Get Your Weird On!

Houston is known for many things: the culture, the food, the thrilling sports teams and, of course, the world-class rodeo. But many folks may not know Houston is also home to a bevy of unique experiences you’d be hard-pressed to find anywhere else.

Here’s a rundown of some of Houston’s most exciting, eclectic and unusual attractions — all of which are a short trip from UH.

National Museum of Funeral History

This museum houses the nation’s largest collection of funeral service artifacts, and it doubles as a celebration of unique cultural traditions such as papal funerals and post-mortem New Orleans parades.

Eclectic Menagerie Park

This collection of steel and metal creatures and creations has been known to bewilder many a passerby. Located off Highway 288, this park is the stomping ground for artist Ron Lee’s approximately two dozen animal sculptures, all made from recycled pipes and metals.

The Eclectic Menagerie Park features handmade metal sculptures by local and famous artists. Long-time art lovers, the Rubenstein Family, established the park on the edge of their 108-acre Houston pipe yard to display a selection of unique metallic creatures.

Downtown Houston Tunnel System

Never before has a city’s underbelly been so delicious. What began in the 1930s as a tunnel between two movie theaters has turned into an underground network connecting 95 city blocks. Venture downward for a diverse tapestry of shops and eateries.

The Orange Show

Originally inspired by the sculpture garden created by a local mail carrier, the Orange Show Center for Visionary Art has become a creative cornucopia, offering monthly programming and a one-stop shop for lovers of metalwork, papier-mâché creations and visual art demonstrations of essentially every kind.

Cactus King

Just off I-45, a giant cactus sculpture oversees a yard of eclectic art and collections of tiny cacti. A series of comical signs warns you about entering this effigy’s kingdom, but there’s nothing to fear: Entry is free, and once inside, you can peruse an abundance of junkyard creations proving the old adage, “One man’s trash is another man’s treasure.”

David Adickes Studio

You may be familiar with the massive Sam Houston statue heralding your arrival into H-Town territory, but did you know there’s a studio — less than 10 minutes from campus — where other similarly massive statues reside? Step inside the studio of David Adickes to see the looming figures (or sometimes just the heads) of other state and national luminaries.

Smither Park

This expansive, always-free space is the result of more than 300 people coming together to celebrate the beauty of self- taught art. These artists have contributed an array of original mosaic pieces, all of which can be viewed from dawn till dusk every day.

Hobbit Cafe

Once you get hungry after all these unique explorations, this is where you go. Since 1972, this fan-favorite eatery has been serving delicious sandwiches, tasty burgers and lovely vegetarian fare beneath a giant oak tree — all just 10 or so minutes from campus. You read that right: Even Middle Earth is a short drive away.