Guide Note

Houston is the largest city in Texas, The "Museum District," situated south of downtown Houston, is the most visited part of the city because of its wealth of museums, theater, zoos and art centers. The diverse culture of the city helps with the tourism industry but because of the size of the city, almost no attractions are with in walking distance to the other. There are however, a wealth of lodging and dining options throughout.

Fast Facts

1. Country: United States
2. State: Texas
3. County: Harris, Fort Bend, Montgomery
4. Mayor: Bill White
5. City population: 2,144,491 (2006)
6. Currency: U.S. dollar
7. Area code: 713, 281, 832
8. Time zone: CST

There are a lot of parks and museums spread throughout Houston. Hermann Park is probably one of the most visited ones because of it's close proximity to the Houston Zoo, the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Hermann Park Golf Course.

For a taste of history, visit one of the museums that the city has to offer. The Houston Holocaust Museum, located uptown, is a dedication to "honoring" the legacy of Holocaust survivors, as well as educate people on the Holocaust in general and its terrible effect it had on the Jewish community.

For a more family-oriented trip, take the kids to the Houston Space Center, situated in the Clear Lake district. It's full of "hands-on" exhibits and education on the history of space exploration by the United States. It's hours of fun for the whole family.

There are a variety of events and festivals throughout the year in Houston. There is one especially for the kids, the Houston Children's Festival. It's held annually, usually around the beginning of April and it's two days of adventure, music and games dedicated just to the children. There are over 350 events and it's been called the "largest" children's festival in the United States.

The Texas Renaissance Festival is fun for the whole family. It's also one of the nations largest themed festivals and is held annually in October and November. It takes visitors back to the 16th century with the same "sights, sounds, taste and beauty"¹ of that era. There's music, games, art, exhibits and even shows to amuse anyone. They will even perform weddings² and sponsor school programs.³

When planning your trip, please see the pages on Houston Hotels, Houston Restaurants and Houston Tours.