Houston is the nation’s fourth largest city. Museums, shopping malls, and fine restaurants are the lay of land there. Explore the heart of city and discover the space program at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, the official NASA visitor center and museum. And one of the premier sights in the entire state, The Johnson Center is home to Mission Control Center, the organization which coordinates and monitors all human spaceflight for the U.S.

For the avid shopper, Houston Galleria, a shopping resort attracting 24-million visitors each year making this the city’s number one tourist attraction, can be an equally fun excursion. The fourth largest mall in the nation, the Galleria has more than 375 stores, restaurants, and an ice rink. Guests staying at the hotel may request the use of a personal shopper at the Saks Fifth Avenue Houston Galleria.

Museum aficionados will want to head to an area near Houston’s Rice University known as the Houston Museum District, comprised of 18 institutions anchored by several flowering parks perfect for picnicking, The Houston Zoo, and a recently-expanded fine arts museum. You cannot possibly see it all, just one of the reasons it is considered the crown jewel of the Houston cultural and artistic scene.

Houston is exciting whenever you choose to visit, but spring is when the city is at its peak. Discover the true Wild West at the annual Houston Livestock and Rodeo Show each March. More than 2 million visitors mark this as the world’s largest rodeo, a 20-day event, with only the premiere cowboys and cowgirls in country invited to compete. Besides the arena events, there is a good time awaiting the entire family: a number of musical performances by top Country Western stars, a parade, carnival, barbecue, wine competitions and even livestock auctions.