Houston is located in the state of Texas and is a bustling city full of arts, entertainment, culture and interesting people. Celebrities from Houston include Beyonce Knowles, Clay Walker, and ZZ Top. It is home to the Houston Rockets and the historic Galveston neighborhood and has more than 500 cultural, visual and performing arts organizations and over 90 languages are spoken in the city. It is the fourth largest city in the United States.
The Children’s Museum of Houston The Children’s Museum of Houston offers 20 interactive exhibits including robots, anchoring the news, being elected mayor of Kidtropolis, exploring nanotechnology, mathematics in Cyberchase, water in FlowWorks and a three story tower in PowerTower, along with many more.
r: The Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center is NASA’s center for human spaceflight activity. Housed on 1,620 acres and consisting of 100 buildings, it is home to Mission Control Center that coordinates all manned spaceflights for the United States. The center includes astronaut training facilities and a large visitor’s complex.
Opened on November 14, 1997 the Verizon Theatre is an indoor theatre that hosts various music artists including Velvet Revolver and Elton John and the Houston Symphony. Events are hosted on a regular basis, from the biggest music stars to the newest comedy sensations.
The Houston Zoo is a 55 acre zoo located within Herrmann Park. It houses 4,500 animals of over 900 species and is the seventh most visited zoo in the nation. The zoo includes a reptile and amphibian building, a Texas wetlands exhibit, natural encounters exhibit, 23 species of birds, a tropical bird house, an open-air pheasant run and over a thousand fish and marine animals from around the world.
The Houston Museum of Natural Science is located in Hermann Park and hosts over 2 million visitors a year. It has four floors of natural science halls and exhibits, a planetarium, butterfly center and IMAX theatre. Throughout the year, the museum hosts numerous special events and exhibits.
This is a private art collection of John and Dominique de Menil. The collection includes astronomical instruments, antiquities, ceremonial masks, Byzantine art and tribal art amongst others. The pieces were amassed by the prominent couple through years of travel.
This museum showcases huge sculptures of human organs at the Jim Hickox Amazing Body Pavilion. Exciting exhibits include a seven metre long backbone and a three metre tall brain. Another interesting feature is the 'walk-in eyeball' where visitors can learn how the eye functions as an organ. These are just some of the many exhibits that are present, each of which demonstrates how that particular organ functions, and how the body works as a whole. Demonstrations on how to stay fit and healthy are also included in this fascinating museum.
This museum has an extensive collection of many works of art, including the Straus Collection of Renaissance and 18th-century paintings, as well as Post-Impressionist works from Gauguin, Van Gogh and Monet. Boasting over 45,000 pieces of art, this museum also showcases antiquities, African sculptures, costumes and textiles. The Beck Building has skylights in its roof, allowing sunlight to stream through giving visitors an ideal condition to view the paintings. The Museum of Fine Arts is truly an art lover's paradise!
The Houston Arboretum and Nature Center consists of 155 acres and is located in Memorial Park. It boasts a children’s botanical hall, over 5 miles of nature trails, forests, ponds, wetlands, and meadows. It also has numerous specialty gardens including Hummingbird and Butterfly Island, Sensory Garden and Wildlife Garden.
Reliant Astrodome, known simply as the Astrodome, is fondly called 'the eighth wonder of the world', and has been home to The Astros, a Major League baseball team. Designed by engineer Jack Boyd Buckley, it is a multi-purpose stadium designed for both baseball and football. It is most known for the artificial grass used called Astroturf.
An upper-scale restaurant that serves food from South America, the Americas is decorated in a rain forest motif and is considered one of Houston’s best restaurants. One of the specialties here is the grilled tenderloin and the 'chileno' which is a broiled Chilean sea bass served with sweet corn and bread. A live band plays and it is open for both lunch and dinner.
Offering courtyard view, Brennan’s specializes in Creole Cuisine, with a special emphasis on seafood and steaks. The decor is elegant and the service excellent. Specialties include rouxless and turtle soup. It is open for lunch and dinner and offers a special Sunday brunch. Reservations suggested but not required. However reservations are required to be seated at the chef's table.
Del Frisco specializes in American and Mexican cuisine, with a special emphasis on steaks. Open for dinner, closed on Sundays.
Maxim’s specializes in continental and French cuisine. The atmosphere is enhanced by a piano bar and is characterized by an elegant feel. Semi-formal to formal dress is appropriate and reservations are suggested. Closed on Sundays.
Le Café Royal is an upscale restaurant specializing in American cuisine. It is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and reservation are accepted but not required.
Located in the Alden-Houston Hotel, this restaurant is small yet comfortable and the service is excellent. Under the guidance of the current chef, Ryan Pera, the kitchen at 17 churns out mouth-watering dishes such as the Pan Roasted Chicken or Steak. But if you're willing to try something different, then go for the Ahi Tuna with Oxtail. Reservations are recommended.
Achille’s features live music and Italian cuisine, and is open for lunch and dinner. Children’s menu available.
Featuring live jazz, Baich’s Bar and Grill offers American food, with an emphasis on burgers. Reservation suggested, but not required. Open for lunch and dinner.
A combination of Italian and tropical architecture, Estancia Grill offers South American and International cuisine. Open for lunch, dinner and Sunday brunch, the restaurant also offers live music on weekends.
Offering authentic Mexican food, Armando's is back in business in River Oaks after a seven-year hiatus. Amongst the delicious dishes on offer are the magnificent ceviche, sublime grilled snapper and the signature queso flameado. The decor is elegant; furnitures are upholstered in dark fabrics and magnificent chandeliers hang from the ceiling, casting a warm soft glow on the diners.
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Showcasing a comfortably modern atmosphere, the Crowne Plaza Hotel is located in the heart of the Houston business and medical district. Just minutes from the Bush Intercontinental Airport, the hotel is also less than ten minuets from some popular tourists attractions including: the downtown aquarium and zoo and the Toyota center. The hotel offers a tropical swimming pool, room service, wireless internet, fitness center, currency exchange, airport shuttle and business center. There are French/American cuisine and a total of 334 rooms.
The Inn at the Ballpark Luxury Hotel is a baseball themed hotel characterized by American tradition. A mix of distinguished atmosphere and plush settings, the hotel offers a glass-enclosed atrium, fitness center, meeting facilities, safe deposit box, room service and restaurant on site. It is located in downtown Houston, across from Minute Maid Park.
A combination of cosmopolitan and Texas style, the Intercontinental Houston is a favorite among tourists and business travelers. Located near the Houston Galleria shopping center, the hotel offers complimentary newspapers, in room movies, pool, room service, safe deposit box, fitness center, golf course, hot tub, on site restaurant, complimentary breakfast and more. The intercontinental has a total of 485 rooms on 23 floors.
Located near River Oaks and the Galleria, the St. Regis Houston is known for it’s exceptional care to guests. The hotel is just minutes from Memorial Park, the Houston Museum of Natural Science and Fine Arts and Memorial Golf Course. The hotel offers butler service, outdoor pool, spa, 24-hour concierge desk, business center, afternoon tea service, complimentary transportation and valet parking service, fitness center, and steam/bath room.
The Hotel Granduca is located in the Galleria area. It offers 123 rooms that include plasma HDTV, Italian restaurant, courtyard and pool, lounge and billiard room, internet access, room service, transportation within a 3 mile radius, fitness center and conference rooms. The Granduca is merely steps away from Uptown park shopping center.
Located in the business district, the Alden Hotel is characterized by sleek, modern designs. Minuets from the Houston courthouses, the convention center and the theatre district, the Alden offers an on site restaurant, safe deposit box, fitness center, internet access, room service, and pets are allowed.
Located 5 miles from the Bush Intercontinetal Airport, the Baymont Inn is convenient and easy. The hotel offers 157 rooms on two floors, continental breakfast, indoor/outdoor pool, hot tub, fitness center and internet access.
Located in the downtown financial and business districts of Houston, the Fours Seasons Hotel offers guests a fitness center, mini bar, sauna, safe, pool, spa and business center and is minutes away from the downtown area.
Located near Greenspoint Mall, the Hilton Houston is characterized by Texan hospitality. Only 30 minutes from downtown Houston, Sam Houston Race Park and Minute Maid Park, the hotel offers a restaurant on site, safe deposit box, room service, fitness center, 24 hour front desk service, and has 30 restaurants within walking distance.
Located in Greenspoint and near the I-45 highway, America’s Best Value Inn offers 35 rooms, microwaves, refrigerators, CD/DVD players, cable, complimentary breakfast and is only eleven minutes from the airport.
The United States Embassy located in Abu Dhabi, grants visas to non-immigrant and immigrant residents and citizens, while the United States Consulate General in Dubai grants non-immigrant visas. Inquiries should be sent to [email protected] or visit http://dubai.usconsulate.gov
In general, anytime is a good time to visit Houston, as festivals and events occur year-round. Aside from the summer months, the weather is mild and comfortable, allowing plenty of sightseeing.
Houston is the Fourth largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas.
The currency used in Houston is the United States Dollar (USD).
New Year’s Day Jan 1: President’s Day Jan 21 Easter - March/April; Cesar Chavez - March 31: Memorial Day - Last Monday of May Independence Day - July 4 Labor Day - First Monday of September Columbus Day - Second Monday of October Veteran’s Day - November 11 Thanksgiving - Fourth Thursday of November Christmas Eve - December 24 Christmas Day - December 25 New Year’s Eve - December 31
January; High: 61 °F; Low: 39.7 °F February
Houston is a very multicultural city with over 90 languages spoken and is home to many Asian immigrants. Chinese and Vietnamese people exist in huge numbers so much so that some parts of the city have streets signs named in Chinese and Vietnamese in addition to English! Houston has a 'Little India', a 'Little Saigon' and two 'Chinatowns'.
Houston is located in the state of Texas and is a bustling city full of arts, entertainment, culture and interesting people. Celebrities from Houston include Beyonce Knowles, Clay Walker, and ZZ Top. It is home to the Houston Rockets and the historic Galveston neighborhood and has more than 500 cultural, visual and performing arts organizations and over 90 languages are spoken in the city. It is the fourth largest city in the United States.
Houston was founded on the banks of Buffalo Bayou in August 1836 by John and Augustus Allen who were real-estate entrepreuners from New York. The city was then named after General Sam Houston, who succesfully led the Texas army against Mexican forces in the Battle of San Jacinto which paved the way for the Republic of Texas to gain its independence from the Mexicans. Sam Houston was later elected president of Texas in September 1836 and on June 5, 1837 James S. Holman became the first mayor of the city. Houston was the capital of the Republic of Texas until1840.
The Galleria is one of the country’s largest malls that has stores such as Tiffany and Co., Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Burberry, Versace, and Cartier. The Galleria includes over 350 retailers and multiple restaurants. Address: 5085 Westheimer Rd.
Noted as Houston’s European-style shopping center, Uptown Park has numerous upscale shops, spas, jewelry stores, florists, restaurants and coffee shops. Address: 1400 Post Oak Blvd, Houston
Located in Downtown, Macy's is a five-storey department store which sells a range of expensive apparel and perfumes.
River Oaks Shopping Center has the honour of being called the oldest shopping center in Texas. Built in 1932, and consisting of white buildings with black detailing, this architectural jewel is home to many boutiques, restaurants, art galleries and the oldest movie theatre in the state of Texas.
This center offers some of the most expensive and upscale shopping options. Great gifts can be found at Jefferey Stone and Lerant. Women in particular will find Tiras Handbags and Jewellery appealing, where Sarah Jessica Parker is reportedly a customer. Caruggi's is known to sell chic apparel and Jeans Couture as the name suggests, sells a range of high-end denim-wear.
This shop offers designer lingerie and brands include Chantelle, La Perla, Hanro and Le Mystere. The decor is simply amazing, and the service is second to none in Houston.
Highland Village offers stores such as Crate and Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Banana Republic, GAP, Restoration Hardware, Cole Haan, Chico’s, Lucky, Victoria’s Secret, and more. Great place to shop if you don't want to dig deep into your pockets!
Ladies in particular will find this store easy to get in, but hard to get out! Every fashion accessory on a woman's wish list is available here. From costume jewellery to sunglasses, handbags of all sizes and forms, embellished belts and scarves, Charming Charlie has it all. The best part is, you won't have to dig too deep into your pockets at all.
The Conroe Outlet Center offers stores such as Izod, GNC, Tommy Hilfiger, Liz Claiborne, Mikasa and Nike at discounted prices. Numerous food vendors are also available.
Spread across fifteen blocks, Rice Village has hundreds of retailers, restaurants, bars, and vendors. Most items are available at very reasonable prices.
This underwater world is thriving with different marine species all centered around various habitats - there's a sunken galleon, a rainforest, a coral reef and the swamplands of Louisiana. A shark Voyage train takes visitors through a shark tank for an up-close view of the different species of sharks. There are also numerous other amusement rides available for kids.
The Chevron Houston Marathon starts off and ends at the George R Brown Convention Center. Almost 6000 people participate in this marathon annually. Events include the 5K race, wheelchair race and the 'half-marathon'
Held in March, the Bayou City Art festival occurs in Memorial park and boasts 300 artists and 19 artistic media, wine cafes, a creative zone for children, nearby restaurants, and on stage performances.
: The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the world’s largest livestock exhibition and the world’s largest rodeo event. It is held in Reliant Park and features bull riding, livestock judging, concerts, parades, 5k walk and run, carnival, trail rides, racing, barbecue and wine competition.
Art Car Parade: Held in May, the Houston Car Parade is a celebration of creativity. It showcases the most decorated cars in Houston, with prizes given for the best in the show. Website: www.orangeshow.org/artcar.html
The CaribFest takes place over nine days during the summer. The carnival sees musicians, dancers and other entertainers making their way down the streets, much to the delight of the locals. Reggae, calypso and the Masquerade Parade are few of the many attractions one can expect during the CaribFest.
Guided tour of downtown Houston, including: Pavilions, Discovery Green, One Park Place, shops at Houston Center, Tunnel System, and more.
Not for the faint at heart, Ghost Tours features true tales and urban legends during a night walking tour of Downtown Houston.
A five-hour visit to the Space Museum that includes a small lecture on the history of space travel, tours of space hardware, space labs, and the astronaut-training center. Pick up from hotel available.
A tour of downtown Houston, the Waterwall, Williams Tower, San Jacinto Monument, USS Texas, lunch at the Galleria, and more.
A tour of the historic Galveston neighborhood.
Tour of Houston’s Asiatown. Includes tea tasting, herbology, Chinese calligraphy, Dim Sum, shopping, and a visit to the Buddhist temples.
Ahmadiyya Movement in Islam
El Farouq Mosque
Islamic Society of Houston
Islamic Society – Greater Houston
Islamic Society – Greater Houston
Islamic Society Greater Houston
The bus service in Houston is operated by METRO, the Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Visitors can call the customer service number below, to find out which buses take you where. Alternatively, you can use the 'Trip Planner' service that's available on the METRO website to map out your route. And you can even download the bus schedules from the same website.
The Light Rail system was first established in 2004 and is operated by METRO -- The Metropolitan Transportation Authority. Tourists in particular will find this system useful because the Light Rail covers areas such as Reliant Park, the Museum District, the Medical Center and downtown Houston. Tickets cost $1 and are valid for upto 3 hours. They can be bought from vending machines at train stations. A day pass costs $2 and is valid for upto 24 hours.
Taxis are plentiful in the Downtown area, but elsewhere they're scarce and hailing one can be a very trying experience. So it's always best to phone for one. Cab companies include:
Before hiring a car in Houston, you need to make sure you're covered by your insurance company. A driver's license is compulsory. Some of the car rental companies are:
Tourists can take a taxi from George Bush Intercontinental Airport and the ride would cost between $45 to $55 and would take about 40 minutes. Alternatively visitors can go for the shuttle services which take people to and from the airport to almost all hotels. Ticket prices depend on the distance the hotel is from the airport and are available at counters in the terminals. Shuttle services include:
Hiring a car in Houston is recommended, because it is cost-effective and allows you to explore parts of the city which are not covered by the Light Rail. Having said this, driving during the rush hours(07.00 - 09.00 and 16.30 - 18.30) is not advisable as the roads tend to be congested.
Like any other city, crime exists in Houston as well. The crime rate has increased following the influx of the Hurricane Katrina evacuees, so it is advisable to remain vigilant at all times.
