Houston Red Lion

Friendly residents of the biggest city in Texas are ready to greet you with a big smile and local tales of their thriving homeland. They know H-Town is a premier destinationOpens in a new window for corporate and vacation travelers, offering a cosmopolitan experience that encompasses thriving energy corridors and lush acres of urban green. This is a city that rolls out the welcome mat with a unique style, and Houston hotels especially reflect the legendary Texan hospitality.

The pace is exciting, but not demanding. The attitude is metropolitan, but you can leave the black tie at home. You're staying in a big town with a well-deserved reputation for serving up the very best: from barbecue cook-offs and gourmet dining, to professional sports and a world-class museum district.

Things to see and do

Discovery Green

This downtown jewel is your gateway to hiking and biking in the great urban outdoors. Try your angling luck at Kinder Lake, attend local canine competitions on Jones Lawn, and cool down in the Houston summer with a splashdown in sparkling Gateway Fountain.

The Museum District

Take a leisurely stroll through Hermann Park, and explore the 20 museums that grace this remarkable district. The Museum of Fine Arts and Menil Collection are world-renowned centerpieces in this enclave that includes venues dedicated to science, photography and contemporary crafts.

Johnson Space Center

Relive the history of mankind's giant leap through the Starship Gallery, and launch your astronaut dreams inside the Apollo 17 Command Module. JSC thrills big kids with its NASA Tram Tour and entertains the little ones with their own Kids' Space Place.

Special events

Houston Rodeo

Pure Texas fun bucks into town every March with three weeks of professional rodeo action, star-studded musical entertainment and the World's Championship Bar-B-Que Contest. Follow that delicious aroma to Reliant Stadium, and saddle up for a tasty ride.

The Art Car Parade

Some traditions just can't be explained, so you have to experience this incredible parade for yourself. The springtime street regatta celebrates Houston's eccentric relationship with cars, its love of creative art and the home-grown imagination that elevates both to delightfully entertaining heights.

Wings Over Houston

It's impossible to set your sights too high at this breathtaking air show over Houston's historic Ellington Field. The Air Force Thunderbirds and Navy Blue Angels roar through clear April skies in precise formations and rock the clouds with aeronautical acrobatics.

Where to stay

Downtown

This vibrant area is more than an ideal location for business travelers. All the front doors in downtown Houston hotels lead out to upscale dining, local sports venues and a thriving theater district. The venerable Magnolia Hotel and historic Lancaster Hotel are popular favorites.

West Loop

Rub shoulders with the uptown crowd, and indulge in sophisticated shopping at the River Oaks Center. This elegant slice of Houston offers an enticing array of accommodations, from beautiful boutique hotels to the luxurious Marriott West.

South Loop

Swing through Rice University, catch the games at NRG Stadium, and head on south to Galveston. A variety of national hotel icons, comfortable price ranges, and convenient access to downtown keep this area high on the list of preferred stays for all travelers.

Best time to visit

Houston summers really sizzle, so locals turn staying cool into a sport. This time of year, they'll invite you to catch an Astros game at Minute Maid Park where the roof stays closed and the AC stays on. The city's tunnel system is an underground urban world of shopping and dining fun. It's a favorite place to duck the heat with easy connections to downtown Houston.

This big town plans city celebrations around its beautiful spring weather, and the Texans tackle NFL gridiron at NRG Stadium every fall. If you're weary of freezing winters, join the flock of fellow travelers who proudly call themselves snow birds as they head south to Houston for a balmy Christmas.