Spend New Year's Day touring Houston attractions with the family.
Family activities on New year's Day in Houston, Texas offer a chance for quality time while parents enjoy a day off from work. While family-friendly New Year's Eve activities are more prevalent in the city, opportunities do exist for fun during daylight hours. Spend the day exploring local attractions without spending a bundle. Does this Spark an idea?
Houston Zoo
Visit the Houston Zoo on New Year's Day free of charge. Watch stork and pelican feedings, and listen to zoo keeper talks and view wildlife displays from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. Special presentations on the butterfly stage are also a part of the holiday event. Zoo attributes include the Kipp Aquarium, Asian elephant habitat, Carruth Natural Encounter center, the Fischer Bird Gardens and the John P McGovern Children's Zoo.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is open for business on the first day of the new year. Blend a fun family outing with education at the northwest Houston attraction. The Cockrell Butterfly Center is a multiple-story glass enclosure that features both a live butterfly habitat and a rain forest conservatory. The on-site planetarium brings the solar system to life to entertain and enlighten visitors of all ages. Museum exhibits focus on the history of Texas and the state's natural environment. The IMAX theater shows Texas history and natural science related films.
Armand Bayou Nature Center
If New Year's Day does not fall on a Monday or Tuesday, spend the day exploring the natural side of Houston. The Armand Bayou Nature Center features four hiking trails that span multiple ecosystems, tours of 1890s-era farm-life and wildlife viewing on the bison observation deck. Pontoon boat rides and rental canoes are also available at the nature center office, but typically require an advance reservation. Guided canoe tours take you along the Armand Bayou, through wildlife viewing areas and a wetland education area.
Dewberry Farm
Dewberry Farm is open year round, with specific attractions open during designated seasons. Children age two and younger are admitted free. The type of activities offered on New Year's Day will depend on what day the holiday falls upon each year. Farm attractions include a corn maze, barrel train ride, Fort DewHickey play area, barnyard animals, rubber duck races, pig races, hayrides, "Little Farmersville" exploration area and a giant roller slide. Activities available for an additional fee include shooting a corn cannon, goat feeding, pedal cart rental, gemstone mining, shooting a pumpkin blaster, pony rides, zip-line rides and flower bouquet picking.
Tags: Armand Bayou, Armand Bayou Nature, Bayou Nature, Bayou Nature Center, Dewberry Farm, Houston Museum, Houston Museum Natural
