See a Different Side of Houston On One of These Tours

As gas prices continue to fall and consumers require more versatility, the SUV has become the most popular vehicle across America, causing stiff competition between automakers. That said, Kia has the most diverse array of SUV offerings, giving you the perfect fit for your needs or lifestyle. If you're looking for a new SUV, here are Kia's four fantastic options. Sportage Combining the nimble handling of a sedan with the flexibility of an SUV, the 2019 Kia Sportage is an excellent choice for singles or burgeoning families. This small SUV offers seating for up to five passengers, while still providing up to 30.7 cubic feet of space behind the rear seat. Need more space? Fold the rear seats down to unveil a whopping 60.1 cubic feet of room. Under the hood, the Sportage boasts a 2.4-liter four-cylinder engine that's good for 181 horsepower, 181 pound-feet of torque, and 26 mpg combined. If that doesn't scratch you where you itch, the SX Turbo trim kicks out 240 horsepower and 237 pound-feet of torque for a pure driving experience. Choose from front-wheel drive or, if you're feeling adventurous, opt for the all-wheel drive. more Sorento As the largest SUV in the Kia lineup, the 2019 Sorento is ideal for large families, adventurers, do-it-yourself enthusiasts, or those that put a premium on versatility. For the first time in its existence, the Sorento offers third-row seating across all six trims, providing seating for up to seven passengers with 11.3 cubic feet of room behind the rear seat. If you need more space, fold down the third row for 38 cubic feet of room, or fold down both rows for a massive 73 cubic feet of room. While the 2.4-liter inline-four is enough for some drivers, performance gurus will love the 3.3-liter V-6. Packed with 290 horsepower and 252 pound-feet of torque, this engine makes the Sorento the most powerful SUV in the fleet, ready to tackle anything that's thrown in its path. Soul If you've ever been described as quirky or whimsical, the 2019 Kia Soul is your vehicular soulmate. This boxy, fun, and stylish compact crossover has a wonderful design that makes it stand out from the competition, while still offering the amenities you crave. Inside, the Soul boasts a 5-inch, 7-inch, or 8-inch touch-screen display with an infotainment system, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, Bluetooth, cruise control, and an available driver-assist safety system. Three engines provide between 130 and 201 horsepower, offering either maximum efficiency of up to 31 mpg or some serious giddy-up. Perfect for the young or the young at heart, the Soul is in a category all its own. Niro The most recent addition to the Kia lineup, the 2018 Niro is also the first hybrid SUV from the Korean automaker. Choose from either a standard hybrid setup or a plug-in hybrid for some of the best fuel efficiency available. The standard Niro gets up to 52 mpg, while the plug-in option provides a range of up to 26 miles on a single charge. Throw in seating for five, loads of entertainment options, and plenty of comfort, and the Niro helps you save the world without skimping on the extras. From fuel-efficient options to go-anywhere workhorses, the Kia SUV lineup is sure to earn your approval. https://www.flickr.com/photos/juanelo242a/38735307170/sizes/l Image via Flickr by RL GNZLZ

Stylish, provocative, and loaded with features, the 2018 Kia Soul EV is the funkiest electric car to ever grace American roads. If you were a fan of the gasoline-powered version of the Soul, but you've made a vow to reduce your carbon footprint, the Soul EV adds a purely electric powertrain that still provides the utility and versatility of the original. For those new to the electric vehicle market, the Soul EV is an awesome choice that makes the ultimate statement. Funky Styling Since the Kia Soul debuted in 2009, it's remained one of the most interesting vehicles on the road thanks primarily to its unconventional style, This unusual design tradition continues with the all-new Soul EV. Its boxy yet sporty design provides a look unlike any other, while 16-inch alloy wheels and fog lights add depth and allure. Both of the Soul EV's trims also offer privacy glass, power heated side mirrors, and LED lighting to round out the eye-catching exterior of the vehicle. more The Powertrain Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the Kia Soul EV is its 100 percent electric powertrain system. The heart and soul of this system is a 30-kWh lithium-ion battery pack and a permanent-magnet synchronous AC motor that delivers 109 horsepower and up to 210 pound-feet of torque. This gives it more oomph than most of its gas-powered competitors, including a 0-60 of 9.7 seconds and a top speed of 92 mph. Charging and Range The 2018 edition of the Soul EV improves its range from 91 miles on a single charge to 111 miles this year. With this 20 mile increase, the Soul EV reaches the top of the electric vehicle market while still offering the versatility and space of a compact SUV. To charge the Soul EV, you have three options, but most importantly, all Soul EVs now come with a standard DC Fast Charger. This allows you to charge the vehicle from dead to 80 percent battery in just 30 minutes, which is ideal if you forget to plug it in overnight, or you need a quick charge when you're home for lunch. With the regular 120-volt charger that comes with the car, you'll still get the fast charge, but to get the battery up to 100 percent, it takes 24 hours. For quicker charging, a 240-volt adapter can reduce the time to about four hours, while 480-volt chargers found in public charge stations can have the Soul EV running at full blast in 30 to 50 minutes. Interior Extras Despite its reputation as an energy saver, the Soul EV doesn't skimp where it counts, offering more standard features than many of its competitors. This includes amenities such as an 8-inch touch-screen display, UVO infotainment system, a rear-camera display, Android Auto, Apple CarPlay, automatic climate control, heated and cooled seats, a heated steering wheel, and a six-speaker sound system. Add all that up, and the Soul EV borders on being a luxury car. With several automakers blazing new trails into the electric car market, Kia proves that it's a serious player with the 2018 Kia Soul EV. Make sure to get on board before the secret gets out. https://www.flickr.com/photos/jayuny/36666710965/sizes/l Image via Flickr by JayUny

While there's nothing wrong with kicking back and enjoying Netflix on your weekends, getting some culture is always a valuable way to spend your time. By educating yourself about the world around you, you develop tolerance, respect, and appreciation for others around you. Whether you love art, history, science, or something else, Houston has a museum that will help you become a more well-rounded and refined individual. Museum of Fine Arts Known officially as the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, this art establishment houses one of the largest art collections in the country, totaling 64,000 works across 300,000 square feet in seven separate buildings. The works span back over 6,000 years, with specific emphasis on French Impressionism, Italian Renaissance paintings, photography, and post-World War II paintings and sculptures. Throughout the year, the museum also hosts temporary or traveling exhibits, such as modern art and design, ancient Indian relics, and more. The museum is open Tuesday and Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Thursday (free!) from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., and Sunday from 12:15 to 7 p.m. Admission is $15 for adults (19-64), $10 for seniors (65+) and military personnel, $7.50 for college students and youth (13-18), and free for children 12 and under. more Houston Museum of Natural Science Founded in 1909, the Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the oldest and most popular museums in the city. In terms of attendance, it ranks fourth in the country among non-Smithsonian-affiliated museums. The museum has typical natural history attractions, such as fossils, gems, minerals, chemistry exhibits, and interactive science exhibits. But it's the extras that make this museum a true experience. The main entrance is filled with gigantic dinosaur skeletons, while the Butterfly House and Insect Zoo are ideal for getting up close and personal with creepy crawlers. The Burke Baker Planetarium is an amazing place for visitors to learn about the solar system thanks to state-of-the-art Digistar 6 software, which is the world's premium digital planetarium software and projection system. The final touch is an IMAX theater that shows educational films in stunning 4K quality. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily. Tickets are $25 for adults (12-61), $15 for youths (3-11), seniors (62+), and college students with a valid ID, and $8 for military personnel. Children 2 and under are free. Holocaust Museum Houston Opened in 1996, the Holocaust Museum Houston is the country's fourth-largest Holocaust-related museum. The museum's mission is to bring an everlasting reminder of the horrors of genocide through an understanding of cultures, remembrance of the Holocaust, and further education. Although the museum is a somber reminder of the atrocities of the past, it's an excellent way to learn about history through the eyes of those who lived it. The museum is open from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, and noon to 5 p.m. on Sunday (free). Admission is $12 for adults and $8 for children. Although Houston may not have the tourist-friendly attractions you find in Dallas, San Antonio, or Austin, it's not short on awesome museums. Take advantage of all that H-Town has to offer by planning your trip today. https://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/945078417/sizes/l Image via Flickr by eschipul