Great American Cities -
Houston
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Houston
Houston is the 4th largest city in the USA and it's a mix of everything that one can think of. It's a true modern day urban metropolis with long-winding concrete superhighways and high-rising buildings. But Houston is much more than a vertical-steel-asphalt-covered city - it's also a multicultural, zoning-free hodgepodge where in one strip mall there might be a Vietnamese grocery, a Venezuelan empanada stand and a big-beef meat market. And there are miles and miles of endless strip-malls that can be reached through the day-long gridlocked traffic. It's true that Houston doesn't excel in terms of city planning, but it has a brand new revitalized downtown area with a new light-rail line, glorious modern architecture, stadiums and several state-of-the-art performance centers. All of this and much more makes Houston one of the world's most popular tourist destinations, with more than 7 million visitors alone visiting the Houston Museum District.
Being a diverse city in a growing international community, the metropolitan area has a population where at least 22% of people were born outside the USA. As a result, you can see signs in different languages such as Spanish, Korean, and Chinese. As a result, this multicultural city has many events that suit all different cultures, but it's often confusing, to say the least.
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Houston - Overview
Houston's prosperity, built on the wealth of its oil and maritime industries, shows its immaculate streetscapes, parks and public buildings. Yet, beyond the skyscrapers, culture abounds in an impressive array of world-class restaurants, museums and cultural organizations.
Even though the city boasts of foreign culture, you won't need to go far for a true piece of Americana. One of the largest and longest running annual celebrations is the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. This rodeo event is held over 20 days, starting from late February until early March. Another large celebration is held in June, and is known as the Houston Pride Parade. Other must see festivals include the Houston International Festival, the Westheimer Block Party, and the Bayou City or Magnolia City Art Festival.
A thriving business center, the city has become increasingly cosmopolitan, with an influx of diverse ethnic groups and a strong emphasis on the arts, sporting events and the outdoors. Opera, ballet, symphony and theater are all top-notch, and the museums are considered one of the finest in the nation. The midday heat is easily escaped inside the numerous attractions and shopping areas, particularly in the pedestrian-friendly 6.5-mile underground city.
If you need some entertainment and refreshments, head over to the Theater District where you can find many fine restaurants and bars. Families can stop by the Hermann Park and enjoy a large zoo and a museum. Other tourist attractions to visit include Discovery Green, Memorial Park, and Sam Houston Park.
Are you a science nerd? Houston is home to NASA's Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center. Here, you will get to see exhibitions such as moon rocks, NASA's space flight program, and other things related to space discovery. The center was created in 1958 and since than it has attracted thousands of visitors interested in the scientific research and discovery of the outer space.
Other places to visit include the Galleria which is Texas's biggest shopping mall which is situated at the Upton District. The Old Market Square and the Downtown Aquarium are also great spots to stop by. And if you are looking to spend a few days, Houston has many lodging offers ranging from luxurious hotels to budget inns. And, as always, don't forget about vacation rentals. There are many vacation rentals in Houston offered directly by the owner or through agencies. What you select will depend on the area you want to visit the most. Remember, it's not that easy to go around the city so you might want to sleep close to where you are traveling...
All in all, Houston is a great place to visit for a taste of life in the Mid-West.
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