Houston Highlights

Here are some things to do in Houston between planned activities. Items in Red are within walking distance of the Rice Campus.

Alley Theatre: Lemonade, by Eve Ensler runs from 10/8-11/7, and A View from the Bridge, by Arthur Miller runs from 9/24-10/23. For tickets, call (713) 228-8421, or visit their webpage www.alleytheatre.com/home.html

Bayou Bend Collection (One Westcott, 713-639-7750): Home of the late Miss Ima Hogg, a local philanthropist; renowned collection of early Americana, with beautiful gardens, especially in spring. The hours are Tues.-Sat. 10-5, and Sun. 1-5; $8.50 to see the gardens, more for the building interiors. Reservations are required for tours of the building interiors.

Blaffer Gallery (4800 Cullen, 713-743-9530) : Inside the Fine Arts Building at UH.

Contemporary Arts Museum (5216 Montrose, 713-526-3129): Open 10 am-5 pm Tuesday-Friday; noon-5 pm Saturday & Sunday. Cost: $3 adult; $1 student with I.D. Thursdays - free.

Holocaust Museum of Houston (5401 Caroline, off Binz, 713-942-8000): Newly opened. The permanent exhibit chronicles the Holocaust and the events that led up to it.

Space Center Houston (1601 NASA Rd, 281-244-2100): Take the NASA One exit off I-45 South. Self-guided tours 9 AM-7 PM daily. $12.95 adults / $8.95 children under 12. $3 parking.

The Menil Collection (1515 Sul Ross, 713-525-9400) 11:00 AM-7:00 PM Wed-Sun. Free; remarkably rich and varied collection, ranging from pre-Columbian art to surrealism.

Museum of Fine Arts (1001 Bissonnet, 713-639-7300): Open Tuesday-Saturday 10-5 (closing time is 9 pm on Thursday) and Sunday 12:15-6 pm. Admission $3 ($1.50 with student I.D.), except Thurs, when it's free. Also sponsors various art film series.If you haven't been to Houston in a while, you might notice that they've added a new building. The tunnel that connects the old and new buildings is worth seeing, as well as the new exibits.

Museum of Natural Science (Hermann Park, 713-639-4629): Open Monday-Saturday 9am-6pm and Sunday noon-6 pm. Also contains the Burke Baker Planetarium, Wortham IMAX Theater, and the Cockrell Butterfly Center: "the best $3 you can spend: walk around in a recreated rain forest as tropical butterflies flutter around you."

Project Row Houses (2501 Holman, 713-521-1515): An award-winning concept borne out of a community of African-American Artists in Houston. This is a space where many artists are shown, commenting on the life as lived by many different peoples. A must see in Houston.

The Orange Show (2402 Munger, 713-926-6368): Pre-eminent within Houston's unusual concentration of folk art sites, this tribute to the wondrous and healthful qualities of the orange was built by a local man who expected it to draw more visitors than Disney World.

Rice Art Gallery *on campus*(Sewall Hall): Has a rotating art exhibitions which range from edgy to interesting. Free admission.

Rice Media Center *on campus*(Rice Entrance 8, x 2369): Monthly exhibits the work of a regionally or nationally know photographers.

Rothko Chapel (1409 Sul Ross, 713-524-9839): Part of the Menil Museum. An ecumenical chapel for peaceful contemplation, featuring the art of Mark Rothko. Open 10 am-6 pm everyday.

Hermann Park (across S Main from Rice): Includes the Houston Zoo, Natural Science Museum, Miller Theater and Japanese Garden.

Houston Zoo (Hermann Park, 713-523-5888): Entrance fee of $2.50, but free on city holidays. Open 10-6.