The Place for Government Per Diem Rate Hotels

City Overview

Government per diem hotels are plenty in Houston. This modern dynamic city certainly has every type of hotel that you can think of and promises some of the best federal per diem rate hotels available.

Despite its high-rise skyline, Houston has an open feel with several lakes and waterways winding their way through the city, surrounded by lush green landscape.

Houston has been a dynamic centre of business, particularly in oil, since 'black gold' was discovered at nearby Beaumont in 1901. It is also the leader in space technology - Houston is home to NASA and the Johnson Space Center, the base for Mission Control and the place where astronauts are trained. It was established in 1961, as NASA's primary site for the design, development and testing of spacecraft for human flight.

The port area, which is linked to the city by the Houston Ship Channel, an 80km (50-mile) inland waterway, is thriving and has developed into an important business district.

Houston is now the fourth largest in America, covering an area of 1600 sq km (618 sq miles).In recent years, Houston's Downtown has undergone a dramatic transformation into a dynamic area of the city. It's now both an entertainment and residential district, and many buildings have been converted into loft apartments that sell at a premium. The area is a magnet for people who wish to have dinner, see a movie or a show and walk along the historic waterfront in Sesquicentennial Park and on the Sabine-to-Bagby Promenade.

Bayou Place, an entertainment complex in the Downtown Theater District, has been a great addition to the area, providing restaurants, live music and a multiplex cinema.

Getting Around

Airport

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
Tel: (281) 230 3100.
Website: www.houstonairportsystem.org

George Bush Airport is 35km (22 miles) north of the city. It serves over 180 destinations worldwide from five terminals.

Airport facilities: These include bureaux de change, ATMs, tourist information, duty-free, shops, restaurants and bars.

Transport to the city:Express Shuttle (tel: (281) 230 7275; website: www.airportexpresshouston.com) operates a service to Downtown (journey time - one hour). METRO (tel: (713) 635 4000; website: www.ridemetro.org) operates regular public buses to Downtown, Monday to Friday (journey time - approximately 1 hour). Taxis are also available outside the terminals and fares to Downtown are in the region of US$45.

William P Hobby Airport (HOU)
Tel: (713) 640 3000.
Website: www.houstonairportsystem.org

William P Hobby Airport is located 16km (10 miles) to the southeast of Houston. It provides non-stop domestic flights to over 30 US cities.

Airport facilities: These include bureaux de change, ATMs, tourist information, car hire (Avis, Dollar and Hertz among others), shops and restaurants.

Transport to the city:Express Shuttle (tel: (281) 230 7275; website: www.airportexpresshouston.com) operates a regular service to Downtown (journey time - 1 hour). METRO (tel: (713) 635 4000; website: www.ridemetro.org) operates regular public buses (101 Airport Express) to Downtown (journey time - 45 minutes). Taxis are available outside the terminals and fares to Downtown are in the region of US$22.50.

Trains

The cost of rail travel is rather expensive but the level of comfort is high.

Rail Operators

Amtrak (tel: 1 800 872 7245/USA RAIL; www.amtrak.com) operates long-distance services from Houston Amtrak Station, 902 Washington Avenue (tel: (713) 224 1577). The ticket office is open Monday to Friday 0900 to 2400 and Sunday 0900 to 1630. Closed Saturdays. The Sunset Limited service links Houston with San Antonio, El Paso, Tucson and Los Angeles in the west. To the east, there are services to New Orleans and Orlando.

By Road

Interstate highways in the USA are designated by the letter 'I' and a number. In addition to the interstates, there are state and local roads. The traffic drives on the right and overtaking should only be done on the inside lane, although cars on a five-lane highway regularly pass on both sides. At crossroads without traffic lights, the four-way stop system means that it is first come first served for right of way. At traffic lights, a right turn is permitted (with due care) on a red light, unless it is specifically stated not to do so. All drivers, front-seat passengers and children (under the age of 17) are required by law to use seat belts. It is illegal to pass a school bus (from either direction) if it has stopped and has its hazard lights flashing. The maximum legal alcohol to blood ratio for driving is 0.08%. The speed limit is 48kph (30mph), if there are no signs, although the general posted speed limit in town is 56-72kph (35-45mph) and 32kph (20mph) near a school. Freeway driving speeds are 88-113kph (55-70mph).

The legal driving age in Houston is 16 years. A valid driving licence in English or an International Driving Permit (IDP) is required - IDPs are not accepted unless accompanied by a valid driving licence. Third-party liability insurance is mandatory.
 
The American Automobile Association - AAA (tel: 1 800 222 1333; www.aaa-texas.com) can provide information and may offer reciprocal benefits to members of automobile clubs in other countries.

Emergency breakdown services
AAA (tel: 1 800 222 4357/AAA HELP).

Routes to the city

Houston is encircled by Interstate I-610 - known as 'The Loop'. This is intersected by Interstate I-10, which links the city to San Antonio to the west and New Orleans to the east and also Interstate I-45 from Dallas to the north and Galveston to the south.

Coach services

Greyhound (tel: 1 800 752 2222; www.greyhound.com) operates regular services to San Antonio, Dallas and New Orleans. There are also Greyhound services to other major towns and cities in Texas and further afield.

Local Transport

Public Transport

Public transport in Houston is fairly well developed and reasonably priced. Nevertheless, most visitors to Houston generally prefer to hire a car. The Metropolitan Transit Authority - METRO (tel: (713) 635 4000; www.ridemetro.org) operates an extensive bus service throughout the city.
 
There are fare boxes on the bus (correct change is required). Alternatively, you can buy tokens in advance. Day passes allow unlimited travel (on the local service only) in a 24-hour period and weekly passes are also available. You can get information and tickets from RideStores, 1900 Main Street, and 1001 Travis. Local shops displaying the METROstop sign also sell tickets.
 
METRO also operates a trolleybus service, which covers three different routes that link the major hotels with tourist destinations.
 
A light rail system, Metrorail, opened in 2004 with services from Downtown via the Museum District, Texas Medical Center to Reliant Park. Payment is by Q Card, used like a debit card on the Metrorail or on city buses. For more information, check out www.ridemetro.org.

Taxis

Taxis are plentiful but can be rather expensive for short distances. A tip of around 10% of the fare is usual. There are plenty of cabs in Downtown but elsewhere they are more difficult to find and it is better to phone for one. Companies include Taxis Fiesta (tel: (713) 225 2666), Square Deal Cab Company (tel: (713) 659 7236) and Yellow Cab Company (tel: (713) 236 1111). The new 'Six in the City' programme is a cheap way to travel in the Downtown area. The US$6 flat-rate fare applies everywhere in the Downtown area and is not increased for multiple riders.

Driving in the City

Most visitors to Houston prefer to hire a car, as it is the best and most cost-effective way of travelling around the city. Driving in the morning and evening rush hours (0700-0900 and 1630-1830) should be avoided, as the roads are very congested. Other than that, there is a massive construction programme underway in Houston and the I-10 will be chaotic until 2009. The highways have Protected High Occupancy Vehicle lanes for buses, carpools and vanpools, which reduce commuter traffic.
 
Parking is generally not a problem with plenty of car parks right across the city. Many attractions or venues have free parking for visitors. Some on-street parking is available, although difficult to find in Downtown.

Car Hire

Insurance is compulsory when hiring a car in Houston. You should also confirm that there is adequate Loss Damage Waiver and personal liability insurance. To hire a car, you must be in possession of a full national driving licence. The minimum age is generally 25 years, although some companies will hire cars (at a higher rate) to drivers aged between 21 and 24 years.
 
 Avis, 4825 Richmond Avenue at Galleria (tel: (713) 629 7230; www.avis.com), Dollar, 8686 Kirby Drive (tel: (713) 797 9624; www.dollar.com), and Hertz, 2120 Louisiana Street (tel: (713) 652 0436; www.hertz.com), all have offices in Houston.

Bicycle Hire

Cycling is an ideal way to take advantage of the many cycle trails in Houston's parks. You can hire bikes from West End Bicycles, 5427 Blossom Street (tel: (713) 861 2271; www.westendbikes.com), east of Memorial Park.

General Information

Location

Harris County, Texas, USA.

Time zone

GMT - 6 (GMT - 5 from the second Sunday in March to the first Sunday in November).

Electricity

110 volts AC, 50Hz; flat two-pin plugs are standard.

Average January temperatures

10°C (50°F).

Average July temperatures

26°C (79°F).

Annual rainfall

884mm (34.8 inches).

Things to do

Sightseeing Overview

Houston's skyline is testament to the oil boom era and a period of extensive development that stopped abruptly in the 1980s.

Several buildings, such as the Chase Tower, have observation floors from where it is possible to see the vast flat area over which the city sprawls. An extensive system of underground pedestrian tunnels and sky walks add an extra dimension to the street grid and are particularly welcome as an escape from the summer heat.

The Sam Houston Historical Park illustrates the early history of Houston. Across the street is the recently renovated art deco-style City Hall. Lovers of open spaces will be drawn to the lovely Hermann Park, which is not only home to the Houston Zoo but also contains two gardens that are totally different in style - the Japanese Gardens, with a traditional teahouse and wooden footbridges, and the Houston Garden Center. In addition to this, there is also a golf course and the Miller Outdoor Theatre, which offers free outdoor performances during the summer months.

Close by is the Museum District (a beautiful area of tree-lined paths, landscaped gardens and fountains) which is packed with many of Houston's finest museums, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the Menil Collection and the Holocaust Museum Houston.

Also worth a visit is the Williams Tower Water Wall, where water cascades down a 19.5m (64ft) curved black wall in the shape of a horseshoe. The latest popular attraction Downtown is the Downtown Aquarium with its stunning displays of underwater life.

The Astrodome was the world's first air-conditioned domed stadium for baseball and football. The Astrodome (so large that an 18-storey building would fit inside it) prompted the invention of plastic Astroturf, after the grass died during the first season of play.

Tourist Information

Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau
901 Bagby Street
Tel: (713) 437 5200.
Website: www.visithoustontexas.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1600, Sun 1100-1600.

Bay Area Convention and Visitors Bureau
20710 Gulf Freeway (I-45), Webster
Tel: (281) 338 0333.
Website: www.visitbayareahouston.com
Opening hours: Mon-Sat 0900-1600, Sun 1100-1600.

Passes

There are no tourist passes currently available in Houston.

Attractions

National Museum of Funeral History
The National Museum of Funeral History houses memorabilia from the funerals of celebrity figures, such as John F Kennedy, Martin Luther King, Judy Garland, John Wayne and Elvis Presley. A recent addition is the original equipment for the John F Kennedy Eternal Flame, which was used between 1967 and 1998. The collection also includes a funeral sleigh and a Packard mourning bus.
415 Barren Springs Drive
Tel: (281) 876 3063.
Website: www.nmfh.org
Opening hours: Mon-Fri 1000-1600, Sat and Sun 1200-1600.
Admission charge.

Houston Arboretum and Nature Center
Visitors who wish to escape the hustle and bustle of the city can enjoy the native plants and wildlife at the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. The centre has 8km (5 miles) of nature trails covering various habitats (such as forest and prairie) which cater for the different requirements of the animals living there.
4501 Woodway Drive
Tel: (713) 681 8433.
Website: www.houstonarboretum.org
Opening hours: Daily, dawn to dusk.
Free admission.

1940 Air Terminal Museum
A rare example of classic art deco airport architecture that served Houston travellers during the golden age of air travel. Exhibitions feature uniforms, memorabilia and documents from the period together with weather charts, radios and navigational maps.
8325 Travelair Road
Tel: (713) 454 1940.
Website: www.1940airterminal.com
Opening hours: Tues-Sat 1000-1700, Sun 1300-1700.
Admission charge.

Restaurants

Expensive

Bistro Lancaster
Located in the sumptuous Lancaster Hotel in the Theater District, the Bistro is decorated in a European style but serves contemporary American cuisine with most ingredients coming from the Gulf Coast region. Its location makes it very popular with theatre-goers.

Lancaster Hotel, 701 Texas Avenue at Louisiana Street
Tel: (713) 228 9500.
Website: www.thelancasterhouston.com

La Colombe d'Or
La Colombe d'Or, close to Downtown, has a rare ambience with its elegant and intimate dining room, low lighting, walnut-panelled bar and padded leather chairs in the library. The mainly French food is superb, with surprisingly good portions for a gourmet experience. No lunch weekends.

La Colombe d'Or Hotel, 3410 Montrose Boulevard
Tel: (713) 524 7999.
Website: www.lacolombedor.com

Reef
Chef Bryan Caswell brings together his worldwide experience to offer exceptional seafood. Diners find influences from Mediterranean and Asian cooking, as well as classic French preparations and locally sourced produce. Treats also include a wine list with 1,500 wines and cocktails. Sleek interiors include mother-of-pearl tabletops, water images, and a market-style open kitchen.

2600 Travis Street
Tel: (713) 526 8282.
Website: www.reefhouston.com

The Strip House
A great addition to the restaurant scene and an instant hit, The Strip House serves exquisite steaks. The all red art deco interior is decorated with sumptuous rich materials including velvet, silk and leather and the lighting is seductively low. The walls are covered with saucy vintage photos of burlesque stars from the 1920s.

1200 McKinney Street
Tel: (713) 659 6000.
Website: www.theglaziergroup.com

Churrascos
This restaurant, located a few minutes from the trendy Galleria area, relies heavily on its South American heritage, reflected in the earthy colours of the décor, as well as the texture, flavour and colour of the food served. The menu is extensive. Lunch specials served Monday to Friday. No lunch Saturday.

9705 Westheimer Road at Gessner
Tel: (713) 952 1988.
Website: www.cordua.com

Moderate

Catalan
In the now-hot Washington Street corridor, this Spanish restaurant wins over guests with chef Chris Shepherd's brilliant twists on tapas. The well-conceived wine list touches all corners of the world, the interior is contemporary yet plush, and service is savvy. In good weather, try for a patio table.

5555 Washington Street
Tel: (713) 426 4260.
Website: www.catalanfoodandwine.com

Kiran's Restaurant and Bar
Formerly Bombay Palace, a change in chefs and ownership deliver a restaurant that has quickly won praise from the food press and the public in equal measure. Popular at lunch and dinner for a variety of vegetarian dishes and lovely prix-fixe lunch, this plush Indian restaurant in the Galleria area also offers a tasting menu at dinner.

4100 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 960 8472.
Website: www.kiranshouston.com

The Grove
This new restaurant anchors one end of Downtown's exceptional new urban park called Discovery Green. This hotspot is the domain of chef Ryan Pera, who is turning heads with American rustic cuisine like free-range devilled eggs with chorizo and tapenade and braised long island duck legs with baby turnips and wild mushrooms. Artwork and interiors bring nature indoors with colour and texture.

1611 Lamar Street
Tel: (713) 337 7321.
Website: www.thegrovehouston.com

La Strada
This extremely popular Italian restaurant, decorated in warm terracotta tones, is close to Downtown and serves an excellent selection of pastas and speciality dishes. Its location makes it very busy at lunchtimes and it is essential to book for Sunday brunch when there is live jazz and a distinctly Mardi Gras atmosphere. Daily specials and light lunches are available. No lunch Saturday and no dinner Sunday.

322 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 523 1014.
Website: www.lastrada.org

Armando's
After a seven-year absence, Armando's returned to River Oaks to remind everyone exactly what Mexico City elegance is. Palates are pampered by magnificent ceviche, sublime grilled snapper, signature queso flameado and lethal margaritas. The lavish interiors with lovely woods and dark fabrics and elaborate chandeliers evoke a golden age.

2630 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 520 1738.
Website: www.armandoshouston.com

Vincent's Restaurant
This busy, family run Italian restaurant, decorated with warm terracotta tones, is popular with the business community because of its reasonable prices and Downtown location. Vincent's serves much more than just pasta and pizza and is justifiably well known for its wood-fired rotisserie and wood-burning pizza oven. No lunch Saturday. Closed Sunday.

2701 West Dallas Street
Tel: (713) 528 4313.
Website: www.ninos-vincents.com

Cheap

Mi Luna
Mi Luna is a Spanish tapas bar located in a restaurant decorated with tiles giving it an authentic Spanish feel. As well as tapas, it serves main meals including delicious seafood. This very loud, fun restaurant is in The Village and is at its busiest Wednesday and Thursday nights at around 2300 when there is often dance music or a live band. Excellent value Sunday brunch buffet.

2441 University Boulevard
Tel: (713) 520 5025.
Website: http://mi-luna.com

Barry's Pizza
This good-value pizzeria is a firm favourite, serving good, hearty deep-pan pizzas, as well as salads and basic pasta dishes. Barry's is in a log cabin, located close to the Galleria, with a covered area for alfresco dining. It is an ideal place to unwind in and even watch a ball game - there is a TV room and the walls are covered with baseball and sports memorabilia.

6003 Richmond Avenue
Tel: (713) 266 8692.
Website: www.barryspizza.com

Beaver's
Star chef Monica Pope goes super-casual with her new barbecue joint, a place where taste thrills include spicy ground lamb wraps incorporating almonds and dried fruit; fried pepperoncini stuffed with cream cheese and pork and smoked all-natural brisket. The beer menu reads like a wine list and there are plentiful cocktail choices that include Texas-made spirits.

2310 Decatur Street.
Tel: (713) 864 2328.
Website: www.beavershouston.com

Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen
Pappadeaux serves Cajun-style and Creole food in a loud, fun atmosphere - this brightly coloured restaurant, which is part of a chain, is casual dining at its best. As portions are huge, this good-value restaurant can be made even cheaper by sharing a meal with a friend.

2410 Richmond Avenue
Tel: (713) 527 9137.
Website: www.pappadeaux.com

Other locations:
10499 Katy Freeway at Sam Houston Tollway
Tel: (713) 722 0221.

6015 Westheimer Road
Tel: (713) 782 6310.

Café Piquet
This friendly, family-run restaurant in Bellaire serves homemade Cuban cuisine in a light, open setting, with memorabilia from Cuba covering the walls. Café Piquet is popular with the resident Cuban population, which is always a good recommendation. Closed Monday and at 1900 on Sundays.

5711 Bissonnet Street, Bellaire
Tel: (713) 664 1031.

Night Life

Downtown Houston is a vibrant area that is buzzing day and night with restaurants, bars, clubs, cinemas and theatres. Midtown is a particularly happening place now. Smart dress is expected in most of the clubs and bars, although venues that are more like pubs are fairly casual. Bars are generally open from lunchtime until 0200 in the morning. The minimum drinking age is 21 years.

The city listings paper, The Houston Press (website: www.houstonpress.com), is published on Thursdays and has an extensive list of which bars and clubs to go to and what's on where.

Bars: An upmarket bar, The Dive Lounge at the Downtown Aquarium, 410 Bagby at Memorial, is great for pre- or post-dinner drinks, while the Flying Saucer, 705 Main Street at Capitol, boasts a vast number of international beers on tap. The State Bar, Texas Avenue, is a popular and stylish place for a drink, while The Ginger Man, Morningside Drive, has a very relaxed atmosphere and a good selection of beers from around the world. Every city has an Irish bar and Houston is no exception - Kenneally's Irish Pub on South Shepherd.

Clubs:HUSH, 15625 Katy Freeway (website: www.hushonline.com), is a vast, dazzling dance club with international DJs, a sunken dance floor and a colourful light show. It plays loud house, techno, hip hop and Latin music. Liquid, 10531 Gulf Freeway (website: www.liquidhouston.com), is a funky high-energy club with surround sound pumping out hip hop and Latin dance music. Belvedere, 1131-01 Uptown Park Boulevard (website: www.belvedereinfo.com), is a smart but relaxed club with regular DJs playing a mix of funk, house and 1980s music. The Drake, 1902 Washington Avenue (website: www.thedrakebar.com), is a recent addition to the super-hot Washington stretch of nightspots, with a posh speakeasy vibe, sexy banquettes, groovy dance music, and bottle service. Status, 2404 San Jacinto in Midtown (website: www.statushouston.com), is a hip spot with a classy dress code and a dance floor that lights up. There are a number of dance halls in the Houston area, including Wild West , 6101 Richmond Avenue (website: www.wildwesthouston.com), which attracts a young crowd to hear its serving of pure country music.

Live Music:McGonigel's Mucky Duck, Norfolk Street near Shepherd Drive (website: www.mcgonigels.com), is one of the best venues for acoustic music and features a variety of folk acts. Jazz lovers are drawn to the laid back Red Cat Jazz Café, Congress Street (website: www.redcatjazzcafe.com), while dance music and great views of the city can be enjoyed from the top floor of the Sky Bar, Montrose Boulevard at Hawthorne (website: www.scottgertner.com). The Big Easy, Kirby Drive, Rice Village area (website: www.bigeasyblues.com), features live blues music and is a perennial favourite. The Continental Club, 3700 Main Street (website: www.continentalclub.com), is the place to catch alternative rock, blues, rockabilly and country music acts.

Shopping

Houston is a shopper's delight, as there are over 30 malls in the area. There is even an extensive system of underground pedestrian tunnels and sky walks for weather-free shopping and dining. 

Markets

Most visitors to Texas come away with an item of cowboy wear, such as a Stetson and these can be bought at Pinto Ranch, Oak Boulevard. Other best buys include Western-style boots, clothes and riding equipment. Antiques and arts and crafts bargain hunters should go to the Back Bay Market, held twice a month, south of Downtown in Clear Lake. Trader's Village, North Eldridge Road, is great for open-air bargain hunting and sells anything and everything. It takes place on a Saturday and Sunday and is a great day out.

Shopping centres

The Uptown area of Houston, around Westheimer Road at Post Oak, has a host of shops, including Macy's, Versace, Tiffany and Gucci. Most are located in the Galleria - a shopping mall that is also one of Houston's top tourist attractions, with a giant indoor ice skating rink as its centrepiece. A few blocks east of the Galleria on Westheimer Road is the Highland Village Shopping Center with several upmarket shops. In the same vicinity is Uptown Park, a European-style plaza with fountains and small gardens.

Key areas

A more eclectic mix of shops can be found in the Rice Village neighbourhood, with designer boutiques, art and craft galleries and traditional shops. Art galleries and antique shops are to be found in the Upper Kirby District. Houston's oldest shopping district, West Gray Street, now has a string of art deco-inspired upmarket shops and galleries in the River Oaks Shopping Center. A haven for serious budget shoppers is Katy Mills Mall, I-10 and Pin Oak Road, around 25 miles (40km) west of Downtown. It has a wealth of discounted designer shops.
 
Among the hottest newer shopping stops in the city is 310 Rosemont, 1965 West Gray Street, a destination for premium denim lines, plus late-night shopping with cocktails on the side. Chloe Dao's, Lot 8 Boutique, 6127 Kirby Drive, Rice Village, is hot for cocktail threads and trendy daywear.
 
Although it's been around since 1883, Hamilton Shirts, 5700 Richmond Avenue, the young, fourth-generation owners of the haberdashery serving Barney's of New York have modernised the family business to make it more retail-friendly. For shoppers with deep pockets, Alexandra Knight (www.alexandraknightonline.com), former fashion editor at Allure, will hook you up with the sort of custom clutches and other accessories - sans hardware or logos - she designs for stars like Rachel Griffiths, Michelle Williams, Sandra Bullock and Mary J Blige.

Shopping hours

There is a sales tax of 8.25%, which foreign visitors can claim back if exporting their purchases. This can be done at Texas Tax Back, Level three of Galleria II (tel: (713) 965 9414), where passports and flight tickets have to be presented along with the sales receipts. Shopping hours are generally Monday to Saturday 1000-2100 and Sunday 1200-1800.

Events

Chevron Houston Marathon
January
Website: www.chevronhoustonmarathon.com

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
February/March
World's largest livestock, rodeo and horse show.
Reliant Stadium
Website: www.hlsr.com

Houston Children's Festival
April
Houston's official family celebration with games, activities and adventure zones.
Downtown
Website: www.houstonchildrensfestival.com

Houston International Festival
April
Performing and visual arts festival.
Downtown
Website: www.ifest.org

ArtCar Parade
May
The oldest and largest parade of its kind brings 250,000 spectators to see 250-plus cars transformed into artwork.
Downtown

Freedom Over Texas
July
Features live entertainment and the largest land-based fireworks display in the USA.
Eleanor Tinsley Park
Website: www.chevysfreedomovertexas.com

Houston Shakespeare Festival
August
Miller Outdoor Theatre, Hermann Park
Website: www.milleroutdoortheatre.com

Fiestas Patrias
September
Street parade celebrating Mexico's independence from Spain.
Downtown

International Quilt Festival
October/November
Antique and contemporary quilts on display.
George R Brown Convention Center
Website: www.quilts.com

Uptown Tree Lighting
November
Parades through the streets followed by a tree lighting ceremony.
Galleria
Website: www.wamuparade.com

History & Culture

Houston has an impressive 17-block Theater District (website: www.houstontheaterdistrict.org) with a total of 13,000 seats. Only New York has more seats concentrated in one geographic area. Houston is also one of the few US cities with permanent ballet, opera, symphony orchestra and theatre companies.

You can buy tickets for concerts and theatre from Ticket Stop (tel: (713) 526 8889; website: www.ticket-stop.com) or the Ticket Center (tel: 1 800 828 8959; website: www.ticket-center.com). Ticketmaster (tel: (713) 629 3700; website: www.ticketmaster.com) is another good source for tickets to cultural events around the city.

Up-to-date information on what's on each week is available from the city listings paper, TheHouston Press (website: www.houstonpress.com), which is published on Thursdays. The Preview section of the Thursday Houston Chronicle (website: www.houstonchronicle.com) is also full of listings information.

Music: The Houston Grand Opera, Wortham Theater Center, Texas Avenue (tel: (713) 228 6737 or 1 800 626 7372; website: www.houstongrandopera.org), has a reputation for presenting groundbreaking new operas. It has also won Grammy, Tony and Emmy awards. The Houston Symphony Orchestra at the Jesse H Jones Hall for the Performing Arts, 615 Louisiana Street (tel: (713) 224 4240; website: www.houstonsymphony.org), has an excellent reputation extending worldwide.

Theatre: The Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Avenue (tel: (713) 220 5700; website: www.alleytheatre.org), is one of the oldest resident professional theatre companies in the country. It began its life literally in an alley in 1947. The Theatre Under The Stars - TUTS at the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, 800 Bagby Street (tel: (713) 558 2600; website: www.tuts.com), performs musical theatre. The Miller Outdoor Theatre, Hermann Park (tel: (218) 373 3386; website: www.milleroutdoortheatre.com), is an outdoor amphitheatre which presents free performances - including ballet, Shakespeare, musicals and the Houston Symphony Orchestra - from March until October.

Dance: The Houston Ballet at the Wortham Theater Center, Texas Avenue (tel: (713) 227 2787; website: www.houstonballet.org), puts on lavish dance productions. It is the fifth largest dance company in the USA, with international acclaim following several overseas tours. The company performs classics, as well as cutting edge works by some of the world's exciting young dance makers.

Film: Mainstream films can be viewed at many cinemas throughout the city, such as Cinemark/Tinseltown-Westchase, 3600 West Sam Houston Parkway South (tel: (713) 952 1881; website: www.cinemark.com), and Magic Johnson Theatre/Northline Mall, I-45 and Crosstimbers Street (tel: (713) 692 5983). Art house and independent films can be seen at the Angelika Film Center, 510 Texas Avenue (tel: (713) 333 3456; website: www.angelikafilmcenter.com).

Several films have been filmed in Houston, many using the city's link with space travel as a theme. These include Armageddon (1998) directed by Michael Bay and Apollo 13 (1995) directed by Ron Howard. Terms of Endearment (1983) directed by James L Brooks and Robocop II (1990) directed by Irvin Kershner were also filmed in Houston.

Literary Notes: Surprisingly, for a city that has a rather hard-nosed commercial feel to it, having grown up on the strength of the oil business, Houston is the home of many bestselling historical romance authors, including Barbara Dawson Smith, Christina Dodd and Judith McNaught, who each have millions of fans worldwide. Dawson Smith's books, such as Once Upon A Scandal (1997), are mainly historical romances set in 19th-century Britain. Dodd is a prolific writer whose titles, such as A Well-Favoured Gentleman (1998) and A Well-Pleasured Lady (1997), hint at the raunchy nature of her romances. McNaught's work tends towards the romantic suspense style, with her most recent bestsellers being Night Whispers (1998) and Water's Edge (1998). The endless list of romance writers in Houston is evidence of a softer side to a city long associated with oil barons and astronauts.

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