Aside from oil, the biggest industry in Houston is NASA, and the city is home to the Mission control center, and has been since the 1960s. When Jim Lovell on Apollo 13 ran into trouble, it was Houston that he called for help. As a result of its association with the space race, Houston has many different attractions themed around space including visitor’s centers at Mission Control, and a Six Flags theme park just outside the city called Astro World.

The NASA mission control center in Houston is one of the most popular visitor attractions in Texas, and offers plenty of hands on displays that will appeal to children of all ages from six to sixty. The interactive exhibits within the museum were designed by Disney, which means that they are as fun as they are educational. The highlight of the day for most visitors is the chance to walk on the surface of Mars in one of the largest exhibits on the complex.

For a more exciting day out with a space travel theme, the high octane rides and white knuckle fun at Astro World is an excellent option. With roller coasters and other attractions including a space themed boardwalk and plenty of midway attractions, it is a fantastic day out for the whole family.

Houston itself has plenty of cultural experiences on offer including several museums that chart the history of the oil industry within Texas and also tell the story of Houston. Thanks to its excellent location close to the Gulf of Mexico, Houston’s attractions include several pleasant beaches within a short drive of the city, and there are also a number of parks within the city where you can find an escape from the bustle of the streets and enjoy some peace and quiet during the hottest part of the day.

If you want to explore more than one or two of Houston’s museums and other attractions, then you could buy a tourist card that will give you reduced price access, as well as including coupons for a number of other Houston attractions within the reasonable price.