"One of the fifty things all Texans should do."
-Texas Monthly Magazine

The 2009 Season is shaping up!

SouthSide H-town Tour
April 26th

Behind the roll-down door of a former air conditioner parts warehouse, husband and wife art car artists have produced a haven for art cars, limited-edition autos, sculpture and collectables. Then we step back in Houston's history to learn about early aviation with a behind-the-scenes look at the 1940 Air Terminal Museum. Don't forget the special "Jurassic Park" made from metal and steel. A couple of stops at private homes to view art collections that you won't want to miss.
Buses depart The Orange Show at 1pm.
$40 members/$60 non-members

To the Land of Eyechantment
May 20-May 25

Our 2009 out-of-town tour takes us to the beautiful gems of northern New Mexico on a pilgrimage to Santa Fe, Taos, Albuquerque and "the original" Las Vegas. Highlights include the classic western folk art environment of Tinkertown, The Museum of International Folk Art, The Georgia O'Keeffe Museum, Taos Pueblo, El Santuario de Chimayo ("The Lourdes of America"). Of course there is more: a house of tile, a house of colors, a classic Pueblo Deco movie palace, historic architecture, artist studios, a collection or two, great southwestern food, and many more surprises.

This tour may already be sold out. Contact the Orange Show for more information.

Getting High in Houston
August 23rd
It's flat coastal plains location hasn't kept Houston from achieving a world class skyline. Ever wonder, what's going on up there? This tour will combine exceptional views from above with art, architecture, music and local history that will give you a real lift. Going up!
Buses depart The Orange Show at 1pm.
$40 members/$60 non-members

The Great Coastal Plains of Texas
September 12-13

Could a roadtrip get any more classic than spending a night in Wharton’s Tee-Pee Motel? In addition to that restored icon of Americana, we will visit the post-apocalyptic ghost town of New Gulf, the South Texas Nuclear Plant, the Danish Heritage Museum, artist (and longtime Orange Show friend) Cisco Tucker Kolkmeier in her colorful Matagorda Island home, plus many other surprises.

This tour may already be sold out. Contact the Orange Show for more information.

Heights and Surrounding Delights October 18th

The eclectic Heights area and near neighborhoods continue to amaze with fascinating homes, special gardens and outstanding collections to view old & new, revitalized and quirky. Buses depart The Orange Show at 1pm. $40 members/$60 non-members

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Eyeopener Tour History
On our very first Eyeopener tour in September 1986, we visited John and Mary Milkovisch at the Beer Can House. We met Frank Mann, an unforgettable octogenarian who had flown the Spruce Goose with his friend Howard Hughes, and we saw the astonishing 1/5 scale working model of a Santa Fe steam rail car, built in six months to gain entrance to a steam enthusiasts' society. We saw Priscilla II relative to the world famous , life-saving swimming pig at her home, just blocks off Main Street at Pigdom. When the tour ended at Judge Roy Hofheinz's Celestial Suites at the Astro Village Hotel with a little reception in the mini-Astrodome, it was clear that something wonderful was underway.

Eyeopeners, we called the tour, "places that made you stop, look and look again." At our committee meetings, we tried to outdo each other in bringing the most interesting food, the best story, a great new sighting. Our world expanded to take in great artists creating large scale environments - the Fan Man, Flower Man and Sylvester Williams. Cultural landmarks - C. Davis Barbecue, El Nedo, the Continental Zydeco Ballroom. Places of Worship - Hindu temples in Pearland, Baptist churches in Downtown Houston, and everything in between. We trooped to artists' studios, scoped out the city's murals, public art, gardens, collections, international food markets and architecture. We didn't stay put in Houston either - venturing all around Texas then Atlanta, New Orleans, Baltimore, Chicago, Phoenix and Las Pozas, Mexico.

Along the way we compiled thousands of images, artist interviews, books and articles. Taken more than 10,000 people on in-depth tours. Made a lot of friends.

Click here to see previous Eyeopener Tours. Each tour is filled with fascinating glimpses of behind the scenes places you thought you knew. You are invited to join the fun. Passion, curiosity and an appetite for life are all you need. For more information on joining us for any of the Eyeopener Tours, please call 713-926-6368 or email oranges@orangeshow.org.

CLICK HERE TO SEE PREVIOUS OUT OF TOWN EYEOPENER TOURS