Houston travel guide
Houston Tourism | Houston Guide
You're Going to Love Houston
The largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the U.S.A., at first sight Houston seems imposing, but it’s all an illusion. It may be a massive city, but on the ground, Houston is welcoming and down to earth.
It’s the kind of city that you have to immerse yourself in. Attend open-air festivals like Fiestas Patria, watch the best BBQ chefs in the world compete at the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, or listen to Indie and dance acts at the annual Free Press Summer Fest.
Dine on Tex-Mex or BBQ dishes in the Historic District, head to Montrose to check out the bars and drain a few Texas Sipper cocktails, or tap along to roots rock and roll at McGonigel's Mucky Duck.
But Houston isn’t just about dining, drinking, music, and parties. It’s also a city of culture, with award-winning theatrical troupes like the Alley Theatre, an opera house, classical music concerts, and museums for all the family. All of this makes Houston a truly exceptional vacation destination.
Top 5 Reasons to Visit Houston
1.Space
Houston was once responsible for sending people to the moon. Well, it certainly played a major role, hosting the NASA Space Center. Nowadays, tourists can see where the adventure was organized, along with actual space shuttles and other fascinating space-related exhibits.
2. Shopping
Houston is Texas’ biggest retail center, and in The Galleria, it has one of America’s most impressive malls. Head there to stock up on branded fashion from the likes of Zara, Jimmy Choo, and Michael Kors.
3. Culture
Downtown Houston is a cultural hub, with an internationally respected symphony orchestra, an opera house, and an array of theatrical venues. Check out the Theater District, which is home to nine separate companies, including the Tony award-winning Alley Theatre.
4. Festivals and Events
Houston throws plenty of parties every year, from unique events like the Art Car Parade to massive street parties like September’s Fiestas Patrias and the Pride Parade in June. There are music festivals as well, including Houston Open Air in September, which attracts huge rock music acts every year.
5. Sport
Houston has major NFL and NBA teams (the Texans and the Rockets) along with a less-successful baseball franchise (the Astros), and a Major League Soccer team (the Dynamo). Whatever your sport (apart from NHL), there should be a game on to attend.
What to do in Houston
1. Space Center Houston: To Infinity and Beyond
Just minutes from NASA's Johnson Space Center, this exhibition hall brings visitors up close and personal with the history of space travel in America. Engage with first-hand documents, mind-boggling photographs, and extraterrestrial evidence - like moon rocks - that piece together the progress humans have made beyond our atmosphere. Most incredibly, stand in awe of the actual spacecraft on display that have explored the universe beyond our small planet, from Apollo 17 to Mercury 9.
2. Museum of Fine Arts: Thousands of Years of History
The highlight of the Houston Museum District is this world-renowned gallery of fine arts. The collection is one of the most comprehensive in the United States, covering everything from pre-Columbian artifacts to today's greatest contemporary artists. Enjoy the spacious galleries until your heart's content, and in nice weather take a stroll through the perfectly curated grounds as well. The Contemporary Museum of Houston isn't far away either, along with a handful of other specifically themed institutions.
3. Houston Museum of Natural Science: Get in Touch With Our World
Hermann Park is full of Houston's greatest highlights, and the Museum of Natural Science is one that cannot be missed. Exhibitions are set up for visitors of all ages, with interactive elements educating on topics from the prehistoric world to our solar system. Dinosaur bones, finely cut jewels, ancient artifacts - you name it, this vast museum has got it all. Visit the Planetarium to fly into space, or the Butterfly Center to walk among colorful creatures. The Houston Zoo is right next door as well.
4. Menil Collection: Art in Every Direction
Tens of thousands of precious artifacts comprise the Menil Collection, housed in a series of contemporary buildings that are hard to forget in their own right. The whole complex is refined and beautiful, with beautiful artwork spread throughout an equally beautiful space. Dedicated galleries highlight the work of modern masters like the Cy Twombly Pavilion and the Mark Rothko Chapel, while other halls focus on antiquity. Enjoy the diversity and contrasts of the unique museum, and let it all sink in.
5. Minute Maid Park: "The Juice Box"
This all-American ballpark is at the heart of Houston, opened at the turn of the Millennium for the Astros Major League Baseball team. Built adjacent to the site of the city's historic Union Station, the park features a fun railroad theme throughout. When the Astros hit a home run or score a point, a locomotive loaded with Minute Maid oranges choo-choos along the outfield stands! Grab tickets and enjoy the fanfare of a local Baseball game.
1. Space Center Houston: To Infinity and Beyond
Just minutes from NASA's Johnson Space Center, this exhibition hall brings visitors up close and personal with the history of space travel in America. Engage with first-hand documents, mind-boggling photographs, and extraterrestrial evidence - like moon rocks - that piece together the progress humans have made beyond our atmosphere. Most incredibly, stand in awe of the actual spacecraft on display that have explored the universe beyond our small planet, from Apollo 17 to Mercury 9.
2. Museum of Fine Arts: Thousands of Years of History
The highlight of the Houston Museum District is this world-renowned gallery of fine arts. The collection is one of the most comprehensive in the United States, covering everything from pre-Columbian artifacts to today's greatest contemporary artists. Enjoy the spacious galleries until your heart's content, and in nice weather take a stroll through the perfectly curated grounds as well. The Contemporary Museum of Houston isn't far away either, along with a handful of other specifically themed institutions.
3. Houston Museum of Natural Science: Get in Touch With Our World
Hermann Park is full of Houston's greatest highlights, and the Museum of Natural Science is one that cannot be missed. Exhibitions are set up for visitors of all ages, with interactive elements educating on topics from the prehistoric world to our solar system. Dinosaur bones, finely cut jewels, ancient artifacts - you name it, this vast museum has got it all. Visit the Planetarium to fly into space, or the Butterfly Center to walk among colorful creatures. The Houston Zoo is right next door as well.
4. Menil Collection: Art in Every Direction
Tens of thousands of precious artifacts comprise the Menil Collection, housed in a series of contemporary buildings that are hard to forget in their own right. The whole complex is refined and beautiful, with beautiful artwork spread throughout an equally beautiful space. Dedicated galleries highlight the work of modern masters like the Cy Twombly Pavilion and the Mark Rothko Chapel, while other halls focus on antiquity. Enjoy the diversity and contrasts of the unique museum, and let it all sink in.
5. Minute Maid Park: "The Juice Box"
This all-American ballpark is at the heart of Houston, opened at the turn of the Millennium for the Astros Major League Baseball team. Built adjacent to the site of the city's historic Union Station, the park features a fun railroad theme throughout. When the Astros hit a home run or score a point, a locomotive loaded with Minute Maid oranges choo-choos along the outfield stands! Grab tickets and enjoy the fanfare of a local Baseball game.
1. Space Center Houston: To Infinity and Beyond
Just minutes from NASA's Johnson Space Center, this exhibition hall brings visitors up close and personal with the history of space travel in America. Engage with first-hand documents, mind-boggling photographs, and extraterrestrial evidence - like moon rocks - that piece together the progress humans have made beyond our atmosphere. Most incredibly, stand in awe of the actual spacecraft on display that have explored the universe beyond our small planet, from Apollo 17 to Mercury 9.
2. Museum of Fine Arts: Thousands of Years of History
The highlight of the Houston Museum District is this world-renowned gallery of fine arts. The collection is one of the most comprehensive in the United States, covering everything from pre-Columbian artifacts to today's greatest contemporary artists. Enjoy the spacious galleries until your heart's content, and in nice weather take a stroll through the perfectly curated grounds as well. The Contemporary Museum of Houston isn't far away either, along with a handful of other specifically themed institutions.
Where to Eat in Houston
Dining in Houston is one of the city’s greatest attractions, and there are few better places to enjoy a Texas BBQ or Tex-Mex cuisine. You can’t beat Gatlin’s for traditional BBQ meals, but they are closely followed by Killen’s and CorkScrew. If Tex-Mex is to your liking, head to Teotihuacan or El Real. There are excellent pizzas at Dolce Vita, wonderful French food at Artisans, and healthy vegetarian dishes at Baba Yega and Quan Yin – so everyone’s tastes should be covered.
When to visit Houston
Houston is the perfect spring and fall destination. Between March and June, the city’s weather is warm, but not as brutally hot as it can become in July and August. March is a great month to visit, as Houston host’s its International Children’s Festival and the city’s major rodeo comes to town.
How to Get to Houston
Plane
Houston has two airports, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (by far the larger) and William P. Hobby Airport (which is used by domestic carriers like Southwest, Delta, and American Airlines). The best way to get to the center of town from George Bush Airport is to book a taxi or rent a car. However, you can also get into town in under an hour by catching Metro Bus 102 from Terminal C. To get into the city from William P. Hobby Airport, catch Metro Bus 40. In both cases, the fare is $1.25. Taxis will cost around $50.
Train
A single Amtrak service stops at Houston’s station, which can be found at 902 Washington Ave. The Sunset Limited service connects the city with New Orleans and California.
Car
Houston is a road transport hub, with major arteries in all directions. If you are coming from San Antonio or the west take I-10, which also connects Houston to New Orleans and Florida. I-45 links the city with Dallas and cities to the north.
Bus
Greyhound is the major company operating buses into Houston, and their major terminal is at 2121 Main St. Other companies running buses into the city include Megabus (which stop at 815 Pierce St), Starline, and Vonlane. There are also numerous connections to Mexican cities via companies like Autobus Americanos or El Expreso.
Airports near Houston
Airlines serving Houston
Where to stay in Houston
Montrose – The city’s bohemian hub, Montrose is packed full of straight and LGBT bars, restaurants, clubs, and entertainment venues. It’s home to Baba Yega's, one of the city’s most popular vegetarian restaurants, but the real attraction lies in bars like Lola's Depot, where you can party all night long.
Popular Neighborhoods in Houston
The Downtown Historic District – The center of Houston is a functional collection of skyscrapers, but just outside Downtown you’ll find the Historic District, an atmospheric community of 19th century stores and homes. Market Square Park is a popular live music venue in the summer, while the area is also home to most of Houston’s cultural institutions, including the Grand Opera and Jones Hall, home to the city’s Symphony Orchestra.
Uptown/the Galleria – Uptown is Houston’s retail center, mainly because of the presence of the Galleria – a massive shopping mall, which is where bargain hunters should head to find up-market brands like Louis Vuitton, Zara, and Michael Kors. There’s more available than shopping, though. The Tasting Room is Houston’s finest wine bar, while there are some fantastic restaurants like Argentina Café, too.
Where to stay in popular areas of Houston
Most booked hotels in Houston
How to Get Around Houston
Public Transportation
Public transit in Houston is a mixture of local buses and light rail, all of which are provided by METRO. The best way to ride METRO services is by getting hold of a Q Card from local supermarkets (just ask) or the METRO RideStore in Downtown Houston. This can then be recharged at stations or on buses. Fares on light rail and buses cost $1.25 per journey.
Taxis
Taxis are a cost-effective way to get around Houston, and there are plenty of Downtown taxi ranks. The basic charge is $2.75 for the meter drop, then $2.20 per mile after that. Uber is active in the city and can allow you to make big savings. Their basic fare is $1, then $0.87 per mile (for the cheapest vehicles).
Car
Houston is a city that seems to have been designed for motorists and renting a vehicle during your stay is advisable. Be aware that rush hour starts early (around 4:00 p.m.) and look out for traffic jams in north Houston at any time of day. There are also tolls on many expressways, most of which will be automatically added to your rental bill. However, cash tolls still apply on the Sam Houston and Hardy expressways, so have some change handy. It’s also worth noting that on-street parking is free after 6:00 p.m. every day (and completely free on Sundays).
Best car hire deals in Houston
Intermediate
5 Adults, 3 Bags
AED 119/day
Compact
4 Adults, 2 Bags
AED 121/day
The Cost of Living in Houston
Shopping Streets
Houston’s major shopping mall is the Galleria, located in the Uptown area. It’s the number one place to go if you are looking for luxury brands like Michael Kors, Neiman Marcus, or Jimmy Choo. River Oaks is another popular mall and features a selection of independent boutiques like Pink Slip, Chico’s, and Gymboree. Then there are markets like the Houston Fleamarket, where you never know what might be available, and there are always bargains to hunt down.
Groceries and Other
Houston generally isn’t an expensive city as far as groceries are concerned. There are plenty of major supermarkets in tourist areas, including Walmart, Kroger, Whole Foods, and El Ahorro, which sells a variety of Mexican produce. Expect to pay around $3 for a gallon of milk and $14 for a good bottle of wine.