Monica Pope
Monica Pope
Owner/Chef, T'afia and Beaver's
Houston really is a small town for me with a handful of cafes/restaurants, good friends, art, culture, people doing their thing, great people.
ZZ Top
ZZ Top
Musicians
Most cities have a music scene. In Texas and especially in Houston, you’ll find fresh, new talent from pretty much every genre of music. That’s special.
Chandra Wilson
Chandra Wilson
Actor
You have to see downtown Houston for the skyline, you have to see the famous Astrodome, you have to visit the Galleria and go skating, and you have to take the full ride around the 610 loop.
What surprises me about Houston is that even though it’s such a big city, it maintains its intimate town feel.
Houston is special because it is the perfect mixture of different cultures, the arts, big city influence, neighborhood intimacy, good old fashioned ranch living and a lot of Texas pride.
People will most likely find me sitting in my mother’s living room looking at TV.
Blue October
Blue October
Musicians
Ryan Delahoussaye, Jeremy Furstenfeld and Justin Furstenfeld
What was it like growing up in Houston?
Ryan: I really liked Houston growing up. There were parks, restaurants, theaters, etc. The people I knew were great.
Jeremy: It was nice. Had great friends, family and neighbors. They all taught me a lot.
Justin: Cool. I had everything I needed in the arts.
President George Bush
President George Bush
First Lady Barbara Bush
There is no other city in the world where the hearts are bigger and where everyone knows how to be a good neighbor. Houston is and always will be where we call home.
Jim Nantz
Jim Nantz
CBS Sports Commentator
When I first moved to Houston in the 1970's there was vibrancy to the city. It's still there! Houston is a forward thinking, progressive, architecturally-advanced and ethnically diverse city. It has a great vibe. My family always thought Houston was the "IT" city. And we still do.
Why do I love Houston? Where do I begin? Obviously a big tug for me is coming back to visit my family. But I also love attending events at The University of Houston. UH is a huge part of my life.
Brian Ching
Brian Ching
Houston Dynamo
2006 Major League Soccer MVP
I didn't really have much time to think about what Houston would be like before I moved here. I found out the team was moving from San Jose on Dec. 15 and flew to Houston from my vacation in Hawaii on the 29th. I had only two days to find a place to live, as I had to be in camp with the National team until March. Based on that, I didn't exactly know what to expect.
The people of Houston surprised me the most. Everyone we met was welcoming and had such a friendly attitude.
KJ Choi
KJ Choi
PGA Tour Professional Golfer
Houston is an exciting city, with lots to do and many different cultures. Houston is one of the fastest growing metropolitan cities, but still preserves a lot of the natural environment it abundantly has. You can get a taste of city life and enjoy the clean nature at the same time.
My perfect day in Houston...Golf in The Woodlands in the morning when it's cool, shop at The Galleria in the afternoon, and enjoy the great restaurant scene in the evening.
Clay Walker
Clay Walker
Entertainer
Living in Houston the last 15 years, I’ve come to just love the people. I’m a hometown boy now.
There are some great places to visit when you go there. The Houston Zoo is one of the best zoos in America. The Theater District is awesome. There is some really cool architecture. One of the places I find really cool is the Museum of Natural Science—we became lifetime members this year. They have an IMAX theater, incredible dinosaurs and a lot of different things to learn for adults and kids. They have a safari exhibit—I haven’t seen one that good anywhere.
Bela Karolyi
Bela Karolyi
World-Renowned Gymnastics Coach
I have a lot of friends who live in other parts of the World. If they are planning a trip to the U.S., I always tell them Houston is a place you have to live in to really understand why it's so special. This place has a rare combination of amazing southern hospitality combined with a fast-paced life in a huge landscape.
Hilary Duff
Hilary Duff
Entertainer
Growing up in Houston was amazing! I love the bluebonnets along the highway. I remember the rainstorms and thunderstorms. I loved spending my summers in the swimming pools. To this day, I think that Houston has the best food anywhere in the world!
I tell people who have never been to Houston that it is a great city to visit for a day to shop and eat and meet nice people. Houston is a special city which attracts tourists from all over the world.
Oscar de la Rosa
Oscar de la Rosa
Lead Singer, La Mafia
Latin Grammy Winner
Houston is one of the most culturally diverse cities I know. I have traveled a lot with La Mafia and it is difficult to find a city with so many people from all over the world living side by side in such an accepting manner.
I have visited a lot of cities on our tours, and I can't say that I have found someplace I would rather live. Houston is clean, spacious and very, very friendly.
Leven Rambin
Leven Rambin
Actress
I have absolutely great memories of growing up in Houston. I lived in Memorial and felt such a sense of community through my friends and neighborhood, St. Francis Episcopal Day School and all my teachers (like 2nd parents!) and pastor, Jim Jackson at Chapelwood Methodist Church.
When I come home to Houston, I always visit The Galleria, Houston Country Club, Ruggles and La Madeleine for that tomato soup and caeser salad! I go around Memorial Park at least once every day when I am home.
Hannah Storm
Hannah Storm
ESPN Sportscenter Anchor
Houstonians are friendly and always put a big premium on having fun! That’s why there are so many amazing restaurants, killer stores, fun clubs and sports galore. Beyond all that you’ll find a city rich in history and very much committed to the future.
AJ Foyt
AJ Foyt
Auto Racing Legend
Houston is where I was born and raised. It's where my kids were born and raised. It's home. I have traveled all over the country;to Europe, Australia and Asia;but I love coming home to Houston. It's where I belong and where my heart is.
My most memorable experience in Houston would have to be driving a copy of the GT car that I won the 24 Hours of Le Mans with. In the early '70s, I drove it over 200 mph on the 610 freeway. There weren't nearly as many cars on the road back then.
Chloe Dao
Chloe Dao
LOT 8 boutique owner
Project Runway winner
I love Rice Village. It feels like a little New York. I love that you can park and just walk around. The Rice Village has great mom and pop shops like LOT 8 and Hemline, and big stores like Banana Republic, Pier 1, and Sephora. After shopping, I love that I can grab a quick bite at Jason Deli's or a have nice sit-down meal Mi Luna. After having a great meal. I can walk it off at the walking/running trail or still do more shopping. At night, the Rice Village comes alive with tons of outdoor bars like Bronx Bar and Brian O' Neill's.
Houston is the unknown fashion frontier. Houstonians
Yolanda Adams
Yolanda Adams
Entertainer
Grammy Winner
There are many words that describe Houston, but all encompassing would be the most adequate. There are great museums—our cultural arts centers are bar none. Our sports arenas are awesome, and we love great restaurants. Whether single or family oriented, we have appropriate activities for all.
Growing up in Houston was exciting and fun for me and my family. We had so many places to go and so much to do.
Joel and Victoria Osteen
Joel and Victoria Osteen
Pastors, Lakewood Church
Houston people are the best. This is the friendliest big city in the world. We love Houston’s attitude. Houston takes on projects that other cities have never tried—nothing seems impossible. Our city keeps growing and moving forward boldly into the future.
Haylie Duff
Haylie Duff
Entertainer
Houston is a place where the people are real. Growing up, there was a real sense of family, and the neighborhood had a cool feeling of cohesiveness.
I love the food and the people. I think that Houston is a special American city, and everyone should come for a visit.
Mari Carmen Ramirez
Mari Carmen Ramirez
Curator of Latin American Art, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
I truly believe that Houston is the prototype of the city of the 21st century. It boasts truly groundbreaking institutions—the Medical Center and NASA, in particular—which were the result of visionary initiatives of thirty years ago. Today, it is a vibrant, fast-growing city that exudes entrepreneurship, creativity, and a forward-looking perspective.
Clint and Lisa Hartman Black
Clint and Lisa Hartman Black
Singers
Houston is the greatest! We have world-class theater, art galleries, every form of entertainment and wonderful restaurants, too.
Carl Lewis
Carl Lewis
Athlete/Entertainer
But if I were to pick just one reason why Houston is so special I would have to say it’s the economic opportunity and cultural diversity.
Connor Walsh
Connor Walsh
Principal Dancer, Houston Ballet
What makes Houston special? Well, you have to say the people. Without them, the city wouldn't be what it is today. Between the diverse group of people and the communities that they create, there are few cities that can compare.
Denton A. Cooley, MD
Denton A. Cooley, MD
President and Surgeon-In-Chief
Texas Heart Institute
As a native Houstonian, I enjoy all of the public places Houston has to offer including Hermann Park, the Houston Zoo and Memorial Park. There are so many local facilities that are easily accessible.
Everyone is so vested in the progress of Houston. The philanthropic mentality in this city is incredible.
The Port of Houston is a huge commercial asset, all of the petroleum production and refineries are the heart and soul of Houston. Of course the Texas Medical Center plays an important role in making Houston special. It offers wonderful services to the citizens in Houston and the world.
Bill Stubbs
Bill Stubbs
Designer, Author and TV Host
Houston is modern, urban and has great arts, great theater and fantastic food!
What makes Houston special? The “can do” attitude. If you have a new idea, this is the place to make it happen.
A typical day for me starts out with breakfast at the Avalon Diner. Then it's off to the Museum of Fine Arts to see the new exhibition followed by an early dinner at La Griglia and an art film at the
River Oaks Theatre or a Broadway show at the Hobby Center.
Carlos Lee
Carlos Lee
Outfielder, Houston Astros
Houston is a city that you can do anything in. We have great restaurants and great shopping. This is an exciting town with plenty to do year-round.
George Foreman
George Foreman
Boxer, Olympic Gold Medalist, Entertainer
Houston's home. Just like a homing pigeon, no matter how far I go, nature always pulls me back.
The city's best kept secret is that it's the home of great food. My favorite places to eat are Pappadeaux, Ruth's Chris and, of course, Vic & Anthony's.
Gary Kubiak
Gary Kubiak
Head Coach, Houston Texans
My wife made sure that our children were born in Houston so they could call themselves Houstonians. Houston has always been home to me and my family and it was a great opportunity to be a head coach in my home town.
Dr. Bernard Harris
Dr. Bernard Harris
Former NASA Astronaut
Houston was my launching pad to the stars! It is a wonderful city that I have called home for over 20 years.
Beyonce Knowles
Beyonce Knowles
Entertainer
When I describe Houston to friends who have never been here, I first have to tell them, no, it's not like the country films you see on TV! I like to describe Houston as a great place to raise a family. You get nice southern people with a city atmosphere. You can buy a great home in a price range to fit your income. The great thing is, whether you or your children are into arts, sports, music, business, etc., there is a place for you to grow into and learn all of those things right here in Houston.
I love Houston. Some of the best moments of my life took place there. This will always be ho
Lyle Lovett
Lyle Lovett
Musician
There’s no limit to what goes on in Houston and there’s no limit to the possibilities you can find in Houston.
Jim Parsons
Jim Parsons
Actor
I consider myself so lucky to have grown up in Houston; it was so beneficial to me as a person in general, but very specifically as an actor.
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