Austin and Fort Worth may be battling head-to-head for the ‘trendiest city in Texas’ title, but there’s a new sheriff in town.
Reporting record numbers of visitors with another month left to go, it’s safe to say the ‘Lone Star State’ has more than one shining star after all – at least in terms of tourism.
With up-and-coming cities like Fort Worth revamping into a luxurious destination, and even cultural cities of El Paso and San Antonio breaking tourism records of their own, it’s safe to say Texas is a pretty cool place to visit despite being portrayed as rootin’ tootin’ target shootin’ wild west stereotype.
That’s simply not the case.
Texas’ major cities are actually quite cosmopolitan.
Perhaps no more than the diverse metropolis of Houston, which is shattering tourism numbers with an expected 3 million more visitors than 2023.
Turns Out Houston Doesn’t Have A Problem
If Houston has a global claim to fame, it’s gotta be NASA, right?
It’s not rocket science to figure out how awesome it is to tour NASA’s Johnson Space Center, but know H-Town offers down-to-Earth fun too.
For whatever reason, Texas is often depicted as a vast, desolate wasteland with tumbleweeds, big trucks, and boot-wearin’ hillbillies, but Houston is actually one of the most culturally diverse cities in America.
If you thought the place to be in the Bayou was New Orleans; think again.
Houston draws a crowd for a reason and it’s not just 2 airport hubs and 26-lane highways skewing tourism data.
Nor is it solely related to business conventions and sporting events either.
Sometimes Houston can be mischaracterized by its rather boring skyline as if there’s nothing to do, but that’s far from reality.
Lucky for you, winter is one of the best times to visit for splendid weather, as the city’s sauna-like summers are actually a turn-off to travelers.
Hip-Hop To Rodeos: Houston’s Vast Array Of Surprising Cultural Delights
Houston is where Texas meets the rest of the world.
For example, you may know New York’s, San Francisco’s, and heck, even Vancouver’s Chinatown districts, but did you know Houston has a captivating Chinatown of their own?
Not only will you find astounding Chinese cuisine and imports and seasonal events, you’ll discover a melting pot of cultures packed in to one area.
Markets are buzzing here with unique shops showcasing products from such places as Vietnam, Pakistan, India, among other Middle Eastern nations.
Houston is quite a mix, so you can cowboy up at the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo or delve into the city’s underground rap scene at a local record shop, such as beloved artists Z-Ro and Slim Thug and the national treasure that is Paul Wall.
H-Town’s hip-hop scene is a subculture of its own.
Spend enough time roaming Houston and you’ll likely see a mix of low-riders and “swangas” at some point ‘flossin’ through the streets.
Speaking of floss, forget your dentist’s advice and bling up with a grill at legendary jewelry shop Johnny Dang & Co. to ‘show off your fronts’ with ‘more carats than Bugs Bunny’s lunch’.
Know what I’m sayin’, dawg?
Anywho, local culture and world culture intersect in Houston through art, festivals, and, of course, food.
As a result, Houston is a place to arrive hungry and leave happy with a broad range of phenomenal cuisines from southern staples, Chinatown dumplings, to our southern neighbor’s finest margs and tacos.
I’ve been hooked on classic Mexican eatery, Ninfa’s, for years. I can’t recommend it enough.
Beach Vacay Or City Break: Houston’s 2 Airports Make Visiting A Breeze
Houston is home to 2 major airports:
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
There’s no question Houston is one of the easiest U.S. cities to reach.
So, whether you’re here to explore the city’s unique blend of cultures or enjoy the lush green parks and nearby beaches, Houston has something for everyone.
Houston may not be commonly known as a beach city per se, but the nearest coastline is 25 miles away at Sylvan Beach Park.
Truth be told, most beachgoers head to Galveston an hour away as there’s more to do like one-of-a-kind Moody Gardens or simply perusing the Strand Historic District.
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