Regional Information

VISITOR INFORMATION CENTER - Maps, brochures, literature and schedule of events available at visitor center operated by the Clear Lake Area Convention & Visitor's Center. Open daily from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.; 1201 NASA Road 1. 713-488-7676 or 1-800-844-5253.

  • Astros Baseball (astros.mlb.com)
  • Texas Music Festival - Houston (www.uh.edu/texasmusicfestival): Classical concerts at the University of Houston (and one at the outdoor Cynthis Woods Pavilion) in June.
  • Round Top – Round Top, Texas (www.festivalhill.org)
    Extensive weekend classical programs at Round Top, Texas; a delightful day-trip or overnight from Houston.
  • St. Arnold Brewery – Houston (www.saintarnold.
    Houston’s first microbrewery.
    Saturday tours at 1:00 PM (with tasting)
  • Miller Outdoor Theater (www.ci.houston.tx.us/special events/miller/) Including Carmen, Accordion Kings, Houston Symphony, etc.
  • Houston Museum of Science (www.hmns.org)
    The butterfly house is a must see, if you’ve never seen one. (There are also butterfly's in the Rain Forest Pyramid at Moddy Gardens in Galveston).
  • The “Museum District” generally (www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org)
    Arts, sciences, children, holocaust, zoo.
  • Galveston (www.galveston.com)
    Beach, theatre, The Strand, etc. VISITOR CENTER - Gateway Visitor's Center, operated by Galveston County, offers information on events, accommodations, dining a of interest for Galveston County. 1-800-264-2684. At 1849 Gulf Freeway South (I-45), Exit 22. The Ferry on the east end to Bolivar is fun, and you don’t have to wait in the car line if you want to park at the landing an ride as a pedestrian.
  • Directory of other coastal cities (www.texas-on-line.com/graphic/ctycoast.htm)
  • San Antonio (www.alamocity.com)
    The Alamo and all that.
  • Houston Comets of the WNBA
    Games throughout June and July
    http://www.wnba.com/comets/
  • Public Library
    Houston/Harris County Freeman Branch
    16602 Diana Lane, Houston 77062
    (281) 488-1906
    http://www.hcpl.lib.tx.us/branchinfo/fm/fminfo.htm
  • Half Price Books
    18111 Egret Bay Blvd. Houston, TX 77058 (281) 335-1283 Used and remainder books. Faculty discount card.
  • The Bookish Pelican
    1032 Grand Avenue
    Bacliff, Tx
    281-339-3050
    www.bookishpelican.net/
    Used books
    Two miles south of Kemah off 146
  • Butterfly Enthusiasts of Southeast Texas Meetings/field trips: www.best-naba.org

Presidential Libraries

Presidential homesteads

First capital of Texas (www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/washingt/washingt.htm)

Press

July 4th

Fireworks on Clear Lake and lots of other places

Local

Restaurants

There are many in the JSC area covering a wide range of cuisine.

Without getting into rambling recommendations, do note the chef owned and operated, “serious” Italian restaurant

Babbo Bruno
3104 FM 528
Webster, TX 77598
(281) 482-5007

From the Houston Chronicle: Chef Stefano Bertolotti, who's from Genoa, has raised the bar in the far-southeastern suburbs. He's best with filled pastas (ravioli in walnut cream); meats (veal bundles, balsamic-spiked quail); and unusual -- if retro -- cream sauces (smoked-salmon penne in a red-peppery melt of ricotta). Bland salads; wonderful desserts; inviting room.

FM 528 is the western extension of NASA 1 (west of I45). As you travel west you will think you left civilization, but suburbia will soon return. Babbo Bruno is on the right in a supermarket anchored strip center.


Real (not internet) stores of special interest

These are in central (inside 610) Houston, not the JSC area, but are worth noting.

Cactus Music and Video
2930 S. Shepherd Drive
Houston, TX 77098

An independent “brick and mortar” store with excellent selection of rock & roll and blues; plus jazz, and a fantastic rental video selection. Very knowledgeable staff.

Joel’s Classical Shop
4010 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005
713-665-0954

Independent, owner operated, classical music shop. Joel is there to advise, help, opinionate, and special order. He used to run the back room classical department of a chain, but they drove him out with corporate buying, and he went independent.

Allrecords
1955 West Gray Street
Houston, TX 77019
(713) 524-4900

Yet another independent, owner operated CD real store. Emphasis here is on jazz.

Brazos Bookstore
2421 Bissonnet St
Houston, TX 77005
713-523-0701
http://www.brazosbookstore.com/

Independent literary plus bookstore, with occasional author readings—see web site for schedule.

Murder by the Book
2342 Bissonnet Street
Houston, TX 77005
713-524-8597
http://www.murderbooks.com/

You guessed it. An independent, owner operated mystery book store. Occasional author readings—see web site for schedule.

Other Links

JSC (www.jsc.nasa.gov)

Nassau Bay (www.nassaubay.com)
One of the adjacent cities.


Clear Lake Area (www.photohome.com/clearlake)  part of which is known as Clear Lake City, but there is actually no such city.

Houston (www.houston-guide.com)

Bay Area (www.visitbayareahouston.com) Another guide to the general JSC area.

Seabrook tourism information
(Seabrook is at the east end of NASA 1--which is shown on their map as 528) http://www.seabrooktourism.com/