• Annual Events at the Health Science Center
• Houston Entertainment and Museums
• Parks
• Seasonal Events and Festivals
• Professional Sports
• Restaurants

Annual Events

Founder's Fun Fest - October
More than 1,700 faculty, staff and students from The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston campus and other component sites come to celebrate the university. The always competitive Chili Cookoff with free tastings for all is joined by a very hot Hot Salsa contest.

UT House Medics - April
Being a part of a UT House Medics Team gives you the opportunity to work with fellow employees and students throughout the health science center in a very casual, but constructive weekend of fun. The construction project benefit elderly homeowners in our community whom are unable to keep their houses painted and in good repair.

MS150 Bike tour from Houston to Austin - April
The BP MS150 is an annual bike tour from Houston to Austin raising funds for the National Multiple Sclerosis Society. The health science center in cooperation with UT M. D. Anderson Cancer Center and UT Medical Branch in Galveston sponsor Team UT.

United to Serve - April
Faculty, staff and students of The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston and The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center have a unique opportunity for fun and fellowship while serving others. Individuals volunteer at several Texas Medical Center hospitals as part of a UT System-wide volunteer initiative.

Houston Entertainment and Museums

The Houston area offers many activities for those interested in the performing arts. For weekly listings, check the entertainment sections of The Houston Chronicle and the Houston Press, among other local publications. When calling for tickets, be sure to ask about student discounts.

The Houston Citysearch Web site offers extensive information about entertainment in the Houston area.

Harris County Heritage Society, 1100 Bagby, 713-655-1912
Six historical Texas homes and a 19th-century church have been restored and moved to Sam Houston Park, downtown. Admission.

Hermann Park, Fannin and Hermann Drive, near TMC
Large public park with excellent children's playground that is the site of the Houston Zoo, IMAX Theater, Houston Garden Center, Burke Baker Planetarium, and Museum of Natural Science.

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, 4501 Woodway Drive, 713-681-8433
A 155-acre park preserving Houston's native plants and animals. Free.

Houston Zoological Gardens, 1513 Outer Belt Drive (at Hermann Park), 713-523-5888
Animals in realistic habitats. Admission.

Memorial Park, Inside the 610 Loop on Memorial Drive
A total of 1,503 acres of public park with jogging trails, tennis courts, golf driving ranges.

Space Center Houston, 1601 Nasa Road, 281-244-2100
Tours include mission simulation and training, lunar samples, and Mission Control Center.

San Jacinto Battleground State Park, 3523 Hwy 134, LaPorte, 281-479-2431
Battleground where Texas fought for its independence from Mexico in 1836.

Following are just a few of the many festivals and parades held in Houston each year. For a complete list and description of dates and times, go to the ABC Channel 13.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo February and March
Young farmers, ranchers, and others show off their animals and compete for scholarships. The rodeo parade begins at Memorial Park where trail riders from numerous groups converge. The rodeo takes place in the Astrodome and includes saddle bronco and bull riding, steer wrestling, and barrel racing. At night, popular country and western stars perform.

Azalea Trail (713-523-2483) March
The River Oaks Garden Club Forum presents a showcase of azaleas winding through Houston's most elegant backyards and streets.

Houston International Festival (713-654-8808) April
Ten days in spring of international music, arts and crafts, dance, street performances, and food. In Sam Houston Park, near downtown Houston.

Bayou City Arts Festival (713-521-0133) April and October
Colorful festival-goers parade through the work of over 300 artists. Music, food, drink, and people watching.

Summer Symphony Festival (713-227-ARTS) Summer
The Houston Symphony Orchestra performs classical and pop summer programs at Miller Outdoor Theatre. Free.

Texas Renaissance Festival Fall
Exhibits, arts and crafts, games, theater, food, all with a Renaissance theme. In a large outdoor natural setting at Todd Mission, Texas, northeast of Houston.

Houston Aeros, Toyota Center Downtown
International Hockey League.

Houston Astros, Minute Maid Field Downtown
National League baseball.

Houston Comets, Toyota Center Downtown
Women's National Basketball Association.

Houston Dynamo, Robertson Stadium on the campus of the University of Houston
Major League Soccer

Houston Rockets, Toyota Center Downtown
National Basketball Association.

Houston Texans, Reliant Field 610 and Main
National Football League

Restaurants

For restaurant information, check the Houston Chronicle's Dining Guide site, which has a search function for categories of restaurants.

On Campus

The University of Texas Dental Branch
Cafe', basement, 713-500-4058

School of Nursing Student Community Center
Cafe' first floor, 713-500-9102

Texas Medical Center

Baylor College of Medicine,
cafeteria 713-798-4410; menu line 713-798-4624

Ben Taub General Hospital,
cafeteria in basement, 713-793-2137

John P. McGovern Medical Center Commons
various eateries, including Waterside Cafe 713.749.0471
and Trevisio 713-749-0400

Hermann Hospital,
cafeteria in basement, 713-704-2124

The Methodist Hospital
Cafeteria, Dunn Tower Building, first level, 713-790-2571
Pepi's Deli, Smith Tower, 2nd level, 713-796-8487
The Wall Street Deli, Scurlock Tower, 2nd level, 713-795-0863

Shriners Hospital for Crippled Children
6977 South Main at Pressler, 713-797-9393
Good, cheap cafeteria-style food.

St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital/Texas Heart Institute
Bertner Avenue Cafe, lower level, 713-791-4454
Canteen, 2nd floor, 713-791-4558

Texas Children's Hospital
McDonald's, Abercrombie Building, 1st floor, 713-795-4638

Texas Woman's University
Sicilian Pizzeria & Deli, basement level, 713-794-2205

The Institute for Rehabilitation and Research (TIRR)
Cafeteria, 1333 Moursund, Edna B. Dunn Tower (first floor), 713-799-6912

The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center
Cafeteria, hospital building, ground floor, 713-792-7162

Veterans Affairs Medical Center
Canteen (first floor), 713-794-7133