Named for Sam Houston, a Texan general, Houston Space City has grown from a mere swamp into the fourth largest city in the United States. Houston is known for its advances in the aerospace and petroleum industries and its humid subtropical climate—and lets not forget the infamous Enron debacle. Discover the city on a walking or rail tour and get lost in the downtown theater district, filled with professional opera, ballet, orchestral and theater companies. Hop on the METRORail red line to visit the museum district or if you feel more like playing than learning, check out some of the city’s 337 parks. They say, “Everything is big in Texas,” and it’s certainly true for sports—more than a million spectators come to the Livestock Show & Rodeo in the spring. You’ll need lots of energy to see the city, so indulge at that many varied restaurants. Mexican, Tex-Mex and barbecue are the cornerstones of Houston cuisine, but a variety of ethnic restaurants are scattered throughout the city.

	Top rated hotels
	1. Sheraton Suites Houston Near The Galleria 2400 West Loop South (Galleria) 4. Residence Inn Houston by The Galleria 2500 McCue Road (Clear Lake/Kemah) 2. Hilton Americas- Houston 1600 Lamar 5. Hilton Houston Post Oak 2001 Post Oak Blvd. (Clear Lake/Kemah) 3. Omni Houston Hotel 4 Riverway (Clear Lake/Kemah) 6. Omni Houston Hotel Westside 13210 Katy Freeway View more Houston hotel info »«

	Top rated attractions
	In Houston 1. See the San Jacinto Monument and Museum Remember the Alamo? Don’t worry if you don’t—just go to the San Jacinto Monument and Museum to learn all about the Texas Revolution. The museum showcases Mayan idols and other artifacts from Texas’ history. Check out Texas Forever!! in surround sound at the Jesse H. Jones Theater for Texas Studies. After learning about the Lone Star state’s history, see Houston from atop the San Jacinto Monument. Visit the museum website for directions.  « hide 2. Explore the Space Center Head 25 miles south of downtown to visit the Space Center, created by NASA and Disney Imagineering. If you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to be in space, this is your chance—through simulated and interactive displays, that is. Take the 1 ½ hour tram tour which passes by NASA control center, but bring some water; the heat can be brutal. Kids Space Place is a fun adventure for younger children. For an intense four-hour adventure into the world of an astronaut, take the Level Nine Tour which starts at 11:45 AM. Call one day in advance for reservations as there are only twelve daily spots. Children under 14 are not admitted.  « hide 3. Visit the Downtown Aquarium Visit the METRORail online to plan your travel route to the Downtown Aquarium. Over 200 species of marine life dwell in the 500,000 gallons of underwater tanks. Get a bass’ eye view of the ocean’s fiercest predator—the shark—in the Shark’s Voyage exhibit. See alligators in the Louisiana Swamp, piranhas in the Rainforest, and barracudas in the Gulf of Mexico. Games, rides and dining spots make this aquarium far more than a place to learn about fish.  « hide 4. Go to The Health Museum Houston’s vast medical community is the powerhouse behind The Health Museum, off of Museum Station on the METRORail. The Amazing Body Pavilion brings visitors through a walking tour of the human body. Play memory games in the ten-foot high human brain and amble through a massive eyeball to learn about sight. Think you’re pretty composed? Challenge a partner to Mindball, a relaxation game that tests your calmness. Be prepared for ample reminders to take care of your body—and a few examples of what can happen if you don’t.  « hide 5. Enjoy the Outdoors at the Memorial Park Conservancy Memorial Park spans over 1,400 acres with six miles of recreational trails along the Buffalo Bayou. Locals and tourists visit the park to swim, jog, cycle, bird watch and play a number of sports. The park offers tennis courts, a golf course and plenty of spots to sit and have a picnic.  « hide 6. The Art Car Museum Like many of Houston’s attractions, The Art Car Museum is accessible by the METRORail. Nicknamed the “Garage Mahal,” the museum showcases some of the world’s best art cars along with more traditional works of art. For those unfamiliar with the term “art car,” think chrome on Halloween. The Art Car Museum is closed during the annual Art Car Parade which takes place in May.  « hide View more Houston attractions » « View less Houston attractions

	Top rated restaurants
	1. Hickory Hollow Hickory Hollow, Houston is a casual, rustic spot that showcases some of the best local performers for bluegrass, county, Cajun and folk music. The barbecue sampler is ideal for indecisive eaters—get a small or regular portion to try the beef, sausage and ribs. Hickory Hollow offers both family-style and kids menus so bring the whole gang.  « hide 6. El Patio Mexican Restaurant El Patio Mexican Restaurant, Houston is notorious for its strong blue margaritas and its young, frisky crowd. The bar at Club No Minors, within the restaurant, is always packed and the seats are often empty. Plan a good half hour to read through the menu—it’s huge and jam-packed with Mexican classics.  « hide 2. Houston Barbecue Company Houston Barbecue Company, Houston caters, delivers and impresses all-around. Pile on the coleslaw and pinto beans and choose from beef brisket, pork ribs, turkey, ham or chicken. There are four family packs to choose from. Call ahead to place your order if you’d like to take it with you—the locals do it all the time!  « hide 7. Piatto Restaurante Piatto Restaurante, Houston, a family-owned business, serves up tantalizing appetizers, like fried asparagus with crab meat, and hearty entrées including beef medallions marsala. The intimate atmosphere is perfect for a romantic date.  « hide 3. Baker’s Ribs Baker’s Ribs, Houston, a laid-back barbecue joint, is the proud winner of the Texas State Fair’s best ribs award. Paper towels and squeezable condiments sit on every table. Choose from sandwiches, dinner plates and house specials; start with dirty rice or Texas caviar—black eyed pea salsa—and don’t leave without trying the rum cake.  « hide 8. Arturo’s Uptown Italiano Arturo’s Uptown Italiano, Houston appeals with its warm atmosphere, generous portions and fresh take on Italian—with a French twist. Start with jumbo lump crab cake or chicken-stuffed raviolis, or for something cold, try the salmon carpacio or the mozzarella caprese. The full menu is available online. Make sure to call for a reservation and come dressed for an upscale experience  « hide 4. Tony’s Mexican Restaurant Tony’s Mexican Restaurant, Houston accommodates both group dining and happy hour margarita fests. The menu offers light options, all-day specials and favorites like chalupas, burritos and tamales. Consider Tony’s for large events; their dining hall holds up to 100 people  « hide 9. Crapitto’s Cucina Italiana Crapitto’s Cucina Italiana, Houston sits in a 75-year-old farmhouse with an expansive outdoor patio. Pair a light-bodied wine with a seafood dish or a full-bodied glass with pasta Diablo. Visit the website to view the full menu and call ahead.  « hide 5. Teala’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar Teala’s Mexican Restaurant & Bar, Houston serves Mexican food with Thai influences in a festive, colorful atmosphere. Have your corn chips, salsa and black bean dip on the porch or find a cozy spot in the dining room. Locals rave about the mango and guava margaritas.  « hide 10. Front Porch Pub Twenty-somethings join at this popular after-work spot where the beer selection is a major draw—there are 50 bottled varieties and 44 on tap. Play a game of pool or darts or relax on the front porch swing. Although some food is available inside, you’re more than welcome to have pizza delivered to the porch!  « hide

	Houston Insider tips
	1. Come in February or March to catch the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo Over two and a half million visitors come to the Livestock Show and Rodeo annually, and you should be one of them. Take the metro rail red line to get to Reliant Park, the largest campus of event venues in the continent. The event lasts for three weeks, so there are a good few dates to choose from. Events include bull-riding, livestock judging, concerts, trail rides, auctions, a parade and a carnival. Visit the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo online for seating charts and ticket packages. 1 Reliant Park (832) 667-1000  « hide 2. Visit Galveston for a day in the sun It’s no secret: it can get pretty hot in Texas. Rent a car and get out to Galveston Island, 40 minutes south of Houston. While the island offers shopping, entertainment and culture, the beaches are the main draw. Take a stroll through the boardwalk, admire the Victorian architecture, go fishing on a party boat, or take a Galveston Duck Tour. Visit the website to download a map to your MP3 player. It’s not too complicated; there is a step-by-step guide in the site. 1-888-GAL-ISLE  « hide 3. Houston neighborhoods to avoid Although Houston has neighborhoods by name, it’s more accurate to describe the city as splotches of sprawl—much of which is unsafe at times. The galleria area, situated near Post Oak Boulevard and Westheimer Road, is fun in the day, but best avoided at night. You’ll find many—ahem—clubs for men, which makes the area kind of seedy. Another area to avoid is the Fifth Ward, east of downtown and bordered by Buffalo Bayou, Lockwood Drive, Liberty Road and Jensen Drive. Northeast and southwest Houston are not the safest at night, so don’t venture into those areas alone.  « hide 4. Drive Carefully There are many speed traps within Houston, much like you would find in a small town. There are several sections within the city that have their own police and, accordingly, their own speed limits. Be particularly cautious around University Place, Southside Place and Bellaire where the speed limits drop and the police are poised to stop you. As long as you’re cautious of the posted speed limits, you should be OK.  « hide 5. Plan for the Weather Many factors contribute to the muggy and often rainy Houston weather. Its location along a bayou certainly plays a part. It doesn’t help that nearby oil refineries generate a lot of heat. Sometimes in the summer months, even if the temperature is in the 90s, the heat index can rise to 110 degrees. For maximum preparation, consult your inner Boy or Girl Scout; bring water if you’ll be outside for prolonged periods of time, make sure to stay in a hotel with air conditioning and try to minimize your caffeine intake to avoid dehydration. If driving, do not leave anyone—or any pets—in sitting cars, not even for just a few minutes.  « hide

	Houston nightlife
	In Houston 1. Hush Nightclub Spacious dance floor—check. VIP sky boxes—check. With over 75 plasma TVs and a roster of DJs, this energized club is a hot spot. Even the bathroom stalls have built-in TV monitors. Twenty and thirty-somethings come for the computer-controlled lightshow, the pulsing beats and the occasional big-name guests.  « hide 2. Crome Crome attracts a more sophisticated crowd. The dance floor is somewhat small, but the atmosphere is posh and trendy. Not only is there a VIP area; there’s also a VVIP area for at the back of the club. If you’re looking for a smoke-free night spot that’s a little more mature than the usual club, you need to go to Crome.  « hide

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