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Dec 7-11
Beth in Lincoln, Nebraska

We'll be in Houston December 7-11. We've never been, and are overwhelmed about what to do! Can you give us suggestions, either downtown or Galveston? Considering Moody Gardens. How far is NASA from downtown? Is that a top recommendation?

Comment submitted by Veronica from Houston
Hi Beth,

There is so very much to do in Houston and area and I do not want to overwhelm you...BUT.....

Since you are here for 5 days, you really have time to see Houston and Galveston.

If you want to check out the city's top attractions, the most convenient and affordable away to do this is to buy a CityPass. In addition to admission to the top attractions in the city for only $39, a CityPass provides a map, info on the best times to visit each attraction, editorial content from National Geographic Traveler and more. Purchased separately, those same tickets would cost $70.96!. The attractions included on the pass are:
Space Center Houston
Houston Zoo
Downtown Aquarium
Houston Museum of Natural Science
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston OR Children's Museum of Houston
The Health Museum OR George Ranch

If you visit six attractions, you'll save about 50 percent, plus there is great info inside the pass--when to visit, restaurant recommendations from National Geographic Traveler and more. Five of the attractions--Museum of Natural Science, Zoo, MFAH, Children's Museum and the Health Museum--are within walking distance of one another.

Space Center Houston is 23 miles from downtown. If you've never been, you definitely should. If you plan on visiting Galveston, stop at Space Center on the way.

The entire Museum District is pretty fantastic. There are more than 17 museums within two miles. Click here to take a look.

Don't miss the Beer Can House and the Art Car Museum.

For shopping, The Galleria is the place for you to go. It has more than 375 shops, with everything from Chanel to Banana Republic. There is also an entire wing of restaurants, an ice rink and two hotels. Other great places to go are Rice Village (where Lot 8 is located), Uptown Park, Highland Village, The Heights...I could literally go on and on. Click here for a list of some of Houston's best boutiques. Many of them are located near The Galleria.

We've put together a list of award-winning and nationally recognized restaurants around Houston, although it's hard to go wrong with any of them! Click here to take a look.

There are so many holiday events taking place while you're in town!

11/11/2009 to 01/03/2010
Yuletide at Bayou Bend
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
This annual holiday celebration transforms Bayou Bends' beautiful rooms and gardens into magical recreations from the 18th to 20th centuries. 713-639-7750.

11/14/2009 to 01/10/2010
Seasons of Sharing
Children's Museum of Houston
Discover an interactive world of cultural and religious celebrations from around the world in Houston’s only multicultural holiday exhibit for children. Ramadan, Diwali, Las Posadas, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, and the Lunar New Year will all be represented with a block-long neighborhood of life-size houses, where kids can step inside and experience firsthand customs and traditions different from their own. 713-522-1138.

11/14/2009 to 01/02/2010
Festival of Lights
Moody Gardens – Galveston Island
The holiday magic glistens at this festive holiday event, attracting more than 85,000 visitors, and featuring holiday shopping, pictures with Santa, a gingerbread house and the area’s only outdoor ice rink. 800-582-4673.

11/20/2009 to 12/27/2009
A Christmas Carol – A Ghost Story of Christmas
Alley Theatre
Houston’s seasonal favorite that the Houston Press describes as having "Spectacular London sets …the inimitable Dickens’ tale – spiced with the usual fog and an unusual twist on the ghosts past, present and future." 713-228-9341.

11/21/2009 to 12/19/2009
Rudolph
Express Children's Theatre
This delightful new holiday musical by Alex "A. C." Gardner gets the whole family in the holiday spirit. 713-682-5044.

11/26/2009 to 01/18/2010
The Ice at Discovery Green
Discovery Green Park
The Ice at Discovery Green park makes a return to downtown on Thanksgiving Day with over 7,200 square-feet of sparkling ice. In addition to ice skating, visitors will enjoy holiday art exhibits and special skating appearances and performances. 713-400-7336.

11/27/2009 to 12/27/2009
The Nutcracker
Houston Ballet
Featuring glorious scenery and costumes by Tony Award-winning designer Desmond Heeley, Ben Stevenson's breathtaking production of The Nutcracker is, in the words of The Houston Chronicle, "the crown jewel of holiday entertainment." 713-523-6300.

11/27/2009 to 12/27/2009
The Santaland Diaries
Alley Theatre
Company Actor Todd Waite will reprise his role as "Crumpet the Elf" in the outlandish, and true, chronicles of David Sedaris’ experience as a worker in Macy’s Santaland display. This compact, one-character comedy is a hilarious cult classic, featuring comic encounters during the height of the holiday crunch. 713-228-9341.

11/28/2009 to 12/20/2009
8th Annual Holiday Market with Santa Claus
Traders Village - Houston
Traders Village turns into a holiday wonderland of bargain shopping, family fun and festive foods at their annual Holiday Market. 281-890-5500.

12/05/2009 to 12/08/2009
Winterlight
Bayou City Women’s Chorus
Winterlight displays the mystery, colors, moods and joy of the winter season with great songs and true holiday spirit. 713-521-7464.

12/08/2009 to 12/20/2009
The Sound of Music
Theatre Under The Stars
This year TUTS presents another holiday gift from the wish list of your favorite things ... that classic show for all ages, The Sound of Music. 713-558-2600.

12/09/2009
Garrison Keillor’s Christmas
Houston Symphony
Join beloved American storyteller Garrison Keillor, alongside the Houston Symphony for a Christmas concert sure to humor you with Keillor’s unique blend of improvisational storytelling and song making. 713-224-7575.

12/10/2009
Holidays Around the World
Houston Visitors Center
A truly unique holiday celebration! Holidays Around the World includes a silent tree auction, featuring 22 trees decorated by the Houston Consular Corps., and a festive party with Santa Claus, holiday shopping and musical entertainment.

12/11/2009 to 12/12/2009
47th Annual Candlelight Tour
The Heritage Society
Immerse yourself in the sights and sounds of an old-fashioned Christmas at Sam Houston Park. Houston’s past comes alive as visitors stroll along paths lit by glowing candlelight and tour the interiors of Houston’s most historic structures. 713-655-1912.

12/11/2009 to 12/13/2009
Very Merry Pops
Houston Symphony
You and your family will treasure this festive, heartwarming annual tradition featuring Mike Krajewski, the Houston Symphony, the Houston Symphony Chorus and special guest pop piano sensation William Joseph. 713-224-7575.

12/11/2009 to 12/19/2009
Campfire Christmas
George Ranch Historical Park
Experience a true campfire Christmas with the George Ranch cowboys! Mingle with Civil War soldiers and enjoy the taste of years gone by as Chef Nick Castelberg cooks up a delicious historic meal around the Oak Grove campfire. 281-343-0218.

Galveston is 45 miles from Downtown Houston. Moody Gardens is great.

If you need assistance check out our Visitor Center.

Have a great time!

Veronica