What are things to see and do in Madrid on a weekend?

Going to be staying in Houston near Galleria on Labor Day weekend. Places to see, things to do?

• First, is the area nice? What are some good places to eat and good things to do while there on Labor day weekend? Thanks! Even if it's not near the Galleria, where are some places I should go?

• Answer:

  Here's a running list I keep adding to of things to do in all parts of Houston – just recently updated with 12 more items: The Kemah Boardwalk Reliant Center, Minute Maid Park, George R. Brown Convention Center Houston Aeros, Texans, Astros, Dynamos, & the Rockets 38 outdoor public swimming pools in the Houston area Galveston Island - The Strand, the Bolivar Peninsular Ferry & Crystal Beach, Schlitterbahn Water Park, Bishop's Palace, Sea Wolf Park, Stewart Beach, Moody Gardens & IMAX, Mosquito Cafe, Pier 21 Museum on the Galveston Hurricane, The Lone Star Flight Museum, Texas Seaport Museum, Ocean Star Offshore Drilling Rig & Museum, & the Sea Turtle Exhibit Hermann Park & the Mecom Fountain. Visit the Japanese Gardens in Hermann Park-very romantic Asian Heritage Tours, 5855 Sovereign Dr G #101. 77036, 832-858-2788, for tea tasting & herbology, Chinese calligraphy, Dim Sum, & shopping at the 30 store indoor Hong Kong City Mall in the SW Houston area Clear Lake, Lake Conroe, & Lake Houston Houston Raceway Park for drag racing Greyhound Race Park Opera in the Heights Theater Under the Stars JPMorgan Chase Bank 60th floor Sky Hobby-excellent view of the city Saint Arnold Brewery–free beer. Saturday tours Brazos Bend State Park Armand Bayou Nature Center in Pasadena--2,500 acres of hiking trails, exhibits, field trips, Scout programs, birding, canoe tours, & an historic farm George Ranch Penzey's (516 W. 19th St) in the Heights is a spice-lover's dream. Anyone who's been one of their catalog shoppers simply must stop in to stock up on cinnamons, curries, & other spices Miller Outdoor Theater (check online for performance schedule) FREE Discovery Green and the many other parks around town. There's horse & buggy rides Katy Mills Mall, the Galleria, Memorial City Mall - also, Willowbrook Mall, River Oaks Shopping Center, The Woodlands Mall, First Colony Mall, Uptown Park, First Colony Mall, West Oaks Mall, & many others around town Downtown underground tunnel system–daily during the week Lakewood Church-an experience-the largest church in the US. The Art Car Museum 140 Heights Blvd 77007 713-861-5526 FREE. Holocaust Museum 5401 Caroline 77004 713-942-8000 Gen. Admission FREE Williams Tower & Water Wall & 3 acre park great for pics & picnics. Also, horse & buggy rides San Jacinto Monument & Battleground State Historical Park Houston Ballet Company, The Houston Opera, & the Houston Symphony Heights Gazebo & the Monthly Neighborhood Bazaar on Yale Street Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Rothko Chapel Port of Houston Houston Zoo/Hermann Park Train & Paddle Boats. FREE on all city holidays The 350 parks citywide (hike & bike, skate, dog, tennis, basketball, & golf) The Houston Rodeo-in Feb/Mar-the world's largest Houston Ship Channel Splashtown Waterpark Houston Skyline in the morning, at night, & on the 4th of July Light Rail System Imperial Holly Corporation-A mountain of sugar! Visit Town Square shops & restaurants in Sugar Land Houston Public Library System NASA Space Center Old Town Spring The Woodlands Water Taxi along a 1¼ mile walkway-the whole area has many shops & restaurants with 2,000 hotel rooms. Children's Museum-Fantastic! Over 23 museums in the Museum District alone & over 40 citywide All the festivals held monthly in the city. Consult the Houston Chronicle newspaper's Entertainment Section each Thursday for information on the upcoming weekend Pick up a free Leisure Learning periodical or visit the website for many great options Pick up the free Houston Press paper or go online for many great reviews & their great "Best of Lists" Labyrinth on the University of Thomas Campus (3800 Montrose) It's a beautiful flagstone replica of the Labyrinth of Chartres & is flanked by rose bushes perpetually in bloom Diverse Works Artspace (1117 East Freeway)-super cool place for those who love art, dance & theater. It's got a New York vibe written all over it Forbidden Gardens in Katy has 6,000 1/3 scale terra-cotta soldiers in formation as they were buried in the 3rd century. Paintball, Lazer Tag, Go Carts, Skate Board Parks, Ice & Roller Skating Rinks, Shooting Ranges Mercer Arboretum in Humble Snorkeling, Canoeing, Boating, Water Skiing, Kayaking, Sky Diving, Hot Balloon Rides, Dinner Cruises on the Bay in Kemah, Plane or Helicopter Rides over Houston, Horseback Riding, Gliding, & Scuba Diving Sam Houston Race Track The Mad Potter & many places like it around town for selecting pre-cast ceramics, glazing them, & having them fired. At the Potter’s Place you take a hands on lesson 1 on 1 with the teacher. After you create your work of art, you go back & paint it & they will fire it for you Go to one of the10,000 restaurants in town offering almost 290 types of cuisine For latest info on cultural events, go to artshound.com Enjoy!