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Know Before You Go! City of Houston Announces Plans to Ease Spring Break Traffic

Houston’s spring break destinations – The Museum District, Hermann Park, the Houston Zoo, the private events planned for the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and even the Texas Medical Center – will experience higher traffic volume than normal. Most schools have scheduled Spring Break March 13-21, and demand for parking spaces within a five-mile radius will be affected. The City encourages visitors to “know before you go” and plan when choosing Spring Break destinations. With safety in mind, venues will continue to implement pandemic protocols to ensure proper capacity and social distancing.

“Annually during Spring Break, visitors descend upon Houston’s most popular destinations, including our wonderful museums, parks, and zoo. We want people to have a great time. But to be successful, we’re asking families to do their homework and be flexible,” said Susan Christian, Director, Mayor’s Office of Special Events. “Research your destination for any changes in hours, attendance and/or reservation requirements. We want everyone to have a safe and enjoyable Spring Break.”

HERMANN PARK, MUSEUM DISTRICT AND HOUSTON ZOO AMENITIES, ACTIVITIES AND RECOMMENDED ROUTES TO YOUR DESTINATION ARE LISTED BELOW:

Museum of Natural Science – www.hmns.org

The Museum hours are 9 a.m. to 7 p.m., March 13 – March 21. Capacity is 75% of the museum’s occupancy, except for the theaters, planetarium and giant screen theaters which will be kept at 50% capacity.

Houston Zoo – www.houstonzoo.org

Online reservations are required for ALL guests and may be made at houstonzoo.org.
The Zoo is extending hours during Spring Break by closing an hour later.
Spring Break Hours: March 13 – 21, 9:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m., last entry at 5:00 p.m.
Zoo Members may enter the Zoo one hour before opening to the public during special Spring Break Member Mornings presented by PNC Bank.
Guests 10 years and older are required to wear facial coverings during their visit.

Children’s Museum – www.cmhouston.org

CLOSED

Children’s Museum Houston will remain closed to the public for now; however, they are working on reopening plans for June. The museum will host a variety of Spring Break related virtual programming and have an at-home kit for families with educators’ favorite activities to unplug during the break.

More information about the “Epic Adventure Pop-Up” kit can be found here:
https://www.cmhouston.org/news/spring-break-kit.

For educators, a list of videos has been compiled to pass along to students: https://www.cmhouston.org/news/educators-spring-break.

Museum of Fine Arts – www.mfa.org

Open All Week

The Museum, Bayou Bend, and Rienzi will open every day during Spring Break, Monday through Friday.

• Visitor capacity reduced and controlled at all locations, will be less than 25 percent capacity at any time.
Advance timed tickets recommended.
• Guests who are 2 years and older, and Museum staff, including those who have received a COVID-19 vaccine are always required to wear a face mask over their nose and mouth, while at the Museum. A face shield may be worn in addition to a face mask, but not in place of a face mask. In alignment with CDC guidelines for reducing the spread of COVID-19 in community settings, guests without a face mask over the nose and mouth will be provided one on-site.
• Temperature checks required for visitors and staff prior to entry, using a socially distanced reader.
• Visitors showing signs of illness at any time will be asked to return at a later date.
• Social distancing is required and will be enforced; parties may remain together; children must always stay with adults.
• Credit or debit cards only; no cash permitted for any on-site purchases.
• On the main campus, visitors enter only through the Beck and Kinder buildings.
• Social-distancing markers in place at the designated visitor entrance and elsewhere.
• Coat check is not available; large bags (more than 11×15 inches) are not permitted; no baby backpacks or children on shoulders; soft front-facing carriers and strollers are allowed.
• The MFA Café is closed at this time; outside food and drink are not permitted; drinking fountains are not available.
• Wheelchairs, in limited numbers, are available for temporary use during your visit; please notify an attendant in the lobby.
• An inherent risk of exposure to COVID-19 exists in any public place where people are present. COVID-19 is extremely contagious.

SUGGESTED DRIVING DIRECTIONS

Please note:  The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is restricted to competitors and is not open to the public

Traveling from TX-288 South to:

  • MUSEUM DISTRICT
    • Exit Calumet St / Binz St and go west
  • HERMANN PARK / ZOO
    • Exit N MacGregor Way / S MacGregor Way and take MacGregor / Braeswood west for parking in the TMC or take MacGregor west and Almeda north for parking in Midtown / Downtown
  • TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER
    • Exit Holcombe Blvd / Old Spanish Trail and take Holcombe west

Traveling from TX-288 North to:

  • TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER
    • Exit Yellowstone Blvd and take Holcombe west
  • HERMANN PARK / ZOO
    • Exit N MacGregor Way / S MacGregor Way and take MacGregor / Braeswood west for parking in the TMC or take MacGregor west and Almeda north for parking in Midtown / Downtown
  • MUSEUM DISTRICT
    • Exit Binz St / Calumet St and take Binz west

Traveling from I-610 East to:

  • TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER
    • Merge onto TX-288 N and Exit Yellowstone Blvd and take Holcombe west
    • Exit Main, head north, cross Holcombe to John Freeman Blvd.
  • HERMANN PARK / ZOO
    • Merge onto TX-288 N and Exit N MacGregor Way / S MacGregor Way and take MacGregor / Braeswood west for parking in the TMC or take MacGregor west and Almeda north for parking in Midtown / Downtown
  • MUSEUM DISTRICT
    • Merge onto TX-288 N and Exit Binz St / Calumet St and take Binz west

Traveling from US 59 North to:

  • MUSEUM DISTRICT
    • Exit Main St and proceed south to Southmore
    • Merge onto TX-288 S and Exit Calumet St / Binz St and take Binz west
  • HERMANN PARK / ZOO
    • Exit Richmond Ave / Downtown for parking in Midtown / Downtown
    • Merge onto TX-288 S and Exit N MacGregor Way / S MacGregor Way and take MacGregor / Braeswood west for parking in the TMC or take MacGregor west and Almeda north for parking in Midtown / Downtown
  • TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER
    • Merge onto TX-288 S and Exit Holcombe Blvd / Old Spanish Trail and take Holcombe west

Traveling from US 59 South to:

  • HERMANN PARK / ZOO
    • Merge onto TX-288 S and Exit N MacGregor Way / S MacGregor Way and take MacGregor / Braeswood west for parking in the TMC or take MacGregor west and Almeda north for parking in Midtown / Downtown
  • MUSEUM DISTRICT
    • Exit Fannin St and proceed south
    • Merge onto TX-288 S and Calumet St / Binz St and take Binz west
  • TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER
    • Merge onto TX-288 S and Exit Holcombe Blvd / Old Spanish Trail and take Holcombe west

Parking Options

  • MUSEUM DISTRICT
    • Free and paid public parking in Midtown and Downtown – paid parking prices range from $3.50 to $20 daily.  From there, take METRORail to your destination
  • HERMANN PARK / ZOO
  • Free and paid public parking in Midtown and Downtown – paid parking prices range from $3.50 to $20 daily.  From there, take METRORail to your destination
  • Paid public parking in designated TMC parking lots – paid parking prices range from $6 to $12 daily.  From there, take METRORail or the TMC Zoo Express to your destination
    • TEXAS MEDICAL CENTER
      • Paid public parking in designated TMC parking lots, Smithlands Lot C and South Extension Lot – paid parking prices range from $6 to $12 daily. Take the TMC Zoo Express to your destination. For additional information visit www.tmcparking.org.

For recommended and updated driving directions and parking information visit www.houstontx.gov.

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