A Traveler's Highlights of the Captivating City - Houston, Texas
As the fourth largest U.S. city, Houston, Texas attracts people from around the world for sight-seeing, business, entertainment, and cultural attractions. Houston's population was estimated at 2.14 million as of 2006 and it is the county seat of Harris County. Houston is also the economical center of the metro area of Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown. Houston lies mainly on the gulf coastal plain and has a humid subtropical climate drawing moisture from the Gulf of Mexico.
Houston has two major airports: William P. Hobby Airport and Bush Intercontinental Airport. There are several popular sports teams based in Houston such as the MLB Astros, NBA Houston Rockets, and the WNBA Houston Comets. Houston is also multicultural with a diverse population and is rich in theater, museums, and parks.
In history, Houston's beginnings started in 1836 when it was founded by two brothers, John Kirby Allen and Augustus Chapman Allen. Houston was incorporated in June 1837. The city was named after Sam Houston, who was then the president of the Republic of Texas. Houston's population grew amazingly over the years due to its major port, a booming railroad industry, and the discovery of oil in 1901. Today, Houston flourishes as the home of NASA's Mission Control Center, the Texas Medical Center, and many Fortune 500 companies.
Intriguing Places to Explore in Houston
Houston offers many things to do, whether you like the outdoors or enjoy touring local historic sites, museums, and galleries. There's something for everyone. At the Houston Museum of Natural Science (http://www.hmns.org/), you can explore wildlife and learn about astronomy, energy, and much more. There are unique fossils, gems and minerals, dinosaurs, and other interesting displays. The museum also features a butterfly center, an IMAX theater, and a planetarium.
Take the kids to the Children's Museum of Houston to explore science, culture, and more through displays such as the EcoStation, the Babbling Bayou, and the Cyber Clubhouse. There are also traveling exhibits to give kids new things to discover each time they visit. If you adore art, check out the Menil Collection, which is a steel/cypress building that houses the beautiful art collection of Dominique and John de Menil. The art collection features tribal, modern, and ethnic art. Also in the complex are the Rothko Chapel, the Cy Twombly Gallery, Richmond Hall, a book store, and the Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum. And best of all - admission is free.
Another rare delight for art lovers is the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses collections from the Baroque and Renaissance periods and includes African gold pieces, impressionist, and post-impressionist artworks. The museum's campus consists of 18 acres of lovely public gardens, the Cullen Sculpture Garden, and two historic houses that are museums.
Also, tap into exhibits at other interesting museums such as the Civil War Museum, the American Cowboy Museum, the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, the Art Car Museum, the Blaffer Gallery, the Daughters of the Republic, the Galveston County Historical Museum, the Galveston Railroad Museum, the Houston Fire Museum, and the Houston African American Museum.
Houston Activities for Families
Houston welcomes families and provides many opportunities for fun-filled adventure. At the Downtown Aquarium, see all sorts of amazing sea creatures including sharks. The aquarium features an exhibit with a Sunken Temple of ancient Mayan culture along with an underwater world, a Shark Voyage, a Ferris wheel, the Dancing Fountains, the Aquarium Restaurant, and the Dive Lounge.
At the Houston Zoo (http://www.houstonzoo.org), explore 55 acres of interesting animals and the soothing scene of nature. There's a tropical bird house and many reptiles as well as bears, tigers, lions, African wild dogs, and many others. The zoo features the Kipp Aquarium, the Asian Elephant Habitat, the John P. McGovern Children's Zoo, and the Reptile House - all spanning across the lush zoological gardens.
At the Space Center Houston, educate your kids about U.S. space travel with the center's collection of artifacts, films, and live presentations. The kids will love the exhibits such as Living in Space, which simulates astronaut living while in space. They'll also get to see moon rocks, spacesuits, and flight capsules. During summer months, spend a day at the Adventure Bay Water Park for cool fun and splashes. This water park features speed water slides, a tranquil tubing river, and special attractions such as the Pirate's Cove, Master Blaster, Paradise Bay, and more.
If you're a baseball fan, check out the home of the Astros at Minute Maid Park (http://astros.mlb.com/hou/ballpark/index.jsp). It features a retractable roof, a natural grass field, restaurants, and more. One-hour tours are available. Next, be sure to head on over to the Jesse H. Jones Park & Nature Center for a day of relaxation and exploration. It features a beach, forest, bog, specimens of the Gulf Coast cypress, scrub brush, and meadow ecosystems - and of course, a playground for the young ones.
Next to Memorial Park is the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center, where 155 acres of natural forest invites families to soak up nature's sheer beauty while walking along the park's trails.
Other attractions in Houston include the Lynchburg Ferry, the Houston Glass Studio, Memorial Park, the Orange Show Monument, Buffalo Bayou Park, the Burke Baker Planetarium, the San Jacinto Battlefield, and Tranquility Park.
Shopping and Dining in Houston
Houston offers many charming shopping districts with everything from malls to shops to flea markets. Some of the malls include the First Colony Mall, the NASA Plaza, the Conroe Outlet Center, the Centre at Post Oak, the Quail Creek Center, the Seabrook Plaza, the Galleria, and Uptown Park. Some of the popular flea markets are Findings Unlimited, Cheng's Flea Market, A1 Flea Market, Houston Indoor Flea Market, and Damary's Bazaar.
While exploring Houston, take a break at one of the many delightful restaurants, delicatessens, bakeries, ice cream parlors, or coffee shops. Offerings range from seafood, Chinese, Japanese Italian, steakhouses, pizza shops, and grills. Try some of the superb flavors of these local restaurants: Pesce, Arcodoro Ristorante Italiano, Picazo Restaurant, Grotto Ristorante, Vincent's Restaurant, Benihana, Amici, Rainbow Lodge, and Bob's Steak and Chop House.
Houston also offers a variety of hotels for lodging such as the Marriott Houston North at Greenspoint, the Hyatt Regency Houston, the Adam's Mark Hotel, Ainsworth Suites, Ameri Suites, Camelot Inn, Budget Inn, Wingate Inn, Western Inn, and many others. There are accommodations to fit every need, budget, and desired level of comfort.
Experience all that this magnetic bustling city has to offer during your next vacation. You'll want to come back again and again.