In the past year, the Houston Museum of Natural Science has featured exhibits about a lost Chinese civilization, incredible nature photography, samurai warriors and one-of-a-kind jeweled creations from one of the most famous design houses in history. That's in addition to all of its permanent exhibits on ancient Egypt, Texas wildlife, weather, chemistry, indigenous peoples of the Americas and more. Oh, and don't forget its planetarium, rain forest, nature films and special events. The mood in the lobby is a delicately balanced cross between a rock concert, a school yard and a science lab. Not only does the museum offer programming for everyone — science geeks, history enthusiasts, bright-eyed kids and visitors from around the world — it manages to offer all that programming at the same time! We've seen kindergarten kids, brainiacs and intergenerational family groups all occupy the same hall at the same time. By employing super-secret time-warping technology and invisible soundproofing, HMNS kept the groups separate, manageable and happy. (Okay, maybe there's no invisible soundproofing, but we are certain about that time-warping technology. How else could all those crowds so happily coexist?)
READERS' CHOICE: Houston Museum of Natural Science