Houston

See. Touch. Hear. Taste. Explore! Discovery Green is a 12-acre (4.8-hectare) green space that includes Kinder Lake and its model boat basin, a playground carved into a tree-shaded hill, interactive fountains, The Lake House or The Grove for a bite to eat, and an outdoor stage featuring complimentary performances. Special events abound at this lively park right across the street from the Hotel.

At this golf entertainment complex that’s great for parents and kids alike, sport meets your favourite neighbourhood bar. The ultimate golf experience comprises 102 bays, restaurants, bars and a rooftop terrace.

Visit Space Center Houston, the official visitors center for NASA's Johnson Space Center. It's the only place on earth where guests can embark on an out-of-this-world journey through human adventures in space. Make sure to take the tour of the new space shuttle replica, the Explorer.

This perfect place for a fun-filled family day trip includes a giant roller coaster, 15 rides, carnival games, souvenir shops and more. Rising 1,130 feet (344 metres) over the Gulf of Mexico, the pier resides where the original Pleasure Pier stood from 1943 until it was destroyed by Hurricane Carla in 1961. More recently, it was the site of the Flagship, an over-the-water hotel built in 1965 that was demolished after Hurricane Ike in 2008.

Whether it’s the Houston Rockets, Astros, Aeros or Dynamos, check out a game and cheer them on like a local. No game on while you’re here? Tour Minute Maid Park or Toyota Center and find out what happens behind the scenes.

An alligator wildlife park that focuses on rescue and conservation, here you can learn everything there is to know about alligators, snakes and crocodiles. And if you’re brave enough, you can even take a swim with them.

The Houston Museum District boasts 19 museums and a 50-acre (20-hectare) zoological park just a short METRO ride away. Visit the Houston Zoo, stroll through Herman Park, catch a free show at Miller Outdoor Theatre, see the dinosaurs at the Museum of Natural Science or spend the day at the Children’s Museum, which features endless interactive exhibits.

A 480-acre (194-hectare) living history site with more than 100 years of Texas history, George Ranch offers hands-on experiences and costumed historical interpreters. Give your family a sense of appreciation for the world they live in today and have them experience what life was like 100 years ago.

The San Jacinto Monument is the world's tallest war memorial, standing 15 feet (4.6 metres) taller than the Washington Monument. It's dedicated to the brave men under General Sam Houston who fought for and won Texas' independence in 1836. Our Concierge would be happy to assist with arranging a picnic for you to take along for the day.

Floating in the nearby Houston Ship Channel is Battleship Texas, the last of the battleships to participate in World Wars I and II. The Texas also had the honour of becoming the first battleship memorial when it was decommissioned in 1948. Both the San Jacinto Monument and the Battleship Texas are only a 15- to 20-minute drive from downtown.