Things To Do Around Houston

If you are traveling in or around Houston eventually you will find yourself in the Downtown District where the streets are always filled with action. Sometimes it’s the thunderous sounds of screeching tires and automobiles colliding that usher in an unexpected frenzy of activity. Or the traffic snarls and the constant hum of automobiles that serve as a backdrop for the fast walking pedestrians going to and fro daytime ballgames at Minute Maid Park and nighttime events at Toyota Center.

The real excitement takes place at the parks, restaurants and entertainment venues that call the recently revitalized downtown area home. You can find plenty of things happening in downtown Houston every day. Lunchtime concerts, after work workouts and weekend long festivals are just some of the things you can take advantage of when you hangout the Downtown District of the nation’s 4th largest city.

Daytime Activities In Downtown

The fares, food and fun in and around Houston are very affordable and netted the city a #4 ranking in affordability on Travel and Leisure’s list of America’s Favorite Cities.

Here’s our list of things that you should consider adding to your schedule of activities during the day includes:
Discovery Green- a restful strip of greenspace near the edge of downtown, where you can cool your heels besides the still waters of a pond, relax at an outdoor reading room, or get pumped up at an a group exercise session just about any day of the week.

Market Square - This park offers guest a small area for a respite and the best place for people watching in town.

Buffalo Bayou Walking Trail - The city was born on the winding waterway. It’s banks have been finely landscaped and accessorized with sidewalks and art to create a people friendly walking and jogging path near the waters edge.

Houston’s Nightlife

At dusk the pace of the city changes as workers leave and party goers take over the streets. Club hopping around downtown is a regular part of the nightlife scene where big-time outfits, The House of Blues and the Hard Rock Cafe have raised the bar on partying for Southern nights.

If you want something a little more subdued with a lively atmosphere check out these fun places:

Entertainment Venues

Bayou Place
500 Texas St

Houston Pavilions
1201 Fannin St


Lucky Strike Lanes
1201 San Jacinto St

Verizon Wireless Theater
520 Texas Ave

Sammy’s
2016 Main St

Houston Theater District

When you visit to Houston it’s essential to get in some face-time in its theater district where the number of seats available is a close second to that of New York, NY. It’s definitely the place to visit if you want to experience some of the best Broadway musicals, stage plays and other entertainment in the South.

According to Wikipedia, the talent-rich district is home to the only opera company to win a Grammy, a Tony and an Emmy, the fifth largest ballet troupe in the country and visited by more than two million people annually.

Places To Eat In Downtown Houston

If you’re just trying to grab a burger and a drink you’ll find all of your favorite fast food places on the main drag, Main street or a few blocks away on one of its cross streets.

For top notch dinning experiences you don’t need to travel much further either. You’ll find some of the nationally known restaurants and some local favorites in the same area. Here are a few names you may recognize.

McCormick and Schmicks
1201 Fannin

Guadalajara Del Centro
1201 San Jacinto

Pappas Barbecue
1217 Pierce St

Final Tips On Getting Around Houston

When you are traveling around Houston you’ll find that there are lots of places that are within walking distance of each other in its downtown area. It’s not hard to find parking lots and parking meters where you can safely leave your vehicle while you traverse the nearby streets on foot.

If you want to use public transportation, there is bus and a lightrail train service in the area. You can find a schedule on the train’s loading platform, at bus stops or visit their website (ridemetro.org). If you need a taxi you can order one online (yellowcab.com) or call their local number.

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Houston Travel Trips And Vacations - Tips You Need To Know

We put together a few more tips on Houston travel in time for summer. It should help visitors to the city have smoother trips to Houston and in and around the city. We want to keep you from getting lost and thrown too far off of track from your travel goals.

If you are one of the more than 30 million people who travel to Houston for vacations, conventions and sporting events every year, you’ll find the comparison information on taxi fares, and shuttles from the airport will save you a few bucks.

There are also some, free downloads that make handy travel guides and facts about using public transportation that's useful for getting around the city.

What's To Do In Houston

Houston Tours	Visit Downtown Houston
Popular Houston tours include: Buffalo Bayou boat tours Port of Houston Tours	You can pickup maps and guides at the visitors information center inside of Houston’s City Hall. Other places of interest downtown: Minute Maid Park Houston’s underground tunnel system

Shopping In Houston	Attractions In Houston
Houston is home to all your favorite brands, from Walmart to Neiman-Marcus. Must see malls Galleria Katy Mills	The Houston attractions that appeal to visitors of all ages include: the museums, water parks and indoor butterfly garden, plus these favorites: Houston Children’s Museum Houston Aquarium

Travel Guides and Information About Houston

If you plan to travel to Houston in the near future and you would like to have more tips on things to do while planning your trip? We suggest you try one are more of the handy guides below.


Download a free Houston travel guide

Facts about Houston you should know.

Take photo tour of Houston

Online visitors guide

Every trip starts with getting to the city. We hope this handy advice that covers things to do in Houston and its airports, bus and train stations will be useful in assisting you with selecting the best mode of transportation for your visit.

More Traveling Tips For Visiting Houston Tx

Houston Train Station - located in downtown Houston Trains arrive throughout the day from destinations all across the country like Chicago, Dallas and Austin. Depending on the time f day you arrive public transportation by local bus service, taxis are usually available from the train depot.
Taxi Fares: $2.50 trip fee and about 2:00 per mile
Shuttle: Non
Public Transportation: $1.25 ( local bus within walking distance from depot )
Hobby Airport - If you plan to stay or visit the Southeast or downtown areas of the city you should try and get a flight into and out of Hobby airport if at all possible. There are plenty of car rental agencies near the airport making it easy for you to hit the ground and jump in a rental car.
Taxi Fare:$2.50 trip fee and about 2:00 per mile (* $30 to downtown Houston)
Van/Shuttle: $25
Public Transportation: Within walking distance: 1.25 each bus (*$2.50 to downtown Houston)

Intercontinental Airport - International travelers and anyone visiting the city's Northern corridors should choose the Bush Airport. It’s located about 15 or 20 miles from the downtown district. Popular suburban communities near Bush airport include:

Woodlands
Kingwood
Spring
Porter
Humble

Taxi Fare: *$41.00 (to Downtown Houston)
Van/Shuttle: *$26.00
Public Transportation:non
( price for travel to Downtown Houston)

Bus Station - deals and discounts are available for web only fares. Many passengers arrive in Houston using the Greyhound Bus station. The terminal sits in the heart of Midtown Houston. It provides easy access to the local mass transit system and taxis to get you from the bus station to any part of the city.

Public transportation: $1.25
Taxi:*$10
Shuttle: non
*(fare for travel to Downtown Houston)

The Valley Transit also serves the Houston area and its terminal is located at: Americanos
7000 Harrisburg on the city’s East-side.

It doesn't matter whether you begin your Houston travel vacation at one of its airports, the train station, bus terminal or Interstate highway. From any of these points of arrival, you will be able to conveniently get to local hotels, neighborhoods and attractions.

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3 Cool Things To Do In Houston This Week

Here's a list of 3 cool things to do in Houston this week that you may want add to your list of things to do. The Mayor’s Holiday Celebration, the Ice at Discovery Green, and visit the Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet art exhibit in downtown Houston.


The Mayor’s Holiday Celebration
The biggest of the 3 events has to be the annual lighting of the Christmas tree by the mayor. It's now a Houston tradition. This year the musical entertainment is multi-Grammy award winning singer-songwriter Regina Belle.

The festivities, fireworks and the lighting of the official holiday tree is will be held on the upper plaza at City Hall, 6:00 - 7:30 p.m Friday, December 4, 2009.

The Cool Globes Art Exhibit

Cool Globes: Hot Ideas for a Cooler Planet is the name of the art exhibit located in the Discovery Green Park in Downtown Houston. They are the 50 super-sized Cool Globes that have been attracting attention around the country. Each of the globes conveys a different message about what ordinary citizens like you an I can do to combat global warming.

They also hold the clues that could win you a trip to see the Cool Globes in Geneva, Switzerland. See the Cool Globes official website to find out more details!

Ice Skating at Discovery Green
Last, but not least on my list of 3 cool things to do in Houston, is a chance to enjoy a fun evening outdoors, ice skating. You don't have to wait for Lake Houston to freeze-over to go ice skating. There's a rink downtown that's frozen solid and ready for you.

Over 100,000 people came out last year to ice skate and it's becoming one of the most popular holiday activities for Houston families and visitors to the downtown district. Outdoor ice skating in Discovery Green has returned again this holiday season and extends through MLK Day. There will be evening, weekend and holiday hours and weekly events.

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Houston Weekend Events

Something cool to do in Houston this weekend, that will combine excitement, and entertainment to enrich your day is to hangout at a street painting festival. Via Colori® is an artistically stimulating event that's slowly covering America one street at a time. The free two-day street painting festival in Houston is a celebration of creativity that will inspire you.


This fabulous Houston event is happening at Sam Houston Park, in Houston's downtown district. If you're unfamiliar with the park, let me remind you that it's located close to city hall and the Houston Central-library. Allen Parkway, Bagby are it's surrounding streets have been chosen to become a canvas for more than 175 artists this weekend in Houston.

History of Via Colori

Via Colori is different from other festivals. It is a celebration founded on a spirit of cooperation and non-competitiveness. There are no winners or losers...just the collective creative expression of hundreds of professional and amateur artists working together to support a cause.


The street festival has been held annually in a several cities in the U.S. the past few years and adding more to it's list each year.

Other Fun Things To Do In Downtown District in Houston This Weekend
Central Library
Angelika Film
Main Street Fountain

It's fun and interesting to watch the progress of the colossal-sized art work as they turn colorless concrete into beautiful pastel decorated streets. These are a few other places you might want to visit while you're in downtown Houston.

Via Colori 2009, Houston
Other diversions during Via Colori 2009 will be live music, food and lots of incredible hands-on activities to inspire and interest kids of all ages.

Houston's  weekend scene stealer is this lively Italian-style street painting festival that's free and happens from 10am-10pm this weekend( Sunday 22. 2009) and ends with a a big'ol street party.

Proceeds from Houston Via Colori 2009 support a local Houston organization that's on a mission to teach deaf children to listen, speak and read.

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Houston Art and Events

Here's where you can view the latest information on Houston Art exhibits, galleries and museums.

This weekend in Houston there's' plenty of art events on tap regardless to what style may float your boat. You can see an eclectic exhibit at Rice University's Gallery, micro-sculptures at Gremillion and Co and lest I forget the annual Bayou City Fest that's happening in the Downtown District. (Check the Events Lister for other local events in and around Houston)

Rice University: Wayne White Exhibit

Rice University may be recognized around the nation as a school for advanced degrees, but they have a awesome art program as well.
Best known as the Emmy-winning creator and performer of many of the puppet characters in Pee-wee’s Playhouse, his work combines painting, sculpture, and puppetry together to create his first site-specific installation for the university's exhibit.

White uses the techniques of a master painter to create surreal illusions of words and phrases disappearing or jutting out from placid settings. His work as a sculptor is on display at Rice.

Williard Wigan: Miniature Art

The Britt has the astounding ability to miniaturize entire works of art so minute that they are only visible through a microscope.

Each piece commonly sits within the eye of a needle, or on a pin head. Wigan endures a personal sacrifice to create such small wondrous, yet scarcely believable, pieces. Willard enters a meditative state in which his heartbeat is slowed, allowing him to reduce hand tremors and sculpt between pulse beats.
Now through the November 8 you can see these tiny treasure for yourself at Gremillion's Houston location 2501 Sunset Blvd.

Bayou City Art Fest



Saturday and Sunday downtown Houston will get decked out in colorful arrays of artwork for the Oct. 10-11:Bayou City Art Festival. There entertainment line up will showcase 15 multicultural musical and dance groups, plus the first-ever culinary arts presentations at the art fest.

To get to this event in the annual Houston event in the Downtown District, head on over to City Hall’s Hermann Square. The area surrounding the Reflection Pool, Sam Houston Park and Houston Downtown Public Library Plaza, is where all the action is taking place.

Your weekend in Houston could use a culchua boost and Rice University, Gremillion and Bayou City or great places to bring out the art connoisseur in you. I'm so sure you'll be able to find something that suits your taste in one of these three astounding Houston events.

It will be a great way to get a jump on Christmas shopping, support our local artist and add a dazzling one of a kind accessory to your personal collection, office or home.

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Houston Weekend-Hanging-out In Downtown Houston

Houston weekends are perfect for just hanging out. One of the liveliest places to visit in any Texas city is the downtown area. Downtown Houston is no exception. Here is my list of 5 things that you can do that will make downtime in the downtown district fun.

Take Wedding Or Family Photos
Sample The Houston Cuisine
Visit The Farmer's Green Market
Take Your Dog for a Romp in The Park
Enjoy A Free Movie Or Music


The Downtown Green Market

When it comes to fresh fruits, vegetables and organic food the Downtown Green Market is the place you can find something for even the most discriminating taste-buds. The vendors are local merchants that come to the market on weekends to hawk their wares.


You can find locally produced honey, goat cheese, hand-crafted items, homemade pies, sweets and healthy treats for Fido too. These modern day farmers, bakers and candle stick makers are worthy of my...your...our support.




Capturing Houston's Mega-Beauty On Camera


There are buildings that represent some of the best known architectural styles in the downtown district. Art Deco, glass and granite skyscrapers and neo-Gothic structures. You could spend a whole day just gawking at the architectural features that bear a variety of symbolism from European cultures. In the district you'll see gargoyles, inscriptions, stone banding and decorative brickwork of bygone eras.



If you're not into buildings you can take pictures of the historical places, statues or the art work, that abound inside many of the buildings and on the streets of Houston.

You can try out that new camera or put an old one to good use by turning the dozen or so spouting, glistening and shimmering fountains and waterfalls on just about every major street into dramatic backdrops for some updated photos of you and the kids.

Great Texas Cuisine

Bring your appetite and you won't be disappointed by the broad selection of cuisine available in downtown Houston. You can find Cajun/Creole, Vietnamese, Cuban, Chinese and just about any other food that you may think you want to eat.

Bayou Place
Houston Center
The Tunnel
Allen's Landing
Discovery Green

If you are near any of these places you'll be able to follow your nose to some of the best food in town. You can eat at one of the greasy spoon restaurants, hot dog carts or enjoy a fine dining experiences at an award winning restaurant, all within the confines of downtown Houston.

Take Your Dog For A Romp In A Park

This city is home to two Westminster Kennel Club champions, Stump and J.R., the amazing Bichon Frise. And it's full of proud animal lovers that love to show them off at area doggy parks. Bring your furry friends out and about because there a several parks in downtown where the both of you can slow your roll, sit back, relax and feel the vibes that emanate from the peaceful surroundings.

Tranquility Park
Old City Hall Clock Plaza
Sam Houston Park
Sesquicentennial Park
Tranquility Park

The newest addition to the greenspace in Houston, Discovery Green is a pet friendly park. You will have to keep you dog on a leash, but your pet is always welcome at their events in Houston.

Enjoy Free Movie Or Music

Nighttime is the right time to come downtown. You'll avoid the fierce humidity and scorching heat of the Houston summer. Most nights it's easy to find a free movie or concert downtown.


Free screenings of some of the best short films and independent movies can be enjoyed at Dean's Credit Clothing, near the north end of Main St. You can also hear live music, buy local art and sift through old clothes.

The fact that the Angelika Film Center doesn't look like your typical megaplex movie theater, is perhaps why it's a favorite place for local movie buffs to hangout in downtown.

Discovery Green has you covered if you're a fan of old movies. They sponsor Downtown and A Movie Series. You can watch classic movies like Young Frankenstein, Planes Trains & Automobiles and other cinema favorites. In the cool of the evening they break-out a big, huge, Texas-size screen and let everyone chill on the lush green lawns, kick back in a chair or their favorite picnic blanket to watch the show.

More Fun Things To Do Downtown

Now if that's not enough stuff to fill your Houston weekend? Head to Midtown Houston and do a freestyle Houston tour of the hip urban community. It's only a short Metrotrain ride away, to enough diversions to fill a weekend list of things to do, until it's over flowing.

There are also more ideas on fun things to do in Houston weekend:Downtown. It's choked full of other FUNtastic stuff you can get into while hanging out in downtown.

Later next week, I'll fill in more details about the places that offer classes in Houston that are way cooler than ye old school rooms. But for now it's the weekend baby, give your brain trust a little R & R.

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Activities In Houston
Downtown Houston
Midtown Houston
Places To Visit In Houston With A Small Group
Haunted Downtown Houston
Houston's Downtown District
Things To Do In Houston This Week

Houston Tours

Books

Art/Theater

Attractions

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Top 10 Things To Do In Downtown Houston

I want to share our short list of the 10 top things to do in Downtown Houston, with the hopes of saving visitors to the "Big H" a lot of time. Because it could take a couple of tanks of gas and almost a lifetime to experience all there is to see and do in this big'ol metropolis.

You are welcome to browse the tabs on this blog where you will find plenty of creative date ideas for couples, fun stuff for elders and even tots that are enjoyable for everyone from loners to loud-mouths.



What's really gives the downtown district its all around appeal is how people greet each other and even strangers on the street with warm, friendly waves and nods everyday, and not just on holidays or during special events.
Its fantastic skyline includes Toyota Center and Minute Maid Park. You will be pleasantly surprised to discover that a city of millions can still have a laid back rural atmosphere.
Unlike the suburbs that have spread their wing around outskirts of the city. There are no long blocks of vacant land separating each street. Downtown has a more urban configuration. The area is neatly designed so that a quick walk, ride on the Metrorail or jaunt on a bike will get you from place to place relatively easy.

Places To Visit In Downtown Houston

Tops on every must-visit list should be, Sam Houston Park. If you're pressed for time and can only make one stop, make a trip to see this museum/park. The park is open from dawn to dusk, however the museum hours are:
Tuesday through Saturday,
Open: 10am closes: 4pm.

The main displays are architectural samplings of Houston homes from the 19th and 20th Century.


It's worth paying extra for a docent to provide a guided tour of the houses. It will give you a better idea of what daily life was like for families living in the various communities. The fabulous antique contents, rare furnishing and houses are really unique because most of them are not replicas, but the exact homes that were once owned by a Houston doctor, a businessmen, an African American preacher and a few other notable citizens of the city. Visiting Sam Houston Park in downtown is a culturally enriching thing to do.

Buffalo Bayou Walking Trail

If you can squeeze one more stop onto your list of things to do in downtown Houston, include a short trip along the walking trails on Buffalo Bayou. What makes this trail so different from your everyday jogging/walking trail? The backdrop of the landscape is filled with modern buildings peering down on scenic paths that are filled with natural beauty and magnificent works of art standing around like sentinels waiting to be encountered on the serpentine paths of the bayou.

You'll catch more than eyeful of Houston and see it from a variety of different angle, as you journey along the 2 mile trail that spans from Bagby to Sabine Street.

If you don't make it obvious, you'll see that you are being watched by the creatures who live in and around the waters edge. There are plenty of turtles, birds darting back and forth and the occasional splash of a mullet jumping out of its watery playground to sneak a peak at you.

What's To Do In Downtown Houston

Just off the walking trail is another action packed place to visit. Bayou Place located at the edge of Downtown Houston's Theater District. It's the place to go if you want to your food, fun and excitement all under one roof. It's fabulous venues include Houston's Hard Rock Cafe, a movie Theater and plenty of other shops and restaurants where you can get your eat-on. Other attractions that we are well worth your time include:



The sidewalk cafe in front of the Main St fountain.
Fonde Recreation Center
Minute Maid Park
Discovery Green
Julia Ideson Library
Toyota Center
JP Morgan Chase Tower Observation Deck

There's lots of interesting and entertaining things to do in Houston. Don't get hung up trying to plan every little detail, go freestyle and you can still max out your fun quotient in downtown.

If you happen to be downtown and it is a cold or rainy day you can still visit many of these places by using the downtown tunnel system. You can find entrances to the tunnels through most of the businesses near the Metrorail train stops on Main street.

		Houston Networking To energize your career and attract more business view the top business and professional networking events in Houston.			Houston Attractions Get discounts tickets for your family or group on the exhibits and events at many of the fun places to visit in Houston.
		Midtown Houston Apts Find deals on move in specials, rebates and pricing on renting apts and lofts in Midtown and other great places in Houston.			Festivals In Houston Here is a list of the many family friendly, exciting nieghborhood and city-wide festivals that you should know about.
		Museums in Houston Located near Midtown Houston in the Museum District, there is plenty of things to see and do at any of the great museums in town.			Houston African American There are lots of events in Houston where you can experience its rich African American cultural heritage here's a look at a few of them.

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