Houston Without a Car
Experience Houston's Urban Landscape Along the New METRORail
HOUSTON - From the latest exhibits and performances to major sporting events to more than 70 dining and entertainment options, you'll find everything you need for great times along Houston's METRORail. This 7.5-mile light rail system, which runs along Main Street, begins downtown, runs through the Museum District and the Texas Medical Center and ends at Reliant Park. For a complete METRORail map and schedule, click here.
Check out the Downtown Scene
Start the evening on Main Street, where streets are closed to vehicular traffic between Congress and Capitol on Friday and Saturday nights for maximum ease and convenience as you barhop with the crowds. Bars and nightclubs on Main Street include Clark's, a smash-hit for urban music lovers, and the Flying Saucer, a laid-back bar with 85 taps from all over the world. Other hip Main Street spots include Slainte Irish Pub, the State Bar, Warren's Inn and Shay McElroy's Irish Pub.
Get your culture fix in Houston's 17-block Theater District, just blocks from the rail. The district is home to resident companies in theater, ballet, symphony and opera. Catch a hit musical, experience Houston's progressive vision of American opera and witness true star power during each performance in the Theater District.
If sports are your interest, then Houston will be your new favorite city. The Houston Astros, 2005 National League Champions, play at Minute Maid Park, and the red-hot Houston Rockets, Comets and Aeros all play at Toyota Center, both just blocks from the rail. With the state-of-the-art sports venues and some of the best teams in the nation, you'll see why Houston is the ultimate sports city.
Make sure to visit Houston's Visitors Center in City Hall for everything Houston, just a few blocks from the rail. While you're there, stroll through Tranquility Park, a beautiful tribute to NASA's lunar missions. Learn about Houston's past at Sam Houston Park on the western edge of downtown and take a guided tour of the eight historic structures in the park, all maintained by Houston's Heritage Society.
Downtown offers 5,000 hotel rooms, including the 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston, connected by sky bridge to the George R. Brown Convention Center. Boutique hotels abound, with the Alden Hotel, the Lancaster and the Magnolia just blocks from the rail.
Sports fans will love the baseball-themed Inn at the Ballpark, located across the street from Minute Maid Park. Or check out the chic Hotel Icon and two Marriott properties for more great lodging options right on the rail line.
Discover Downtown Houston's Culinary Offerings
Restaurants on the rail include the new ultra-chic VOICE at the Hotel Icon, Mia Bella Trattoria offering delectable Italian cuisine, and 17 at the Alden Hotel, for out-of-this-world short ribs. Other great options include Cava Bistro or Zula. Or if you decide to sleep late and then do brunch, Quattro in The Four Seasons near the convention center offers delicious food with some of the best Sunday mingling.
Party like a Rock Star in Midtown
Going through a recent urban renewal, Midtown is home to many young Houstonians and their cosmopolitan vibe. Open City offers a offers a wonderful view of downtown Houston from its rooftop bar and restaurant. For good old rock and roll, try the Continental Club, a great live music venue, or Sammy's for dancing all night to blends of old and new music, both with a rail stop right outside their doors. Stop by Julia's Bistro, next door to the Continental Club, for Latin cuisine in an ultra-modern setting. Do a little shopping at Adkins Architectural Antiques for one-of-a-kind furniture and accessories. And don't forget to visit Specs Liquor Warehouse, about four blocks off the rail, offering the largest selection of beer, wine and liquor, more than 900 cigars and a 5,000-square-foot deli and specialty foods shop.
Lose Yourself in the Museum District
Make a stop at the Museum District and take a stroll through Hermann Park's 445 green acres. Things to see within the park include the Japanese Garden and the not-to-be-missed Miller Outdoor Theatre, with free performances, events and festivals April through October. Or visit the Houston Zoo for a wild journey into exotic habitats with more than 3,100 animals. The Houston Museum of Natural Science, also blocks from the rail, is the fourth most visited museum in the country and houses an IMAX Theatre, Burke Baker Planetarium and the Cockrell Butterfly Center.
The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston presents more than 30 changing exhibitions each year, and the Children's Museum of Houston offers stimulating out-of-this-world fun, all just walking distance from the rail. The trendy Contemporary Arts Museum Houston is an art fan's favorite, showcasing innovative works from established and up-and-coming artists.
The Menil Collection, also in the Museum District, is regarded as having one of the world's foremost Surrealist compilations of its kind, as well offering regular exhibitions and programs. Be sure to visit the adjacent Cy Twombly Gallery with some of his large-scale masterworks, along with the inspirational Rothko Chapel.
Make a Stop at the Texas Medical Center
The Texas Medical Center attracts its share of out of town visitors. With 42+ member institutions, 5 million patients annually, more than 63,000 employees and a combined operating budget of $6 billion, it's no wonder it's the largest medical center in the world. The Texas Medical Center covers more than 1,100 acres.
Explore Reliant Park
Reliant Stadium is home to the Houston Texans and the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, the world's largest rodeo. A variety of events and conventions take place at Reliant Park, including the annual Offshore Technology Conference and Houston Ballet Foundation's Nutcracker Market. Conventioneers rely on the METRORail to facilitate travel between downtown's George R. Brown Convention Center and downtown hotels and Reliant Park.
With the development of the METRORail, Houston invites all visitors to leave their cars at home. We'll take care of your transportation while you're here.
# # #
Green Houston 
