About Houston
As the fourth largest city in America, Houston has emerged as one of the nation's premier meeting destinations. A large, cosmopolitan city with a small town feel, Houston is unique among other major cities due to its hospitality. With over 5,000 restaurants, teams in every major professional sport, golf 365 days a year, world-class shopping, nationally renowned museum and theater districts, cruise ships and the beach just a short drive away, Houston has it all!
With the fourth highest concentration of Fortune 500 companies, Houston has a strong base in the industries of technology, energy and aeronautics. Houston has the second-highest employment growth rate in the nation. Well known ports of call include the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, the Texas Medical Center, and the Astrodome, the first indoor sports stadium in the world.
Houston is an international and diverse city where over 90 languages are spoken. Many Asian immigrants call Houston home, including the third-largest Vietnamese American population in the United States. The Asian American population is strongly represented in a Little Saigon and two Chinatowns. Houston also has a large gay community, with an annual Pride Parade every year.
The lushness of Houston can be appreciated in 337 city parks encompassing over 19,600 acres managed by the city. Facilities focusing on nature include the Nature Center, the Houston Arboretum and the Downtown Aquarium.
Houston has one of the best arts and culture scenes in the nation. Houston is one of only five U.S. cities with permanent performing arts companies in all disciplines: theater (The Alley Theatre), music (Houston Symphony Orchestra), ballet (Houston Ballet) and opera (Houston Grand Opera). Popular festivals include the Art Car Parade and the Bayou City Art Festival, one of five top art festivals in the U.S. Houston's Museum District draws more than 7 million visitors per year with attractions like the Houston Zoo, the Holocaust Museum Houston
The Holocaust Museum, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston and the Museum of Fine Arts.
Why Houston?
Great things continue to happen in Houston as it grows to meet the interests of a changing world. In the next three years Houston anticipates many new and exciting developments to add to its list of accolades.
Discovery Green, Houston's new 12-acre development, will be located in the "super block" in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center. The WiFi-connected park will offer restaurants, an amphitheater, picnic areas, dog runs, a pond, jogging trail, playground and many beautiful vibrant green spaces for personal recreation or special events. Schiller Del Grande Restaurant Group will create and operate a signature destination restaurant similar to their flagship Café Annie, as well as a casual, lakeside concept, which will reflect their "fast casual" restaurants Café Express and Taco Milagro. The park is scheduled to open in spring 2008.
Four city blocks will be transformed into downtown Houston's premier entertainment, retail and urban hub. Houston Pavilions, a 170 million-dollar project encompassing almost 700,000 square feet of space, will include 360,000 square feet of retail space with entertainment venues located on the third floor and 200,000 sq. ft. of loft office space. A central courtyard and streetscapes provide a perfect setting for alfresco dining and window shopping. The tenant lineup includes House of Blues, upscale bowling lounge Lucky Strike, Lawry's The Prime Rib, Tuscany, Yao's Restaurant and Bar, Forever 21, BCBG, Max Azria, Antica Osteria, Red Cat Jazz Cafe and McCormick & Schmick's.
Cruising in and out of Houston will become easier than ever. At 100,000 square feet, the Port of Houston Authority's Bayport Cruise Terminal will be the largest cruise terminal in the U.S. The terminal is targeted for completion and opening in spring 2008. Bayport's passenger embarkation area will feature a 13,500 square foot lounge area, more than 50 check-in stations and an exclusive VIP lounge for special events. Well-planned traffic lanes with easy access to escalators and elevators will expedite passengers to and from the upper level.
Houston Key Area Facts
Time Zone: Central Standard Time (CST)
Convention Centers:
George R. Brown Convention Center
George R. Brown Convention Center
Reliant Park
Reliant Park
Airports:
Bush Intercontinental Airport
Bush Intercontinental Airport(IAH)
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
| Population | 5,500,000 | Destination Type |
| Hotels | 135 | • Golf Destinations |
| Hotel Rooms | 60,000 | • Smoke Free Restaurants |
| Unique Venues | 125 | |
| Restaurants | 6,400 |
Houston Climate Information
Houston's humid subtropical climate means it is hot and wet in the summer and temperate in late fall, winter, and early spring. June, September, and October are the wettest months, and summer thunderstorms are common. To avoid the summer heat, an extensive seven-mile system of skywalks and tunnels has been built to link buildings in downtown with convenience stores, restaurants and shops.
The best months to come to Houston are February, March and April, with daytime temperatures in the high 60s and 70s and little rain.
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rec High -°F | 84 | 91 | 91 | 95 | 97 | 103 | 104 | 107 | 102 | 96 | 89 | 85 |
| Avg High -°F | 61 | 66 | 73 | 79 | 85 | 91 | 94 | 93 | 89 | 82 | 72 | 65 |
| Avg Low -°F | 41 | 44 | 51 | 58 | 65 | 71 | 73 | 73 | 68 | 59 | 50 | 44 |
| Rec Low -°F | 12 | 20 | 22 | 31 | 44 | 52 | 62 | 60 | 48 | 29 | 19 | 7 |
| Rainfall - in. | 3.9 | 2.9 | 3.5 | 3.6 | 5.6 | 5.1 | 3.4 | 3.7 | 4.3 | 4.7 | 3.7 | 3.6 |
