About Houston

Located on the coastal prairies of Southeast Texas, Houston is home to a diverse set of industries and cultures. Situated 50 miles from the Gulf of Mexico, the climate is moderate and ideally suited for year round activities. Often referred to as "The Bayou City," the landscape and climate have more in common with neighboring southern Louisiana than the arid western regions people usually associate with the state of Texas.

Founded in 1836 by the Allen brothers (Augustus C. and John K.) Houston is currently the seat of Harris County, Texas. Present day city limits cover the majority of Harris county with extensions into both Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Counties adjacent to the city include Galveston, Brazoria, Fort Bend, Waller, Montgomery, Liberty and Chambers.

With its temperate climate and affordable cost of living, Houston has much to offer visitors and people living in the city. Cultural attractions in the city include a thriving theater district and numerous museums. The city maintains more than 300 municipal parks and over 120 open spaces. In addition, the city provides seven golf courses (18-hole) and operates a modern zoological garden for public use.

Houston is also home to numerous professional and collegiate sports teams. Professional teams include baseball (Astros), basketball (Rockets and Comets), hockey (Aeros) and soccer (Hotshots). Minutemaid Park, located downtown, is the home of the Houston Astros, while the Houston Texan's began play in 2002 in Reliant Stadium, built right next to the Astrodome.

Few metropolitan areas can offer the quality and variety of restaurants available in the greater Houston area. More than 30 different national and regional categories are represented by nearly 8,000 food serving establishments in the city. Regional specialties include Tex-Mex, Cajun, seafood and traditional Texas fare. National and international categories include Continental and entrees from around the world prepared in authentic fashion.

Houston Activities

Museums:

Burke Baker Planetarium
1 Hermann Circle Dr.
Phone: 713-639-4629

Description: Located in the Museum of Natural Science near Hermann Park. Along with conventional planetarium programs, Burke Baker features laser light shows on Friday and Saturday evenings. ADMISSION: $2.00-$3.00

Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum
4011 Yupon at Branard
Phone: 713-521-3990

Description: The Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum was opened in February 1997. Intimate in scale (4,000 square feet), the Chapel Museum is the repository in the United States for the only intact Byzantine frescoes in the entire western hemisphere. These masterworks from the 13th century -- a dome and an apse -- were ripped and stolen out of a chapel near Lysi in the Turkish occupied section of Cyprus in the 1980's, cut into pieces, and smuggled off the island by thieves prepared to sell them piece by piece. The fresco fragments were rescued from the thieves by The Menil Foundation with the knowledge and approval of the Church of Cyprus, the rightful owner of the frescoes. The Menil Foundation then funded a painstaking two-year restoration of the paintings.In gratitude, the Church of Cyprus is allowing a long-term loan of the frescoes in the new building designed especially for them by architect Francois de Menil. Numerous private donors helped fund the construction of the Chapel Museum, which combines rough stone, opaque glass, and rich woods, to extraordinarily spiritual effect.
ADMISSION: Free

Contemporary Arts Museum
5216 Montrose Blvd.
Phone: 713-284-8250

Description: The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is a non-collecting institution dedicated to presenting the best and most exciting international, national and regional art of the last 40 years. Founded in 1948, the Museum prides itself on presenting new art and documenting its role in modern life through exhibitions, lectures, original publications and a variety of educational programs and events.The Contemporary Arts Museum Houston occupies the famous stainless steel building in the heart of the Houston Museum District. This highly recognizable building was designed for the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston by the award-winning architect Gunnar Birkerts and opened in 1972.
ADMISSION: Free

Museum of Fine Arts
1001 Bissonnet Street
Phone: 713-639-7300

Description: The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is the largest art museum in America south of Chicago, west of Washington, D.C., and east of Los Angeles. There are two major museum buildings, the Caroline Wiess Law Building and the Audrey Jones Beck Building; two facilities for the Glassell School of Art, the Studio School for Adults and the Glassell Junior School; two house museums that exhibit decorative arts, Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens and Rienzi; the Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden; and 18 acres of public gardens. The collection contains more than 45,000 artworks, which date from antiquity to the present. The major civilizations of Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Africa are represented.
ADMISSION: Adults $7 and Seniors/Youth $3.50

Rothko Chapel
1409 Sul Ross Street
Phone: 713-524-9839

Description: The Rothko Chapel, founded by John and Dominique de Menil, was dedicated in 1971 as an intimate sanctuary available to people of every belief. A modern meditative environment inspired by the paintings of American abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, the Chapel welcomes thousands of visitors each year, people of every faith and from all parts of the world. It retains the support of its surrounding neighborhood and has become a spiritual landmark, central in the lives of many members of a large and diverse urban community.
ADMISSION: Free

Outdoor Activities:

Hermann Park
Hermann Drive at Fannin & Montrose
Phone: 713-526-0077

Description: Centrally located park with lots of attractions: the Houston Zoo, Miller Outdoor Theater, the Japanese Garden and a golf course. Visitors can enjoy a picnic under the pines, ride the miniature train, rent paddle boats or simply stroll. Houston Museum of Natural Science is within walking distance as well as the Medical Center. This is also home to the Houston Zoological garden, which has special programs for children including a petting zoo.
ADMISSION: Free

Houston Arboretum & Nature Center
4501 Woodway
Phone: 713-681-8433

Description: Covers 155 acres/63 hectares of natural forest inside Loop 610 and showcases more than 450 native plants. Guided tours and educational programs available.
ADMISSION: Free

Sam Houston Park
1100 Bagby
Phone: 713-655-1912

Description: The Heritage Society began restoring homes and relocating them in this park in the 1950s. Today it contains "The Long Row," a replica of Houston's original business district, the Museum of Texas History, a tea room and a shop with items made by local artisans. Restored homes include a log cabin and simple cottages as well as large houses built by oilmen. Tours offered daily.
ADMISSION: $4.00-$6.00

GOLF:

Hermann Park Golf Course
2155 N. MacGregor
Phone: 713-526-0077

Description: Almost a century ago, the great oil, cattle and land baron George Hermann gave a gift to the city. Today, Hermann's gift has become 407 acres of Houston's loveliest gardens, parks, golf course and public spaces. And, in 1922, the lush and scenic Hermann Park Golf Course was built here. Hermann Park Golf Course started a rich tradition of golfing excellence that has prospered for more than 70 years. Hermann Park Golf Course was the first public golf course in America to welcome all races.

October 15, 1997, Houston-based BSL Golf Corporation, with the assistance of renowned golf architect Carlton Gipson, was selected to work in cooperation with the Parks and Recreation Department and Friends of Hermann Park to restore the grand course for the next century. Relaxing while you play golf under the majestic emerald canopy of stately oak trees, you readily forget you are in a city teeming with industry. And, recent restoration has ensured the grand old course will keep its manicured luster with plush Bermuda greens.

Memorial Park Golf Course
1001 East Memorial Loop Drive
Phone: 713-862-4033

Description: The Memorial Park Golf Course began in 1923 as a 9-hole sand green course built near the hospital at Camp Logan for use by convalescent soldiers. When the hospital closed, the course was opened to the public. In an ambitious effort to enhance parks across the city, the Parks and Recreation Department began construction to turn the 9-hole course into an illustrious 18-hole golf course. In July of the following year, the first ball was teed off on what architect John Bredemus called his "greatest golf course ever."

Through the years, Memorial Park Golf Course hosted many famous golfers such as Babe Didrikson Zaharias, Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer and Jimmy Demaret. It was also the home of the Houston Open from 1951 to 1963.

Attractions Outside of Houston

Kemah Boardwalk
Kemah, Texas
Phone: 281-334-9880

Watch the boats sail by at the Kemah Boardwalk, a 35-acre entertainment complex with a carnival-like atmosphere. Activities include shopping and midway games, as well as a miniature train that traverses the entire area. The boardwalk's restaurants include Landry's Seafood House, Joe's Crab Shack, Willie G's, The Flying Dutchman, The Crab House, Cadillac Authentic Mexican Restaurant and the unique Aquarium seafood restaurant. Additional attractions include a 36-foot carousel, and a 65-foot Ferris wheel.

San Jacinto Monument and Museum
One Monument Circle
La Porte, Texas
Phone: 281-479-2421

Built 100 years after the battle it honors, the 570-foot San Jacinto Monument stands in the Guinness Book of World Records as the tallest monument column in the world. It towers over the prairie where, in 1836, General Sam Houston and his determined army battled furiously to "Remember the Alamo!" bringing an end to the revolution against Mexico's rule. A rare enthusiasm and determined pride in the achievement of a small army led by former Tennessee Governor Samuel Houston on April 21, 1836, at a battlefield soon to be called San Jacinto were never far from the minds of leaders of the new Republic of Texas. As early as 1842, an anonymous poet, writing an "Ode to San Jacinto," expressed the hope that "In future time, then may the pilgrim's eye see here an obelisk point toward the sky ...." This astonishing prediction was made almost one hundred years before the world witnessed the completion of a monument to the men who fought and died on the plains of San Jacinto, making the Republic of Texas a reality.
ADMISSION: Free to the Park and the San Jacinto Museum of History. Nominal admission fees are charged for the Observation Floor.

Space Center Houston
1601 NASA Rd 1
Houston, Texas
Phone: 713-224-2100

Description: Visitors aren't allowed to see all the operations but regular tram tours give you a chance to visit most of the Johnson Space Center, the working facility where you can ogle a Saturn rocket or observe shuttle payload bays. Other exhibits cover the history of manned spaceflight and exploration of the future. The Mission Status Center provides live updates on current flights. The Kids' Space Place has interactive exhibits for children, an IMAX theater, a full-scale model of the space shuttle and moon rocks that you can touch. Handicap accessible.
ADMISSION: $8.95-$12.95

Houston Shopping

Inner Loop

Highland Village:
This classy shopping center includes anchor stores Tootsies, Harold Powell, Victoria's Secret and The Gap, as well as numerous smaller-scale retailers like Fitigues. One of the most novel stores in town is Surprises, featuring unique gift and decorating ideas. This is a great change from the mall experience. Be sure to check out the Crate & Barrel mega store and other new merchants, such as White House/Black Market, Anthropologie and Donald J Pliner.

Rice Village:
Near Rice University and the Museum District, Rice Village remains one of the city's oldest, best-loved shopping enclaves and home to anchor stores like The Gap, Just Add Water, Banana Republic, Express and more. But it's the unique boutiques like Z. Bead, J. Silver and Guatemala; bars/clubs like the Gatsby and the Gingerman and the city's best cluster of Thai restaurants that grant the Village its eclectic personality.

River Oaks Shopping Center:
River Oaks offers top-notch shopping. Stores like Chico's, Talbot's, upscale resale shops like Twice New, artsy outposts such as Mad Potter (paint your own pottery) and Texas Gallery make spending a day in River Oaks fun.

The Park Shops:
This three-story mall in downtown's Houston Center features more than 75 shops and restaurants. shop merchants such as Sharper Image, Bailey Banks & Biddle, Sterling Armadillo, Brooks Brothers and Waldenbooks. For a pick-me-up, stop by Starbucks or schedule a facial or manicure at Skoogie's Salon.

Foley's Downtown:
Occupying the same location since the 1950s, Foley's department store in downtown Houston dates back to the early 20th century. Today, the chain boasts 64 stores in 17 cities.

Uptown

The Galleria:
One of the crown jewels of the Houston shopping scene. In addition to Fendi, Sephora, Gucci, Armani Exchange and Versace stores, there's an ice rink and a formidable selection of dining options. The Galleria also has some wonderful down-to-earth retailers like Banana Republic and Abercrombie and Fitch. The Galleria is newly renovated and the new Galleria IV section features anchor stores Foley's and Nordstrom, plus 70 additional merchants.

Uptown Park:
This Euro-style shopping center is just a couple of blocks from The Galleria. Ample parking and architecture accessorized by fountains and mini-gardens make it a breath of fresh air. Women looking for distinctive fashions can appreciate the suits, separates and after-five looks at Mint Beverly Hills, as well as the unique jewelry creations at Yvette, featuring vintage, precious and semiprecious jewelry. Don't miss the beautiful hand-crafted artwork at Hanson Galleries. Uptown Park offers several dining options ranging from quick pick-me-ups such as a Starbucks coffee or a Jamba Juice smoothie to casual dining at Café Express and Champps Americana to sophisticated seafood at McCormick & Schmick's.

Transportation

METRORail:

The arrival of METRORail brings a new era of transportation to Houston. It's a fast, convenient and safe way to travel between Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District, the Texas Medical Center, Reliant Park and the South Fannin Park & Ride lot. With frequent service and the capacity to carry up to 400 passengers per trip, METRORail will help cut through congestion in these heavily traveled areas. The cost for riding the train is $1.

Trains will arrive at rail stations every 12 minutes and provide service all along the 7.5-mile rail line including trips to the Downtown, Midtown, Museum District, Texas Medical Center and Reliant Park areas.

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