Houston is not particularly identified as a tourist or travel destination. But they say that the city politicians want to change that. So far they're doing a darned good job of it. So good, in fact, that you may want to choose where you stay around what you want to see there-if you can even do that, for Houston has an amazing number of wonderful things to see and experience. Much of Houston is also handicapped accessible.

Is the first thing you think of when you think of Houston the space program? A fascinating place, the NASA-Johnson Space Center (better known as Space Center Houston) is actually NASA's official visitor center. There you can take a behind the scenes tour on a tram, view exhibits including spacecraft mockups, and see one of their IMAX films.

There is so much here for nature-lovers and ecotourists to enjoy. Bay Area Houston, for example, is located on the Great Texas Coastal Birding Trail, where North American migratory birds stop to rest along their way. Bring your best binoculars and perhaps you'll spot a purple gallinule or red-headed woodpecker. Also located in the Bay Area is the 2,500-acre Armand Bayou Nature Center wildlife preserve, which is home to birds, reptiles, amphibians and mammals. On Galveston Island there's a FeatherFest in April, and beautiful sandy beaches. You've also got the lovely Herman Park, which houses the Houston Garden Center, Houston Zoo, Museum of Natural Science, Miller Outdoor Theatre, and Japanese Friendship Garden, the Amand Bayou Park & Nature Center, and the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, to name only a few more of the fascinating surroundings for enjoying nature.

You would be surprised at the number of museums, theatres, and music venues in the City of Houston. I suggest you peruse the Official Visitors Guide to Houston (which can be found at www.visithoustontexas.com), where the absolute wealth of places to visit and things to do is much more comprehensive than this article can be.

I'm sure you haven't forgotten about the Western experience. After all, this is Texas! You can step into one of the Western shops available, like the Pinto Ranch, and Cavender's Boot City, to get yourself outfitted from Stetson hats to Western shirts to boots, look for a horse or some cattle, and then go steppin' out in the evening. (Or you could go golfing instead!)

As far as dining goes, if you're looking for an upscale, sophisticated experience, there are plenty of places, the same being true of ethnic cuisine. But I tend to like to go for the unique experiences when visiting somewhere else, so recommend the funkier types of places (or indigenous if you like), as well as relaxing, laid-back atmospheres--like you might find at the Red Cat Jazz Café, with Cajun and Gulf Coast cuisine and live jazz. Or try the Howl at The Moon bar, where Wednesday through Saturday nights you can sing along with the tag team piano show crowd. Try Shula's or Perry's for great steaks and other delicious entrees. You'll find a great dining guide in the Houston Visitor's Guide, even down to the approximate cost of dining for each place.

The same is true for shopping. You'll find many of your favorite urban retailers as usual, and even some outlets, but for the most enjoyable and unique shopping experiences, try browsing at the Antique Pavilion, which houses over 90 antique vendors, or Historic Houston Heights for more antiquing and vintage clothing. Traders Village is a huge flea market with 2,500 vendors (open every weekend) and shopping, food, concerts and festivals, with rides for the kids foo, so it's great for everyone. Don't forget your Western wear at Pinto Ranch and Cavender's. And you might consider the Sugar Land Town Square, which has dining as well as shopping for every taste-including Fido's-concerts, and even a movie theatre (check out the Guide for coupons and special offers).

Hope that this little sampling of Houston will whet your appetite for coming to visit and having a look-see. So give us your best shot and prepare to have some great big fun!