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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Traveling Around Houston This Week

Even when your ability to travel around Houston is hampered by transportation woes, there are plenty of things you can do. Don’t let lack of a vehicle or a ailing car or truck sideline your social life. There are lots of places that are within walking distance of a bus stop or Metrorail train stop where you can have a good time.

After sifting through a long list of restaurants, sports stadiums and entertainment venues we have a new list for you. We are highlighting some of events and places that you can still enjoy even when you don’t have access to an automobile. They are all easily accessible by hitching a ride using public transportation, taxi or other forms of travel.

10 Places To Visit In Houston

Galveston Boardwalk
Downtown Houston
Art Exhibit
Tour
Job Fair
Texas State Park
Buffalo Bayou
George R Brown Convention Center
Festival In Houston
Health Fair

Galveston Beach There is a Greyhound bus that will take you to Galveston beach where you can fish, swim or just soak up some sun. It’s a great way to travel to the beach with a group of friends and not have to worry about a designated driver.

Houston Job Fair Calender A frugal and smart way to get more bang for your buck when you are job searching or thinking about switching careers,is to attend as many job fairs as possible. They are the best places to connect with several potential employers at one time without traveling all over town.

George R. Brown Convention Center The Brown Convention Center is located downtown and can be accessed by local bus. The Metrorail train will take you within walking distance, 5 or 6 scenic blocks from the George R.Brown. It is home to the Houston hall of Fame and there is always something interesting happening at the convention center.

Downtown District If you plan on taking a trip to downtown Houston you may want to consider using the light rail, Metrorial train. There is plenty of shopping and dinning available there, and it will save you on trying to find parking.

Art Museums in Houston This Houston landmark houses some of the unique art cars from the city’s annual Art Car parades, and host other types of art installations too.

Houston Tours You can take guided tours of the sports stadiums in Houston, Toyota Center, Minute Maid and Reliant in Houston.

Texas Outdoor Family Program The good folks from the Texas Parks and wildlife department host a weekend training session that will show you how to pitch a tent, make a campfire and fun stuff to enjoy the great Texas outdoors.

Boat tours There are several Houston boat tours that cover history, wildlife viewing and the port that will get you up close and personal with the waterway that gave birth to the nation’s fourth largest city.

Houston Festival Guide With so many festivals themes from music to books you can find one on tap for Houston just about any month of the year. Take a look at this list of local festivals.

Health Fair Staying healthy is always a challenge for individuals and families. You can get the latest tips and up to date information by attending a community health fair. Here’s a some of the places the Harris County Hospital district are holding health fairs in your neighborhood.

Getting Around Houston

There may be a few places in and around Houston you travel to that are a mile or more from a bus stop, consider making the trip using a combination of bus and bike. Just bring along your bike and store it on the convenient bike rack while you are on the bus. When you get off, you can peddle the remaining leg of the journey.

Many of the places that people rate as the city’s best are often those that are convenient to reach by car, public transportation and don't forget about the Greyhound bus. Now that you have this awesome list of places to go there is no excuse for not having a good time this week. It’s really up you, to get off the couch and hangout with your old friends or meet a few new peeps.

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Houston Travel Ideas.

We are interested in discovering your Houston travel ideas. Even if you are new around here your opinion is important to us and you can leave a note in the comments section or e-mail us through the link in the sidebar.

As September winds down to the final days we want to recap some of the things that we have been doing this month to make it easier for you to find exciting things to do during your trip, getaway or tour of Houston.

We added an awesome easy to search event calendar and an Event Lister that’s handy for performing a search by date, region or type for festivals, craft shows and free events in Houston. If you haven’t checked out this new feature or the updated free concerts for the fall season they can be found under the concerts and events tab above.

Houston Travel Topics

Since people travel to the city by a variety of modes. Some by air, bus or automobile we tackled the issues that confuse travelers the most. How to get from your point of arrival to various hotels, conventions centers and other destinations around the city. We put together a bunch of FAQ’s about traveling around the Houston, that included:

Tips on catching a taxi in Houston
Riding mass transit
Charter vans and shuttles

Other topics that we touched on were:

Day trips around Houston
Fun things to do outdoors
Places to visit
Houston attraction

FYI

Here is some general FYI stuff you may not know about this week in Texas history.

September 26, 1927 – Charles A. Lindbergh landed at Abilene and Fort Worth during a cross-country publicity tour just four months after his record-setting transatlantic flight.

September 27, 1835 – Lt. Francisco de Castaneda of the Mexican Army sent to Gonzalez to retrieve a cannon lent to the citizens, resulting in a battle over the “Come and Take It” cannon.

September 28, 1874 – US Cavalry won a decisive battle at Palo Duro Canyon, resulting in the removal of the southern Plains Indians to reservations in Indian Territory (now Oklahoma).

September 29, 1839 – France signed a treaty recognizing the Republic of Texas, and later sent Alphonse Dubois de Saligny to Austin as chargé d’affaires at the French Legation.

September 30, 1672 – French explorer Jean L’Archeveque born in Bayonne, France. At the age of 12, he joined the La Salle expedition, which took him to Matagorda Bay on the Texas coast.

Traveling Texas Tips

Your list of Houston travel ideas will be enhanced by including one of these places. Most of them are within a short ride of the city.

Our very own Midtownlive travel guide will be ready for you to download or print out by the end of the month. In the meantime, take a look at the selection of street maps, guides and books about Houston that are available to make navigating this region easier.

See more on this topic:

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Places To visit
Houston taxi and bus information
Stuff To Do
Attractions in Houston

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Houston Texas Travel

If you, your friends or family are planning to travel to Houston you have come to the right place for the latest information to make your trip go smoother. We have just finished hunting down the best tours, places to visit and Houston attractions, just for you.

Our information will provide you with a distinctive edge over the other guys because we work in, live in and love Houston. We are first in line to get fresh details about what’s happening in and around the city.

10 Travel Tips For Houston

1. Don’t expect flag down cabs as you traverse the city. You will have to call the taxi dispatch office at least an hour in advance to arrange to be picked up.
2. There is plenty to see and do in Houston whether you’re visiting the heart of the city or one of the many suburban communities.
3. There always seems to be street and freeway closures, most are listed pretty fast by GPS systems. If you run into one that isn’t ask local convenience store clerks and repairmen for directions they tend to know the area better.
4. Houston traffic jams slow to a crawl, to avoid them wait until after 9:am and 6:pm to hit the streets.
5. If you want to see as much of the city as possible rent a car, weekly and weekend rates are usually the best deals and don’t forget to pull out that AAA or other discount card to get a reduced rate,
6. Local bus service is $1.25 (correct change required) and usually takes about an hour each way and may require you to transfer to more than one bus to get you most places outside of the downtown area. If most of your traveling is downtown or in the Texas Medical Center the Metro-rail train will get you there faster for the same price as bus fare.
7. If you are flying to the city and not staying near N. Sam Houston tollway, we suggest you consider using an airline that stops at Houston Hobby airport. It is way easier to get in and out than the terminals at Bush which maybe the only choice for some airlines and international flights.
8. You can usually find good dinning within walking distance of hotels, convention centers and shopping malls. Most of the major hotel chains have a bar and restaurant, which tend to be pricey, but are some of the top rated dinning facilities in the city.
9. The city of Houston Parks and Recreation department has several nice fitness centers where you can workout while away from home.
10. The city is 579 square miles. A smart and frugal way to see more of the city is to make all your visits to one part of the city at a time instead of trying to do everything in one day.

Traveling In Houston

Here's a few things you should keep in mind when traveling in Houston. Your options are limited to taxis and local bus service.

There are several taxi cabs in Houston. They are all dispatched through central locations. If you travel by taxi, ask the driver for his card and cab number if you would like him to become your unofficial chauffeur during your visit.

United Cab 713-699-0000
Yellow Cab 713-236-1111
Liberty Cab 713 695-6700
Fiesta Taxi 713-225-2666



Houston's Metro bus service is available from 5:am to 12:pm on most routes. They are cheaper than using a cab to get to the malls, museums and short trips around the downtown area. You should be prepared to leave about 2 hours prior to your arrival time to allow for transfers. For schedule information use the contact data below:

Website: ridemetro.org
Phone: 713-635-4000

Many visitors to Houston come for conventions, vacations and sports outings. Many of them are held at George R Brown Convention Center (downtown Houston), Reliant Stadium, ( near town ) and local hotels. Both of these places are referred to as being inside of the 610 Loop. It is the original freeway that circled the city and a good landmark to keep you from getting lost.


If you have some time on your hands you could take an exciting daytrip to explore other Texas destinations. Take a look at these fantastic places.

Things To Do Outdoors In Houston

Buffalo Bayou Boat tours
Breakfast On Bayou Tour
Lake Houston
Houston Arboretum
Waterway Square in The Woodland

Outdoor Adventures Near Houston

The beaches and boat tours on Galveston Island
Yacht cruise on Clear Lake
Hike and bike Brazoria National Wildlife Refuge
Boat rentals Lake Conroe
Paddle Texas canoe/kayak paddling trail

See more on boat tours in Houston

Fun Places To Visit Near Houston

The State capitol building in Austin
The San Jacinto Monument
George Bush Presidential Library
Texas Seaport Museum
Sea Center Texas

Indoor Things To Do In Houston

Houston Museum District

Tour Houston City Hall
Buffalo Soldier Museum
Houston Center for Contemporary Craft
Space Center Houston

Watch this video short on Houston

Fun Stuff To Do In Houston

Waugh Bridge Bat Tour
Port of Houston Boat Tour
Walking Tour Of Downtown Houston
Self-guided Tour Of Houston
Houston Arboretum


These are some places that families and couples who travel to Houston enjoy visiting. They are all economically priced and relatively easy to get to. This list is still just the tip of the iceberg when it come to having fun in the city.

You haven’t even discussed the nightlife, theater or dinning options. We will explore them in upcoming editions of the blog so stick around and get the full scoop.

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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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10 Summer Getaway Ideas For Houston Tx

Two Wheel Tour – The beauty of the nature is best when viewed up close and personal. Sharing the seat of a motorcycle or peddling till you sweat on a road trip can be an exhilarating part of a romantic weekend for couples. It can be fun for friends and family too. Be sure to save time for hiking, boat tours and other outdoor fun that allows you to commune with the beautiful Texas outdoors.

Bike Tours (http://www.bicycletexas.com)
Motorcycle Tours (http://www.eaglerider.com)

Fruit/Vegetable Picking – At an orchard near you your family can enjoy an apple, watermelon or vegetable picking excursion as a day trip or part of a weekend getaway. It can be a great occasion to share with your sweetheart or your family. You may even be able to find an old fashion hayride in one of the rural communities for your kids to experience during the trip!


Local pick your own farms (http://www.pickyourown.org/TXhouston.htm)

Wildlife Conservation – Join the Houston Zoo, Audubon Society and other Texas organizations in preserving wildlife and the conservation of their habitat. You can tag along with local wildlife experts and zoo officials on adventure tours to Botswana's Okavanaga Delta and exciting destinations around the globe.

It’s a once in a lifetime chance to see animals in the wild in some of the worlds most unspoiled and diverse habitats. There are also local opportunities to take part in preserving Ridley turtles, Galveston beach and more,



Elderhostle (http://www.roadscholar.org/programs/search_res.asp?Type=A&StateCode=TX)
Houston Zoo Safaris (http://www.houstonzoo.org/safari/)
Audubon Society (http://www.houstonaudubon.org/default.aspx/MenuItemID/899/MenuGroup)/Sanctuaries.htm

Archaeological Adventures – You can find countless archaeological sites in and around Texas. Local museums and universities offer residents a chance to participate in uncovering traces of the states historical past.

Lubbock Lake Landmark (http://www.depts.ttu.edu/museumttu/lll/fieldresearch.html)
Texas Archaeological Society (http://www.texasaaa.com/id4.htm)
Lake Jackson Plantation (http://www.lakejacksonmuseum.org/index.php?page=plantation-site)

Northern Getaways – If it’s gets a bit too hot in the summer travel north to the Texas panhandle where it’s cooler for a fun laid back getaway. There are lots of attractions, parks and museums that are open to visitors on weekends. It’s the place to find plenty of wide open spaces, dude ranches and canyons. Favored activities in the area area or horseback riding, mountain biking and hiking.

Fort Davis National Historic Site (http://www.lasr.net/travel/recreation.php?Fort+Davis+National+Historic+Site&ID=2688)
Addicks Dam (http://www.lasr.net/travel/recreation.php?Addicks+Dam&ID=517)
Frontier Texas (Abilene) (http://www.frontiertexas.com/)

Texas History Excursion – What better place to go for a historical tour than Texas? There’s plenty of Texas history that a family, a couple or group can discover in a weekend. Allow enough time for sampling the local cuisine, shopping, and other attractions to make this an enjoyable and enriching excursion.

State Historical Sites(http://www.texaslakestrail.com/index)
Texas Driving Tours (http://www.texaslakestrail.com/index.aspx?page=1566)



Lake Cruises – A refreshing lake cruise on a humid, hot weekend is a great getaway for couples. It’s a wonderful opportunity to use that new camera to take lots of pictures, enjoy fabulous food, and relax to the sounds of waves slapping against the side of the ship. There are several vendors offering short 3 hour party cruises in Houston.

Clear Lake Cruise (http://www.starfleetyachts.com)
Galveston Bay Cruise (http://www.thebigwhiteboat.com)
Paddlewheel Boat Cruise (http://www.moodygardens.com/attractions/colonel_paddlewheel_boat)

Texas Beach Getaway – A beach getaway is ideal for a spouse or family that enjoys the sound of the surf outside of their door. These are a few of the best places to find vacation condos and cabins for rent during the summer.

Port Aransas (http://www.themayanprincess.com)
Moody Gardens Resort (http://www.moodygardenshotel.com)
Corpus Christi (http://traveltips.usatoday.com/hotels-beach-near-corpus-christi-27203.html)

The rates for multiple days are very reasonable June through September. For a getaway that won’t break your budget, look for privately owned beach rentals on Craig’s List. You should be able to save a few bucks off of the cost of staying at a resort.
Summer Festivals – Summertime is prime time for a bunch of festivals. There are festivals happening just about every weekend. Here’s a short list of some of the themes festivities in the South Texas area.

Annual Tomato Fest
Annual Texas Blueberry Festival
Kerrville Folk Festival

For more info on the dates and times of Texas fairs and festivals visit http://www.fairsandfun.com,


If traveling with a significant other or adult friends, check out the list of food and wine festivals happening in Texas.

Camping / Hiking Getaway – For a low key summer getaway for family, couples, or groups, consider a simple weekend camping or hiking trip. If you don’t want to travel too far from home, there are plenty of camping facilities in the Harris county parks. You and your partner or group will get to see the expansive Texas outdoors and enjoy our local habitats at the same time.

State Parks (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest)
Harris County Parks (http://www.hcp4.net/parks/reservations/index.htm)


More things for Houston couples

Houston couple activities
Romantic things to do in Houston
Stuff to do in Houston

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Houston Travel

Several groups in Houston travel plans include, exciting outdoor excursions this weekend that are open to anyone who wants to participate. If you're game, this weekend could be your chance to enjoy an incredible experience in Texas' great outdoors.

There's wildlife areas and waterways along Armand Bayou waiting to be explored, and a fascinating camping trip to a batholith (underground rock formation uncovered by erosion). For those who prefer to be indoor activities, you can join local Astro fans and other baseball aficionados and check out some cool baseball memorabilia.

Things To Do In Downtown Houston

The Heritage Society Museum Gallery located in Downtown Houston always has interesting exhibits and informative lectures that feature experts in a variety of fields. They've assembled homes, furniture and other classic pieces of the city's history to preserve for future generations at the Sam Houston Park.

This weekend they're offering opening the doors on their great new exhibit: Rain or Shine: How Houston Developed Space City Baseball.
Sunday from 1-4 pm you can take part in baseball crafts and try your hand at fun baseball activities that test your math skills.

The Heritage Society teamed up with the Houston Astros and the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame to present this new exhibit. The sport of baseball gets an inspiring treatment and the history of baseball in Houston is on display, featuring treasures from the Astros, Houston Buffs, and some of the teams that have called Houston home.

Guided Canoe Tours In Houston

It's time again for the bi-weekly education and adventure guided canoe tours of Armand Bayou. Get up with the early birds and enjoy a morning of leisurely watching wildlife, learning about local wetlands and have plenty of fun paddling a canoe down the Armand Bayou.

Early morning canoe tours in Houston allow you the opportunity to observe herons, egrets, turtles, deer and other residents who are start their day on the bayou. It's a lively tour that's well worth your time talent and treasure to enjoy. Reservations and payment information is available on the ANC website.

Houston Group Travels To The Hill Country

The local branch of the Sierra Club Houston travels to many places and most of the outings are open to both members and non-members. Join them for exciting camping adventures, hiking trips, and other treks to fantastic places all over the state of Texas.

This weekends destination is Enchanted Rock in the beautiful Texas hill country. The huge, pink granite dome is one of the largest batholiths in the United States. The family-friendly outing will include both a backpacking and a base camping group. For more information visit the Sierra Clubs webspace.

If you want to add more excitement into your Houston weekend schedule, lookout for the Houston Travel section coming soon to Midtownlive. We are committed to giving you more details on wonderful things to do in and around Houston so you can get your fun on day or night, weekend or weekday.

Your invited to follow Midtownlive on Google Connect, Twitter, Facebook and other social media communities where we make spontaneous announcements about other cool local events happening around the city.

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