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As excitement builds for nonstop service to Houston (IAH) from CAK aboard United Airlines, we want to highlight our top 5 things to do in the greater Houston area!

First step, book your seat for the inaugural flight on June 8, 2018. Then, let the planning begin. https://www.united.com/ual/en/us/

Houston is fairly easy to navigate if you focus on three main areas. First, you’ll want to explore the city’s modern downtown area, which includes the theater district. Its restaurant scene and architecture make for a great first impression. For history buffs, venture a few miles south of downtown to find the museum district. You’ll have a variety of options within a walkable four-block area for those interested in natural science, fine art, and history. So what’s left? Shopping! Just 15 minutes west of downtown is the Galleria area, which is the largest shopping area in Texas. If you’re into recreation and adventure, well, Houston has that too.

Here’s our top 5 list –

1. Johnson Space Center Houston

With 250,000-sqaure-feet, visitors can explore interactive spaceflight exhibits, learn about space artifacts, tour mission control, and visit the Starship Gallery education complex. Who knows, maybe you can even try one of the spacesuits! Houston, we have a winner. Plant your flag, you’ve topped our list! https://spacecenter.org/

Fun fact – In 2017, the Mission Mars exhibit opened with the help of NASA.

2. Houston Museum of Natural Science

Want to focus on earth? Try the Houston Museum of Natural Science. Visitors will be surprised by the variety of subjects, ranging from paleontology (dinosaurs), a planetarium, butterfly center, and a gem vault filled with emeralds, rubies, and sapphires! It even has an interactive chemistry hall. Plus, there’s always a special exhibit. http://www.hmns.org/

Fun fact – the Houston Museum of Natural Science will celebrate its 110th anniversary in 2019!

3. Minute Maid Park

Sports fan? Well then, here’s the perfect opportunity to watch the 2017 World Series Champion Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park! It’s one popular place to be during the warm summer months. Don’t worry though, its air-conditioned with a retractable roof. It even has a 19th century replica locomotive that tracks 800 feet when the Astros hit a homer. Plus, great ballpark concessions! http://houston.astros.mlb.com/hou/ballpark/

Fun fact – the Houston Astros won their first World Series in franchise history by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 5-1 on November 1, 2017.

4. Houston Zoo & Houston Downtown Aquarium

Cheetahs, giraffes, otters and bats! There’s an animal for everyone at the Houston Zoo. Visitors are surrounded by 6,000 animals, an interactive kid’s zone, a hot weather play park water oasis, and a unique 4-D movie experience. It’s the second most visited zoo in the United States for good reason. https://www.houstonzoo.org/

Speaking of water and animals, the Downtown Aquarium is a sprawling spot for sea-life. Visitors can navigate the aquatic ecosystem, view the shark tank, interact with animals in the touch pool, and even grab a bite to eat at the six-acre dining and entertainment complex. http://www.aquariumrestaurants.com/downtownaquariumhouston/default.asp

Fun fact – the complex is the product of redeveloping two Houston landmarks (Fire Station #1 and the Central Waterworks Building).

5. The Galleria

Are you a picky shopper, looking for a deal, or searching for upscale brands? The Galleria’s got ya covered with more than 400 stores spread across 2.4 million square feet! Shop a range of brands from Forever 21 and Gap to Burberry, Chanel, and Christian Louboutin. With shopping comes dining. The Galleria has more than 50 dining options on-site and many more nearby. http://www.simon.com/mall/the-galleria

Fun fact – The Galleria has a full-size ice rink for recreational skating and freestyle figure skating.

Bonus Pick!!!

Buffalo Bayou Park

Recreation enthusiasts rejoice! We didn’t forget you on this trip to Houston. You’d enjoy Houston’s Buffalo Bayou, a 52-mile waterway that serpentines from Houston’s River Oaks area all the way to Katy, Texas. It recently underwent a revitalization project ($58 million) to update the hiking and walking trails. You’ll find bike and boat rentals, recreation areas, dog parks, event venues, observation areas, food-trucks, and much more! Travelers and locals say the views of Houston’s skyline are amazing from different areas in the park. https://buffalobayou.org/

Fun fact – The Buffalo Bayou is a slow moving river that flows through Houston into the Galveston Bay formed 18,000 years ago. Its source is the prairie surrounding Katy, Texas.