Houston Travel Guide

Tourist Guide

Houston
Houston
Houston
Houston
Houston

Through booms and busts in the oil industry, this Texas city has built and maintained great cultural attractions and diverse culinary experiences.

Houston’s beautiful Downtown District features walkable streets and towering high-rises. Several buildings have free observation decks. Bring kids to the Downtown Aquarium to meet fascinating marine animals. At Discovery Green have a quiet lunch break on the large lawn, ice skate in winter or attend an exciting special event. Find some of Houston’s 10,000 restaurants and clubs and bars around Market Square and throughout the city. Sample Texas Barbecue and ethnic foods from 70 countries.

For spectator sports, watch the Astros play baseball in Minute Maid Park and the Rockets play basketball at the Toyota Centre. Get some exercise starting at the Water Works and heading west along the meandering 52-mile (84-kilometre) Buffalo Bayou through Buffalo Bayou Park.

Use the METRORail to travel south of Midtown to the Museum District. Spend several days in the widely varied attractions, including the Houston Museum of Natural Science, Children’s Museum of Houston, Museum of Fine Arts and Holocaust Museum Houston. The Contemporary Arts Museum, the Menil Collection and the Art Car Museum have interesting collections and free entry.

Nearby, walk around the campus of Rice University to see its historic brick buildings, beautiful tree-covered spaces, groomed quads and Rice Stadium, a great college football arena, where President John Kennedy made his speech urging Americans to send a man to the moon. In the large Hermann Park, visit the Houston Zoo and Cockrell Butterfly Centre, both with fascinating creatures.

Continue south to enjoy NFL and pre-game tailgating at NRG Stadium. For sports events you won’t typically find outside Texas, visit the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in the same area.

Space Centre Houston is one of the area’s top attractions, about a 40-minute drive southeast of Downtown Houston. Step inside the Starship Gallery to see the Skylab Trainer Module, where astronauts trained for space missions. Travel another 40 minutes to the coastline at Galveston. Watch for dolphins leaping through the waves as you ride the free car ferry to Goat Island.

Where to stay in Houston

Discovery Green which includes a high-rise building, a square or plaza and a city

Downtown Houston

4/5(38 area reviews)

Gourmet restaurants acclaimed theatres and top sights from Toyota Center to Daikin Park – discover Downtown Houston, a destination also famous for its sports teams.

Downtown Houston
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The Galleria

4.5/5(11 area reviews)

Travellers to The Galleria praise its popular shops. If you've got some more time to explore, be sure to stop by The Galleria and Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park.

The Galleria
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Texas Medical Center

Well liked for its restaurants, museums and shopping, there's plenty to explore in Texas Medical Center. Attractions like Houston Zoo are a major draw, and you can hop on the metro at TMC Transit Center or Dryden/TMC Station to see more of the city.

Texas Medical Center
Menil Collection showing interior views and art

Montrose

3/5(1 area review)

Unique features of Montrose include the theatres and museums. Make a stop by Menil Collection or Houston Center for Photography while you're exploring the area.

Montrose
Houston showing a high-rise building and a city

Houston Central Business District

If you're spending time in Houston Central Business District, check out sights like Toyota Center or House of Blues Houston and hop on the metro to see more of the city at Bell Station or Main Street Square Station.

Houston Central Business District
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Houston Heights

You'll enjoy the coffee shops and live music in Houston Heights. You might want to make time for a stop at The Heights Theater or Artcar Museum.

Houston Heights
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Houston by the Galleria

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Houston by the Galleria

4 out of 5
5353 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX
Fully refundableReserve now, pay when you stay
The price is AU$222 per night from 30 Oct to 31 Oct
AU$222
30 Oct - 31 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this hotel in Houston. Enjoy an outdoor pool, breakfast (surcharge), and a free area shuttle. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the clean rooms ...
8.2/10 Very Good! (2,678 reviews)
"Great staff especially MsT who checked me in❤️"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel & Suites Houston by the Galleria
Club Quarters Hotel Downtown, Houston

Club Quarters Hotel Downtown, Houston

4 out of 5
1085 Rusk Street, Houston, TX
The price is AU$178 per night from 17 Nov to 18 Nov
AU$178
17 Nov - 18 Nov
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star business-friendly hotel in Houston. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and room service. Our guests praise the restaurant and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (3,793 reviews)
"I enjoyed my stay at the Club Quarters Hotel! I was also appreciative of the nominal fee for my sweet upgrade from Expedia. However,Disappointing was the overnight parking rate! It was double that of what was quoted by Expedia! Of course this put stress on my budget! Other than that, it was a good ..."

Reviewed on 16 Oct 2025

Club Quarters Hotel Downtown, Houston
Kozy Houston North

Kozy Houston North

4 out of 5
NEQ of Westfield Place & Wagon Point Dri, Houston, TX
The price is AU$109 per night from 23 Oct to 24 Oct
AU$109
23 Oct - 24 Oct
includes taxes & fees
Stay at this 4-star hotel in Houston. Enjoy free WiFi, free parking, and breakfast (surcharge). Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property condition ...
8.6/10 Excellent! (1,184 reviews)
Great Hotel!
"Helpful friendly Staff! Clean Hotel and spacious room!"

Reviewed on 13 Oct 2025

Kozy Houston North
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.
Hotel Zaza Houston Museum District

Hotel Zaza Houston Museum District

4.5 out of 5
5701 Main Street, Houston, TX
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Houston. Enjoy free WiFi, a full-service spa, and a rooftop terrace. Our guests praise the helpful staff and the property ...
8.8/10 Excellent! (1,795 reviews)
"Did not get fruit plate amenity despite several requests both pre and during stay. Shuttle service left us stranded. View from one of rooms was bleak."

Reviewed on 15 Oct 2025

Hotel Zaza Houston Museum District
Rusk House Serviced Apartments

Rusk House Serviced Apartments

4.5 out of 5
1085 Rusk Street, Suite B, Houston, TX
Stay at this 4.5-star luxury aparthotel in Houston. Enjoy free WiFi, breakfast (surcharge), and valet parking (surcharge). Popular attractions Daikin Park and ...
9/10 Wonderful! (287 reviews)
"The hotel was convenient for walking to restaurants and the convention center. It was modern, clean and comfortable. The staff were helpful and friendly. The cafe breakfast was quite good. Espresso machine in the lobby is a very nice touch. One issue I had, perhaps just because of where my room was, ..."

Reviewed on 12 Oct 2025

Rusk House Serviced Apartments
Hotel Ylem

Hotel Ylem

3.5 out of 5
8080 S Main St, Houston, TX
Stay at this 3.5-star business-friendly aparthotel in Houston. Enjoy free breakfast, free WiFi, and free parking. Our guests praise the breakfast and the helpful ...
8.4/10 Very Good! (2,364 reviews)
Quiet and clean.
"The AC worked very well, the room was quiet and clean. It was very convenient for my medical appointment. The facilty appeared old but was more than worth the price. I would stay again."

Reviewed on 11 Oct 2025

Hotel Ylem
Lowest nightly price found within the past 24 hours based on a 1 night stay for 2 adults. Prices and availability subject to change. Additional terms may apply.

Popular places to visit

Activities

Reviews of Houston

4
Top destination
5 - Excellent
14
5 - Excellent 21%
4 - Good
40
4 - Good 59%
3 - Okay
12
3 - Okay 18%
2 - Disappointing
2
2 - Disappointing 3%
1 - Terrible
0
1 - Terrible 0%

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

great city with much to see and do. space centre the best and could have spent extra day there

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

We were only there one night, got in quite late, went next door to the DoubleTree for a drink and a bite to eat, was perfect way to end the night and our short stay in HOUSTON.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Unless you have a specific reason to be in Houston, divert and go to Austin or Dallas instead!!

4/5 - Good

Verified traveller

NASA Space Centre really interesting and well worth the visit.

5/5 - Excellent

Verified traveller

Great city to take a young family. Very easy to get around and considering Houston is the 4th largest city in the U.S., it never appears to be crowded or congested. People in Houston are very friendly and accommodating too.

3/5 - Okay

Verified traveller

Houston is not much chop. Driving is dangerous, terrible drivers. Space centre was outstanding!

Cities near Houston