medical+Center+Video+%28HD-English%29.htm