Houston Museum of Natural Science is an interesting showplace offering a wide variety of exhibits that are worthy of a full day's outing. The three-level live butterfly exhibit fascinates the young, as does the dinosaur exhibit in the Morian Hall of Paleontology. Of equal appeal to adults is the Wiess Energy Hall, as well as the hall of Gems and Minerals. If you need a break, enjoy an IMAX film or sit in on one of Burke Baker Planetarium shows.

Shiny, canary tiles and floor-to-ceiling windows gives California Pizza Kitchen a sunny and fresh appearance. Single diners enjoy perching on a bar stool, while couples and families prefer relaxing in the dining room. The original barbecue chicken pizza is only one of the many unusual selections worth sampling. Menu pricing is modest, and a glass of house wine is available too.

Soaring ceilings and warm terra cotta will make you feel like you are in a real Italian villa. Arcodoro Ristorante Italiano attracts both shoppers and office-goers who consistently come back for more. The menu is laced with sardinian influences like the carpaccio ai capperi, thin slices of beef filet mignon, capers, olive oil and lemon. Accompany generous portions of these preparations with a fine wine from the extensive menu.

Fun and games are a staple of Dave & Busters. Beyond the dining area, you will find billiards tables, shuffleboard, video games, a karaoke bar and the absolute latest in virtual reality equipment. The menu abounds with an assortment that includes huge burgers and mesquite-grilled entrées. A glass of house wine is light on the pocket and menu items are moderately priced as well.

A classy bar and restaurant in Houston's Galleria area, RDG+Bar Annie has delicious American cuisine and extensive wine and cocktail lists to offer patrons. Seared sea scallops with tortilla and red chile hash; roasted rainbow trout with shrimp and corn chowder sauce; smoked baby back pork ribs with marinated potatoes are just a few of the many scrumptious dishes on the menu. Happy Hour is between 4p and 7p, Monday through Friday.

You need to treat yourself for coffee and sweets! A Sweet Factory is just the place, with decadent Mediterranean pastries galore. The flaky crust of buttery Croissants or fresh baked sweet Baklava with spring-green pistachios goes perfectly with some cardamon tea or rich Middle Eastern coffee varieties. They also have some of the best pita bread you'll ever eat, so pick some up for your after-work snacks for the week. You might also consider their custom gift baskets, giant party trays, and super moist cakes, which is appropriate for all occasions. You'll smell their delicious and satsifying pastries from the parking lot.

Nestled within the Omni Houston Hotel, The Black Swan sure is a major attraction for the party-goers. There is good music, drinks flowing and an excellent ambiance to sink into. The recent addition is The Nest with which the capacity now is for 250 people. This place also hosts private parties and other small events. Being a favorite among the locals, this sure is a hit on weekends!

The Oceanaire in Houston is an upscale chic restaurant serving a variety of seafood. Your rendezvous with seafood begins as you step into this 1930s like ocean-liner themed place. Seafood is flown in daily from round the world and promises to be the freshest and the best. Diners have a choice of sipping on cocktails in the adjacent lounge. Worth trying out are the fresh oysters in the oyster bar. The highlight happens to be the catch of the day which is displayed, allowing you to handpick your meal!

Todai is a great place for some good Japanese and some contemporary cuisine. Try the combinations offered here for a different experience and with over 150 items on the menu alone, that can be a rather daunting task. Besides sushi and seafood being the main fare of the restaurant, try the Churrascaria here made the traditional way. Buffets are a specialty here along with many choices of deserts and salads. They also have a carefully selected list of wines and beers that make perfect accompaniments to the delicious fare.

Wild West Club is one of Houston's leading party venues featuring a bar and a nightclub. The DJ nights and rocking live performances are something to watch out for, at the Wild West. Go wild, wacky and dance away to glory on some of the best country music tracks that the club plays. Thursdays feature free pool games all night long and they also offer dance lessons on Sundays. The Texan-built club has an elite set of members as its clientele today and is the ultimate party destination in Houston.