You wont have a hard time finding things to do in Houston. As the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the nation, there are countless options for you to enjoy a great holiday here. Houston is a booming industrial city, ranging from oil and natural gas to paper products and steel. This thriving economy has been a major drawing card and so its filled with many rich cultures that call this Texan city home. Whether youre strolling through downtown, catching a rodeo or exploring one of its many top-notch museums, youll love the diversity that Houston has to offer.
The locals help make the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo an amazing success. Its the largest event of its type in the world. Held at Reliant Park, youll be treated to a fascinating display of talent from Cowboys and Cowgirls as they compete in activities such as bareback riding, barrel racing, bull riding, steer wrestling and tie-down roping for some of the largest purses in Rodeo competition. Theres also a livestock exhibit, BBQ and Wine competitions as well as an event called Xtreme Bulls how much fun does that sound like! Youll enjoy fantastic concerts as well. In the past, performers like Elvis Presley, the Jackson Five and Gloria Estefan have performed here. Everything about this world-renowned Rodeo show is done Texas style big and beautiful.
Houstons Space Center has become major drawing card for most visitors. Youll see fantastic exhibits on past, present and future space travels. Youll be able to see the working stations as well as a Saturn Rocket. The IMAX Theater puts on a great show and the Kids Space Place is perfect for the space explorers traveling with you. They can see a full-scale model of a space shuttle and even touch a few moon rocks. And for the thrill seekers traveling with you, a visit to Six Flags Splashtown will be a must. It is the perfect place to cool off from the Houston sun with fantastic water rides thatll get you soaked.
Houston is filled with parks for you to explore. In fact, there are 80 miles of hike and bike trails in addition to the city parks, all perfect for a bike ride or jog. One park thats worth a visit is the Sesquicentennial Park. Located along the banks for the Buffalo Bayou, youll find seven stainless steel structures, which represent the foundations Houston was built on. At night, there are lights cast upon them that create a fantastic display. For a look at how Houston would have looked in the olden days, make your way to the Market Square Historic District. There are beautiful homes and buildings that take you back to a different era. Youll find the Kennedy Bakery, the oldest commercial structure in Houston, as well as the Rice Hotel, where President John F. Kennedy spent part of his very last night. Its a picturesque area of town, perfect for an afternoon stroll. Youll also find great coffee shops and restaurants in this area.
Learn more about Texas history with a visit to the San Jacinto Monument. It looks similar to the Washington Monument but stands taller. Commemorating the battle where Texas won its freedom from Mexico, you can take an elevator to the top and look over the city on its observation deck. Close to the Monument is the Battleship Texas. The Texas fought in both World Wars and is now moored here. You can even explore the decks of this fascinating ship and imagine what it must have been like to be part of its crew. Houston is also home to many fascinating museums. Most are located just 10 minutes from the downtown area, in the section called the Museum District. There is quite a bit of diversity here. Ranging from the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum to the American Cowboy Museum, the Art Car Museum to the National Museum of Funeral History, youll have a huge selection to choose from.
Houston has an amazing array of choices for entertainment. Your evenings will be filled with listening to live music or the symphony. Catch a show or watch the ballet. There are lots of great venues that showcase exactly what youre searching for. Houstons Miller Outdoor Theatre, located in Hermann Park near the downtown area, is a fantastic open-air theater. Check the local listings to see if you can catch a show here. Houston is also well known for its amazing dining options. Enjoy a gourmet meal in the River Oaks area or get your fingers sticky at a good old fashion Texas BBQ. Whatever your tastes and budget, Houston has got you covered.
The diversity in Houston creates the perfect place to explore the many options available for you to enjoy a great holiday. Come and experience its southern hospitality and see for yourself why so many love to call it home.
