Houston
Houston is the most populous city in the U.S.
state of Texas and the Southern United States. It is the fourth-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.3 million at the 2020 census. The Greater Houston metropolitan area, at 7.8 million residents, is the fifth-most populous metropolitan area in the nation and second-most populous in Texas. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Houston is the county seat of Harris County. Covering a total area of 640.4 square miles (1,659 km2), it is the ninth largest city in the country and the largest whose municipal government is not consolidated with a county, parish, or borough. Although primarily located within Harris County, portions of the city extend into Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Houston also functions as the southeastern anchor of the Texas Triangle megaregion.
Getting to Houston
Houston is served by two major commercial airports and two smaller regional airports (QHO IATA) (IATA code for all Houston area airports). The large airports for commercial traffic are:
- 01George Bush Intercontinental Airport
The larger of the two airports and is 23 miles (37 km) north of downtown near Beltway 8, between IH-45 North and US-59 North.
- 02William P
Hobby Airport (HOU IATA) (7 mi (11 km) south of downtown off of I-45 South).
- 03Sugar Land Regional Airport
It's 25 mi (40 km) southwest of downtown on TX 6, just north of U.S.
- 04Ellington Airport
It's 19 mi (31 km) southeast of downtown, just off I-45.
Worth seeing
Travelers planning to visit multiple attractions may benefit from the Houston CityPASS, which grants admission to
Things to do
Wildcat Golf Club. Houston Country club. River Oaks Country Club. Redstone. Buffalo Bayou Eleanor Tinsley Park - The beautiful city skyline backdrops this scenic portion of the park. It remains one of the most popular outdoor spaces for recreation and relaxation. Lost Lake - At this location, visitors can rent kayaks and discover the water trails.
Where to eat
Houston has outstanding dining options, and is widely considered the most restaurant-oriented city in the United States, with a thriving community of ethnic restaurants, superb Tex-Mex, classic Texas steakhouses and Gulf Coast seafood, as well as chain restaurants.
Getting around Houston the local way
- Get in}} Houston offers 27 airports within 50 miles, and although William Hobby is the most popular choice for private charter flights, there are several airports that focus on serving the business and luxury aviation community.
- Get inAir charter companies including Tavaero, Houston Private Jet Rental, and Houston Jet Charter offer access to planes based at airports across Houston, ranging from twin-engine aircraft and light jets to luxury Gulfstreams and executive airliners.
From Wikivoyage: Houston, CC BY-SA. Not yet checked by us. Last edited 2026-09.
Text adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, CC BY-SA 4.0. Photograph: Wikimedia Commons (see file page), Wikimedia Commons.