Houston is a thriving city that is home to entrancing museums, stellar science, and plenty of outdoor entertainment. Yes, it’s in Texas, but there’s so much more here than oil rigs and cowboys. As the Lone Star State’s most populous city, Houston welcomes visitors to experience its green spaces, diversity, and ingenuity.

From Sea to Sky

Buffalo Bayou is the waterway that runs through the heart of Houston, connecting it with nearby Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico. The Bayou’s attractions include Battleship Texas, a decommissioned Navy ship. The ship sailed during WWI and WWII, and today is a memorial and museum of these conflicts and the Navy’s role in them.

The famous words, “Houston, we have lift off,” capture the imagination of would-be space enthusiasts of all ages. At Space Center Houston, visitors delve into the eras of space exploration through seasonal exhibits, live presentations, and tours. The Starship Gallery features many of the spacecraft that have completed flights, including the Apollo 17 Command Module, and the Astronaut Gallery showcases a comprehensive collection of spacesuits. Guests can also go inside a replica of the Shuttle Independence and the real NASA 905 shuttle carrier aircraft.

Fresh Air and Animal Encounters

One of Houston’s most famous green spaces, Memorial Park, is 1500 acres of outdoor fun! This expansive park just west of downtown has miles of trails and paths for biking, skating, or hiking. The park is also home to an 18-hole golf course, croquet courts, and a variety of sports fields. For those nature explorers, the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center is located within Memorial Park. This organization’s mission is to provide education about the natural environment and provide a sanctuary for native plants and animals. The Arboretum offers a variety of guided tours and seasonal programs to encourage people of all ages and a variety of interests to explore nature.

The city’s vibrant museum district is home to 18 famed museums and the Houston Zoo. The zoo’s focus is on educating and encouraging conservation efforts of animals like sea lions, Komodo dragons and the ever-popular elephants. The new Texas Wetlands area will open in the spring of 2019.

Just a short ride outside of the city limits, the Kemah Boardwalk is ideal for spending some time by the water. Located on the shores of Galveston Bay and Clear Lake, the boardwalk has a variety of restaurants, midway games, and amusement rides. The boardwalk itself is free to stroll, and guests that are interested in the games and attractions can purchase tickets or days passes for added fun.

Taste the Tex-Mex

The local flavor of Tex-Mex dishes can be found throughout Houston. From fish tacos to creamy queso, each Tex-Mex establishment has its claim to fame. The city is also known for its steak fajitas, so visitors should seek out a sizzling skillet at some point during their stay.

The culinary scene extends far beyond Tex-Mex. The smell of barbeque wafts around the city as smokehouses prepare their fare for the evening, or in some cases for two or three evenings away. Seafood restaurants use morning’s fresh catches from the nearby Gulf, creating some of the freshest and most flavorful dishes to be had. The only difficult part will be trying to decide what to eat first!

How to Get to Houston

Houston is home to two airports: George Bush Intercontinental Airport and William P. Hobby Airport. George Bush Intercontinental Airport has nonstop service to 116 domestic destinations and is a hub for United Airlines. William P. Hobby Airport is closer to Houston’s downtown and is a key airport for Southwest Airlines.

These close ties to two major airlines make booking your clients’ trips to Houston easy through United Vacations or Southwest Vacations. You can find more suppliers in MyTravelAgentPortal.

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