Houston has a lot to offer in the way of compelling activities in 2011—Impressionist paintings from the National Gallery, an exhibition of jewelry from Russia’s Hermitage museum, and perennial favorite King Tut are all coming to the city this year. But here, in the city that is a gateway to the stars, there are even more out-of-this-world options for groups—whether you need an afternoon activity or a unique venue.
The Golden Age of Air Travel
The 1940 Air Terminal Museum, located about 10 miles from downtown Houston at the William P. Hobby Airport, is a converted air terminal with vintage aircraft and memorabilia on display. The terminal served as Houston’s first airport and, after a massive facelift, has been restored to its original condition.
Designed by the noted Austrian-born architect Joseph Finger, who also built the 1939 Houston City Hall, the terminal has a stunning curved facade and stacked walls of windows. It’s one of the few remaining Art Deco air terminals and photos chronicling both the restoration and Houston’s aviation history are on display throughout.
The museum’s hangar currently houses both an airworthy Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar N31G, one of the first commercial aircraft used in the United States, and a 1958 Sikorsky S-58 N887 helicopter that has been restored by museum volunteers. And since the airfield is still in operation, the museum has an “air show” every day.
The museum offers several venue options for meetings and events. Its theater can accommodate up to 50 guests for a seated event and is often used for cocktail functions. The elegant, curvilinear atrium can hold 150 guests seated and over 200 standing. Need to go bigger? The hangar can comfortably host 500 attendees alongside its collection of planes, helicopters, and classic cars. Tented functions can be held on the grounds.
Planners will need to arrange food and beverage service; the museum can provide a list of caterers. Beer and wine are permitted, but not hard liquor.
Reach for the Stars
Space Center Houston, the official visitors center of NASA’s Johnson Space Center, stands on the outskirts of the city. Many of the exhibits are designed for kids, but there are plenty of ways to give attendees a grown-up Space Camp experience. The Feel of Space exhibit, for example, allows visitors to experience life in zero gravity. A mission briefing officer demonstrates how the smallest tasks—like showering and eating—are complicated in outer space. Exhibit trainers use computer technology to provide visitors with the experience of landing the orbiter, retrieving a satellite, and exploring the shuttle systems.
The vast Space Center complex has quite a range of function options for groups. The most traditional of these, the Boardroom, is just that: a room that can seat 38 guests around a large mahogany table with built-in A/V equipment. For a slightly larger group, consider the Saturn Club. Accommodating between 50 and 100 attendees, it could be any subdued hotel meeting room—save for the spectacular view of the Space Center Houston’s Grand Plaza.
If you’re looking for something more “out there,” try the Silver Moon Over Texas room, a 2,600-square-foot space with a built-in buffet, a soda fountain, and private restrooms. It can hold up to 120 attendees. There is also the Zero-G Diner, a 12,000-square-foot atrium decorated with live palms, kitschy space suits, and fixed-wing model planes. The space comfortably holds 500 guests.