Beauty Lab River Oaks

Dive into the wonders of the underwater world at the unique Downtown Aquarium, where you can interact with the ancient legends of El Dorado in the Sunken Temple, sink to the bottom of the neighboring sea, and catch glimpses of offshore rig divers in the Underwater Rig. Tour the marsh and bayous of the Gulf Coast and encounter the alligators, turtles, bullfrogs, and more in the Texas Bayou. Step inside the sunken hull of a 17th-century Spanish Galleon and see the giant octopus, a moray eel, clownfish, and the diversity of species the ocean world has to offer at the Shipwreck. Explore the lush environment of the dangerous tropical life of the red-bellied piranhas and venomous freshwater stingrays in the Rainforest. Step into Discovery Zone and come face-to-face with electric eels, seahorses, and a dazzling array of colorful fish. Interactive monitors let you further explore coral reefs, the arctic seas, and the mysteries of the deep ocean. You may even meet one of our Ambassador Animals up close during the daily Animal Encounters.

Explore The Health Museum, an excellent, innovative, and interactive health and science educational experience, where you will discover a larger-than-life journey through the human body, see actual organ dissections, enjoy science mini-classes and mini-med schools, and check out the health fairs and community outreach, and family science labs. In addition to the permanent exhibits, other attractions include the McGovern Theater, the Sue Trammell Whitfield Gallery for traveling exhibitions, and four Learning Centers for classes, camps, and activities.

Escape from the hustle and bustle of city life at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, where you can enjoy five miles of nature trails winding through native prairie, savanna, wetland, woodland, riparian habitats, and have ample opportunities for exciting wildlife sightings. Explore The Nature Center building, which features a Nature Shop filled with items for nature lovers of all ages, an interactive Discovery Room, Educational Exhibits, hands-on activities, live ambassador animals, biofacts, and a weekly botany display.

Visit Houston's spiritual landmark, the Rothko Chapel, a sacred space open to all to inspire people to take action through art and contemplation, and nurture reverence for the highest aspirations of humanity, and to provide a forum for global concerns. This non-denominational sanctuary is listed in the National Register of Historic Places, an honor awarded before the institution was fifty years old.