Culture of Houston. Places to visit - old town, temples, theaters, museums and palaces
Houston is the largest business and economic center of the country, but this beautiful modern city has lots of cultural landmarks too. The Alley Theatre that is the largest venue of its type in the United States is situated in Houston. Among its numerous cultural attractions, there are museums and skyscrapers that can safely be called the real works of architectural art.
Discovering the architecture of Houston from bird's eye view! Reliant Astrodome, JPMorgan Chase Tower, Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Reliant Stadium, Alley Theatre, Bank of America Center, all those monuments are defining the image of Houston … Open
Museum of Natural Science, St. Paul Church, Houston City Hall, Heritage Plaza, University of Hyyuston-Downtown, as well as many others, they all become the world's cultural heritage objects and remain as iconic monuments for Houston … Open
Much of the cultural institutions of the city are devoted to important historical events; among them there is the Holocaust Museum Houston. There is also a suitable place in the Houston area for the little ones, as the city has the great Children's Museum of Houston; the tour there is sure to be entertaining and informative. Among religious sites, Rothko Chapel has to be noted; it is close to the museum district. To make it easier for travelers to get acquainted with sights of the museum district, the special excursion train runs around its territory.
In the section below, you can get one of our excursion, activities or city discovery tours over Houston and surroundings. Our website offers 10-30% lower ticket prices, when compared to the offline purchase on the spot.
City tours, excursions and tickets in Houston and surroundings
Plan your own excursion through Houston: churches, museums and castles
Reliant Astrodome, Houston
Location on the map: Facts:
» The Reliant Astrodome is the first stadium with adjustable environmental parameters. It is also the first indoor stadium with a dome. » Its roof was aimed at protecting the stadium from the heat rather than the rain. However, the roof obstructed the growth of natural grass in the field, so the ground was covered with experiment nylon.
» At the stadium, not only baseball, basketball, football, boxing competitions, but also different entertainment events, including a rodeo, are held.
» The stadium had been built for 3 years. It was opened on 9 April 1965. The opening ceremony was visited by President Lyndon Baines Johnson.
» The roof of the stadium is constructed in such a way that balls do not target it. Its peak is at a height of 60 m.
Museum of Natural Science, Houston
Location on the map: Facts:
» The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of the most popular and most visited museums in the USA. It was founded in 1909. » The museum complex consists of several buildings. In the main building, there are sectors dedicated to the nature of different natural zones and continents.
» The museum also houses the big collection of minerals and paleontological exhibits.
» In the museum, there are a planetarium and a wonderful cinema where you can watch films about the animal world, natural phenomena, volcanic eruptions, etc.
» The most astonishing and most extraordinary sector in the museum is the exhibition of butterflies. It is located in a glass three-storey building where living butterflies of various sizes and colors fly in the conditions of a tropical rainforest.
St. Paul Church, Houston
Location on the map: Facts:
» St. Paul's United Methodist Church is located in the center of Houston. It is an unusual religious leader for the urban community and is one of the most beautiful attractions in the city. » The church is very attractive from the architectural point of view. The building is decorated with high English Gothic arches and beautiful stained glass windows.
» Wedding ceremonies have been held here for 100 years.
» In the church, there is a magnificent organ. You can listen to organ music during ceremonies, musical evenings, and chants.
Cathedral of the Sacred Heart, Houston
Location on the map: Facts:
» The Cathedral of the Sacred Heart located in the center of Houston is the place of worship for many believers. » The magnificent cathedral seats 1 820 people. The total area of the sacred place is about 3 000 m2.
» Together with the basilica of St. Mary Cathedral in Galveston, the religious building services over 1.2 million Catholics within the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston.
» Due to the growing number of worshipers and believers in Houston, the Holy See allowed the Most Reverend Wendelin J. Nold, the fifth bishop of the Galveston Diocese, to open a cathedral of convenience in the city in 1959. He chose the Church of Sacred Heart to serve as a cathedral and placed an Episcopal chair here.
» On June 11, 1911, Bishop Gallagher laid the first cornerstone for the Cathedral of Sacred Heart. The project of the construction was presented by architect Olle Lorehn. The building was rebuilt and extended many times.
» The church became a cathedral and was dedicated to God’s service only on April 14, 1912. It cost $96 669. When the construction was completed, the temporary church served as a school.
Houston City Hall, Houston
Location on the map: Facts:
» The Houston City Hall was built in 1938-1939. The building is surrounded by Tranquility Park. There is also the Houston Public Library near it. » The Mayor of Houston and City Controller have their offices in this significant building. Council Members have their offices across the street in the annex of the City Hall. Every Tuesday at 13:30 and every Wednesday at 9:00, the Houston Council hold a meeting here.
» Joseph Finger, the architect of the Houston building, wanted to install statues of John Kirby Allen and Augustus Chapman Allen on the facade but the city was short of funds. The statue project was dropped by the head of DRT. Thanks to the head of the Oran M. Roberts Chapter 440, statues of the Allen Brothers were ordered and cast in bronze.
» On June 15, 2008, world-famous surgeon Michael E. Debakey lay in the state building when he died due to natural causes. He was the first person had such an honor.
» The interior of the lobby floor of the Houston City Hall represents the protective role of government.
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What to visit during two-day excursion in Houston
NASA Johnson Space Center
Where: 1601 NASA Parkway, Houston; Telephone: +1 281-244-2100;
Where: 1601 NASA Parkway, Houston; Telephone: +1 281-244-2100;
San Jacinto Monument and Museum of History
Where: One Monument Circle, La Porte, Houston; Telephone: +1 281-479-2421;
Where: One Monument Circle, La Porte, Houston; Telephone: +1 281-479-2421;
Downtown Aquarium
Where: 410 Bagby, Houston; Telephone: +1 713-223-3474;
Where: 410 Bagby, Houston; Telephone: +1 713-223-3474;
Hermann Park
Where: 6201 A Golf Course Dr., Houston; Telephone: +1 713-524-5876;
Where: 6201 A Golf Course Dr., Houston; Telephone: +1 713-524-5876;
Reference information
Art galleries in Houston and around
♥ Art museum 'Houston' Houston, 0.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Rothko Chapel' Houston, 4.1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Menil Collection' Houston, 4.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Museum of Fine Arts' Houston, 4.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Houston' Houston, 0.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Rothko Chapel' Houston, 4.1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Menil Collection' Houston, 4.3 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ Art museum 'Museum of Fine Arts' Houston, 4.7 km from the center. On the map Photo
Cathedrals and basilicas near Houston
♥ St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, Galveston, 75.1 km from the center. On the map Photo
♥ St. Mary’s Cathedral Basilica, Galveston, 75.1 km from the center. On the map Photo
Preferred to Open 9 New Hotels in 2022
In September 2022, the Sommerro hotel in Oslo will start operating in a carefully restored 1930s Art Deco building. This building is a true landmark of Frogner, a historic neighborhood of the Norwegian capital. A multi-million-dollar renovation carefully turned the largest preservation project in Norway into a modern hotel with 231 rooms, including 56 residences. Preferred will open five more hotels in 2022, namely, The Wall Street Hotel in New York, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences on Singer Island (Florida, the US), TOA Hotel & Spa in Zanzibar, Pendry hotel in Washington, and Pendry Park City hotel in Utah. Read this
29.03.2024
In September 2022, the Sommerro hotel in Oslo will start operating in a carefully restored 1930s Art Deco building. This building is a true landmark of Frogner, a historic neighborhood of the Norwegian capital. A multi-million-dollar renovation carefully turned the largest preservation project in Norway into a modern hotel with 231 rooms, including 56 residences. Preferred will open five more hotels in 2022, namely, The Wall Street Hotel in New York, Amrit Ocean Resort & Residences on Singer Island (Florida, the US), TOA Hotel & Spa in Zanzibar, Pendry hotel in Washington, and Pendry Park City hotel in Utah. Read this
29.03.2024
Photogallery of cultural heritage of Houston
Landmarks of culture on Houston map: art-galleries, monuments, palaces, etc
Culture guide to Houston. Which fascinating sights to visit once you are in Houston: temples, churches, museums, theaters and castles. Recommendations (with addresses, phone numbers and links) on the places 'must visit' in Houston. Plan your own city excursion by using this page info!