I decided to collect all of my Houston tips/suggestions and put them into one big guide! As one of the most diverse (and largest) cities in the nation, H-town has a lot to offer! It has great food, fun activities, and crazy weather. Here is my ultimate guide to Houston:
What to Expect:
Houston is a melting pot of cultures that lives up to the saying, "Everything's bigger in Texas." The city offers incredible cuisines, like Tex-Mex and seafood, and has an array of outdoor and indoor (*cough cough* A/C) activities.
Climate
Houston gets an average of 53 inches of rain a year and is sunny 204 days out of the year! Summers are hot– around 90ºF (sometimes reaching triple digits)– and humid– around 70-80% (but often over 90%). Due to the humidity, even on days that are below 90ºF, the heat index will still be in the upper 90s or lower 100s. On the other hand, Houston has very mild winters, with temperatures around 50ºF and humidity levels around 30%. Springtime offers the best weather, though it can be rainy and/or very windy. June through November are considered hurricane season.
Languages
Though English is the predominant language, Spanish is widely spoken. There are so many other languages spoken, but they are not as common. There are over 145 languages spoken in Houston!
Neighborhoods
Houston itself is huge and when most people talk about it, they're really talking about the Greater Houston area. Something unique about Houston is there aren't zoning laws, so most of these neighborhoods are a mix of residential buildings and businesses. Most of the things I've included in this guide are located in these neighborhoods:
Rice/Museum District
This area has so much to offer! There are a ton of restaurants, shopping areas, and (as you can tell by the name) museums. The zoo is also located in the Museum District.
Galleria/Uptown
Another great place for shopping and eating!
Midtown/Montrose
Popular among young adults, the Midtown/Montrose area is known for being eccentric and full of restaurants, nightlife, and neat thrift stores!
Downtown
It was once a very business-y area, but it's becoming more and more activity friendly! Downtown houses Discovery Green and Theater District.
River Oaks
An affluent area with shopping, restaurants, and massive houses! After lunch, I like to drive through River Oaks and admire the mansions 😅.
Heights
A historic neighborhood that boasts boutiques, antique stores, and charm!
Eats:
Here is a map of my favorite food places in and around the city!
Must-Do Activities:
Visit Houston's Finest Museums
The city has arguably one of the best museum districts and theater districts in the U.S.A., so of course I had to put them in this guide! There's no doubt in my mind that you'll find a museum that meets your interests because Houston is home to 19 museums. I believe you cannot leave Houston without visiting the Holocaust Museum Houston and Houston Museum of Natural Science! Those are 2 of my favorites. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston, Children's Museum Houston, and The Health Museum are also incredible!
Visit the Zoo
In my opinion, the zoo is fun for all ages. Plus, the Houston Zoo has over 6,000 animals to see! They also offer so many animal encounters that are really fun. Don't forget to feed the giraffes before you leave!
Check Out Theater District
As I mentioned before, Houston is home to one of the best theater districts in the nation. Downtown houses four theaters where Broadway actors, Houston Ballet, Houston Symphony, and Houston Grand Opera perform!
Visit Johnson Space Center
Have you really visited Houston if you haven't seen Johnson Space Center? Some may say yes, I say "definitely no!" At Johnson Space Center, you can see how NASA operations are carried out, walk through some interesting exhibits, and view hundreds of space artifacts!
Shop 'Til You Drop
The Houston Galleria has hundreds of stores and restaurants, and receives millions of visitors each year. The Galleria is the perfect place to shop, eat, and go ice skating (yes, they have a massive indoor ice skating rink).
Enjoy a Professional Sports Game
Houston is home to five professional sports teams: a men's basketball team, baseball team, a men's soccer team, a football team, and a women's soccer team. The sports games in H-town are always so much fun because the crowds always get really involved!
Adventure to Galveston
Just 50 minutes southeast of downtown Houston is an island called Galveston. Galveston is full of restaurants, activities (including several beaches), history, and shopping. You could definitely spend an entire day in Galveston! Check out my posts featuring the island:
Ride a Rollercoaster at Kemah Boardwalk
About 20 miles southeast of downtown Houston is Kemah Boardwalk! The Boardwalk is home to several rides (carnival rides and a rollercoaster), restaurants, stores, and occasional festivals. Whether you're spending a day or just an evening there, it is fun for all ages!
Go for a Stroll or Enjoy a Picnic at a Park
Memorial Park is over 1,000 acres, making it Houston's largest urban park! The park offers areas to golf, jog, have a picnic, and so much more! There are activities for people of all ages at Memorial Park.
Discovery Green is a 12-acre park in the middle of downtown with restaurants, green spaces, playground, water activities, and events! They also set up an outdoor ice skating rink in the winter!
Eleanor Tinsley Park offers the best view of downtown, making it the perfect place for a picnic dinner. You just can't beat picnicking at Eleanor Tinsley at sunset on a beautiful day! This big, grassy area is also a good place for a workout or to play fetch with your dog.
See the Rodeo
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the world's largest livestock show and rodeo, started in 1932 and occurs every spring at NRG Stadium in Houston. Not only do HLSR visitors like to attend the rodeo events, but they also attend the concerts featuring many different popular artists. The rodeo also has so many different foods, like turkey legs and fried oreos, and rides!
Brazos Bend State Park
Brazos Bend State Park, about 45 miles from Downtown Houston, is the perfect place to surround yourself with nature! The park has 37 miles of trails for hiking, biking, or horseback riding, and Houston Museum of Natural Science has an observatory there (buy tickets in advance to see the stars at the observatory)! You may also spot some alligators while you're there!!
See Some Interesting Sights
An iconic sight to see in Houston is for sure the Waterwall Park! The Waterwall is a 64-foot fountain near the Galleria. You often see folks taking engagement or graduation photos in front of the waterwall, while others admire the structure!
Another interesting sight in Houston is The Beer Can House. The Beer Can House is exactly what it sounds like... a house decorated with tens of thousands of beer cans. It's definitely interesting... but honestly, really cool to see!
The McGovern Centennial Gardens are also really neat & interesting. They're a great place to walk around, admire beautiful plants & flowers, and check out the garden mount!
Where to Catch Some Zzz's:
Hilton Americas-Houston
Nestled between the George R. Brown Convention Center, Toyota Center, and Discovery Green, the Hilton Americas is a great place to stay! On the same level as the indoor pool, there's a patio area with nice views of downtown. The hotel also features an awesome chocolate and gingerbread display during the holiday season!
Marriott Marquis
Near the Hilton Americas is the Marriott Marquis, a newer hotel with a few more restaurant options. It has an outdoor pool, a Texas-shaped lazy river, and a terrace with great views!
Check another Houston-related posts: https://www.luluseverydaylife.com/post/12-reasons-to-visit-houston-texas-surrounding-areas