Houston Museum of Natural Science

Considered one of the most visited science museums in the country, this four-floor facility is home to several distinct collections. The Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals, considered one of the world's best collections of its kind, houses priceless specimens dramatically spotlit in a dark showroom.

Nearby, the Strake Hall of Malacology showcases some of the world's rarest seashells. With Houston's ties to the oil industry, it's not surprising to find one of the world's most comprehensive exhibits on oil and gas, the Wiess Energy Hall, housed at the museum, where displays trace the exploration and use of these energy sources.

Children explore hands-on exhibits at the Fondren Discovery Place, the Challenger Learning Center and the Do The Weather Center.

The Wortham IMAX Theatre and Burke Baker Planetarium offer a variety of shows, from a look at Houston's skies to laser displays to six-story, specially filmed nature shows on the IMAX screen.

The museum is also specially noted for the 25,000-square-foot Cockrell Butterfly Center housing over 2,000 live, free-flying butterflies within its glass pyramid.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science was one of our favorite stops in Houston thanks to its extensive and well-done exhibits. The museum is incredibly popular (so much so, if fact, that we waited nearly 30 minutes just to buy tickets to the museum and the IMAX). Families with children made up much of the clientele; favorites with children seemed to be the Fondren Discovery Place and the Challenger Learning Center. Our favorite was the Cockrell Butterfly Center, where free-flying butterflies were spotted along the walkways. Docents hand out identification cards before entering the facility (and admission is timed so visitors must select what time they plan to visit the butterfly center when buying tickets).

Location: 1 Hermann Circle Dr. in Houston Museum District.

For More Information: visit www.hmns.org.