MUSEUM DISTRICT. Not a huge zoo, Houston's complex is happily manageable, and its residents include the exotic creatures that matter most to kids. Natural habitats beautifully showcase animals and provide them a certain level of comfort, which shows in their behavior and demeanor. Among the specimens you'll encounter are Asian elephants, dromedary camels, giraffes, orangutans, jaguars, and rhinos. An impressive aquarium, an aviary, an assortment of reptiles, and a children's zoo (with a carousel and a water playground) add to the experience.