Alive with energy and rich in diversity, Houston is a dynamic mix of imagination, talent and first-class attractions that makes it a world-class city. Home to a vibrant economy, beautiful surroundings and a population full of optimism and spirit, it's no wonder that Houston is a popular international destination.
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States of America, and the largest city in the state of Texas. Houston was founded in 1836 on land near the banks of Buffalo Bayou. It was incorporated as a city on June 5, 1837, and named after then-President of the Republic of Texas—former General Sam Houston—who had commanded at the Battle of San Jacinto, which took place 25 miles (40 km) east of where the city was established.
The burgeoning port and railroad industry, combined with oil discovery in 1901, has induced continual surges in the city's population. In the mid-twentieth century, Houston became the home of the Texas Medical Center—the world's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions—and NASA's Johnson Space Center, where the Mission Control Center is located.
Rated as a global city, Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation. It is also leading in health care sectors and building oilfield equipment; only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters. The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled.
The city has a population from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community. It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits, which attract more than 7 million visitors a year to the Museum District. Houston has an active visual and performing arts scene in the Theater District and offers year-round resident companies in all major performing arts.
Attractions
Minute Maid Park
Holocaust Museum Houston
Houston Zoo
The Menil Collection
Ice at the Galleria
National Museum of Funeral History
Hermann Park
Memorial Park
The Galleria
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
Byzantine Chapel Fresco Museum
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Police Officer's Memorial
Historic Sites
1940 Air Terminal Museum
The 1940 Air Terminal Museum is the only educational institution in Houston dedicated to promoting the city's significant civil aviation history.
Battleship Texas
The last of the battleships to participate in World War I and II, Battleship Texas became the first battleship memorial museum in the U.S. in 1948.
Bayou Bend
Bayou Bend, the former home of Houston philanthropist Ima Hogg, now houses the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's early American decorative arts & painting collection.
Bishop's Palace
The stone and steel mansion of Walter Gresham rises like a beacon in Galveston's East End Historic District.
Buffalo Bayou
Buffalo Bayou, the 52-mile slow-moving waterway that was the site of Houston's founding in 1836, has become a destination for outdoor recreation near downtown Houston.
George Ranch Historical Park
This 480-acre living history site, with more than 100 years of Texas history, offers hands-on experiences and costumed historical interpreters.
Glenwood Cemetery
Home to the resting places of Howard Hughes, William P. Hobby and other Texas VIPs, Glenwood Cemetery opened in 1871.
Grand 1894 Opera House
Magnificently restored and ranked among the nation's finest historical commercial restorations, The Grand 1894 Opera House today serves as a showcase for outstanding live entertainment.
Heritage Society
The Heritage Society is the city's only outdoor, interactive historic museum and park. Nestled in 10 acres of beautiful green parkland in the heart of downtown Houston, The Heritage Society boasts 9 historic structures dating from 1823 to 1905.
Historic Houston Heights Shopping District
Antiques, home decor, vintage clothing, art galleries, and garden shops abound in this picturesque Victorian neighborhood.
Historic Strand District
Galveston's Historic Strand District, or The Strand, is the heart of the island and a great place to shop, dine and be entertained.
Landmark River Oaks Theatre
Moviegoers with savoir-faire can catch an independent or foreign flick at this theater, built in 1939.
Market Square Park
Nestled in Houston's Historic District, Market Square Park provides a place for entertainment, dining, public art and—yes—green space.
Moody Mansion
The 28,000-square-foot home that would become known as the Moody Mansion was built in 1895.
Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States of America, and the largest city in the state of Texas. Houston was founded in 1836 on land near the banks of Buffalo Bayou. It was incorporated as a city on June 5, 1837, and named after then-President of the Republic of Texas—former General Sam Houston—who had commanded at the Battle of San Jacinto, which took place 25 miles (40 km) east of where the city was established.
The burgeoning port and railroad industry, combined with oil discovery in 1901, has induced continual surges in the city's population. In the mid-twentieth century, Houston became the home of the Texas Medical Center—the world's largest concentration of healthcare and research institutions—and NASA's Johnson Space Center, where the Mission Control Center is located.
Rated as a global city, Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, and transportation. It is also leading in health care sectors and building oilfield equipment; only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters. The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled.
The city has a population from various ethnic and religious backgrounds and a large and growing international community. It is home to many cultural institutions and exhibits, which attract more than 7 million visitors a year to the Museum District. Houston has an active visual and performing arts scene in the Theater District and offers year-round resident companies in all major performing arts.
Attractions
Minute Maid Park
Holocaust Museum Houston
Houston Zoo
The Menil Collection
Ice at the Galleria
National Museum of Funeral History
Hermann Park
Memorial Park
The Galleria
The Houston Museum of Natural Science
Byzantine Chapel Fresco Museum
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
Police Officer's Memorial
Historic Sites
1940 Air Terminal Museum
The 1940 Air Terminal Museum is the only educational institution in Houston dedicated to promoting the city's significant civil aviation history.
Battleship Texas
The last of the battleships to participate in World War I and II, Battleship Texas became the first battleship memorial museum in the U.S. in 1948.
Bayou Bend
Bayou Bend, the former home of Houston philanthropist Ima Hogg, now houses the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston's early American decorative arts & painting collection.
Bishop's Palace
The stone and steel mansion of Walter Gresham rises like a beacon in Galveston's East End Historic District.
Buffalo Bayou
Buffalo Bayou, the 52-mile slow-moving waterway that was the site of Houston's founding in 1836, has become a destination for outdoor recreation near downtown Houston.
George Ranch Historical Park
This 480-acre living history site, with more than 100 years of Texas history, offers hands-on experiences and costumed historical interpreters.
Glenwood Cemetery
Home to the resting places of Howard Hughes, William P. Hobby and other Texas VIPs, Glenwood Cemetery opened in 1871.
Grand 1894 Opera House
Magnificently restored and ranked among the nation's finest historical commercial restorations, The Grand 1894 Opera House today serves as a showcase for outstanding live entertainment.
Heritage Society
The Heritage Society is the city's only outdoor, interactive historic museum and park. Nestled in 10 acres of beautiful green parkland in the heart of downtown Houston, The Heritage Society boasts 9 historic structures dating from 1823 to 1905.
Historic Houston Heights Shopping District
Antiques, home decor, vintage clothing, art galleries, and garden shops abound in this picturesque Victorian neighborhood.
Historic Strand District
Galveston's Historic Strand District, or The Strand, is the heart of the island and a great place to shop, dine and be entertained.
Landmark River Oaks Theatre
Moviegoers with savoir-faire can catch an independent or foreign flick at this theater, built in 1939.
Market Square Park
Nestled in Houston's Historic District, Market Square Park provides a place for entertainment, dining, public art and—yes—green space.
Moody Mansion
The 28,000-square-foot home that would become known as the Moody Mansion was built in 1895.
