What's new in Houston?

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There's never been a better time to visit Houston!
Here are just some of the reasons why...

Do More in Houston

Where can you go for the best in entertainment, sports, cultural arts, shopping, dining and nightlife? Look no further than Houston, Texas. Home to a respected and energetic cultural arts scene, the fourth largest shopping center in the country, the oldest African-American theater in the Southwest and the brains behind United States space exploration, Houston is as diverse a city as they come. As The New York Times stated in a recent feature, "Maybe that's what makes Houston such an unusual and wonderful place--there are so many different Houstons to see."

Downtown Houston has become one of the most vibrant areas in the city. More than 50 restaurants and bars have opened within the past several years, and the 7.5-mile METRORail facilitates travel to and from the Museum District, Texas Medical Center and Reliant Park. The new Hilton Americas-Houston added 1,200 guestrooms to downtown Houston in 2003, in addition to the resurgence in boutique hotels such as the Hotel Icon, Alden-Houston Hotel and the Magnolia. Across from Minute Maid Park is downtown Houston's newest hotel, Inn at the Ballpark. Whether you are selecting a site for a meeting or planning a weekend family getaway, consider Houston.

Houston After Dark The Main Event! is Houston's entertainment district with street cafes and live music. Every Friday and Saturday from 4 p.m. to 2 a.m., Main Street is closed to vehicular traffic between Congress and Capitol streets to become a pedestrian-friendly area for all people downtown's offerings. The Downtown Aquarium and Bayou Place are also popular downtown entertainment destinations. Downtown's Houston Pavilion development will open entertainment venues like House of Blues in late 2007.

Midtown, on downtown's southwest border, has emerged as a hot spot. The live-music hangout Continental Club and the Drink bar are both steps away from the METRORail, and hip locals and visitors flock to Red Door for its famed rooftop terrace overlooking the downtown skyline. Rice Village, near Rice University, offers a variety of pubs and bars.

On Stage
Houston is one of five cities in the United States with resident companies in the four disciplines of the performing arts-ballet, opera, symphony and theater. Houston's 17-block Theater District is home to all of them, as well as musical theater performances by Theatre Under the Stars and Broadway in Houston and innovative local groups like Uniquely Houston and Da Camera. Barry Mandel, president of the Houston Downtown Entertainment District Alliance, stresses the longevity of Houston's performing arts rganizations. "In 2005, the Houston Symphony turned 90, Houston Ballet turned 35 and Houston Grand Opera turned 50."

Fun for the Family
Whether you're experiencing a space shuttle landing at Space Center Houston or splashing around in more than two million gallons of water at Six Flags SplashTown, Houston's attractions are full of adventure. Explore the world's oceans from inside Moody Gardens' 12-story Aquarium Pyramid, then appreciate science and nature in the Rainforest and Discovery Pyramids. Place bets on horses at the Sam Houston Race Park or greyhounds at the Gulf Greyhound Park. Or visit Traders Village on the weekends for food, fun and great finds from more than 800 vendors. For history buffs, visit the San Jacinto Battleground Complex, which marks the spot where Texas won its independence from Mexico, or the Lone Star Flight Museum, a large collection of restored aircraft and photo archives housed in a hanger. Step back in time at the George Ranch, a working ranch, where visitors can experience more than 150 years of Texas history.

Waterfront Fun - Almost every major cruise line now departs from the Port of Houston or the Port of Galveston for luxurious Caribbean cruises. Before you embark on your journey, spend some time in historic Galveston at the various art galleries on The Strand or catch a show at the Grand 1894 Opera House.
Houston's modern climate encourages year-round recreation. Gulf beaches, a boardwalk, lakes, 165 public and private golf courses, countless swimming pools and tennis courts and hundreds of parks make getting out and about a pleasure. Houston has recorded just 14 snow days since 1939. The normal maximum temperature in January is about 62 degrees, and the normal maximum temperature in July is 94 degrees.

Cultural Encounters
The Museum District is within walking distance of Hermann Park--home of the Houston Zoo, Japanese Tea Gardens and Miller Outdoor Theatre--and is adjacent the beautiful Rice University. The Museum District is home to 15 museums including the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, The Children's Museum of Houston, The Menil Collection, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston and many more. Visitors to the Museum District can view one of only two Rembrandt paintings in Texas, one of the most highly renowned Surrealist collections in the country, the top collection of gems and minerals in the world and a 7,400-square-foot model of the human body.

Shopping Spree
A visit to Houston would be incomplete without a shopping spree. The Galleria is Houston's premier shopping destination, recently renovated with more than 375 fine stores and restaurants and a full-size ice rink. Several miles from the Galleria are Uptown Park, Houston's European-style shopping center, and Highland Village, an outdoor upscale center.

Katy Mills Mall, a sprawling shopper's paradise west of downtown, features the best names in manufacturers and retail outlets with more than 200 stores. Take a scenic drive north of Houston to Conroe and shop at the Conroe Outlet Center . With more than 60 stores including Carter's, Levi's, Guess? and Nine West, this is a shopping destination you don't want to miss.

With its dramatic makeover complete, Memorial City Mall pulls out all the stops, delighting shoppers with a wealth of stores, food and entertainment choices. Mixed with a vast selection of upscale shops and anchor stores such as Dillard's, Lord & Taylor and Target, you are sure to find everything on your list.

Culinary Excellence
For a long while, Houston has had one of the most exciting food scenes anywhere. Home to more than 5,000 restaurants, Houston offers everything from fine dining to hole-in-the-wall Tex-Mex. You'll find every variety of ethnic food found in America, from a slew of wonderful Chinese restaurants to fine Italian, Indian, Thai and even Brazilian eateries.

For the Sports Fans - Houstonians have had many reasons to cheer on the home team. Hometown hero Roger Clemens and the Killer "B's" led the Houston Astros to victory as the 2005 National League Champions. Seven-foot-six-inch Yao Ming has added a dose of star power to the Houston Rockets as one of the most popular players in the NBA. David Carr, the Houston Texans' young quarterback, was featured in People magazine's 2005 Sexiest Man Alive issue as the NFL's sexiest quarterback.
Houston's professional teams and players are not the only reason sports fans are flocking to the games. Houston offers three of the most state-of-the-art stadiums in the world-Minute Maid Park, home of the Astros; Reliant Stadium, home of the Houston Texans and the annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo; and the Toyota Center arena, home to the Houston Rockets, Comets and Aeros. All stadiums are linked by METRORail. Houston's newest professional team, the Houston Dynamo soccer team, will play its home matches at Robertson Stadium, located on the campus of the University of Houston.

Off the Beaten Path
Through art cars, oranges and houses covered in cans, Houston embraces folk art and unique spaces. Only in Houston can you find a chicken-shaped coffin, on display at the National Museum of Funeral History, whose tagline is "every day above ground is a good one." The Orange Show Center for Visionary Art is a major preserver and presenter of Houston's folk art, organizing the annual Art Car Parade--the oldest and largest of its kind--and preserving notable sites like the Beer Can House and The Orange Show, a 3,000-square-foot monument to the creator's favorite fruit. Houston has all kinds of hidden gems like these throughout the city-it simply takes a little exploring to find them.

International Gateway
With three major airports, Houston is one of the nation's premier international gateways, linking the region to more than 185 destinations. George Bush Intercontinental Airport is the eighth busiest airport in the United States for total passengers, facilitating travel to Houston from all over the world.

Houston boasts the world's largest medical center--The Texas Medical Center. Medicine is a growing economic force in Houston, employing more than 63,000 people and comprising 42+ institutions, with an annual economic impact of more than $15 billion.

Houston has recently hosted national sporting events--Super Bowl XXXVIII, Major League Baseball's All-Star Game, 2005 World Series and the 2005 Big 12 Conference Football Championship-and received international acclaim and recognition. Houston is looking forward to hosting the 2006 NBA All-Star Game and the NCAA Final Four in 2011, in addition to domestic and international tourists. Visit Houston, and see it all for yourself.