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City Guide - Houston - Further Distractions | ||
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Further Distractions American Funeral Service Museum The American Funeral Service Museum, a rather unique attraction, houses memorabilia from the funerals of celebrity figures, such as John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King and Elvis Presley. A recent addition is the original equipment for the John F Kennedy Eternal Flame, which was used between 1967 and 1998. The collection also includes a funeral sleigh, a Packard mourning bus, a 1941 hearse/ambulance and embalming artefacts. 415 Barren Springs Drive Tel: (281) 876 3063. E-mail: info@nmfh.org Website: www.nmfh.org Transport: Metrobus 86 FM 1960. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1600, Sat and Sun 1200-1600. Admission: US$5 (concessions available). Houston Arboretum & Nature Center Visitors who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the city can enjoy the native plants and wildlife at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. The centre has eight kilometres (five miles) of nature trails covering various habitats, such as forest and prairie, which cater for the different requirements of the animals living there. The arboretum, located next to Memorial Park, offers free guided nature walks at 1400 and 1500 every Saturday and Sunday. 4501 Woodway Drive Tel: (713) 681 8433. Website: www.neosoft.com/~arbor Transport: Metrobus 17 Tanglewood. Opening hours: Daily 0830-1800 (grounds); Tues-Sun 1000-1600 (Discovery Room). Admission: Free. Astrodome The world's first air-conditioned domed stadium for baseball and football, the Astrodome opened in 1965 as home to the Houston Astros, then known as the Colt 45s. The dimensions of the stadium are so large that an 18-storey building would fit inside. The Astrodome also prompted the invention of plastic Astroturf after the grass died during the first season of play. Now it is on the list of Houston's must-sees, as well as home to events such as the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. 8400 Kirby Drive Tel: (713) 799 9544. Website: www.astros.com/dome.htm Transport: Metrobus 15 Hiram Clarke or 18 Kirby. Opening hours: Daily tours at 1100, 1300 and 1500. Closed early 2001; visitors should telephone first. Admission: US$4. |