[Alley Theater]- This is one of the oldest resident professional theater companies in the country. Recipient of the 1996 Special Tony Award, Alley premieres have included "Jeckyll and Hyde" and the "Civil War." For more information, call 713/228-8421.
[Bayou Place]- Houston's newest downtown entertainment option, Bayou Place sits in the heart of the Theater District, making it a natural stop for visitors. Bayou Place features Aerial Theater for live music, the Angelika Film Center and its eight theaters, several popular restaurants offering everything from barbecue to sushi, and Slick Willies for billards. At Texas Ave. and Smith Sts.
[Jesse H. Jones Hall for the Performing Arts]- Louisiana and Capitol Sts., houses both offices and performances of Houston Symphony Orchestra. Dramatic grand lobby features Richard Lippold's "Gemini II" sculpture floating in gleaming curve toward 66-foot ceiling. Open only during scheduled events.
[Sam Houston Historical Park]-Project of Harris County Heritage Society, a monument to early history of Houston; 19-acre park features seven restored historic buildings ranging from oil field pioneer Henry T. Staiti's 17-room house built in 1905 to the 1826 Old Place, depicting early life in Harris County. Open Mon.-Sat. 10 a.m.-4p.m (last tour at 3); Sun. 1-5 p.m. Across from the Texaco Heritage Plaza at 1100 Bagby.
[Museum of Texas History] is sampler of Heritage Society's collection, covering Lone Star history since 1519. Frequently changing exhibits range from Spanish treasure to space exploration. Housed in the adjacent building is the Long Row, a reconstruction of a shopping strip built in 1837 that houses gift shop and tearoom that's open for lunch Mon.-Fri. Across from Texaco Heritage Plaza at 1100 Bagby.
[Sesquicentennial Park]-On Buffalo Bayou, is adjacent to the Wortham Theater. Three-story pavilion is surrounded by cascading waterfall to pool at monument's base. Hike and bike trails switch back from lower bayou waterfront boat landing to street level promenade. Gardens of azaleas and crape myrtle trees accent magnificent view of Houston's striking skyline.
[Tranquility Park],bounded by Smith, Rusk, Bagby and Walkter Sts. Commemorates Apollo flights with two-block, 32-level fountain and towers resembling rockets. Bronze plaques in 15 languages tell the Apollo story. Restful oasis; occasional outdoor events.
[Wortham Center] contains two theaters for home to the Houston Grand Opera and Houston Ballet. It also hosts productions of the Society for the Performing Arts, the Gilbert & Sullivan Society, Texas Chamber Society, and others. The Grand Foyer, a 12,000-square -foot public space is actually built above Prairie St. The 3.2-acre site is bounded by Texas, Smith and Preston Sts. and Buffalo Bayou.