About Houston, TX
Home to a respected and energetic cultural arts scene, the fourth largest shopping center in the country, the oldest African-American theater in the Southwest and the brains behind United States space exploration, Houston is as diverse a city as they come. As The New York Times stated in a recent feature, "Maybe that's what makes Houston such an unusual and wonderful place--there are so many different Houstons to see."
Downtown Houston has become one of the most vibrant areas in the city. More than 50 restaurants and bars have opened within the past several years, and the 7.5-mile METRORail facilitates travel to and from the Museum District, Texas Medical Center and Reliant Park.
Click here for a list of downtown restaurants.
See below for more information about:
Climate
Fun for Everyone
Houston Tourism
On Stage
Climate
The average daily high temperature in late January into February is 67 degrees, dropping to 48 degrees at night.
Business casual attire is perfect for attending classes. Some classrooms may be cooler than others, so a light jacket is recommended. And, don't forget your favorite sports jersey for the HCSS All-Star Experience on Saturday night.
Fun for the Everyone
Whether you're experiencing a space shuttle landing at Space Center Houston or splashing around in more than two million gallons of water at Six Flags SplashTown, Houston's attractions are full of adventure. Explore the world's oceans from inside Moody Gardens' 12-story Aquarium Pyramid, then appreciate science and nature in the Rainforest and Discovery Pyramids. Place bets on horses at the Sam Houston Race Park or greyhounds at the Gulf Greyhound Park. Or visit Traders Village on the weekends for food, fun and great finds from more than 800 vendors. For history buffs, visit the San Jacinto Battleground Complex, which marks the spot where Texas won its independence from Mexico, or the Lone Star Flight Museum, a large collection of restored aircraft and photo archives housed in a hanger. Step back in time at the George Ranch, a working ranch, where visitors can experience more than 150 years of Texas history.
Some of the newest features at the Houston Zoo are the Wildlife Carousel, with 64 hand-carved animals representing endangered species, and Natural Encounters, the highly anticipated renovation of the Zoo's small mammal building that features meerkats, otters, and vampire bats. Dine at the Downtown Aquarium under several giant aquariums, take shark tunnel tours or enjoy fun and games that include a Ferris wheel and a carousel.
Almost every major cruise line now departs from the Port of Houston or the Port of Galveston for luxurious Caribbean cruises. Before you embark on your journey, spend some time in historic Galveston at the various art galleries on The Strand or catch a show at the Grand 1894 Opera House.
Houston's modern climate encourages year-round recreation. Gulf beaches, a boardwalk, lakes, 165 public and private golf courses, countless swimming pools and tennis courts and hundreds of parks make getting out and about a pleasure. Houston has recorded just 14 snow days since 1939. The normal maximum temperature in January is about 62 degrees, and the normal maximum temperature in July is 94 degrees.
Houston Tourism
- More than 34.4 million people visited the greater Houston area in 2006.
- Visitors spent more than $10 billion in Houston in 2006, an increase of 7.5 percent over 2005.
- In 2006, travel directly generated 116,400 jobs in Houston, with an estimated $4.3 billion in earnings.
- Travel generated $237.8 million in local taxes for the city of Houston in 2006.
- In 2006, more than 9.9 million hotel room nights were sold, with $605 million of direct revenue to the hotels.
- 60 percent of all domestic travelers to Houston are from Texas.
- Kemah Boardwalk, Space Center Houston, Moody Gardens, Minute Maid Park, Schlitterbahn, Houston Zoo and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston are among Texas’ top attractions, according to a recent survey.
On Stage
Houston is one of five cities in the United States with resident companies in the four disciplines of the performing arts—Houston Ballet, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Symphony and Alley Theatre. Houston's 17-block Theater District is home to all of them, as well as musical theater performances by Theatre Under the Stars and Broadway in Houston and innovative local groups like Dominic Walsh Dance Theatre and Da Camera.
