This non-profit showcases Houston's thriving performing arts scene with a mission to expand the city's reputation as a world-class center for culture. The complex has two performance chambers and an upscale restaurant for those looking to make an evening of it. If you're looking for the perfect excuse to dress up and see some performing arts, think of The Hobby Center as Houston's own Broadway—all of Broadway squeezed into one building, that is. Featuring hits like Mamma Mia! and Hamilton, not to mention drag shows, parodies and seasonal goodies, this place has it all.Read moreAdvertisingArtMuseum DistrictOne of the most significant art assemblages of the 20th century, the Menil Collection, is housed in a magnificent purpose-built gallery designed by none other than Renzo Piano (the same architect behind NYC's Whitney Museum of American Art). Displayed in spacious, naturally lit white-walled sections, the superb works are the collection of John and Dominique de Menil. The more than 20,000 pieces range from Paleolithic carvings to Surrealist paintings, and many prominent artists—including Picasso and Rene Magritte—have entire rooms to themselves. With free admission and parking, it would be a crime not to spend time here.Read more14. Catch bats in flight at Waugh Drive BridgePhotograph: Courtesy of Buffalo Bayou Partnership/Jonnu Singleton/Austin may have South Congress Bridge for bat watching, but Houstonians have the in Buffalo Bayou Park. Every night at sunset, 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats emerge from their slumber. Even the locals who have witnessed this site countless times still gasp at the flaps of the wings, the chirping and squeaking and the sheer mass of the blanket of black as the bats head out to explore the city. It’s the perfect way to end a day at the park or kick off an evening in the city.AdvertisingThings to doGreater HoustonConsidered Houston's most significant natural resource, Buffalo Bayou has hundreds of acres of parkland and running trails. One of the finest ways to enjoy the bayou’s beauty is from the water, starting downtown at Allen’s Landing and working your way west. Rent a kayak from the Buffalo Bayou Partnership or join one of the tours: cistern, boat, walking or self-guided. Read moreMuseumsHistoryGreater HoustonVisitors can discover everything from the mysterious traditions surrounding the burial of a Pope to the recreation of Abraham Lincoln’s state funeral at this morbidly curious museum. Alright, a trip to this museum may not be the most upbeat adventure, but it is certainly engaging. Learn about the history of cremation or explore the extensive display of artifacts from burial services of former American presidents. Read moreAdvertisingBinz, It is the fourth-most populous city in the United States with a population of 2,304,580 at the 2020 census, while the Greater Houston metropolitan area at 7.8 million residents is the fifth-most populous metropolitan area in the nation and second-most populous in Texas., America's fourth-largest city is a cosmopolitan destination, filled with world-class dining, arts, hotels, shopping and nightlife. Take a stroll through the historic Heights, spend the day exploring the Museum District or head down to Space Center Houston..