Houston, a huge metropolis near the Gulf Coast, is one of the most recognizable places in the United States. About two million Americans live there, forming a unique, diverse community.
It consists of nine administrative-territorial units throughout the city and the Bay Area. Officially, the entire agglomeration has more than six and a half million residents, but like every major urban cluster in America, no one knows exactly what its population really is.
Over the past ten to fifteen years, Houston has become a true metropolis in every way. Forty-nine of the largest companies in the United States are located here. Only New York City has more (72). Houston is also one of the greenest cities in America. There are up to 337 parks with a total area of more than 227 square kilometers and another 200 green areas of almost 81 square kilometers. But the city boasts much of its status as the cultural center of Texas. Houston has its own permanent symphony orchestra, as well as an opera and ballet scene.
Dozens of theaters, cabarets, and small stages that perform all kinds of productions throughout the year must be mentioned. Orchestras regularly perform in Houston, operas and performances by ensembles from other cities and other countries. There are also several hundred bars and music clubs with bands representing all kinds of popular music, from tejano, mariachi and pop to jazz, blues and hard rock.
Houston is the heart of Texas
Despite the fact that Houston is not in central Texas, the city can be called the heart of the region, where tourists from all over the world come to visit. This metropolis, which gets its name from American politician General Samuel Houston, is characterized by an atmosphere of multicultural bustle, which means that everyone can find something of interest in their chosen neighborhood. An unusually original landscape stretches across nearly 1,700 square kilometers, combining the beauty of local nature with distinctive buildings created mostly by skyscrapers. The city’s specificity is also defined by its globalism – Houston is recognized as a very important center of energy development, aeronautics, as well as a place that promotes culture.
What to see in Houston?
Houston, the largest city in Texas, is a place full of a variety of tourist attractions. Both natural and cultural lovers can realize an interesting sightseeing plan. The amazing atmosphere of the city, which is the most magnificent metropolis of the region, is sure to make an amazing impression on every visitor.
A trip to Houston is best starting with a visit to the city’s entertainment center, the so-called Theater District. During the tour you can see, the Verizon Wireless Theater, which is a famous venue for pop stars and comedians to perform. In addition, many museums (19 of them) are worth seeing, being in close proximity to each other (many of them free). Tourists get to admire artifacts found in the collections of the Museum of Modern Art, the Museum of Fine Arts, and the Museum of Natural History.
The Museum of Fine Arts is one of the largest institutions of its kind in the United States, with a permanent collection of more than 62,000 works by the greatest artists from around the world. The museum has exhibits in its collection spanning a period of 6,000 years of human artistic creation. The largest collections are Italian Renaissance paintings, French Impressionism, American paintings and works from other cultures. The museum has a large collection of works by Cézanne, Modigliani, Canaletto, Renoir, Monet, Matisse and many others. The Art Museum of Houston is one of the most equipped museums in the world.
After enjoying the view of cultural products, you can stroll the trails of Houston’s most beautiful parks. First and foremost is the one next to the Buffalo Bayou River, which covers about 160 acres, including scenic bays for water sports. The Gerald D. Hines Water Park, with its delightful monumental fountain resembling a real waterfall, is also a unique attraction in the city.
For lovers of science, sports and nature
Houston is no place for boredom, and there are many very attractive places to visit. Space exploration enthusiasts will undoubtedly enjoy a visit to the Houston Space Center, a huge science complex run by NASA researchers. At the site, you can see an exact replica of the Independence Ferry, as well as a real lunar rock. In addition to taking the opportunity to expand your knowledge of what’s beyond our planet, you should definitely take a stroll through the zoo at Hermann Park. There, 6,000 different species of animals such as sea lions, giraffes, and otters find shelter there, which you can admire up close and even participate in feeding them.
Сuisine
Houston is also a true paradise for fans of the culinary arts. Great cooks, or rather great artists, have been rewarded and celebrated by their contemporaries since the beginning of this art on a par with great poets and painters. Even the oldest known literary work, over 5,000 years old, the Sumerian epic of Gilgamesh mentions this art. There are eleven thousand restaurants in Houston, serving 70 different cuisines from around the world and elsewhere in the United States. It’s easy here, walk a few blocks to go from one culinary continent to another.
