Eldridge July 2018

ART/CULTURE
The Houston area is home to some of the world’s finest
museums and art exhibits. Make sure you take advantage
of these this summer.
FREE MUSEUM DAYS IN HOUSTON MUSEUM DISTRICT
Buffalo Soldiers National Museum - Thursday 1-5 PM
Houston Museum of Natural Science - Thursday 2- 5 PM
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston - Thursday 10 AM-9 PM
- Kids 12 & under free every day
Children’s Museum of Houston - Thursday 5- 8 PM
The Health Museum - Thursday 2- 7 PM
Holocaust Museum Houston - Thursday 2- 5 PM
Houston Museum of African-American Culture -
Thursday 6- 8 PM
Czech Center Museum Houston -
Last Monday each month, Noon- 4 PM
10 MUSEUMS ARE ALWAYS FREE
Don’t miss these great cultural experiences and learning
opportunities in Houston’s Museum District that are
always-free: Asia Society Texas, Houston Center for
Photography, Contemporary Arts Museum Houston,
Rothko Chapel, Lawndale Art Center and more.
HOUSTON MUSEUM OF NATURAL SCIENCE
Take advantage of a discount to Houston Museum of
Natural Science with $10 admission ($25 value), thanks
to Goldstar. This admission allows you to explore many
permanent exhibits including the McGovern Hall of the
Americas, Cullen Hall of Gems and Minerals,
Wiess Energy Hall and the Hall of Paleontology.
Check out the great deals below:
Exhibit Hall Admission - $10 (regularly $25)
Butterfly Habitat & Exhibit Hall - 50% off
Exhibit Hall & Planetarium Show - 50% off
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM OF HOUSTON
Who could be more focused on kid fun this summer
than this museum? Children’s Museum is open seven
days a week for a great summer with weekly themes,
action-packed activities, performances, character appearances
and extraordinary events. Admission is $12
for adults and children (age 1+), $11 seniors. Kids under
1 are free. Don’t forget - you can get discounted access
to the Children’s Museum and four other top Houston
attractions for nearly half off with Houston CityPass.
DETECTIVE DAYS AT BAYOU BEND COLLECTION
AND GARDENS
Kids 6 and up can explore mysteries at Bayou Bend Collection
and Gardens. Kids will learn about horticulture,
art, design and American history as they solve seasonal
riddles. Each detective receives a clipboard and magnifying
glass. Hunts in the garden: Tuesday - Saturday,
10 AM-4 PM, Sundays 1-4 PM. Hunts in the house: 1-4
PM, Friday, Saturday, Sunday. Kids 18 and under free.
Adults, $10. Recommend 6-12 years.
CELEBRATE THE QUIRKY
The Beer Can House and Art Car Museum are some fun
cultural institutions with a twist! Beer Can House is $5 for
adults and free for kids 12 and under. It’s open Saturday
and Sunday, noon-5 PM. Art Car Museum has 3-4 art cars
that rotate quarterly along with new art in the gallery.
Admission is free. It’s open
Wednesday - Sunday, 11 AM-6 PM.
OUTDOORS
The sun is shining and that means there’s plenty of
summer fun in Houston for people of all ages. Here are
some outdoor activities to enjoy.
FAMILY NATURE NIGHTS AT
NATURE DISCOVERY CENTER
Family-friendly talks, nature walks, live animals,
crafts & snacks. Russ Pittman Park in Bellaire,
7112 Newcastle in Bellaire. $10/family.
KATY PRAIRIE CONSERVANCY
Throughout the summer, Katy Prairie Conservancy will
host various outdoor events that are fun, engaging and
educational for the whole family. Check their calendar
for upcoming events. Located in Waller at Indiangrass
Preserve, 31950 Hebert Rd., Waller.
FUN AND LEARNING AT JESSE H. JONES PARK
AND NATURE CENTER
There are so many activities and events planned at this
park in Humble. From learning about dragonflies, flags
of Texas, junior canoe training and more. Check out the
full calendar. Some require advance registration.
LATIN BEATS AT DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM
Enjoy free salsa dance lessons every Friday night
through August 17 th , 7-11 PM. Lessons are taught by professional
salsa dancers. A live band will perform the last
Friday each month. Located at 410 Bagby at Memorial.
NORTH HOUSTON SKATE PARK IN SPRING
It’s the largest Skate Park in North America at 78,000 sq.
ft. Admission is free! The skate park is open 8 AM-10 PM
all summer Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday
and Saturday and 10 AM-9 PM Sunday.
Closed Tuesdays.
BAT CHATS
1 st and 3 rd Fridays year round: Arrive 30 minutes before
sunset to hear a brief presentation on Waugh Bridge Bat
Colony. Watch bats emerge under the Waugh Bridge.
Meet on the platform at Waugh Drive and Allen Parkway.
Free public parking at Spotts Park, 401 S. Heights Blvd
at Memorial.
HOUSTON ARBORETUM & NATURE CENTER
Free to explore 5 miles of trails in the 155-acre urban
nature preserve. Open 7 AM-7 PM. Enjoy interactive
exhibits and activities in the Discovery Room. Located
near Memorial Park and Loop 610.
NOAH’S ARK POOL AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH’S QUILLIAN CENTER IN WESTCHASE
The pool celebrates 22 years this summer. Noah’s Ark
Pool is an amazing destination! The area also includes
a full-size swimming pool with two slides and two diving
boards. Open through August 25 th , Monday-Saturday,
10 AM-4 PM. $7.50 each (under age 1 free). Twilight
Tuesday swim night is $5 admission from 6:30-9 PM.
Noah’s Ark pool only August 28 th -September 1 st (10
AM-2 PM). 10570 Westpark. Playground and basketball
pavilion also on site.
SAM HOUSTON BOAT TOUR BY
PORT OF HOUSTON AUTHORITY
Enjoy a free 90-minute cruise along the Houston Ship
Channel. Tours are available Wednesday through
Saturday, 10 AM and 2:30 PM run time plus 2:30 PM
Wednesday, Friday and Sunday. Closed Monday and
Tuesday. The M/V Sam Houston has been operating as
a public vessel since 1958. Reservations are first-come,
first-served and must be at least 24 hours in advance.
Spots are full until August. Reserve a tour spot online
or call 713-670-2416. Located at 7300 Clinton Drive.
Source: www.houstononthecheap.com
FREE HOUSTON SPLASHPADS BY
HOUSTON PARKS AND RECREATION DEPARTMENT
More than 20 free splashpads throughout the city.
FIRST AND THIRD SUNDAYS AT
ARMAND BAYOU NATURE CENTER
Noon-5 PM. Sundays in Nature. Admission is free. Last
entrance will be 4 PM. Hike trails with naturalist interpreter,
view live reptiles, relive 1895 history. 8500 Bay
Area Blvd., Pasadena. Each month has a different theme.
GALVESTON
Take a day trip to Galveston and enjoy walking along
the Seawall, building sandcastles, playing in the water
or shopping on the Strand. Parking is $8/day or $1/hour
along the Seawall if you can find it! Or head to Stewart
Beach ($10-$12 per vehicle), which is known as Galveston’s
family beach. Plenty to do with the pavilion, beach
volleyball courts, concessions and the beach! Lifeguards
are on site at Stewart Beach. Located at 201 Seawall
Blvd. Take a free ride on the Galveston-Port Bolivar ferry,
with up to 5 ferries operating in the summer.
OTHER
LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM
Enjoy over 130,000 square feet of aviation history and
activities. With more than 40 vintage planes on premises
and cool activities like virtual flights, it’s fun for the
whole family.
HPD MOUNTED PATROL BARN
Visit the Houston Police Department stables and feed
the horses. Visit Monday-Friday, Noon-2 PM for unscheduled
visits. Bring apples, carrots and peppermints
for the horses (limit 2 each). There are close to 40 horses
and a couple donkeys! Saturdays and Sundays, visits
must be scheduled ahead of time by calling
832-394-0394. Located at 5005 Little York Rd.
HOUSTON WORLD SERIES OF DOG SHOWS
Get free admission and free parking the first day of this
annual Houston favorite, Wednesday, July 18 th , 9 AM-3
PM. Or save $5 all day Thursday with $10 admission with
kids 12 and under free. Located at NRG. The dog show
runs July 18 th -22 nd .
DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM
2 for Tuesday returns this summer at Downtown Aquarium.
Buy One All-Day Adventure Pass for $20.99 and get
one free. About $11 per person. This is valid through
August with the coupon. A new coupon will be published
each month. You can also visit the Downtown Aquarium
on the cheap with CityPass. CityPass gives you access to
five of Houston’s top attractions at 49% off.
FREE LEGO MINI MODEL BUILD AT LEGO STORES
First Tuesday and Wednesday each month, 3-7 PM with
reservations required. Available at LEGO stores (Galleria,
The Woodlands Mall and Baybrook Mall). Register
online. Sign up at the store or sign up online as a VIP
member - free registration.
ROSENBERG RAILROAD MUSEUM
This museum in Rosenberg offers tours for all ages. Learn
everything about trains from the science, safety to the
history of the railroad. Adults, $7.50; seniors, $6 and
kids 2-14, $5. Closed Monday and Tuesday. Located at
1921 Avenue F in Rosenberg, 35 miles SW of Houston.
FREE BOWLING FOR KIDS
At Copperfield Bowl, Emerald Bowl and Max Bowl Humble.
Kids can bowl two free games every day all summer.
Eldridge Echoes Community Newsletter | July 2018
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