Houston’s Quirkiest Museums To Visit Over Spring Break
For many Texas families, Spring Break is the perfect opportunity to explore some museums off the beaten path. And these sure beat exhausting beach trips and $25 margaritas.
Spring Break doesn’t have to be beach trips and $15 margaritas. For families, it’s a great time to take the kids to museums their school is probably never going to schedule a field trip to. Make the most of a Houston staycation by checking out these museums off the beaten path during the break!
What better way to interest kids in a museum than by focusing on toys? The Houston Toy Museum houses a fantastic collection of playthings dating back to the 1800’s. From handmade dolls to the too-big-to-be-believed GI Joe USS Flagg, you can see the entire spectrum of childhood whimsy. One note of caution: the museum is not ADA accessible due to the age of the building.
Morse-Bragg Cemetery
This tiny, hidden cemetery was revitalized in 2017 and now serves as a small, open-air museum. Founded in the mid-1800s, the Morse Family used the cemetery while running their cotton gin and sawmill. The restoration of the graveyard includes detailed infographics explaining Houston economics, the lives of emancipated Black Americans in the city, and other historical details. Located just north of the Galleria, it’s a fun place to pick up some history while out shopping or visiting restaurants.
National Museum of Funeral History
Probably Houston’s most famous underground (pardon the pun) museum, the National Museum of Funeral History houses a remarkable collection of everything death related. Their hearse collection is a joy for gearheads, there is a stellar display on the history of presidential funerals, and you can even see an official replica of the Shroud of Turin. And it’s really not as morbid as it might appear, with lively jazz flowing through the air and a fun scavenger hunt that will keep the kids occupied.
While the Lone Star Flight Museum will get you your plane fix, the 1940 Air Terminal Museum allows you to walk around a real mid-century airport for a truly immersive experience. The museum is a treasure trove of artifacts from the golden age of commercial aviation, as well as a place to learn about Houston’s contributions to World War II. Just to note it’s another non-ADA compliant museum if you want to check out the second floor, but 90 percent of the experience is perfectly accessible.
Even if you’re not Christian, the history of the Bible as an artifact is tied up with so many important developments from the birth of printing to the Space Race. The Dunham Bible Museum houses a fantastic collection of historical Bibles with detailed context about their creation and meaning. Even the biggest skeptic could agree this museum is a sober exploration of one of humanity’s most impactful books.
The prevalence of the bayous and the port in Houston often overshadows just how important the railroads were to the growth of the city. The Rosenberg Railroad Museum is a small, but lively institution that gives visitors a rare opportunity to climb around in real train cars like a rolling post office and a luxury carriage that was essentially a four-star hotel on wheels. Local model train masters maintain a brilliant set-up that will delight kids, and the museum has some of the most enthusiastic volunteers in the city. Plus, charming downtown Rosenberg has plenty of places to stop and eat to justify the trip.
Galveston gets pretty rowdy during Spring Break, but if you want a little shore leave experience without all the crowds, check out the Historic Seaport and Tall Ship Elissa. Built in 1877, the wooden ship is one of only three such ships still seaworthy in the United States and now serves as a floating museum. The seaport also offers an interactive experience that shows how people immigrated to the country in the 19th century, when Galveston was one of the primary places people started their lives in America.
We covered the re-opening of the Houston Maritime Museum in its fancy new EaDo digs last September. The new space includes a breathtaking view of Downtown over Buffalo Bayou, as well as its usual collection of model ships and exhibits related to maritime commerce. The museum is a powerful reminder of one of the cornerstones of Houston industry, something that is often overlooked as the city focuses on high tech rather than high seas. Be sure to enjoy the nearby open-air community space along the bayou as well.
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