Houston, Texas - Overview and Essential Travel Information
by cctraveler2 at TravelPost
With great restaurants, easy transportation via trolley and one of the finest convention centers in the country, Houston is a great city to spend some time. Although the city itself is home to just over 2 million people, you'll get a distinct feeling of community, warmth, and friendliness you can't really find elsewhere, especially among cities of similar size and complexity. Stroll around our Museum District, where you’ll find not only 11 institutions, but the excellent Houston Zoological Gardens, the Rose Garden at Hermann Park, and depending on the time of year, a free performance at Miller Outdoor Theater. Tour NASA and Space Center Houston or see a great performance by the city's ballet, orchestral, and theatre companies. Houston's 'fun in the sun' is especially thrilling during the summer when it offers a host of wet and wild outdoor, as well as indoor, activities. Start by taking the plunge in one of Texas’ largest waterparks, SplashTown. With several water coasters, some as high as five stories, as well as fountains of fun for the little ones, there’s something for all ages at this north Houston park. Just south of town is one of our best indoor attractions, Gulf Greyhound Park, which offers live greyhound racing, simulcast horse racing and pari-mutuel wagering year-round. An out of this world experience awaits those who explore the final frontier of Space Center Houston, NASA’s official visitor’s center, located in the Clear Lake area, as is Armand Bayou Nature Center. A little further south, Moody Gardens in Galveston is a one-stop destination for year-round fun with a huge aquarium pyramid, rainforest pyramid and two IMAX theaters. The fascinating Lone Star Flight Museum is next door. More centrally located are such attention-getters as Six Flags AstroWorld and WaterWorld, a 100-acre entertainment complex filled with exciting rides, shows and water sports. Downtown, in the heart of Houston, Bayou Place keeps the beat with a slew of urban dining and entertainment options. While visiting downtown, you can also step back in time at the Heritage Society Museum and Sam Houston Park. A short drive east or west takes you to the famed San Jacinto Battleground, the site of Texas’ independence from Mexico, or George Ranch Historical Park, a living history museum. Just north of the city is one of the country’s largest outdoor markets, Traders Village, as well as Mother Nature’s sanctuary, Mercer Arboretum. Another back-to-nature excursion is the bountiful wildlife retreat at the Houston Arboretum, near Memorial park. GETTING AROUND Limited bus service is available to Bush Intercontinental Airport making taxis and private shuttle buses a better bet. Bus service to Hobby Airport is more reliable. Both airports have car rental agencies. The Metro network of over 100 bus lines serves the Houston area from north of IAH south all the way to Clear Lake. Much of the system is geared for the weekday commute in and out of the downtown area which means that weekend service to outlying areas like Clear Lake and the Johnson Space Center isn't the best. Light rail is now in service and runs the main street corridor from Reliant Park, through the Medical Center, the Museum District, and into downtown near the theatre district. By far the best way to get around Houston is with a car. Parking is plentiful and usually free and many sights are clustered together so you can ditch your wheels and walk around a bit when you like. Other sights and attractions are so scattered that driving is the only convenient way to reach them. Driving is on the right. SHOPPING Houston's Galleria is a must see for the die-hard shopper and the penny pincher alike. Not only does it have over 300 stores of all varieties, but it also has a skating rink. 16 million people visit the complex each year, and the mall recently added an addition creating room for new stores.
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