City: Houston, TX

Category: Annual Events & Festivals

Telephone: (713) 526-6361

Address: 1 Reliant Park

Description: Serious boaters and campers flock to the Reliant Center each January and June for the Houston International Boat, Sport & Travel Show, better known as the Boat Show. With just shy of 500 exhibits and more than 150,000 attendees each year, this 10-day event is among the country’s largest boat shows. Visitors get a sneak peek at more than 1,000 of the latest and greatest yachts, sailboats, and powerboats, as well as RVs and camping gear. Even better: attendees get special discounts. Industry leaders offer seminars on a variety of topics, and special presentations teach boating novices about boating safety and how to buy a boat. Taking the kids? When they get tired of looking at boats, let them help build a boat or go fishing in the Fish-­O-Rama competition. Admission is $10 for adults and $4 for kids under 12. Tickets can be purchased through Ticketmaster, or at the ticket window beginning 30 minutes before the show opens. Take note, though: only cash is accepted at the ticket windows. Cash parking is available at Reliant Park for $10. Want to save money and avoid the crowded parking lot? Take the METRORail.