Exciting Places to See in Houston|Topographic Art for the Enthusiast!

Houston is the most populated city in Texas and is the largest city in the southern US, it is understandably the fourth most populated in the country. According to the 2016 US Census, Houston houses 2.3 million residents in its land area of 667 square miles.

Founded on August 28, 1836, the city was named after General Sam Houston who commanded at the Battle of San Jacinto.  The growing industry of railroad and oil influenced the constant surges in its population. Houston was the home of the largest concentration of research and healthcare organization in the world, the Texas Medical Center. The Johnson Space Center of NASA and the world famous Mission Control Center based its operation in the city.

The city thrives on its prosperous industry of manufacturing, energy, transportation, and aeronautics. Some of the tourist spots in the city revolve in its main industry. 

#1 Space Center Houston

Location: 1601 Nasa Pkwy,

A trip to Houston will not be complete without visiting Space Center Houston that inspired many successful Hollywood movies. The huge complex is a must see attraction in the city, where you can walk its grounds to see a life-size replica of Independence, a shuttle carrier aircraft, Skylab and even touch a real moon rock. Their main exhibit shows their upcoming missions of traveling to the planet Mars. Try to visit on Fridays, where kids can meet an astronaut when they do their presentations. A tram inside the grounds makes a round trip tour to Johnson Space Center, where you can observe how astronauts train for space missions. If you want a complete tour, Space Center Houston offers trips and because of the popularity of the center, you might want to book or get tickets in advance. 

# 2 Buffalo Bayou Park

Buffalo Bayou Park has a biking and walking trails as well as a dog park. The park has sculptures and great shady picnic areas littered across the park with the slow moving flow of Buffalo Bayou as its main attraction. There are a lot of recreational activities in the park like kayaking, stand up paddle boarding or paddling a canoe. You don’t need to bring all your bulky gears as rentals are available at the park.  Try to stay just before sunset, to see some 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats fly from Waugh Drive Bridge. 

# 3 Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park

Located in Uptown Houston, Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park is a 2.77 acre-park forested with century old oaks. It is nature showing her best for everyone to appreciate in a condensed city. The park has a massive multi-story sculptural fountain that is mesmerizing to watch its cascading water over large concrete walls.  The massive sculpture measures 64 feet and has a large arch with 46,500 square feet of water. 

# 4 Museum District

Location: 1001 Bissonnet Street

Houston boasts of 19 museums which 11 of them are free to the public. The city’s Museum District is one of the greatest cultural destinations in the country. Another great thing about it is they are located almost next to each other. With an exception of Menil and Rothko Chapel that are a little off the beaten path. Must see museums in the district include:

•    Menil Collection

•    Holocaust Museum

•    Contemporary Arts Museum

•    Museum of Fine Arts

•    Children's Museum

•    Houston Museum of Natural Science.

Take note of these museums as they are free of charge:

•    Rice Gallery

•    Houston Center for photography

•    Czech Center Museum Houston

•    The Menil Collection

•    Rothko Chapel

•    Houston Center for Contemporary Craft

•    Lawndale Art Center

•    Houston Museum of American Culture

•    Contemporary Arts Museum

# 5 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo

Depending which month you will visit Houston, one of the not-to-be missed event is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The 19 day fair occurs every February or March of each year, with activities for the whole family and much more. There are food stands, good old carnival rides, games, rodeo and livestock show.  They also held shows like cowboys showing off their skills and music performance from local artists. But the real fun begins in their Downtown Rodeo Parade.


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