5 THINGS TO DO THIS WEEKEND

This is a weekend of comings and goings. You should be doing the latter. Here are some fun destinations.

Start the countdown

Space Center Houston launches its newest attraction: Independence Plaza. The exhibit allows visitors to explore the first shuttle-carrier aircraft, NASA 905, and the shuttle replica Independence. Aboard both craft, visitors will find interactive exhibits and artifacts celebrating the space shuttle program. The grand opening will include appearances by astronauts and feature skydivers, panel discussions and fireworks. When: 8:25 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday Where: 1601 NASA Parkway Tickets: $24.95, $19.95 for ages 4-11; spacecenter.org

The Amazing Acro-Cats

If you’re a cat fancier or just like corny fun, don’t miss Samantha Martin and the Amazing Acro-Cats. Martin’s clicker-trained cats jump through hoops, ride skateboards, roll barrels, climb ropes and maneuver through obstacle courses. A highlight of this amusing show is a performance by the Rock Cats, which includes Oz on guitar, Dakota on drums, Nue on keyboards and a chicken named Cluck Norris on tambourine. More cowbell, Tuna! When: 4 and 7 p.m. Saturday; 1 and 4 p.m. Sunday; 7 p.m. ThursdayFriday; 4 and 7 p.m. Jan. 30; 1 and 4 p.m. Jan. 31 Where: FrentiCore Theater, 5102 Navigation Tickets: $22-$27; circuscats.com

The Ice at Discovery Green

There is still plenty of time to take a spin on the largest outdoor ice rink in the South. The rink covers nearly 8,000 square feet and is augmented by a mini rink for tots. When: Daily, through Feb. 7 Where: 1500 McKinney Tickets: $14, includes skate rental; discoverygreen.com, 713-400-7336

Rothko at the MFAH

If you haven’t seen “Mark Rothko: A Retrospective” at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, you need to get in gear. The exhibit — more than 60 paintings that span from some of the artist’s earliest works to his last unfinished but vivid canvas — ends Sunday. When: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Saturday and 12:15-7 p.m. Sunday Where: 1001 Bissonnet Tickets: $23; mfah.org

Food for thought

Max and Munch will be your guides when you visit “To MyPlate and Beyond,” an exhibit opening Saturday at the Health Museum. The interactive exhibit teaches the importance of vegetables, how to read food labels and how to eat healthfully when going through the drive-through. When: Daily beginning Saturday, through May 17 Where: 1515 Hermann Tickets: $7; thehealthmuseum.org