Ramada Plaza Hotel Near the Galleria Houston: Local Attractions Page

With Houston, Texas, being the fourth largest city in the United States there is nothing a visitor can't find there--except maybe snow, which, to many people, is a good thing anyway. Houston represents everything that is typically Texas, from the world's largest rodeo to the finest handmade cowboy boots money can buy.

Since Houston's founding in 1836 by Augustus and John Allen, the little town has grown to house 3.7 million people and encompass an area of about 5,436 square miles--a patch of land more than twice the size of Rhode Island. More than 90 languages are spoken in the city, so there is plenty of cultural diversity to create an exciting environment.

The sights to see are remarkable and expanding regularly. The Astrodome is still a sight to behold as the world's first domed stadium.

Along with the Astrodome, there are several amusement and water parks, including the city's largest, Six Flags AstroWorld and WaterWorld. Space Center Houston chronicles the country's experience with manned space flight and gives the visitor access to the famous Johnson Space Center of NASA.

The Houston Zoological Garden, the most-visited zoo in a four-state area, and its neighbor the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the fourth most visited museum in the country, are the centerpieces of Hermann Park. The centrally located park also offers free outdoor concerts at Miller Outdoor Theater and nature experiences at the Hosuton Garden Center and the Japanese Gardens.

The Museum District overlaps the park and gives visitors a taste of Houston's vast cultural scene. The city is home to more than 500 cultural, visual and performing arts organizations, 89 of which focus on multicultural arts. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston was the first municipal museum in the state. The Children's Museum of Houston offers the fun of becoming a kid again, and the Contemporary Arts Museum offers a unique change of pace showcasing the "Art of Our Time" from the last 40 years. New additions to the district are the Holocaust Museum Houston and the Museum of Health and Medical Science.

For the performing arts, Houston is one of only a handful of metropolitans that sustains all four performing arts with resident troupes in theater, opera, ballet and symphony. Plus, the Society of the Performing Arts books unusual performing arts presentations from around the world. For something unique, Theatre Under The Stars stages its own Broadway-style musicals.

In the cultural community, visitors can see anything they want as well as buy whatever they want at boutiques and antique shops that proliferate the city. Houston has gained a retail reputation as one of the world's greatest shopping locales. Its most famous site is probably The Galleria, a collection of hotels, restaurants, shops and things to do that center around a giant indoor ice skating rink.

Historically, Houston has preserved its share of the past, and recently residents and businesses have been working to make historic areas into tourist destinations. Houston boasts eight areas designated as National Register Historic Districts, seven of which are neighborhoods and one a commercial district.

Other old favorites include Sam Houston Park, which sits on the edge of downtown Hosuton and showcases historic buildings that have been rescued and brough to the park for restoration and display. The San Jacinto Monument marks the victorious battle for Texas independence from Mexico in 1836. Also on the grounds is the Battleship Texas, the world's last remaining dreadnought.

Downtown remains as the Central Business District, but visitors shouldn't be surprised if downtown roadways aren't teeming with briefcase-carrying pedestrians. To beat the heat and periodic inclement weather, a 6.5 mile tunnel system burrows beneath the city's sterets. Full of restaurants and shops, the mini city beneath the skyline is a lunch-time destination for Houstonians.