And the Astros new home, the Ballpark at Union Station, is under construction and scheduled for completion on Opening Day 2000. Such progress goes hand in hand these days with historic preservation. Sam Houston Park, across the street from the recently renovated Art Deco style City Hall building, showcases historic homes. The Astrodome is the world's first domed stadium and is currently home to the Houston Astros and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The world's largest pari-mutuel greyhound racing complex resides just south of Houston.
Races are also simulcast at parks throughout the nation.
A one and a half hour narrated boat tour of the Houston Ship Channel takes visitors aboard the inspection vessel, the MV Sam Houston, to experience the wonder of one of Houston's main industries in the Port of Houston. The Port is the second busiest in the nation and the eighth busiest in the world. Home to more than 3,000 animals representing more than 700 species and the most-visited zoo in this region. See the new pygmy hippo exhibit and refurbished giraffe exhibit. And don't miss the new elephant, cheetah and wolf exhibits.