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Like many major U.S. cities, Houston unfolds in distinctive districts, each with its own character, attractions, shopping, dining, and diversions. Here, we break it down to help you decide where and how to spend your time. Refer to the Guide Map for a big-picture view of the city and to find the best route to your destination.
Downtown and Midtown Light Up the Arts Scene
Here lies Houston’s cultural nucleus, with performance groups such as the Houston Symphony, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet, and the 17-block Theater District. The historic downtown location of Macy’s, the Shops at Houston Center, and the new Houston Pavilions meet all your retail needs. The Museum District — home to the Contemporary Arts Museum, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Museum of Natural Science, and others — lies only a few miles down the convenient Metro line. In between, shopping and dining opportunities unfold throughout downtown, midtown, and the nearby artsy neighborhood of Montrose.
Great Shopping Prevails at The Galleria and Other Nearby Areas
If shopping is your pleasure, this is your part of town. A variety of luxurious boutiques and nationally known retailers rules here. The Galleria alone has nearly 400 retailers, two hotels, an indoor ice-skating rink, and dining options such as Del Frisco’s Steak House, Kona Grill, The Cheesecake Factory, and The Daily Grill. Nearby Uptown Park offers shopping and dining in an open-air Italian piazza, while the River Oaks, Upper Kirby, and Greenway areas connect three points of a geographic triangle encompassing dozens of firstclass and down-home dining and shopping options. In between, Highland Village on Westheimer offers more choices, including Crate & Barrel, Williams Sonoma, Pottery Barn, Chico’s, Coldwater Creek, and Houston’s own favorite boutique, Tootsie’s.
A Rich Heritage Marks The Heights, The Sixth, and Northwest Houston
Much of Houston’s history echoes in charming neighborhoods — such as The Heights and Sixth Ward — where Victorian cottages and turn-of-the-century architecture prevail. Stroll along 19th Street to find antiques, art, and interesting shops. A walking tour of the historic houses in the Sixth Ward offers a glimpse of Houston life from a century ago. Another fabulous shopping trail leads to the Northwest Houston/Greenspoint area near Bush Intercontinental Airport, where miles of shopping and dining choices sprawl along FM 1960. A little farther up Interstate 45, the quaint Old Town Spring village awaits with antiques, tearooms, and surprises.
At Rice Village and Reliant Park Eclecticism Includes Pro Sports
At the southern end of Kirby Drive, Rice Village beckons shoppers with more than 300 shops and restaurants in a walkable 16-block area west of picturesque Rice University. Wining and dining in “The Village” is eclectic, with everything from three Thai restaurants to friendly neighborhood pubs. On the other side of the university, the renowned Texas Medical Center — famous for advances in heart surgery and cancer treatment — includes more than 40 hospitals, clinics, and medical schools. To the south, Reliant Park boasts venues for sports and special events, including Reliant Stadium, where the Houston Texans play under a retractable roof. The Astrodome, considered “the eighth wonder of the world” when it was built in 1965, sits in its shadow.
