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In the Neighborhood: Your ultimate guide to downtown Houston

Explore the area and discover a mix of world-class art, green spaces, welcoming people and plenty of dishes to sample at every turn.

By Alina Dizik | January 11, 2024

Spanning more than 300 blocks, downtown Houston is often the first stop for travelers who want to explore the city’s mashup of cultures. The mix of live music, modern architectural gems, steakhouses and a quaint historic district means there’s plenty to see, eat and do.

EAT

Sophisticated and warm, Houstonians pride themselves on downtown’s diverse food scene. Try:

- Post Market: Come for happy hour and stay for dinner at this international food hall with eateries led by multiple James Beard Award-winners and a Michelin-starred chef. With more than two dozen vendors, you’ll find ambitious food offerings including ChòpnBlọk’s West African-inspired plates like jollof jambalaya and coconut curry.

- Angel Share HTX: Raising more than $1.3 million for local community-based charities since 2013, this bar is serious about giving back. Stop by for inventive cocktails and late-night bites, including bacon-wrapped jalapeños and warm, salted chocolate chip cookies. There are happy hour specials every day, and on Mondays it’s happy hour all day.

- Bungalow: From the vibey bar area to the rooftop patio, this sleek and moody restaurant offers multiple intimate spaces for an upscale meal. Fine cuts of meat are the specialty here, along with local favorites such as fried lobster tails.

Photo credit: Houston First Corporation

SEE

Stroll through the most central neighborhood in Houston to experience cultural offerings that attract visitors and locals alike. Explore:

- Discovery Green: This 12-acre (5-hectare) park includes a performance space, playground, kayaking on Kinder Lake and, during the winter season, an ice rink. The aptly named Mistree sculpture sprays passersby with misty water during warmer months.

- Big Art. Bigger Change Murals: Take a self-guided walking tour through a network of 33 outdoor art displays, each with its own theme of social and environmental justice.

- Houston Ballet: Each season audiences get a peek at spectacular new commissions, along with a classic repertoire that’s always on point. Come wintertime, the theater also hosts the Nutcracker Market with over 260 local vendors selling holiday gifts like jewelry, handicrafts and more.

Photo credit: Houston First Corporation

SHOP

Downtown’s vibrant boutiques offer indie clothing from up-and-coming designers, creative accessories, bold decor and some of the city’s best fashion. Browse:

- R. Rose Clothier: Well-dressed Houstonites frequent this dapper men’s store for its in-house line of brightly colored sports and dress shirts. Shoes, belts and casual wear are also available, and the store’s tailors will adjust any article of clothing to your measurements.

- Magnolia Mercantile: Don’t leave Houston without visiting this custom hat bar and boutique to create your own personalized gift with a Southern touch. Explore the shop’s clothing and accessories to complement your new hat.

- The Pink Swan Shop: The Post Market location of this funky jewelry boutique features statement earrings, one-of-a-kind charms and handbags. This shop’s specialty is permanent jewelry, so head to the welding bar for a bracelet, necklace or anklet that’ll last a lifetime.

Photo credit: Houston First Corporation

Whether you’re traveling with friends, enjoying a solo getaway or have kids in tow, downtown Houston has something for everyone. Take a stroll, catch a game and check out the incredible art scene as you sample delicious bites along the way.

Hero photo credit: Houston First Corporation

Alina Dizik is a veteran lifestyle journalist, covering travel, real estate, family, work trends and dining. Her work appears in The Wall Street Journal, BBC, The Cut, The Guardian and other top publications. She lives in Chicago and has spent time living in New York, Europe and the Middle East. She spends more than two months each year traveling internationally with her husband and two school-age children. She has visited more than 50 countries.