Houston Zoo, Houston (must see)

Consistently rated one of the city's top attractions is the lush, welcoming, and occasionally stinky Houston Zoo. Five thousand animals keep adults and children entertained on 55 acres of various ecosystems of the world. As with all AZA-accredited zoos, the one here takes extraordinary care to provide healthy and happy living conditions for its animals.

Be sure to drop by the world of primates, the Asian elephant habitat, the lion and tiger exhibit, and the grizzly bear habitat. A kiosk by the entrance shows the schedule for the day so you can plan on watching feedings, listening to keeper chats and participate in other special activities. Giraffe feeding happens twice a day, starting at 11am & 2pm, and even if you buy just one ticket, the entire family can go up on the platform to be almost eye-level with the beautiful reticulated creatures and take photos.

Families with children will want to set aside time for a little excursion on the train, which takes a short journey through the park along the zoo’s border. Also, if you have children in tow, consider bringing some extra clothes since most kids love the water play area and will undoubtedly get soaked.

Why You Should Visit:
Good for a slow walk under the big trees and covered pathways; there are also A/C view enclosures to get away from the hot weather. With all the new renovations to the exhibits, things here have only gotten better.

Tip:
You can bring a backpack, as food and (non-alcoholic) drinks are allowed.