Outdoor Luminosity

The Grammy Award–winning Houston Symphony has played a central role in Houston’s cultural and civic life for more than 100 years. The symphony is now one of America’s oldest performing arts organizations and the largest performing arts organization in Houston. It's always a season to remember at the Houston Symphony. Throughout the year, the institution cultivates musical appreciation for all tastes. The symphony produces a classical season, a pops season, a family series, and symphony specials, so there are plenty of opportunities to catch a performance on a romantic date.

Dive into the wonders of the underwater world at the unique Downtown Aquarium, where you can interact with the ancient legends of El Dorado in the Sunken Temple, sink to the bottom of the neighboring sea, and catch glimpses of offshore rig divers in the Underwater Rig. Tour the marsh and bayous of the Gulf Coast and encounter the alligators, turtles, bullfrogs, and more in the Texas Bayou. Step inside the sunken hull of a 17th-century Spanish Galleon and see the giant octopus, a moray eel, clownfish, and the diversity of species the ocean world has to offer at the Shipwreck. Explore the lush environment of the dangerous tropical life of the red-bellied piranhas and venomous freshwater stingrays in the Rainforest. Step into Discovery Zone and come face-to-face with electric eels, seahorses, and a dazzling array of colorful fish. Interactive monitors let you further explore coral reefs, the arctic seas, and the mysteries of the deep ocean. You may even meet one of our Ambassador Animals up close during the daily Animal Encounters.

Duck into an authentic Irish-style pub, where live music, pints, and lip-smacking pub food rule the evening. McGonigel's Mucky Duck is a nightlife spot in Houston that's celebrated for its Irish nights featuring open calls for musicians and Irish dancers to entertain the crowd.

Immerse yourself in nature as you stroll through Edith L. Moore Nature Sanctuary, where you can enjoy a small sanctuary that offers walking trails, birding, educational programs, and a unique look into the history of their neighborhood. Because they are a conservation property for wildlife and birds, Birders can especially enjoy 200 species of birds that have been sighted over the years and can see them feeding and resting before continuing their journey.