Houston, Texas may not be the most glamorous city in the United States, but that doesn’t mean it has nothing to offer. With just over two million residents speaking more than 90 languages, it is the fourth most populous city in the United States, following New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. With such a diverse population, it is no wonder that there is a wide variety of things to do and see in Houston.
First, a little Houston history. Houston history is closely tied with the history of the United States. Houston was founded in the summer of 1836, only four months after Texas won its independence from Mexico. Between 1837 and 1840, Houston was the capitol of the Republic of Texas. In 1962, NASA moved the Manned Spacecraft Center to Houston, and in 1969, the city name was the first word spoken from the surface of the moon. In 2005, refugees from New Orleans were given temporary shelter in the Astrodome following Hurricane Katrina. Today, Houston remains a leader in culinary, energy, and aeronautic industries.
Of course, Houston history is only a small part of what makes the city such a great place to visit. With 11,000 different restaurants competing for the title of Best Place to Eat in Houston, you are sure to find something to suit your taste. Due to the draw of its fishing industry, Houston boasts a high Vietnamese population, with the delicious food that goes with it. Authentic Mexican and Cajun food have a noted presence as well.
In Houston NASA tours are growing in popularity. The Johnson Space Center offers a wide variety of opportunities, from lunch with an astronaut to a tram tour of the grounds. Some guests even opt to take the Level 9 tour, which can last almost five hours and features stops in Mission Control for the International Space Station and historic missions.
Sightseeing in Houston is often more exciting than in other cities. The annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is one of the largest in the nation, and features live performances by country music stars, fried foods, and over 20,000 livestock exhibits. With an extensive theatre district rivaled only by that in New York City and 19 museums in a 1.5 mile radius, fans of more quiet pursuits will find something to do.
With a vibrant, diverse city culture, sunny weather, and wide variety of things to do, Houston is a prime vacation destination. Consider Houston for your next vacation and prepare to experience great food, great fun, and great people.