Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary

The Bolivar Flats Shorebird Sanctuary is located on the Bolivar Peninsula in the Galveston Bay. The sanctuary is comprised of salt marshes, mudflats, uplands and beaches. Thousands of wading birds, wintering shorebirds, including endangered Piping Plovers and threatened Snowy Plovers live in the sanctuary. Bird watchers from across the globe visit this Houston sanctuary each year.

The mudflats, near the mouth of the Galveston Bay, were formed by the sediments in the North Jetty that have built up since the 1800s. Invertebrates live in the mudflats and are joined by the shellfish and marine organisms living in the adjacent salt marshes. Visitors love to catch the blue crabs, flounder and trout that live along the Peninsula. Stay close to the sanctuary, in a comfortable Best Western guest room and enjoy your time in beautiful Houston.

Johnson Space Center

In 1961, former United States President John F. Kennedy motivated the United States Space program, to be the first to have a man land on the moon. With this goal in place, the plan for building the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, originally named the Manned Spacecraft Center, was set in motion.

This impressive National Aeronautics and Space Administration Center opened in 1963, encompassing 1,620 acres southwest of Houston, on land donated by Rice University.

More than one hundred buildings are located on the center's campus, used for training astronauts, research and flight control, more commonly known as Mission Control. Mission Control monitors all human spaceflights for the country. The center is also home to the United States astronaut corps.

While in Houston, be sure to visit the visitor center, Space Center Houston, to view the Mercury 9 capsule, Apollo 17 command module and learn more about this incredible space center. At the end of the day, choose one of the local Best Western hotels for a wonderful night's rest.

Minute Maid Park

Opened in 2000, the 40,000-seat Minute Maid Park is the current home of MLB’s Houston Astros. Located in downtown Houston on the Texas Gulf Coast, Minute Maid Park is owned and operated by Harris County’s Houston Sports Authority.

Formerly known as the Ballpark at Union Station, Enron Field, and Astros Field, the ballpark also hosts soccer games, major concerts, and even mass weddings. Visitors are encouraged to get a good spot on the Conoco Home Run Porch.

Reliant Park

Once the Astrodomain, Reliant Park is a lively event complex set in central Houston on the Texas Gulf Coast. Encompassing 350 acres, Reliant Park is home to five major sites: Reliant Stadium, Reliant Center, Reliant Arena, Reliant Astrodome, and the Carruth Plaza.

Reliant Park features the world’s largest parking lot at 26,000 spots – yet is also served by the Houston METRORail’s Reliant Park Station. The complex is the homebase for the NFL’s Houston Texans, and hosts approximately 750 annual events.

Rice University

Rice University encompasses 295 acres of land in Houston. This private research university, named after William Marsh Rice, opened on September 23, 1912, the anniversary of his death. The development of the university was funded by Rice's estate. The first seventy-seven students enrolled at the university enjoyed a tuition-free education, thanks to Mr. Rice. In 1962, Former President John F. Kennedy gave his speech proclaiming that the United States would reach the moon before the end of the decade, in Rice Stadium.

The more than 6,000 enrolled students, pursue bachelor, master and doctoral degrees from the university's eight schools. Students abide in the Honor Code, established in 1912, where students complete exams on their own time, without any aid. While in Houston, enjoy time on campus to watch the Rice Owls compete in a NCAA Division 1 football, baseball or basketball game. Enjoy your Houston area visit, as a guest of Best Western hotels, where comfortable accommodations and excellent guest services await.

Shell Houston Open

The Shell Houston Open is an annual golf tournament held at the Redstone Golf Club in Humble. This star-studded golf event not only allows fans to see their favorite player up close, but it also benefits local charities. Pro-Amateurs have the opportunity to play on Monday and Wednesday, before the Professional golfers play their first round on Thursday. 144 of the world's best Professional golfers begin playing on Thursday in pursuit of more than five million dollars in tournament winnings.

Player autographs are permitted after tournament play is done, so be sure to bring your paper and pen for a chance to meet your favorite player. If traveling in the Houston area, be sure to attend this wonderful golf tournament. Stay close to the course in one of the area's Best Western hotels and enjoy comfortable accommodations and excellent guest services.

Space Center Houston

Space Center Houston was established in 1992 as the visitor center for the NASA Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. This Houston center strives to educate its visitors on all aspects of the United States space program through its exhibits, films and activities. The Feel of Space and Kids Space Place are popular exhibits in the center for children.

Stroll through the center to view the Mercury 9 capsule, Gemini 5 capsule, Apollo 17 command module, Saturn V and the Astronaut Gallery. Be sure to partake in a NASA Tram Tour through the Johnson Space Center for a behind-the-scenes look. At the end of a busy day, choose one of several Houston Best Western hotels for comfortable accommodations and excellent guest services.

Texas Southern University

Established in 1927, Texas Southern University is found in the Houston area, and is just minutes to the west of the University of Houston. A public university, Texas Southern features a 150-acre campus that is situated just south of downtown Houston. Texas Southern boasts an array of undergraduate degree programs, including degrees from schools like the College of Continuing Education, the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, and the College of Science and Technology.

Texas Southern fields competitive teams in sports like basketball, football, and baseball. The Texas Southern Tigers football team plays home games at BBVA Compass Stadium – check out a game during the fall. Basketball plays home games at the H&PE Arena, while the Tigers Baseball teams plays their home games at MacGregor Park.

Toyota Center

A 19,000-seat indoor arena, the Toyota Center is located in downtown Houston on the Texas Gulf Coast. Opened in 2003, the Toyota Center is home to the NBA's Houston Rockets, and the AHL’s Houston Aeros.

Owned by Harris County’s Houston Sports Authority, the Toyota Center hosts basketball and hockey games, plus concerts, award ceremonies, and professional boxing and mixed martial arts events.

University of Houston

University of Houston was established in 1927, as the Houston Junior College, with 232 students attending night classes. In 1934, the college became a four-year university and the name changed to University of Houston. After a donation of 110 acres and a donation of funds for construction, the university's first building was completed in 1939. By 1951, the university became the second-largest higher-education institution in the state. The university encompasses 667-acres of land in southeast Houston.

Over 39,800 students attend this state research university, in pursuit of undergraduate and graduate degrees, from its nearly 300 programs. There are over forty research institutes and centers on campus, conducting almost $130 million in research, each year. University of Houston fans cheer on the Houston Cougars, with the help from mascot, Shasta, during their NCAA Division I sporting events. While in Houston, rest comfortably at one of the local Best Western hotels, before touring the beautiful campus.