Things to Do in La Marque

This two-hour cruise plies the wild waters of Clear Lake and greater Galveston Bay, allowing would-be explorers to relax while learning the region's rich lore of bootleggers, pirates, and oil barons. Seafarers board at the lobby of the South Shore Harbour Resort on the eponymous FantaSea, a 117-foot glitz-class glamcruiser equipped with two decks, two bars, custom brass work, 42-inch TVs, a Doppler 5,000 sequin-sensing radar, and a massive, pink-unicorn figurehead. See here for cruise dates and times. Accompanying your voyage into the watery past is a complimentary beverage, with choices including champagne, wine, beer, and soft drinks, and additional refreshments and food options for sale.

The consortium of professional instructors at Fred Astaire Dance Studios, which was cofounded by the legendary toe tapper himself, shepherds students of all ages and skill levels through lessons that span the style spectrum. Low-pressure private sessions allow enthusiastic teachers to fine-tune individual students' techniques and form, using their expert eyes and mechanical dancing shoes preprogrammed to do the Charleston. Patrons can learn how to cavort through classic waltz and fox-trot romps or swivel through the modern steps of salsa, swing, or samba. For dancers hoping to hoof it up in a social setting, the group practice parties provide a one-night extravaganza of instruction, demonstrations, and amateur firewalking.