Things to do in Houston
Go ice-skating in Discovery Green Park
Discovery Green Park (www.discoverygreen.com) is a 12-acre space in downtown Houston located just across from the George R Brown Convention Center. In the winter, the park transforms its model boat basin into an outdoor skating rink. Indoor ice-skating is available all year in the iconic ice skating rink at the heart of The Galleria shopping centre.
Go on a brewery tour
Saint Arnold Brewery (tel: +1 713 686 9494; www.saintarnold.com) is one of Texas' oldest breweries, and famous for uniquely named plonks such as Wagger Brown, Weedwacker and the Fancy Lawnmower. Tours run on Friday and Saturday afternoons, giving numerous opportunities to taste the fruits of their labour.
Kayak down the Buffalo Bayou
Kayaking along the Buffalo Bayou (tel: +1 713 752 0314; www.buffalobayou.org) gives an entirely new perspective of the city skyline. A scenic 26-mile paddling trail goes through downtown Houston and along the route you can see birds, turtles and other wildlife.
Spend the day at the gee-gees
If you like a flutter, spend a day at the Sam Houston Race Park (tel: +1 281 807 8700; www.shrp.com) and try not to lose your shirt betting on Thoroughbred and American Quarter Horse races in this state-of-the art facility. The course also has restaurants and entertainment facilities and live music performances every weekend.
Visit the house (sort of) made from beer
Back in 1968, upholsterer John Milkovisch started work on a house that now has become one of Houston's most idiosyncratic attractions - the Beer Can House (tel: www.beercanhouse.org). Approximately 50,000 cans now adorn its outside walls, greatly reducing its energy bills and apparently making it 'sing in the wind'.
