Houston/Downtown

Downtown is the central business district of Houston. It is bounded by the I-10, I-45, and I-69 freeways.

Downtown is, like many American cities, a 9AM-5PM operation, though that is no longer as true as it once was. The Theatre District draws arts patrons to the city for evening and weekend performances and major sports venues like Daikan Stadium (home of the Houston Astros), Toyota Center (home of the Houston Rockets) and Shell Energy Stadium (home of the Houston Dynamo) draw sports fans. Many of the city's top hotels and restaurants are downtown.

If you visit downtown during the day, don't be surprised to see fewer people on the street than a typical city. Many people use an underground walkway system that connects many buildings and food courts. This is particularly true in the hot summer months, when walking outside can feel like a sauna.

Just north of the core of downtown, across the Buffalo Bayou, is a warehouse district that has attracted unique music venues, artists, and Oxheart, a popular upscale restaurant. Houston's biggest brewery, St. Arnold's, lies just a mile from the UH-Downtown rail station, but the journey requires crossing a freeway and walking through a sleepy industrial area.

Just east of downtown, across I-69 (US 59), is the aptly named EaDo (short for East Downtown). Once a neglected part of the city that was viewed as an undesirable area of abandoned warehouses and industrial sites, the neighborhoods of EaDo are being quickly developed as trendy loft apartments fill the once vacant warehouses and bars, coffee houses, and craft breweries like 8th Wonder draw young professionals who embrace the area's historic Hispanic culture. Some of Houston's most iconic Tex-Mex restaurants began in EaDo (particularly Ninfa's and El Tiempo Cantina, whose original locations in EaDo are often regarded as the only locations worth making a reservation to visit). The neighborhood is within easy walking distance of Daikin Park and is home to Houston's professional soccer stadium (Shell Energy Stadium). EaDo can be reached using the METROrail Green Line.

Interstates 10 and 45 link together and form a tight loop around downtown. Many exits are marked as leading to downtown.

The METRO Rail light rail has several downtown stops along the red line: Downtown Transit Center, Bell, Main Street Square, Preston, and UH-Downtown. Most of the restaurants and bars are located near Preston and Main Street Square.

Megabus, Greyhound and the Mexican bus services have moved their stations to the East End from the area around the Downtown Transit Center light rail station.

Long-distance Amtrak trains arrive just west of downtown. Services include the daily Texas Eagle route and the thrice-weekly Sunset Limited. Unfortunately, reaching downtown from the station includes crossing some streets with minimal pedestrian facilities.

• 29.7673-95.36751 Houston railway station, 902 Washington Ave.  (updated May 2021)

The METRO Rail light rail network has three lines (red, green, and purple) each with several downtown stops including: Downtown Transit Center, Bell, Main Street Square, Preston, and UH-Downtown. Most of the restaurants and bars are located near Preston and Main Street Square. The red line travels 13 miles along a north-south route. The northernmost station is Northline Transit Center. The southernmost is NRG Stadium/Astrodome. The Museum District and the Texas Medical Center are also along the red line. The green line travels along an east-west route along Harrisburg Blvd. from downtown to EaDo (East Downtown). The purple line goes from downtown along a southeast route towards the University of Houston main campus and Texas Southern University. All Metro Rail lines meet at the Central Station. Fares cost US$1.25 per person (2026). Discounts are available for students and seniors. A Metro fare card is required and can be purchased at kiosks at station entrances or platforms.

Houston's METRO system has a bus network that has decent local service in the downtown area but is largely set up to provide commuter services between outlying suburbs and the central city. The main point where these buses converge in the downtown area is the Downtown Transit Center at 1900 Main Street. Transfers can be made to other bus routes or to Metro Rail trains (see previous section). METRO also maintains a number of Park and Ride lots, all of which have buses to Transit Centers for onward connections or with commuter parking lots. Schedules and service information is on the METRO web site.

29°45′27″N 95°21′39″W

Map of Houston/Downtown

• 29.7604-95.363951 Chase Tower, 600 Travis St. The Chase Tower is the tallest building in Texas and the tallest five-sided building in the world.  
• 29.75319-95.359562 Discovery Green Park. Discovery Green opened April 13, 2008. The downtown Houston park is located across Avenida de las Americas from the George R. Brown Convention Center and the Hilton Americas Hotel. Toyota Center, Houston Center and Minute Maid Park are only blocks away.  (updated Jun 2019)
• 29.76434-95.367433 Downtown Aquarium, 410 Bagby St (at Memorial Dr), ☏ +1 713 223-3474. Seen as pretty mundane by locals, but might still appeal to fish fanatics. Situated right on Buffalo Bayou. Not just an aquarium, it has a Ferris wheel and other carnival-style rides. $9.25 (adult), rides cost extra.  
• Downtown Tunnel System. The majority of Downtown Houston's buildings are connected by an intertwining, complex tunnel system. Scores of lunch restaurants and easy access to building entrances from underground keep Houston's workforce primarily underground during the day. Only open during the weekdays, the tunnels are an interesting spectacle to observe, but try to avoid getting lost. There are a few street level entrances, but it can also be accessed from various buildings. 
• 29.76265-95.362284 Market Square Park, 301 Milam. 6AM-11PM, daily. Surrounded by some of the city's oldest buildings, the site was once home to City Hall in previous years. In 2010, the block-sized space was transformed into a modern park, with features akin to Discovery Green but on a more compact scale. At the center of the park is local favorite Niko Niko's.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.76-95.3725 Sam Houston Park, 1000 Bagby. 20-acre heritage park in the heart of downtown. Several historic homes from Houston's past show the city's cultural past.  (updated May 2026)

• 29.76359-95.365521 Houston Grand Opera, 510 Preston St (Wortham Theatre Center), ☏ +1 713-228-6737. World-class opera in the heart of downtown's Theatre District.  
• 29.76087-95.365032 Houston Symphony Orchestra, 615 Louisiana Ave (Jones Hall). Concerts throughout the year including both a classical series and a pops series.  
• Mercury Baroque, 510 Preston St (Cullen Theatre, Wortham Center), ☏ +1 713 533-0080. Baroque music for the historical purist. 
• 29.76166-95.369573 Theatre Under the Stars (TUTS), 800 Bagby TUTS (Hobby Center for the Performing Arts), ☏ +1 713 558. Broadway style big theatre productions in one of Houston's newest downtown arts venues.  
• 29.762289-95.3654154 Alley Theatre, 615 Texas Ave. Largest and best-known Theatre in Houston with a lineup of serious dramatic works with both classics and modern works.  (updated May 2026)

• 29.7573-95.355065 Houston Astros, 510 Crawford St, ☏ +1 713 259-8000. The city's Major League Baseball team, playing at Daikin Park (Minute Maid Park), celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2012. It was also the last season for the Astros in the National League; they moved to the American League in 2013.  (updated Sep 2025)
• 29.75149-95.361676 Houston Rockets, 1510 Polk St, ☏ +1 713 627-DUNK (3865), toll-free: +1-877-NBA-ROCKETS (622-7625387). The city's NBA (basketball) team plays at the Toyota Center.  
• 29.7529-95.351467 Houston Dynamo, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Ste. 200, ☏ +1 713 276-7500, fax: +1 713-276-7572, [email protected]. Houston's Major League Soccer team plays in Shell Energy Stadium. Located in the East End, it is the first major soccer-specific stadium in the US in a downtown area.  
• 29.7529-95.351468 Houston Dash, 1001 Avenida de las Americas, Ste. 200, ☏ +1 713 276-7500, fax: +1 713-276-7572, [email protected]. Houston's representative in the National Women's Soccer League. The team is owned and operated by the Dynamo and also plays at Shell Energy Stadium.  

• 29.75379-95.372629 Art Car Parade. The worlds largest and oldest Art Car Parade. The event features over 250 Art Cars, more than 200,000 live spectators, and media from all over the world, making Houston ground zero of an international phenomenon. Held in April.  
• 29.7604-95.3697710 Bayou City Art Festival. Built on an 8/10 mile asphalt loop surrounded by lush trees, foliage, and picnic areas, the annual fine art event boasts a stress-free outdoor gallery brimming with 300 artists working in 19 artistic media. Held in October.  
• FotoFest. Exhibitions and art installations, film and video programs, lectures and forums. 
• 29.76083-95.3696111 Houston Children's Festival, 901 Bagby. The largest celebration for children in the United States. The Houston Children's Festival offers over 350 events packed into a couple of hectic days. Held in April  
• ^{[dead link]} The Houston International Festival (AKA iFest). Annual international festival featuring juried arts, crafts, food, music, games and events for adults and children. Held in April.  

• 29.755181-95.3636441 Tejas Grill & Sports Bar, 1201 Lamar St, ☏ +1 713 739-8352. Western-style sports bar featuring several TVs, draft brews & a menu of Tex-Mex food & burgers.  
• 29.767927-95.3540142 ^{[dead link]} Oxheart, 1302 Nance St, ☏ +1 832 830-8592, [email protected]. Th-M 5:30PM-10PM. Nestled in a small, nondescript space in the Warehouse District, culinary couple Justin Yu and pastry chef Karen Mann dish out 4- or 8-course seasonal Texas Gulf Coast tasting menus (including a veg-centric option - "oxheart" is also a type of carrot, cabbage, and tomato, after all) in a restaurant lauded locally and nationally as one of the best around, period. Sit back with a beer or glass of bubbly from the expertly curated beverage list, watch the crack team of chefs go to work, and be prepared to be wowed. By reservation only. $49-79.  (updated May 2015)
• 29.76223-95.361933 Treebeards, 315 Travis St,, ☏ +1 713-228-2622. Located right on Old Market Square, this restaurant serving New Orleans style Creole cuisine.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.750877-95.3673184 Zydeco Louisiana Diner, 1119 Pease St, ☏ +1 713-759 2001. If you are unable to head into Louisiana for whatever reason just go to this restaurant instead. This restaurant specializes in Cajun/Creole fare such as oyster po'boys, jambalaya and étouffée. They even have frequent after work crawfish boils too.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.757632-95.364665 Bombay Pizza Company, 914 Main St, Suite #105, ☏ +1 713-654-4444. Restaurant known for their unique take on combining Indian/Italian cuisine. It was also featured on the Food Network and they also offer online ordering and delivery.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.760215-95.3520776 Irma's Original, 22 N. Chenevert St, ☏ +1 713-222-0767. A Houston institution! Fun, traditional atmosphere with authentic, unwatered down Tex-Mex cuisine.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.763053-95.3616447 ^{[dead link]} Hearsay Gastro Lounge, 218 Travis Street, ☏ +1 713-225-8079. Located in a historic building, the restaurant has a creative menu and bar.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.763472-95.3607578 La Calle Tacos, 909 Franklin St,, ☏ +1 832 735-8226. Vibrant taqueria in warm, funky digs serving classic tacos, tortas & tostadas, plus beer & horchata.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.763235-95.360399 Thai Cafe, 917 Franklin St #101, ☏ +1 713 228-8424. Relaxed Thai choice serving curries, noodles & other classic fare in a lofty space with a warm vibe.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.753334-95.36405410 Andalucía Tapas Restaurant & Bar, 1204 Caroline St Unit # 161, ☏ +1 832 319-6673. Traditional Spanish small plates, paella & more accompanied by sangria & live flamenco dancing.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.748188-95.36858411 Pappas Bar B Q, 1217 Pierce St, ☏ +1 713 659-1245.  (updated Feb 2020)

• 29.759027-95.3631471 Flying Saucer Draught Emporium, 705 Main St. A staggering variety of beers, some wine, scantily clad staff. $3-6/pint.  
• 29.771061-95.3487412 The Saint Arnold Brewery, 2000 Lyons Ave. Billed as Texas' oldest microbrewery. Their brews are often sold in local bars. Very popular beers are the Texas Wheat, Oktoberfest (August through October), and Christmas Ale (November through December). Brewery tour every Saturday at 1PM.  
• 29.763479-95.3611863 Public Services Wine & Whisky, 202 Travis St #100,, ☏ +1 713 516-8897. Spacious wine & whiskey bar with art deco furnishings in the historic 1884 Cotton Exchange building.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.763463-95.359884 Lilly & Bloom, 110 Main St,, ☏ +1 832 819-0065. 2-story lounge with velvet furniture for bespoke cocktails, guest bartenders & rotating DJs.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.753637-95.363635 Dirt Bar, 1209 Caroline, ☏ +1 713 426-4222. 6PM-2AM. Dive bar located right across from the House of Blues. They mainly play rock music.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.760339-95.3621076 Molly's Irish Pub, 509 Main Street, ☏ +1 713 222-1033. This pub has the feel of a small town Irish pub transplanted into downtown Houston. The pub offers a good selection of Irish and American beers on tap as well as respectable pub food.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.762815-95.3673937 Hard Rock Cafe, 502 Texas St, ☏ +1 713 227-1392.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.753948-95.3638018 House of Blues, 1204 Caroline St,, ☏ +1 888 402-5837. Rock- & blues-themed chain with Southern dishes such as po' boys & jambalaya, plus live music.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.754254-95.3645739 Pete's Dueling Piano Bar, 1201 Fannin St #310,, ☏ +1 713 337-7383. Lively local bar chain offering speciality cocktails, dueling-piano shows & singing waitstaff.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.751299-95.37006510 Spire Night Club, 1720 Main St,, ☏ +1 713 515-1082. Swanky multi-room nightclub offering a range of dance music styles most weekend evenings.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.749171-95.36467911 Jet Lounge, 1515 Pease St,. Local party destination for DJ dance parties & live musical performances, from metal to hip-hop.  (updated Feb 2020)

• 29.758172-95.3626461 Club Quarters, 720 Fannin St. This hotel is private and club-like but it has 24 hour room service and it accommodates your needs, for example there are state of the art televisions.  (updated May 2015)
• 29.755621-95.3666972 Courtyard by Marriott Houston Convention Center, 916 Dallas St, ☏ +1 832 366-1601. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $189-239.  (updated May 2015)
• 29.751931-95.3690513 Holiday Inn Houston Downtown, 1616 Main St, ☏ +1 713 658-8888. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. $189-239.  
• 29.755131-95.3670314 Houston Downtown Residence Inn, 904 Dallas St., ☏ +1 832 366-1000. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. In the historic 1921 Humble Oil Building. Offers free shuttle to George R. Brown Convention Center and Minute Maid Park. $199-329.  (updated May 2015)
• 29.757353-95.3634055 Aloft Houston Downtown, 820 Fannin St,, ☏ +1 713 225-0200. Pet friendly hotel.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.75548-95.3586536 Hampton Inn Houston Downtown, 710 Crawford St,, ☏ +1 713 224-0011. Pet friendly hotel located a few blocks away from Discovery Green, with a rooftop pool, and free hot breakfast.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.748716-95.3612227 Holiday Inn Express & Suites Houston-Dwtn Conv Ctr, 1810 Bell St,, ☏ +1 713 652-9400. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon.  (updated Feb 2020)

• 29.760024-95.3602648 The Sam Houston Hotel, 1117 Prairie St, ☏ +1 832 200-8800. Boasts a modern minimalist interior and is one of Houston's top boutique luxury hotels.  (updated May 2015)
• 29.753435-95.3729379 The Whitehall Houston, 1700 Smith St, ☏ +1 713 739-8800. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Two noteworthy onsite restaurants, fitness center, business center, and valet parking.  (updated Feb 2019)
• 29.753966-95.36280610 Four Seasons Hotel Houston, 1300 Lamar St, ☏ +1 713 650-1300, fax: +1 713 652-6220.  (updated May 2015)
• 29.762659-95.36091311 Hotel Icon, 220 Main St (Congress St.), ☏ +1 713 224-ICON (4266).  (updated May 2015)
• 29.758988-95.36159912 Magnolia Hotel, 1100 Texas Ave, ☏ +1 713 221-0011, fax: +1 832 201-7598.  (updated Jun 2019)
• 29.756947-95.35773813 The Westin Houston Downtown, 1520 Texas Ave,, ☏ +1 713 228-1520. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Pet-friendly hotel with onsite dining options, 24-hour room service, and fitness center. near Minute Maid Park and the George R. Brown Convention Center.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.752815-95.36167314 Embassy Suites by Hilton Houston Downtown, 1515 Dallas St, (across the street from Discovery Green), ☏ +1 713 739-9100. Check-in: 3PM, check-out: noon. Hotel that has a heated pool on the roof.  (updated Feb 2020)
• 29.754058-95.35816115 Marriott Marquis Houston, 1777 Walker St, (connected to the Brown Convention Center via skywalk and is across the street from Discovery Green), ☏ +1 813 654-1777. Hotel with three onsite restaurants, an infinity pool and a lazy river shaped like the state of Texas on the roof.  (updated Feb 2020)