I just went to this monument with my girlfriend and it's really interesting that not many people know about this place or go to it. The place seemed pretty desolate with only a bus load of school kids and a handful of visitors. You can ride to the top of the monument on a 50 year old elevator. The top has a great view; you can actually see Downtown Houston in the distance, but nearby it's really sad - all petroleum and chemical plants. At the base there is a free one room museum, fairly interesting but out of date. Across the reflection pool sits U.S.S. Texas (I believe) also not a frequently visited place. You can get the feeling that both places don't pull in that many visitors, but still a landmark, and for $3 you can ride to the top of it.
Pros: not crowded, inexpensive
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