Houston is as diverse as it is colossal. The energy capital of the world is the hub of cutting edge with skyscrapers and boundary-pushing industries, but also home to quirky shops and boho-vibe neighborhoods with bungalows. Visit one of the many shopping meccas, food halls, or art institutions, or go beyond downtown to tour the famous Space Center. The largest city in the Lone Star State (and the fourth largest in the U.S.) has seemingly no end of options.
Downtown
Whether you’re catching a theater matinee, ogling city views along the Buffalo Bayou, or cheering at a game with the ‘Stros, downtown is the pulsing nucleus of Houston’s sprawl. Club Quarters Houston sits squarely in the hub, within convenient walking distance to the Theater District, green spaces, museums, and nightlife.
11360 Bellaire Boulevard
Besides the finger-licking signature Viet-Cajun crawfish, this Asiatown favorite dishes up wok-fried seafood, pho, and rice dishes.
1600 Westheimer Road
Consistently named one of the best restaurants in Houston, Hugo’s highlights the nuance and complexity of regional Mexican cuisine with dishes such as marinated lamb roasted in agave leaves and pan-fried potato tacos. Not to be forgotten: a robust menu of margaritas and classic cocktails.
1515 Texas Avenue
This swanky and sophisticated Italian restaurant elevates locally sourced ingredients with a delectable menu of homemade pastas and fresh seafood paired with Old and New-World wines.
1601 E Nasa Parkway
Marvel at spacecraft, moon rocks, and spacesuit collections or take a tram tour of the Johnson Space Center, the training base for NASA astronauts and site of Mission Control.
1533 Sul Ross Street
The eclectic assemblage of art and archaeological findings of John and Dominique de Menial are displayed in a light-flooded structure designed by Renzo Piano; a separate building houses the energetic canvases, paintings, and drawings of Abstract Expressionist Cy Twombly.
Houston Museum of Natural Science
5555 Hermann Park Drive
A world of exploration with gem and mineral collections, biomes of the Lone Stone state, Native American beadwork and kachina dolls, and a three-story glass cone filled with tropical plants and butterflies.
2421 Bissonnet Street
A locally-owned bookstore that’s a hub for Houston’s literary scene, with a thoughtfully curated selection of tomes, literary events, storytelling hours, and book club meetings.
5085 Westheimer Road
The upscale shopping complex in Uptown hosts luxe fashion boutiques as well as more familiar, everyday brands.
Historic Heights
This charming neighborhood dates back to the 1800s and is a haven of antique stores, ice cream parlors, and other unique shops, including a vintage toy store.
Getting Here
Houston is accessible through two major airports: the George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) and William P. H. Hobby Airport (HOU), Amtrak’s Sunset Limited stops in Houston traveling from New Orleans to Los Angeles. Megabus and Greyhound operate out of terminals downtown, and shuttle services run between Houston and Galveston.
Getting Around
METRORail runs in and around downtown through the Museum District, Hermann Park, Museum District, Rice University, Medical Center, and Reliant Park. To access the greater metropolitan area, you’ll need to rent a car or take a taxi or ride service.
Know the Lingo
Clutch City/Space City/Bayou City/H-Town: Houston.The Stros: The Houston Astros baseball team. EaDo: East Downtown. Coke: Any carbonated beverage, not just Coca-Cola. It’s not far: To a Houstonian, that’s just around the block — it could mean at a 30-minute drive (or even more). Inside/Outside the Loop: Within or outside the boundaries of Interstate 610. Feeder roads: An access road that runs parallel with other high-speed roads.
Insider Tips
Many fun things to do in Houston are free. The Houston Arboretum & Nature Center offers a perfect escape from the urban bustle with hiking trails that will take you through different habitats on the 155-acre sanctuary. In the summer months, join locals for a nearby escape to Galveston Island, a laid-back beach town off the Gulf Coast.
Philadelphia
Philadelphia Visitors GuideIf you’re planning a trip to The City of Brotherly Love, we’ve created a Philadelphia visitors guide packed with plenty of things to do during your stay.
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