Houston Museum of Natural Science

Houston, Texas

A visit to Houston is not complete without a visit to the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Houston Zoo.  The Houston Museum of Natural Science contains exhibits, imax, planetarium, and interactive exhibits which provide memorable fun, learning, and enjoyment for all ages.

The Cockrell Butterfly Museum – If you have ever wanted to walk through an enchanted tropical garden abounding with butterflies, you can find one at the Cockrell Butterfly Museum.  The Cockrell Butterfly Museum in the Houston Museum of Natural Science has butterflies of various colors and species.  They gracefully glide through the skies, feed on beautiful flowers, and sometimes even alight on your shoulder.  The museum also contains a fascinating array of some of the world’s most interesting insects, including several camouflaged ones such as praying mantis, to bees to scorpions and tarantulas.  At the end of the exhibit, the museum offers a bug snax vending machine where patrons can enjoy cheese-flavored larvettes, candy with worms, and other international entomological delicacies (which are not for the faint of heart but really are worth a try if you’re curious). The site even has Madagascar hissing cockroaches. (We visited a pet store once and asked why anyone would have a Madagascar hissing cockroach as a pet.  The lady proceeded to get the roaches out and showed us how much like Velcro their legs are and how friendly they can be…to each his own, I suppose!) 

IMAX – The Houston Museum of Natural Science features 3 to 4 shows on IMAX with an array of learning opportunities.  During Summer 2019, the museum features Apollo 11, Superpower Dogs, and The Great Barrier Reef.  Experiencing a film in a 4-story screen is a sight and experience to behold.  Each IMAX has its own fascinating topic and journey.  Kids especially enjoy Superpower Dogs, which is about heroic rescue canines.

Schedule for Houston Museum of Natural Science Summer 2019:

Houston Museum of Natural Science

Flower Power – 9 a.m. Cockrell Butterfly Center

Apollo 11 – 10 a.m., 2 p.m., 5 p.m. Timed for release on the 50th anniversary of the first lunar landing, First Steps is a direct-cinema historical experience of the dramatic Apollo 11 mission. With the assistance of NASA and the National Archives, and a global team of researchers and archivists, the film uses never-before–seen footage from 1969 and tells the story entirely through archival materials; giving audiences a thrilling firsthand experience of humanity’s first trip to another world. From the Emmy Award-winning filmmakers of Dino13 and CNN Films. https://www.firststepsmovie.com/

Superpower dogs – 11 a.m., 1 p.m., 4 p.m.

Great Barrier Reef – 12 p.m., 3 p.m. Every year millions of visitors travel by way of fins, flippers and feet to see one of the seven wonders of the natural world: The Great Barrier Reef – a living treasure trove of biodiversity

Website: HMNS.org

Rating: 5 Stars! Best of the best!

Candytopia

Candytopia is a colorful world of sweet delight for the eyes and tastebuds!  It is an unforgettable, interactive photo journey through a literal candyland.  We marveled at the artistic creations made of candy, such as portraits of pop stars and animal sculptures made entirely of candy.  Kids love Candytopia!  They took an abundance of multicolor selfies amidst larger-than-life lollipops and confetti falling from the sky.  They jumped for joy into the marshmallow pit.  Candytopia curators handed out delicious candy along the way and candy souvenirs are available for purchase at the end of the exhibit. Candytopia is fun for all ages!  

For current locations and schedule for Candytopia, visit Candytopia.com.

Rating: 5 Stars!  Best of the best!