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Areas of Houston - Houston Hotels .com

No longer thought of as a cowboy town, Houston is a vibrant, international and multicultural city, with over 90 languages spoken in the area. This diversity is truly reflected in its neighborhoods. As the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest city in the United States, Houston is home to many vibrant neighborhoods, each one offering its own distinctive feel -- from the pulsing nightlife of Montrose, to the sedate and contemplative Museum District. And as the only major U.S. city that continues to grow without zoning regulations, Houston offers visitors a unique cityscape that has multiple business districts and unique areas.

At the heart of the center of the city, circled by Interstate 610, is the Downtown core -- also known as the Central Business District. The Downtown area has recently seen a revival of sorts and has become one of the city's major social hubs. Once known only for its business offices and government buildings, downtown is now home to a plethora of attractions that draw millions of visitors every ear. In addition to its three major professional sports teams, the downtown corridor is also home to the Theater District, the Aquarium, and many more of the city's most recognized sights. With is unique system of enclosed skywalks, along with a vast underground system of tunnels that are lined with shops and restaurants, downtown is one of the most pedestrian-friendly, heat- and weather-proof downtown areas that any city can boast of.

Just south of downtown, Midtown has also recently undergone a successful revitalization, making it one of the city's hippest neighborhoods. Home to Little Saigon, an area known for delicious Vietnamese cuisine and fun shops, Midtown is a major attraction to both residents and visitors. Houston also boasts one of the best cultural spots in the country in its Museum District, located southwest of city's center and featuring 16 world-class museums within walking distance of one another. Art, science, nature, and history exhibitions are put on display in this lovely, tree-lined neighborhood that is shared by Hermann Park, Rice University, and the Texas Medical Center. As a popular destination with visitors from around the globe, the Museum District is easily reached by the city's light rail system, and 11 of its museums offer free admission.

Also nestled in proximity to Downtown, Montrose is home to the largest gay pride parade in the Southwest region. Its main drag, Westheimer Boulevard, is populated by young, upscale residents and dotted with unique shops, diverse restaurants, cozy diners, and electrifying clubs. Another lively neighborhood, the East End, has a rich Latino influence and is home to the Port of Houston, one of the world's 10 busiest ports. For upscale shopping, a trip to Uptown, home to The Galleria, the famous shopping center, should be on everyone's list. The city's Kirby District and Greenway Plaza offer state-of-the-art movie theaters, fine dining, and excellent shopping connected by bridges, tunnels, and covered walkways. And located just 30 miles from Downtown Houston, the suburb of Katy, Texas features Katy Mills Outlet Mall and extensive outlet shopping.