Houston Travel Guide
When it comes to Houston, Texas, large is the word that comes to mind. This city is able to claim the title of Texas’ biggest city. It is also the nation’s third largest city. Houston is as vast in population as it is in land size. The way the residents are spread out among the city can only be surmised as an “Urban Sprawl”.
Houston is the only city of this size in the United States that is virtually unzoned. What little zoning that does exist consists of items such as deed restrictions, certain ordinances and regulations of land usage. All of these limitations and/or ordinances are decided upon by the city council. A majority of the city council members are real estate developers or are heavily influenced by land developers.
The culture in Houston is as diverse as the land is vast. Locals and tourists can enjoy the melodic voices of the Houston Grand Opera, the music of a world known Houston Symphony, marvel at the graceful lines of the Houston Ballet company, or enjoy an escape from the world delving into the drama at the Alley Theater. The city is also home to the Museum of Fine Arts. This building claims the sixth largest exhibition space in the United States. In the last 18 years Houston has expanded and/or added 15 history/science museums, 4 large performing centers/theaters and 10 art galleries/museums.
Culture doesn’t stop with the theater district. Houston is home to the United States largest populations of Latin American, Asian and Arab heritage. There are over 83 different languages spoken here. An average of 94% of students in the Houston School District speak Spanish. During the years of 1990 to 2000 the metro Houston area grew by 25%. 60% of that growth was hispanic in nature.
This city thrives on the energy industry. The majority of local people drive everywhere. In the past, this has been a necessity. That is changing as Montrose and Midtown are growing more dense and are therefore becoming more pedestrian friendly.
Visit by Air
Those wishing to fly in and out of Houston, instead of driving, will want to check into George Bush Intercontinental airport, as well as William P. Hobby airport. Hobby is the smaller of the two airports. It is located eight miles from the Houston Business District and averages 10 flights per day. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the main destination for visitors. An average of 700 flights travel into this airport daily.
Getting Around
For those that have their own car, Houston has over 500 miles of highways and freeways to take you whereever it is you need to go. The city also runs along the proposed route for the NAFTA superhighway I-69. This enormous undertaking would connect Mexico to Canada by way of Texas and the industrious mid-west.
Visitors that fly with no desire to drive themselves have access to many different forms of transportation. METRO Airport Direct travels every 15 minutes between George Bush Intercontinental Airport and downtown Houston. The METRO picks up and drops off at Airport Direct Passenger Plaza which is only blocks from the METROrail station in downtown.
For easy access to essentially anywhere in the city, the METROrail system travels continuously throughout downtown to places such as the Museum district, Reliant Park and the Texas Medical Center. New lines are planned to open in 2012, thus extending the reach of this service.
Another travel option is the bus system. There are two services available. One caters to local business on city streets. There are bus stops at numerous corners of downtown. The second service is called Park and Ride. This allows for longer distances to be travelled within the city. Those wanting a complete view of Houston can find the Park and Ride service the most helpful as well as economical.
For those that can’t be hindered by bus and railway schedules, there are a multitude of cabs in which to travel. Cab riders can go anywhere in the downtown area for a mere $6. Areas outside of dowtown are a bit more but are accessible. For convenience there are actual “hailing cab” stops/signs located at 30 different points throughout the city. Cab drivers regularly stop at these signs for a few minutes to make it easy for riders to “hail a cab”.
Districts of Houston
Downtown: This area is where Sam Houston lived and died. City Hall is located here as well as Old Market Square.
East: This is where major hospitals can be found. A huge amount of other medical facilities reside here also. Tourists can look forward to the aquarium in East Houston.
South: Enjoy a plethora of restaurants both fast food and sit down restaurants. Excellent schools as well as a number of libraries are located here. The Harris County Transit Service runs through this area to aid in transporting people from point A to point B.
Southeast: Located on the inside of the 610 loop, this area is kid-friendly. Plenty of experiences are available for children, along with a variety of cuisines to choose from.
Southwest: Home to the Southwest Houston airport, this area contains some of more luxurious restaurants. Those visiting on business will find the Greenway Plaza here.
North: This area is full of luxury hotels, pet-friendly restaurants and the Houston Zoo which is home to over 4500 different animals.
Northwest: Eat at a multitude of culturally diverse restaurants. Visit the unique bar scene or catch a movie made by a local Texan at the non-profit Aurora Picture Show.
West: Visit historical landmarks such as the Battleship Texas Memorial. Visit the plethora of restaurants and bars. Enjoy shopping at Houston’s own City Central.
Houston, Texas Travel Guide
Downtown Houston Travel Guide – Find out where to stay, where to eat and things to do in downtown Houston.
East Houston Travel Guide – Find out where to stay, where to eat, what to do in Eastern Houston.
North Houston Travel Guide – Find out things before you travel to Northern Houston.
North-West Houston Travel Guide – Find out places to visit in NorthWest Houston.
South Houston Travel Guide – Find out more about this small city.
South-East Houston Travel Guide – Get the low down in Southeast Houston Texas.
South-West Houston Travel Guide – Find out where to go in Southwest Houston.
West Houston Travel Guide – The urban spawl to the West of Houston.
Houston Texas Airport Guides: