Houston, United States - Travel Guide

Houston is America's fourth-largest city and the heart of Texas' energy industry. Known for NASA's Johnson Space Center, world-class museums, incredible diversity reflected in its food scene, and genuine Southern hospitality. From the sprawling Museum District to the trendy Montrose neighborhood, Houston offers big-city attractions with Texas-sized portions.

Quick Facts

Recommended Stay4 days

Budget$95/day

Mid-range$195/day

Luxury$450/day

Known For

houstontexasnasaspace_centermuseum_districtgalleriamontrosethe_heightsdowntownenergy_corridormedical_centerrodeobbqtex_mex

🇺🇸 Country Information: United States

CapitalWashington

CurrencyUnited States dollar ($)

LanguageEnglish , Spanish,Chinese,French,Tagalog,Vietnamese,Korean,German,Arabic,Russian

Phone Code+1

Electricity120V (Type A, B)

Tap WaterSafe to drink

Tipping

Tipping is customary for services (restaurants, bars, taxis, hair salons, etc
)
Restaurant waitstaff: 15
20% of the bill
Bar staff: $1
2 per drink or 15
20% of the bill
Taxi drivers: 15
20% of the fare
Hotel housekeepers: $2
5 per day

Money & Payments

ATMs are widely available
Credit cards are widely accepted
Bringing cash is a personal preference, but credit/debit cards are sufficient for most transactions
No black market for cash

Cultural Norms

Casual dress is common, but smart casual is appreciated in upscale settings
Politeness and direct communication are generally valued
Punctuality for appointments is expected
Personal space is generally respected
Shaking hands is a common greeting
Eating customs are diverse, but typically involve using forks, knives, and spoons
It is common to make small talk with strangers
"Bless you" is said when someone sneezes

LGBTQ+ Information

Generally LGBTQ+ friendly. LGBTQ+ rights vary by state, but federal protections are in place for marriage equality and some anti-discrimination laws. Public opinion is increasingly supportive.

Alcohol & Drug Laws

Legal drinking age is 21
Marijuana laws vary by state (some states allow recreational or medicinal use, others do not)
Federal law prohibits marijuana use
Drug laws are strict, particularly for illicit substances

Special Laws

It is illegal to jaywalk in many areas
Open container laws for alcohol vary by state and city
Driving laws vary by state

Common Phrases

NoNo (NOH)

YesYes (YES)

HelloHello (huh-LOH)

PleasePlease (PLEEZ)

Excuse meExcuse me (eks-KYOOS mee)

Thank youThank you (THANk yoo)

Climate

Houston has a humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and mild winters. Located on the Gulf Coast plain, humidity is constant. Summer temperatures regularly exceed 95°F with high humidity. Hurricane season runs June-November. Best weather: October-April when temperatures are pleasant (50-75°F).

Best Time to Visit

Peak Season: October
April
Pleasant weather, major events like Rodeo
Shoulder: May, October
Transitional weather
Off
Peak: June
September
Extreme heat and humidity, but indoor attractions still excellent

Getting There

George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) is the main hub, 23 miles north of downtown with connections worldwide
William P
Hobby Airport (HOU) is closer to downtown (7 miles), serving mostly domestic flights including Southwest Airlines

Getting Around

Houston is very spread out
a car is essential for most visitors
Uber/Lyft widely available
METRORail light rail connects downtown, Museum District, and Medical Center
Houston has no zoning laws, leading to interesting mixed neighborhoods

Health & Vaccinations

No special vaccinations required for US travel
Standard travel health precautions apply
Texas Medical Center is world's largest medical complex
Mosquitoes can be prevalent
bring repellent in summer

Staying Connected

All major US carriers work seamlessly
T
Mobile and AT&T have strong coverage
Verizon also excellent throughout metro area
No eSIM needed for US visitors with US plans

Local Cuisine

Tex-Mex must_try

Houston is a Tex-Mex capital. Cheese enchiladas with chili gravy, sizzling fajitas, and breakfast tacos are essential.

Texas BBQ must_try

Central Texas style brisket with Houston diversity. Low and slow smoked meats with simple rubs.

Vietnamese must_try

Houston has the third-largest Vietnamese population in the US. Pho, banh mi, and crawfish are staples.

Kolaches local_favorite

Czech pastries adopted by Texas. Savory versions with sausage and jalapeño are popular in Houston.

Gulf Seafood must_try

Fresh Gulf of Mexico seafood including shrimp, oysters, and Gulf red snapper. Crawfish season is March-June.

Book in Advance

Plan ahead for the best experience. Here's what to book before your trip:

🔴 Must Book in Advance

Space Center Houston - Level 9 Tour tour_or_activity

Book 1-2 months in advance

The behind-the-scenes Level 9 Tour is limited to small groups and sells out weeks in advance. This is the only way to see astronaut training facilities up close.

Houston Rodeo Tickets Attraction

Book 1-3 months in advance

The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo (Feb-March) is the world's largest rodeo. Popular concert nights sell out immediately.

🟡 Recommended to Book Ahead

Popular Restaurant Reservations Dining

Book 1-4 weeks in advance

Houston's top restaurants like Uchi, March, and Pappas Bros Steakhouse book up quickly for dinner service.

Astros/Texans Game Tickets Attraction

Book 1-4 weeks in advance

Popular matchups and playoff games sell out. Regular season games are usually available but better seats go fast.

Fun Facts

1. "Houston" was the first word spoken on the Moon when Neil Armstrong said "Houston, Tranquility Base here."
2. Houston has no zoning laws - one of the largest US cities without them.
3. The city has the largest medical center in the world, Texas Medical Center, with over 100,000 employees.
4. Houston has more air-conditioned space than any other city and pioneered the use of AC in buildings.

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