Houston

Travel Guide

Houston
Houston
Houston
Houston
Houston

Houston Travel Guide Video

Through booms and busts in the oil industry, this Texas city has built and maintained great cultural attractions and diverse culinary experiences.

Houston’s beautiful Downtown District features walkable streets and towering high-rises. Several buildings have free observation decks. Bring kids to the Downtown Aquarium to meet fascinating marine animals. At Discovery Green have a quiet lunch break on the large lawn, ice skate in winter or attend an exciting special event. Find some of Houston’s 10,000 restaurants and clubs and bars around Market Square and throughout the city. Sample Texas Barbecue and ethnic foods from 70 countries.

For spectator sports, watch the Astros play baseball in Minute Maid Park and the Rockets play basketball at the Toyota Center. Get some exercise starting at the Water Works and heading west along the meandering 52-mile (84-kilometer) Buffalo Bayou through Buffalo Bayou Park.

Use the METRORail to travel south of Midtown to the Museum District. Spend several days in the widely varied attractions, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Children’s Museum of Houston, Museum of Fine Arts and Holocaust Museum Houston. The Contemporary Arts Museum, the Menil Collection and the Art Car Museum have interesting collections and free entry.

Nearby, walk around the campus of Rice University to see its historic brick buildings, beautiful tree-covered spaces, groomed quads and Rice Stadium, a great college football arena, where President John Kennedy made his speech urging Americans to send a man to the moon. In the large Hermann Park, visit the Houston Zoo and Cockrell Butterfly Center, both with fascinating creatures.

Continue south to enjoy NFL and pre-game tailgating at NRG Stadium. For sports events you won’t typically find outside Texas, visit the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in the same area.

Space Center Houston is one of the area’s top attractions, about a 40-minute drive southeast of Downtown Houston. Step inside the Starship Gallery to see the Skylab Trainer Module, where astronauts trained for space missions. Travel another 40 minutes to the coastline at Galveston. Watch for dolphins leaping through the waves as you ride the free car ferry to Goat Island.

Where to stay in Houston

Discovery Green which includes a city, central business district and a high rise building

Downtown Houston

Known for its abundant dining options and live music, there's plenty to explore in Downtown Houston. Top attractions like Toyota Center and Downtown Aquarium are major draws, and you can catch the metro at Central Station Main or Theater District Station to see more of the city.

Downtown Houston
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The Galleria

Travelers to The Galleria praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to make a stop by The Galleria and Williams Tower.

The Galleria
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Texas Medical Center

Well-liked for its restaurants, museums, and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Texas Medical Center. Attractions like Houston Zoo is a major draw, and you can hop on the metro at TMC Transit Center or Dryden/TMC Station to see more of the city.

Texas Medical Center
Menil Collection which includes art and interior views

Montrose

Unique features of Montrose include the theaters and museums. Make a stop by Menil Collection or Westheimer Rd while you're exploring the area.

Montrose
Houston featuring a city and a high rise building

Houston Central Business District

If you're spending time in Houston Central Business District, check out sights like Toyota Center or House of Blues Houston and hop on the metro to see more the city at Bell Station or Main Street Square Station.

Houston Central Business District
Not sure what kind of church this is but it is pretty! 

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Northside

While you're in Northside, take in top sights like The Heights Theater or Greenspoint Mall, and hop on the metro to see more the city at Northline Transit Center/HCC Station or Melbourne/North Lindale Station.

Northside

Popular places to visit

Things to do