Wanderlust UK – September 2019

(Axel Boer) #1
MissionControlRoom,the
headquartersfortheiconicJuly
1969 Apollo 11 moonlanding.Its
recentrestoration–including
perioddetailslikeaquamarine-
colouredinstrumentpanels
andtexturedwallpaper–oers
alookattheroomwherethe
words‘That’sonesmallstep
forman...’were‚irstheard.
SpaceCenterHouston
alsoprovidestramtoursof

otherhistoricbuildingsandan
out-of-this-worldmuseumthat
showcasesthespaceprogram’s
manymissionsandallthe
celestialstoriesithasseen.
Acrosstown,theMuseum
Districtfeatures 19 dierent
aspectsofHouston’scultural
legacy.Spanningseveral
kilometres,andwithlush
tree-linedcanopies,thedistrict
coversthespectrumfromthe dinosaursofthemassive
MuseumofNaturalScience
totheunassumingBualo
SoldiersMuseum,dedicatedto
African-Americanhistory.
ThenearbyMuseumofFine
ArtsHoustoncontainsartwork
fromallmajorcontinents,
representingerasfrom
antiquitytothepostmodern.
Meanwhile,thestainless-steel-
encasedContemporary
ArtsMuseumofHouston
containsprovocativeartwith
anavant-gardevibe.

TEXAS


wanderlust.co.uk September 2019 121

Digital-Mapping.co.uk; Four Corners; Alamy


DURATION: 3“5 days
ROUTE: Houston
WHY GO? To experience
Texas’ largest city, the history
of the moon landings and a
wealth of natural history and art.
TRAVEL CONSIDERATIONS:
Houston has two airports, but
George Bush Intercontinental
oers the best ‚light options and
trusty public transportation.

Be‚itting Texas’ largest city
(6 million people and growing),
Houston is known for its huge
skyscrapers, humidity, oil money
and, more importantly, its
culinary scene. Its also has world-
class travel attractions, and its
immense international populace
carries a cosmopolitan swagger
re‚lecting its status as the new
capital of ‘Southern cool’.
Houston’s museums set it
apart from other US cities, so
be sure to experience NASA’s

Houston’s unique museums


Best for: Texas culture, art museums & cosmopolitan cool


DID YOU KNOW?
2019 sees the 50th
anniversary of the historic
Apollo 11 moon landing
mission. It was orchestrated
from the NASA Mission
Control Room in Houston,
which has been restored to
its 1969 condition this year.

Out of this world
Houston’s downtown
skyline, as seen from
the strollable Eleanor
Tinsley Park;
(bottom) cosmic
sights at Houston’s
Space Center

AR
LA

OK
NM
TEXAS

MEXICO

KS
Free download pdf