Houston Travel Guide

Let’s Envisage a Marveling Vacation to Space City-Houston!

Popularly known as the “Space City,” Houston, the fourth America’s largest city, is abundant in world-class arts, hotels, dining, nightlife, and shopping. Houston is known for its fastest flourishing melting pot of cultures and contribution to science and space advancements. What you might not know about Houston is that this city is home to eclectic galleries, Tex-Mex restaurants, grassy parks, and a burgeoning art scene and all are vying for downtown attention.

So, without further ado, let's explore the place virtually and get all the know-how!

The time zone in Houston is Central Daylight Time.

Summers may be uncomfortably hot, however, winters are lenient, and so you can easily escape to Houston from chilled temperatures anywhere else. The year’s first few months are the best time to visit Houston when the Basketball season blooms. To your surprise, January Marathons have become much more bearable due to mild temperatures while February brings in Mardi Gras, Lunar New Year celebrations, and the start of a week-long Houston Rodeo events, pulling in the best recording artists to this Space City. March comes along with the Texas immense Kayak and Canoe race, Bayou Regatta while April provides an opportunity to catch sight of innovatively decorated cars at the annual Art Car Parade of the city. May makes up for the Houston Dragon Boat Festival and from September to November, there is a high chance of spotting Houston Texans in action in bearable temperatures.

Summers in Houston are sticky and hot. Make sure that you carry your water bottle and sunscreen as the temperature here can be in the 90s or 100s.

Covering over 637 square miles, this city has terrible traffic. Despite improvements in public transit, you'll still need a car to reach most places.

Getting around in Houston can be a breeze if you have the right tips and tricks to get around. There are plenty of ways to travel around Houston, from getting on the trains to hailing down a taxi.

1. Trains:

The METRORail system of Houston covers midtown, the Texas Medical District, the Museum District, and downtown. There are limited routes, however, the rail system can take you to the rodeo and the baseball games (charges may apply).

2. Buses:

The city’s bus services operate on a color-coded network series; routes are limited. Nevertheless, buses operate for fourteen and eighteen hours at some price.

3. Taxis:

Houston features both taxi-designated hailing areas where cabs pick up passengers and taxi stands where cabs wait for the rider. Moreover, some local cab companies offer ride-sharing services such as Uber and Lyft.

4. Car:

If the above-mentioned options don’t match your interest, you can go for a drive, but a few things are to be kept in mind. Due to the substantial city size, you will find it hard to park the cars near famous Houston attractions. Additionally, several highways crisscross the metropolitan area of Houston, spanning over 4,000 miles. Each highway features a number, a nickname, and multiple designations, which can potentially confuse visitors.

Before heading out on an exploration, make sure to get yourself settled in one of the best hotels in Houston Texas. Here’s the list of the best travel homes for you:

1. The St. Regis Houston:

St. Regis Houston is one of the four-star pet-friendly Houston hotels, located in the heart of Houston. It features top-notch amenities, including a full-service spa, spacious accommodations, and gourmet on-site dining. Placing guests in the closest distance to Space Center Houston and the museum district, this accommodation offers afternoon tea and snacks at their deluxe Tea Lounge or guests can also enjoy a relaxing dip in an outdoor swimming pool area. The property features a state-of-the-art fitness center, sun deck facility, business center, and family room.

2. Four Seasons Hotel Houston:

Located in downtown Houston, Four Seasons Hotel is a luxurious 5-star accommodation, offering guests an on-site restaurant and a full-service bath. This one of the highly-rated hotels in Houston Texas also includes a 24-hour fitness center, a hot tub, and an outdoor swimming pool. Moreover, the guest rooms at this property are equipped with luxurious furnishings, including a flat-screen TV with cable channels, an iPod dock station, and a DVD player. A spacious desk with a mini-bar is also included in the room. Guests can enjoy Italian cuisine at an on-site Quattro Restaurant, serving lunch, breakfast, and dinner daily.

3. Hotel ZaZa Houston Memorial City:

Hotel Zaza Houston Memorial City is a 4-star property offering guests a fitness center, an on-site restaurant, a bar, a 24-hour front desk, a delicious breakfast, and an outdoor pool. The rooms of Hotel Zaza Houston are modernly decorated and equipped with a wardrobe, a flat-screen television, and a private bathroom with a shower bath. Certain rooms also come with a balcony.

Hungry for some delicious delights in the heart of Houston? Get ready to tickle your taste buds with the city's top-notch food at award-winning restaurants. Houston's food scene is a feast for the senses, offering everything from mouth-watering BBQ joints to sizzling steakhouses. Let's dig in and savor the flavorful cuisines of Houston.

1. Saigon House:

Houston houses the 2nd largest population of Vietnamese in the United States, making it a nice place to enjoy Vietnamese meals. The specialties at Saigon House include Viet–Cajun Crawfish and Oxtail Pho. Make sure that you try out their filet mignon.

3101 Main Street, Houston, TX 77002
 

2. The Breakfast Klub:

Well, forget all that you once knew about waffles and chicken. This casual restaurant is about to blow your mind with its creative take on the brunch faves. Just envision their Wings and Waffles their stands-out dish, complemented with a golden Belgian waffle adorned with a single strawberry and powdered sugar, encircled by six chicken wings. And if it fails to pique your interest, fear not! They also have Green Eggs & Ham, Biskits & Gravy, and Wings & Grits.

3711 Travis St, Houston, TX 77002
 

3. Taste Of Texas:

If you are looking for an authentic Texas taste, there is no better option than the Taste of Texas. The Taste of Texas is partly a restaurant and partly a Texas history museum and has long been known for feeding the locals and visitors alike for over 40 years. Moreover, you can pick your certified Angus beefsteak right from a butcher shop-style showcase; pick your seasoning, and ta-da! You have the gorgeous steak wrapped in hickory-smoked bacon. Kick off your meal with jalapeno stuffed shrimp or Texas quail bites and top it off with a slice of Texas pecan pie or Snickers Pie decorated with delicious vanilla ice cream.

10505 Katy Freeway, Houston, TX 77024

Once you have savored every bite of Houston's favorites and satisfied tummy cravings, it's time to dive into the city's endless variety of attractions. From exploring the Johnson Space Centre to taking in the gorgeous views of the Downtown Aquarium, there are plenty of the best things to do in Houston:

1. Johnson Space Center:

Visiting the Johnson Space Center will make you feel like you've ventured into the heart of human space exploration. Sprawling to 1,620 acres and featuring a complex of stunning 100 buildings, this NASA oasis is one of the great places to visit in Houston where dreams take flight. From training astronauts to managing international space station operations, this center serves as an epicenter of cosmic adventure. And you know what? You can be a part of this journey as well. Explore the world of spacesuits, spacecraft, and even a shuttle replica mounted on an authentic shuttle carrier aircraft.

1601 Nasa Parkway, Houston, TX 77058
 

2. Houston Museum of Natural Sciences:

One of the most beloved nation's museums, the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, was founded in 1909, and to date, it is captivating visitors with its charm. The most interesting center of this museum is the Cockrell Butterfly Centre, where you will be exploring 30 different butterfly species fluttering among the tropical plants inside a marvelous three-story glass cone. But there's more. Brace yourself for a trip back in time as lifelike robotic dinosaurs will transport you to a real-life Jurassic Park adventure. From paleontology to Texas life, astronomy to American culture, every exhibit and display here promises wonder and awe.

5555 Hermann Park Dr., Houston, TX 77030
 

3. Downtown Aquarium:

Have you ever experienced dining in a 6-acre aquatic paradise? Houston's Downtown Aquarium is sure to give you that experience. With more than 30 species from across the world, it's a great feast for the eyes and the taste buds as well. You can feel the thrill of the carousel rides and Ferris wheel and get up personal and close with phenomenal stingrays at the Stingray Reef. And you know the best part? You can dine among the mesmerizing aquariums, making your every meal an authentic underwater experience you won't find anywhere.

410 Bagby St, Houston, TX 77002

From trendy boutiques to bustling malls, Houston has a little of everything for everyone. We have enlisted the best of the shopping malls in Houston and centers to make your shopping experience hassle-free.

1. Houston Galleria:

With more than 30 million visitors each year, the Galleria Mall Houston is a perfect shopper's paradise, featuring top-tier brands such as Saks Fifth Avenue, Valentino, Neiman Marcus, and Tiffany & Co. Sprawling to 2.4 million square feet, the Galleria is a perfect destination filled with 400 stores as well as restaurants. Don’t forget to hit the ice at the full-size ice rink. With 2 swimming pools and 13,000 parking spots, this phenomenal shopping mall has everything to make up for your fabulous day of retail therapy and even beyond.

5085 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056
 

2. Houston Premium Outlets:

Enjoy big savings on designer labels by driving for half an hour straight to the Houston Premium Outlets located in Cypress. Premium Outlets Houston houses 145 stores that include Kate Spade, Tory Burch, Burberry, and Armani. Moreover, the covered walkways make sure that you enjoy a comfortable shopping experience whether it's raining or the blistering sun shines.

29300 Hempstead Rd, Cypress, TX 77433
 

3. Republic Boot Co. :

If you are a big fan of Cowboy Boots, this is the store for you. Republic Boots Co. offers custom handmade boots, utilizing premium materials crafted to age well just like a fine wine over the years. The master bootmakers of this shop have crafted boots for even top-notch celebrities, including Steve McQueen and John Wayne. So why settle for ordinary souvenirs when you take home a piece of real Texas history?

4222 San Felipe St, Houston, TX 77027

From sizzling culinary delights to the eclectic art scene, the neighborhoods of Houston are bursting with charm. At every corner of every neighborhood, you will find a new adventure. So, let's discover the best neighborhoods in Houston Texas.

1. Museum District:

History lover? There’s no better place than the Museum District for you to visit. This Houston Museum District features 19 institutions and surprisingly 11 are the free ones. Serving as the best playground for science, history, and art enthusiasts, this district features everything from captivating exhibits at the Houston Museum of Natural Sciences to the interactive wonders of the Children's Museum of History. However, this pedestrian-friendly district has blossomed into a must-visit destination for tourists and locals alike due to the grassroots efforts in the late 1970s.
 

2. Uptown:

Serving as a shopping Mecca, Uptown is where you will find the Houston Galleria, the Gerald B. Hines Waterfall Park, and the Uptown Park Open Air Mall. With over 6 million square feet of retail space and 1,000-plus stores, this one of the best neighborhoods in Houston has something that piques the interest of everyone. Moreover, you will come across upscale retailers such as Bvlgari, U.S. Saint. Laurent, and Versace. Feeling hungry? Head to one of the cafes, restaurants, or wine bars to refuel yourself, located here.
 

3. Montrose:

One of the quirkiest Houston neighborhoods is Montrose, known for its vintage shops and independent art galleries. This neighborhood features the Rothko Chapel, a non-denominational chapel with abstract murals by renowned artist Mark Rothko. Whether you want to enjoy a leisurely picnic, play volleyball in the park, or soak in panoramic city skyline views, Montrose offers limitless opportunities for relaxation and adventure.

The weather of Houston from June to September is steamy. Freezing temperatures, snow, and ice are quite rare. Below we have enlisted average Fahrenheit temperatures for every month.

Wrapping it up, Houston is truly a city of wonders! From neighborhoods with hidden gems to towering skyscrapers, you'll never find a dull moment in this Texan city. Whether you're strolling through lush parks, immersing yourself in top-class museums, or feasting on mouth-watering BBQ, Houston has it all. Make sure to snap a selfie at the iconic landmarks and let this Houston travel guide make your trip a breeze while piling up wonderful memories!