We LOVE Houston!

A few weeks ago we were all supposed to go to Houston as a family (when Elina had her NASA campout), but Eli and Eulee got sick so we postponed the trip to last weekend.  The kids were even more excited this time and it did not disappoint!

Here were our highlights--

1. HOUSTON CHILDREN'S MUSEUM
This was our first stop and we ended up playing there from 2-7pm.  We didn't even take a break to eat dinner...instead we went back to the car, stuffed our mouths with snacks, and went back into the museum to play some more!

This place was awesome.  Usually children's museums are geared for younger kids, but Elina said it was one of her favorite places.  There was a huge climbing structure that the kids couldn't get enough of.

They had a big water play area called Flow Works that was super fun.

One of our favorite spots was the Eco-Station.  There were lots of chicken eggs hatching and there was even one egg shell that was cracked with a tiny beak sticking out of it.  It was awesome!  The kids just loved watching those baby chicks.

2. HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE (HMNS)
We got there right when the museum opened at 9am and we didn't leave until they closed at 5pm.  That's how great it was!  The Museum of Natural History in NYC is one of my all-time favorite places, but this museum beat it in a lot of ways.

We started off with the Paleontology area that seemed to never end (in a good way).

Then we went to see the gem and mineral area.  This exhibit is definitely better than the one in NY.

We also loved the area with all the different seashells.  I never knew that scallop shells came in so many different colors!

We literally did everything we could possibly do.  We saw a big-screen movie called Tiny Giants 3D.  This was the cutest movie because it was mainly showed little critters up close.  We also went to watch a movie in the planetarium.

But my all-time favorite part of this museum is the butterfly pavilion.  It starts with an entomology exhibit that is just the best.

It has the right mix of interactive, hands-on things and real-life things.  

They actually had rows of real chrysalises pinned and you could see butterflies emerging from them!

Then the butterfly pavilion had butterflies that I had never seen before, too.  The most beautiful ones were the rice paper butterflies...they looked even more delicate than regular butterflies.

The only thing I didn’t like about HMNS was that everything was “a la carte.”  You pay admission to get into the museum and the permanent exhibits, but if you see a special exhibit, it’s extra.  If you see a big-screen movie, it’s extra.  If you go to the planetarium, it’s extra.  Even the butterfly pavilion is extra.  It all adds up.  So we just opted for the family membership because then the add-ons were half off, which is a huge savings for our big family.  (It also gives us an excuse to visit again within the next year!)

3. NASA SPACE CENTER

 NASA was really fun too….even if it was my second time within a month.   They actually added a few things and had a fun, new visiting exhibit.  It was a Ripley’s Believe It or Not exhibit but it wasn’t the cheesy stuff…it was actually really interesting.  There was even artwork created with unorthodox things…like a portrait of Justin Bieber made with only candy….another portrait made of only pennies and other copper coins…and a portrait of Einstein made with burnt toast!!  Crazy!

It took all day for us to do NASA only because of Eulee.  Man, a 2 year old really slows you down with all the potty trips!  But it was still an enjoyable day.  Eli was amazed by how big everything was and he had so many questions about space.  It was so cute.

4. HERMANN PARK

This park is where HMNS is located.  It is a beautiful park with lots of old trees that provide nice shade.  We walked around the lake and then went through the Japanese gardens.  It was a great way for the kids to burn off some energy before the 3 hour drive back to San Antonio. 

We really had a wonderful time in Houston.  We loved the museums and some of the places we ate at.  When people ask me about the trip, I feel like a commercial for Houston.  It was all so enjoyable and the kids are already asking when we can go back!  We will definitely go back for a visit!  Can’t wait!