This is the sixth Jewish holocaust related sites I've visited in the world. What sets this museum apart is it provides an end-to-end overview of the Jewish holocaust history.
1. It provides a comprehensive chronological overview on how it all started, strategies and tactics Nazi used to isolate the Jews socially, and how they were killed, before implementing the systematic and massive killing through concentration camps. This is the part I was not aware of.
2. It also talks about what happened to the survivors after the war was over, the struggle and challenges they faced.
All along, I thought the Nazis captured the Jews and sent them to get killed in the concentration camps. When I visited Auschwitz in Poland many years ago, the main focus was from the point the Jews arrived at Auschwitz and how they were executed.
There is an admission fee (not cheap) and you must go through security check.
There is a paid parking next to the museum with reasonable fee. I don't recommend street parking.
There is a small deli cafe on the second floor.
The main Holocaust exhibits are all on the ground floor. Better to start with the introductory film before seeing the exhibits.
Plan for at least two hours to look through the holocaust parts thoroughly. There are several videos on the holocaust survivors telling their own stories throughout the exhibits; they are worth listening. Their stories help bringing exhibits alive.
There are other temporary exhibits, if you want to see them also, suggest adding another 1-2 hours.
Educational and sobering.
A classic contrast of evil vs good: brutal Nazis vs non-Jews who risk their lives to save the Jews by taking them into their homes and hide them or sponsoring their immigration.
If you are in Houston area for sightseeing, I recommend visiting this place. It's in the museum district of downtown Houston.