17 Best Things to Do in Houston

"Set back from the street with a pristine front lawn, the Asia Society Texas Center is a striking, low-slung Yoshio Taniguchi-designed building that's a study in architectural minimalism with an entrance is hidden behind panels of Jura limestone. Inside, all three levels can be viewed from the lobby. Design elements include glass walls, wood paneling, floating staircases, a sculpture garden, an infinity pond, and a modern water feature that causes mist to rise with captivating effect. Like the Asia Society in New York, the Asia Society here aims to connect visitors with Asian art and culture through exhibitions and educational programming. Rotating art spans media from traditional woodblock printing to photography and contemporary painting. Some works are interactive—the museum frequently hosts Tibetan monks who create a sand mandala before a crowd of slack-jawed spectators." - Charu Suri