Welcome to Houston

About Houston

Houston is an attractive city for many reasons! Not only does it rank fourth in population size, but its location south of the Gulf offers plenty of diversity. Home to a vibrant and welcoming atmosphere, Houston has something to offer everyone – from young couples looking for affordable living costs all the way up to retirees wanting peace-of-mind with high safety ratings. With so much potential growth and opportunity, why not make your next relocation plans be here in Texas?

Things To Do in Houston

Houston offers nationally recognized dining, shopping and nightlife. It is home to world-class attractions and events that appeal to visitors of all ages. Whether you are in town for a short trip or embarking on a family-friendly adventure, there is something for everyone in Houston.

Parks & Outdoor Recreation

Houston ranks first among the nation’s 10 most populous cities in total acreage of parkland, beating out Phoenix and San Diego. Houston has 52,912 acres of total park space—more than any other city in the United States—with 23.6 acres per 1,000 residents. The national average is 13.7 acres per 1,000 residents.

Beaches

Galveston Island State Park features two thousand acres of surf, beach, dunes, coastal prairie, fresh-water ponds, wetlands, and bay shoreline just down Galveston Island from the city of Galveston, inviting quiet contemplation and recreation.

Museum District

The Museum District in Houston contains 19 world-class museums and the Houston Zoo, which welcomes millions of visitors every year. Families can visit the Children’s Museum of Houston or the Houston Museum of Natural Science to learn about dinosaurs and butterflies. The neighborhood is walkable and easily accessible by METRORail, making it easy for visitors and locals to explore its many attractions with ease.

Space Center

Space Center Houston, a Smithsonian Affiliate, features more than 400 space artifacts including flown spacecraft, the largest collection of moon rocks on public display and at multiple major seasonal exhibits a year. The Space Center also offers an array of exciting attractions for people of all ages.

Restaurants & Bars

With 10,000 restaurants representing cuisine from more than 70 countries and American regions, Houston’s restaurant scene is as ethnically diverse as its more than 6-million residents. The city was named the “newest capital of great food” by Food & Wine magazine, which also placed it among the nation’s most exciting food cities. See below for restaurant listings and stories.

Houston Areas

The City of Houston is divided into many neighborhoods, each unique in its own way.

Houston Areas

The City of Houston is divided into many neighborhoods, each unique in its own way.

Houston Heights

Northwest of Downtown, one can find a section of historic neighborhoods that date back to the late 1800s. These neighborhoods once drew residents looking for an escape from the big city, but today they attract diverse Houstonians who are drawn to their rich and character-filled architecture, mom and pop-type shops and funky restaurants. The area is home to a multitude of quaint boutiques, thrift stores, antique havens and cafes.

Downtown

Downtown Houston, the central business hub for the fourth largest city in the nation, offers a little bit of something for everyone. Pro sports teams like the Astros and Rockets call this slice of the city home, while nationally renowned performance venues like the Alley Theatre, Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony and Society for the Performing Arts also bring shows to life within this threshold.

Montrose

The Montrose neighborhood, just west of downtown Houston, is a cultural haven that celebrates art, food and nightlife. Here you can find anything from neon-lit tattoo parlors to world-class art galleries. Grab a coffee at one of the local cafés and spend the day shopping for antiques or a one-of-a-kind treasure at the many thrift shops along Westheimer Road. Enjoy craft cocktails at a bar and end the night at a relaxing hotel or B&B. Developed in 1911, this four-square-mile area is filled with eccentricity and diversity in the heart of the city that never ceases to entertain.

Galleria & Uptown

Houston’s most exclusive and premier shopping district is centered along Post Oak Boulevard and Westheimer Road. The Galleria/Uptown area offers more than 700 retailers, fine dining and hotels within two square miles. This area is also home to Texas’ largest shopping mall, The Galleria mall (which has 375 stores), two hotels, an ice rink and endless food options. Also in the area you will find Uptown Park just north of Post Oak Boulevard where you’ll find contemporary designer collections and a mix of restaurants and bars. For ‘inside the loop’ options, shop at Highland Village where national-brand restaurants and retailers mix with locally owned shops.

Edo/East End

Near the George R. Brown Convention Center and PNC Stadium, you’ll find two of Houston’s most culturally diverse neighborhoods, East Downtown and East End. The former—known as EaDo (short for East Downtown)—was once home to Houston’s Chinatown and the latter has been known for its great art and music scene, restaurants, breweries, and more. Both neighborhoods now boast a variety of places to dine, things to do, and places to stay.