texastraveler

I have been to the Museum of Tolerance in LA, and loved it. I am thinking of going to the Holocaust Museum in Houston this summer, or waiting until next year to go to the one in DC. Have any of you been to both museums? Which did you prefer? Why?

AnnMarie_C

DH and I have been to both and think each is worth a visit. The physical size and content may be different--the museum in D.C. is much larger--but the message is the same. The museum in D.C. takes the experience one step further by directing visitors upon entry to an elevator that looks and feels like a chamber. Upon entry visitors are handed a card containing the picture and information of a victim. There's also a beautiful, peaceful, thoughtful prayer room. We were deeply moved and affected after visiting both museums.

FainaAgain

If anybody's in Chicago these days - there is an Auschwitz photo exhibit in the Field museum.

texastraveler

Are there any other worthwhile museums in Houston?

AnnMarie_C

Yes!

The Museum of Natural Science

http://www.hmns.org/

Across the street from the Natural Science Museum is Hermann Park.

http://www.hermannpark.org/

The Museum of Fine Arts
http://www.mfah.org

The Museum of Contemporary Art
http://www.camh.org/

If you have children there's even a children's museum.

http://www.cmhouston.org

Each of these museums is within close proximity to the Holocaust Museum.

texastraveler

Ann -

Which museum do you recommend? I won't have my children with me. This is a trip for me and my sister.

wsoxrebel

If you are already a museum member somewhere, check to see if you get reciprocity with your membership. I used to visit most of Houston museums for free that way.

starrsville

Check the museum's website to see what their special events and exhibitions might be. I was pleasantly surprised to learn that the Princess Di dress exhibit was in Houston when I was there for a conference.

AnnMarie_C

We love them all but if we had to choose... DH would pick the Museum of Natural Science and I would pick the Museum of Fine Arts--both are within easy walking distance of one another. There's a great cafe in the basement of the Fine Arts Museum and a McDs in the Science Museum. Also, there's an attached parking garage to the Science Museum, limited parking out front and along the street.

texastraveler

Thanks for the great recommendations.

lynnejoel1015

I can hardly imagine anything being more moving than the D.C. Holocaust museum. It was very sobering and yet beautiful in its tribute at the same time. The prayer room is amazing.

A friend of mine in Houston has dreamed of working at the Holocaust museum in D.C. for a long time.