Vacations go much more smoothly when you have a plan. Do you have a plan? Do you know where you're staying? When you're arriving and how? What attractions would you like to see while you're here? We're not a travel agency, so we can't book your flight and hotel for you, but we can give you a list of our favorite things to do so you don't end up browsing the hardware store next to your motel for gardening hand tools.

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

"Houston, we have a problem!" Everyone knows this phrase, uttered by Apollo 13 crew members on their ill-fated flight, but have you ever seen the coordination center that snatched the three astronauts from the jaws of disaster? You can tour the visitor's center which has artifacts from the space program, a play place, and an IMAX theater, then take a tram tour of the current and former mission control centers and the attached Rocket Park.

Bayou Place

If you're looking for an arts related experience, this is the place to find it in Houston. This huge complex contains multiple theaters, bars, and restaurants. In the same evening you can have sushi, see an art house film about selling estate jewelry, and have a drink at the Hard Rock Cafe. Shows to see here include movies, concerts, and theater.

Museum of Fine Arts

With a collection that spans 6,000 years of human history and six continents, the Museum of Fine Arts in Houston is one of the largest art museums in the country. There are over 56,000 pieces to see so plan to spend most of the day. Displays include traditional artwork like sculptures and paintings, as well as textiles, furniture, manicured gardens, and even the architecture of the buildings themselves. The attached museum shop has everything from replicas to wall sayings.

Houston Zoo

Immensely popular with children and their families, this 55 acre park houses over 900 different types of animals. There's a reptile house, petting zoo, bird garden, aquarium, and elephant habitat. Popular animals include the alligator, elephants, and rare Giant Eland antelope.

Gerald D. Hines Waterfall Park

Houston has many parks, lakes, reflecting pools, and gardens to visit, but the Williams Waterwall is utterly unique. Located in its own separate park, this massive fountain was designed by famed American architect Phillip Johnson, whose style has influenced many an architect in Canada. The water wall itself a 64 foot tall artificial horseshoe waterfall.

The Galleria

Of course no trip would be complete without going shopping and entering contests to win a car. Canada's more rural vacationers will be blown away by the Galleria, which is the largest mall in Texas. There are over 375 retail stores, 50 restaurants, an office tower, two hotels, and a skating rink.