Discover the Heart of Texas
From NASA's Mission Control to sizzling Tex-Mex on Navigation Boulevard, Houston offers a world of adventure. Explore Space City and its vibrant surrounding communities.
Houston's Top Attractions
From world-class museums to thrilling theme parks, the Greater Houston area has something for every traveler.
Space Center Houston
NASA's official visitor center with 400+ space artifacts, the historic tram tour to Mission Control, and the only place to see a Space Shuttle mounted on its carrier aircraft.
Houston Zoo
Home to over 6,000 animals across 900 species in beautiful Hermann Park. One of the most visited zoos in the United States, with immersive habitats and active conservation programs.
Museum of Natural Science
Extraordinary dinosaur hall, the Cockrell Butterfly Center rainforest, Burke Baker Planetarium, and one of the world's finest gem and mineral collections. A Houston landmark.
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
One of America's largest art museums with nearly 70,000 works spanning 6,000 years. Stunning architecture by Mies van der Rohe and Steven Holl. Free general admission on Thursdays.
Buffalo Bayou Park
160 acres of urban green space with trails, public art, and a dog park. Don't miss the Cistern art space in a 1926 reservoir, and the bat colony at Waugh Bridge at dusk.
Kemah Boardwalk
Waterfront entertainment with rides, restaurants, and Gulf breezes. Features the Boardwalk Bullet wooden coaster, a Ferris wheel over Galveston Bay, and fantastic seafood dining.
The Galleria
Texas' largest shopping destination with 400+ stores including Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, and Saks. Features a full-size indoor ice skating rink and world-class dining.
Waterwall Park
A mesmerizing 64-foot semi-circular fountain cascading 11,000 gallons per minute, surrounded by 186 live oaks. Houston's most photographed and Instagrammed landmark.
Downtown Aquarium
Aquarium, restaurant, and entertainment complex with 200+ species. Ride the Shark Voyage train through a tunnel inside a shark tank, then dine surrounded by a 150,000-gallon aquarium.
Hermann Park
445-acre urban oasis with Japanese Garden, free Miller Outdoor Theatre, and miniature train.
Discovery Green
12-acre downtown park with 100+ free annual events, concerts, and winter ice skating.
Menil Collection
World-class free art museum — 17,000 works including Surrealism, pop art, plus the Rothko Chapel.
San Jacinto Monument
World's tallest war memorial at 567 feet. Where Texas won independence in an 18-minute battle.
Explore Greater Houston
From Gulf Coast beaches to lakeside retreats, the communities surrounding Houston each offer their own character and charm.
Galveston Island
Galveston Island
A Gulf Coast treasure with 32 miles of beaches, the historic Pleasure Pier amusement park over the ocean, Moody Gardens' iconic pyramids, and The Strand Victorian district. Perfect for a beach day, family outing, or romantic weekend escape.
The Woodlands
Upscale master-planned community with the Waterway, Market Street shopping, and Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion — one of the world's busiest amphitheaters.
~30 mi north
Katy
Home to Katy Mills outlet mall, Typhoon Texas Waterpark, No Label Brewing, and the charming LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch lifestyle center.
~30 mi west
Sugar Land
Sugar Land Town Square hosts year-round events. Catch Space Cowboys minor league baseball at Constellation Field or a show at the Smart Financial Centre.
~25 mi southwest
Conroe & Lake Conroe
A 21,000-acre lake paradise for boating, fishing, and jet skiing. The Margaritaville Resort, historic downtown, and pine forest trails make it an ideal getaway.
~40 mi north
Pearland
A fast-growing suburb known for Killen's BBQ (one of Texas' best), Pearland Town Center shopping, and easy access to both Houston and Galveston.
~20 mi south
League City
Gateway to Kemah Boardwalk and the Armand Bayou Nature Center, one of the country's largest urban wildlife refuges with canoe tours and hiking trails.
~30 mi southeast
Missouri City
A welcoming Fort Bend County suburb with Oyster Creek Park trails, the Sportsplex recreation center, and growing dining and retail scene.
~20 mi southwestPro Sports
Astros at Minute Maid Park, Texans at NRG Stadium, Rockets at Toyota Center, Dynamo at Shell Energy Stadium.
Houston's Best Restaurants
America's most diverse city delivers one of its most exciting food scenes. From legendary BBQ to Viet-Cajun crawfish, every meal is an adventure.
Truth BBQ
$$James Beard Award-winning brisket with legendary sides. The banana pudding alone is worth the visit. Expect long lines — it sells out daily.
Heights • 110 S Heights Blvd
Killen's BBQ
$$Pitmaster Ronnie Killen's Pearland legend. Forearm-sized beef ribs, prime brisket, and a surprisingly perfect creme brulee. Texas Monthly's BBQ list regular.
Pearland • 3613 E Broadway St
Pinkerton's Barbecue
$$Post-oak-smoked meats in a stylish Heights space. The brisket and pork ribs shine, with Louisiana-inspired boudin as a bonus.
Heights • 1504 Airline Dr
Feges BBQ
$$Traditional Texas BBQ meets elevated Southern sides. Try the espresso-rubbed brisket alongside duck fat fried rice and green chile corn pudding.
Greenway • 3 Greenway Plaza
The Original Ninfa's
$$The birthplace of the fajita. Mama Ninfa Laurenzo popularized sizzling skirt steak fajitas here in 1973. The tacos al carbon and green sauce are iconic Houston traditions.
East End • 2704 Navigation Blvd
El Tiempo Cantina
$$-$$$Founded by the Laurenzo family. Massive sizzling fajitas, monster margaritas, and rich queso in a lively atmosphere. Multiple locations across Houston.
Multiple locations • Richmond Ave
Hugo's
$$$James Beard Award-winning Chef Hugo Ortega's showcase of regional Mexican cuisine — Oaxacan moles, cochinita pibil, tableside guacamole. Sunday barbacoa brunch is unmissable.
Montrose • 1600 Westheimer Rd
Crawfish & Noodles
$$Pioneer of Houston's legendary Viet-Cajun crawfish craze. Crawfish stir-fried in garlic-butter Vietnamese spices. A genre-defining restaurant that launched a nationwide trend.
Asiatown • 11360 Bellaire Blvd
Pho Binh
$A legendary pho shop steeped in history — it served as a meeting point during the Vietnam War era. The deeply flavorful broth and generous portions keep locals coming back.
Multiple locations
Huynh Restaurant
$Beloved East Downtown institution serving outstanding pho, vermicelli bowls, and banh mi at wallet-friendly prices. Consistently packed with in-the-know locals.
EaDo • 912 St. Emanuel StPro tip: Houston's Asiatown along Bellaire Boulevard is one of the largest and most diverse Asian food corridors in the U.S. — hundreds of Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean, and Indian restaurants within a few miles.
Pappadeaux Seafood
$$-$$$Houston-born Cajun seafood chain with massive portions. Blackened catfish, crawfish etouffee, fried alligator, and Gulf oysters served with boisterous Texas hospitality.
Multiple Houston locations
Goode Co Seafood
$$A Houston institution for Gulf Coast seafood. The campechana (Mexican-style seafood cocktail) is iconic, and the mesquite-grilled fish honors the Texas wood-fired tradition.
West U • 2621 Westpark Dr
Gaido's
$$-$$$A Galveston institution since 1911. Over a century of fresh Gulf seafood — pecan-crusted fish, jumbo crabmeat, and the famous Gaido's shrimp on Seawall Boulevard.
Galveston • 3800 Seawall Blvd
Georgia James
$$$Chef Chris Shepherd's whole-animal steakhouse. Heritage-breed Texas beef cooked over live fire. The 44 Farms ribeye is a destination dish.
EaDo
March
$$$Chef Felipe Riccio's seasonal Mediterranean gem. Handmade pastas, Gulf seafood, and a world-class wine list. Multiple James Beard semifinalist.
MontrosePappas Bros.
$$$Houston's premier steakhouse. USDA Prime beef dry-aged in-house, award-winning wine list, classic white-tablecloth service. Top-tier nationwide.
GalleriaLe Jardinier
$$$French vegetable-forward fine dining inside the Museum of Fine Arts campus. Elegant, light, seasonal dishes with refined technique.
Museum District
Himalaya
$-$$Chef Kaiser Lashkari's Pakistani-Indian legend. The fried chicken rivals any in Texas, the biryani is fragrant perfection, and the goat karahi is outstanding. Houston's food culture in one restaurant.
Hillcroft • 6652 Southwest Fwy
Pepper Twins
$$Authentic Sichuan cooking with serious heat. The ma po tofu delivers that signature numbing-spicy sensation, and the dan dan noodles and chili wontons are excellent.
Montrose • 2005 Waugh DrPondicheri
$$Modern Indian cuisine from Chef Anita Jaisinghani. Creative, health-conscious dishes rooted in Indian traditions. The dosa bar and kale pakoras are neighborhood favorites.
Upper Kirby • 2800 Kirby DrPOST Houston
Houston's largest food hall in the former Barbara Jordan Post Office. Dozens of vendors covering tacos, ramen, BBQ, poke, and more — plus a rooftop park and retail.
Downtown • 401 Franklin StBravery Chef Hall
A curated, chef-driven food hall with rotating concepts from James Beard-recognized talent. Higher-end food court quality that rivals full-service restaurants.
Downtown • 409 Main StHouston Nightlife
Craft cocktail bars, legendary live music venues, rooftop lounges, and dance clubs — Houston's nightlife is as diverse as its people.
Anvil Bar & Refuge
The bar that ignited Houston's craft cocktail revolution. Bobby Heugel's Montrose mainstay is consistently ranked among the best bars in America.
1424 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
White Oak Music Hall
Houston's premier mid-sized venue with indoor and outdoor stages. Nationally touring indie, rock, hip-hop, and electronic acts in the Heights.
2915 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009
Julep
James Beard-nominated bar with over 1,500 whiskeys. Alba Huerta's elegant space honors Southern cocktail traditions with impeccable craft.
1919 Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007
Continental Club
Houston outpost of the legendary Austin venue. Blues, country, rockabilly, and Americana seven nights a week in a no-frills, low-lit setting.
3700 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
Cle
Houston's splashiest nightclub and pool party venue. Big-name DJs, open-air design, and high-energy weekend vibes. The closest thing to Vegas in HTX.
2301 Main St, Houston, TX 77002
Lei Low Bar
A small, lovingly curated tiki bar with expertly crafted tropical cocktails, real juices, quality rums, and heavy Polynesian kitsch. Pure escapist fun.
6412 N Main St, Houston, TX 77009
The Dirt Bar
Houston's rock n' roll dive bar on Caroline St, steps from Toyota Center. No-frills cement-heavy space with red and black accents, a circular bar, and a jukebox. Past drop-ins include Lady Gaga, Foo Fighters, and Metallica.
1209 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77002
Grand Prize Bar
Montrose institution blending laid-back cool with excellent taste. Back patio, mini rooftop, rotating food vendors, and one of Houston's best happy hours. A neighborhood gem since 2009.
1010 Banks St, Houston, TX 77006
Lustre Pearl
Austin transplant bringing chill vibes to EaDo with a rooftop oasis and stunning downtown skyline views. Massive LED jumbotron for game days, live DJs on weekends, and craft cocktails.
2106 Dallas St, Houston, TX 77003
Reserve 101
Downtown whiskey bar with 300+ whiskeys and creative cocktails in a moody setting.
1201 Caroline St, Houston, TX 77002
Neon Boots Dancehall
Massive country-western dance hall with line dancing, two-stepping, and live country music.
11410 Hempstead Rd, Houston, TX 77092
Barbarella
Montrose indie/alternative dance club with themed nights — 80s, goth, indie rock. A Houston institution.
2404 San Jacinto St, Houston, TX 77002
Numbers Night Club
Legendary since 1978. Live music, DJ nights, and alternative events. A cornerstone of Houston's scene.
300 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77006
Houston's Bar Districts
Washington Ave
Bustling strip of bars and clubs popular with the 20s-30s crowd.
Midtown
Dense concentration of sports pubs, clubs, and late-night spots.
Montrose
Eclectic dive bars, craft cocktails, LGBTQ+ nightlife, and live music.
EaDo
Rising neighborhood with breweries, bars, and creative energy near Minute Maid Park.
Heights
Laid-back neighborhood bars, craft beer, and live music along 19th Street.
Events & Festivals
Houston hosts world-class events year-round. Plan your trip around one of these unforgettable experiences.
Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo
The world's largest livestock exhibition and rodeo — 20 days of professional rodeo competition, a carnival midway, BBQ cook-offs, and nightly concerts by superstars like Beyonce, George Strait, and Luke Bryan. Over 2.5 million attendees annually at NRG Park.
Galveston Mardi Gras
Galveston • The StrandThe third-largest Mardi Gras in the U.S. with parades, balcony parties, and live music on The Strand Historic District.
Bayou City Art Festival
Memorial Park • DowntownOne of America's top-rated outdoor fine art festivals with 300+ artists in painting, sculpture, photography, glass, and more.
Houston Art Car Parade
Allen Parkway • DowntownThe world's largest art car parade — 250+ elaborately decorated vehicles. Free to attend, 250,000+ spectators. Only in Houston.
Comicpalooza
George R. Brown Convention CtrHouston's multi-fandom convention covering comics, gaming, anime, sci-fi, and pop culture with celebrity guests and panels.
Houston Greek Festival
Montrose • Annunciation CathedralAnnual cultural celebration featuring authentic Greek food, pastries, live music, traditional dancing, and a vibrant marketplace at the historic cathedral grounds.
Freedom Over Texas
Eleanor Tinsley ParkJuly 4th celebration at Buffalo Bayou with live concerts and the region's largest fireworks display over the downtown skyline.
Houston Restaurant Weeks
CitywidePrix-fixe menus at hundreds of restaurants. One of the largest charitable dining events in the U.S., benefiting the Houston Food Bank.
Wings Over Houston
Ellington AirportPremier airshow featuring Blue Angels or Thunderbirds, vintage WWII aircraft, and civilian aerobatics. Thrilling for all ages.
Texas Renaissance Festival
Todd Mission • 50 mi NWAmerica's largest Ren Fest on 55 acres. Jousting, themed weekends, artisan shops, turkey legs, and 500,000+ attendees per season.
Tours & Activities
From behind-the-scenes NASA tours to Viet-Cajun food crawls, experience Houston like a local.
NASA VIP Level 9 Tour
Behind-the-scenes access to Mission Control, astronaut training facilities, and the rocket park at Johnson Space Center. The ultimate space experience.
Space Center HoustonAsiatown Food Crawl
Self-guided or guided tour of Houston's incredible Bellaire Blvd food corridor — Vietnamese pho, dim sum, Korean BBQ, Indian sweets, and more within a few miles.
Bellaire Blvd CorridorHouston Mural & Street Art Tour
Discover Houston's vibrant street art scene in the East End, Montrose, and Heights neighborhoods. Colorful murals, hidden gems, and local artists.
East End, Montrose, HeightsBuffalo Bayou Kayak Tour
Paddle through the heart of Houston on guided kayak and SUP tours. See the bat colony at dusk, skyline views, and urban wildlife along the bayou.
Buffalo Bayou ParkCraft Brewery Trail
Tour Houston's thriving craft beer scene — Saint Arnold (Texas' oldest), Karbach, 8th Wonder in EaDo, and Buffalo Bayou Brewing. Taprooms, tours, and tastings.
CitywideGalveston Dolphin Tour
Boat tours in Galveston Bay to see bottlenose dolphins in their natural habitat. Also fishing charters, harbor cruises, and tall ship sailing excursions.
Galveston BayHouston's Underground Tunnel System
Houston has a 7-mile underground tunnel system connecting 95 downtown city blocks with shops, restaurants, and services. Take a guided tour to discover this hidden city beneath the city.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Houston
Everything you need to know before planning your Houston trip