{"id":25745,"date":"2018-05-18T19:43:37","date_gmt":"2018-05-18T19:43:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/?p=25745"},"modified":"2020-10-29T14:57:54","modified_gmt":"2020-10-29T14:57:54","slug":"13-things-that-prove-everything-is-bigger-and-better-in-houston","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/13-things-that-prove-everything-is-bigger-and-better-in-houston\/","title":{"rendered":"13 things that prove everything is bigger (and better) in Houston"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><b><i>Note:&nbsp;<\/i><\/b><i>All travel is subject to frequently changing governmental restrictions\u2014please check government advisories before scheduling trips.&nbsp;<\/i><i>Some attractions and establishments may be closed or providing modified services. We strongly recommend researching any attractions and establishments prior to your visit.<\/i><\/p>\n<p>For all its stereotypes of big hair, big hats and big hearts, it\u2019s easy to mistake Texas as just one big ol\u2019 state of sameness. But oh, how you couldn\u2019t be more wrong. Sure, it\u2019s a well-known fact that many things here are truly well, bigger. (The steaks, for starters.) But another big thing we take pride in is our biggest city. As the largest city in the southern U.S., and inching its way to become the third largest city in the entire country by 2025, it\u2019s clear the sky is the limit for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/Downtown-Houston.d800037.Destination-Travel-Guides\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Houston<\/a>. Here are 13 things that prove everything is BIGGER and BETTER in Houston\u2014instant inspiration to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/Houston-Hotels.d178265.Travel-Guide-Hotels\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">plan your Space City escape<\/a> now.<\/p>\n<p style=\"text-align: center;\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/this-is-the-ultimate-texas-road-trip\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\"><strong>ALSO:<\/strong> The ultimate Texas road trip<\/a><\/p>\n<h2><strong>The Space Center <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s not called \u201cSpace City\u201d for nothing. The vastness of space exploration and its Mission Control Center found a perfect home at the 1,620-acre <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/things-to-do\/nasa-visit-with-city-tour.a306786.activity-details?srp=true&amp;location=Houston%2C+Texas&amp;startDate=2018-05-11&amp;endDate=2018-05-25&amp;latLong=29.758690%2C-95.365880&amp;rid=178265\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Johnson Space Center&nbsp;<\/a>\u2014 where visitors can get a glimpse into how astronauts train for missions, take a tour of NASA, experience a zero-gravity environment and even touch real moon rocks. Let\u2019s leave the movie quotes to Tom Hanks, shall we?<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25748\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25748\" class=\"size-large wp-image-25748\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-172282961-e1526585505452-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"NASA Space Center - Houston, TX\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-172282961-e1526585505452.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-172282961-e1526585505452-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-172282961-e1526585505452-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-172282961-e1526585505452-400x250.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25748\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Check out the NASA Booster Rocket at Houston&#8217;s Space Center.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>The Skyscrapers<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Houston is home to the tallest building in Texas, and the 13<span style=\"font-size: 11.666666030883789px;\">th&nbsp;<\/span>tallest in America. The JP Morgan Chase Tower soars 75 floors up, serving as a vast icon for downtown Houston. The 60<span style=\"font-size: 11.666666030883789px;\">th&nbsp;<\/span>floor Sky Lobby was closed to the public in 2016, but it\u2019s still worth walking by and looking up \u2026 and up \u2026 and up to really understand the building\u2019s staggering height. Or take a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/things-to-do\/small-group-houston-we-have-a-tunnel-tour.a172115.activity-details?srp=true&amp;location=Houston%2C+Texas&amp;startDate=2018-05-10&amp;endDate=2018-05-24&amp;latLong=29.758690%2C-95.365880&amp;rid=178265\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">small-group tour<\/a> to get a full look at the city \u2014 from atop the Chase Tower to down low in its underground tunnels (more on those in a minute).<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25752\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25752\" class=\"size-large wp-image-25752\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-639766666-e1526586283622-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"Skyscrapers - Houston, TX\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-639766666-e1526586283622.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-639766666-e1526586283622-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-639766666-e1526586283622-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-639766666-e1526586283622-400x250.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25752\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">The sky&#8217;s truly the limit when it comes to Houston&#8217;s skyscrapers.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>The Tunnels <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Tucked 20 feet beneath Texas\u2019 most populous city, Houston\u2019s Tunnel System is like a secret passageway from your childhood dreams. It\u2019s also a great hiding spot from the sultry sun in a city where temperatures regularly hang near 100 degrees for most of the summer (and sometimes spring and fall, too!). Take the tour mentioned above to explore the more than 6-mile long tunnel system, which connects downtown Houston\u2019s businesses to one another \u2014 while offering fun stops along the way including gift shops, restaurants and flower stands. Or head above ground to the skywalks, offering the same climate-controlled comfort and escape from the crowds as the underground tunnels, while linking together some of downtown Houston&#8217;s most prominent buildings.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25756\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25756\" class=\"size-large wp-image-25756\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-923494746-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"Skywalk - Houston, TX\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-923494746-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-923494746-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-923494746-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-923494746-1080x720.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25756\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Get a reprieve from the Houston heat in a downtown skywalk.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>The Greenery <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Nothing but a concrete jungle? Not a chance. Houston rates first in&nbsp;total park acreage among U.S. cities with more than 1 million residents at 52,912 acres, and is&nbsp;home to some of the best green spaces in the country. Take a bike ride through or stroll the 160-acre Buffalo Bayou Park, which features a stunning view of the Houston Skyline perfect for city dwelling nature lovers. You can even rent a bike through the city\u2019s bike share program, which makes exploring the large park easy as can be. For a more urban activity-based experience, check out Discovery Green, where you\u2019ll always&nbsp;<a href=\"http:\/\/www.discoverygreen.com\/ebevents\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">find something going on<\/a>, from concerts and exercise classes to special events.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25758\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25758\" class=\"size-large wp-image-25758\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-520473493-e1526586984967-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-520473493-e1526586984967.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-520473493-e1526586984967-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-520473493-e1526586984967-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-520473493-e1526586984967-400x250.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25758\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Soak up the sun and great skyline views at the city-centric Buffalo Bayou Park.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>The Tex Mex <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Taco Tuesday is a must here, but so is Taco Wednesday, Thursday, Friday and Saturday. It\u2019s true, Tex Mex rules in Houston, and after a walk through its enormous downtown and grandiose parks you\u2019ll be craving a taste yourself. And you\u2019ll find countless restaurants and food trucks dedicated to the cause to keep your tummy happy. While you\u2019re at it, don\u2019t miss sharable fajitas, an extra-large platter of enchiladas, endless chips and queso and a Texas-sized margarita to wash it all down.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25765\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25765\" class=\"wp-image-25765 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/TXMX2-e1526587901488-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/TXMX2-e1526587901488.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/TXMX2-e1526587901488-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/TXMX2-e1526587901488-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/TXMX2-e1526587901488-400x250.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25765\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Tacos, nachos, fajitas, queso &#8230; keep it coming.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>The Steaks <\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Now that you\u2019re hungry and we\u2019re on the topic of delectable cuisine, let\u2019s not forget the massive steaks you can experience in Texas. While Houston is not home to the largest steak in the state (that honor goes to The Big Texan Steak Ranch\u2019s 72 oz. steak on the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/this-is-the-ultimate-texas-road-trip\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">original Route 66<\/a>,) it does have its share of mouth-watering cuts of meat. We recommend Pappa Bros. Steakhouse, with two local Houston locations showcasing their delicious dry-aged steaks. Their 32 oz. New York Strip Steak even earned a spot on Food Network\u2019s <a href=\"https:\/\/www.foodnetwork.com\/shows\/top-5-restaurants\/photos\/top-5-steaks-in-america-top-5-restaurants\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"nofollow noopener noreferrer\">Top 5 Steaks in America.&nbsp;<\/a>Yum!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25766\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25766\" class=\"size-large wp-image-25766\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-171386472-e1526588091441-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-171386472-e1526588091441.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-171386472-e1526588091441-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-171386472-e1526588091441-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-171386472-e1526588091441-400x250.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25766\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">You can&#8217;t leave Houston without savoring the biggest steak you can stomach.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>The Zoo<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>It\u2019s the number one attraction in Houston and the second most-visited zoo in the country. And for good reason. The Houston Zoo has created a home for more than 6,000 animals and 900 species, visited annually by over 2 million guests. That\u2019s a whole lot of furry fun! Get a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/things-to-do\/houston-citypass-5-must-see-museums-attractions.a178506.activity-details?srp=true&amp;location=Houston%2C+Texas&amp;startDate=2018-05-18&amp;endDate=2018-06-01&amp;latLong=29.758690%2C-95.365880&amp;rid=178265&amp;pageNumber=1\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Houston CityPASS<\/a> to save on admission at the Zoo and four other popular attractions.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25767\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25767\" class=\"size-large wp-image-25767\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-641513036-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-641513036-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-641513036-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-641513036-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-641513036-1080x720.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25767\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Lions, tigers, bears &#8230; the Houston Zoo&#8217;s got them all and much more.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>The Museums<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>If you love museums, you\u2019ll be in heaven in Houston. The city features one of the largest museum districts in the country, with 20 museums and institutions all within walking distance from one another. Don\u2019t forget to include the Health Museum on your must-visit list \u2014 home to Houston\u2019s first and only 4D theatre \u2014 plus the Houston Museum of Natural Science, the expansive Museum of Fine Arts Houston, the Holocaust Museum and the Houston Center for Photography to name just a few.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25768\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25768\" class=\"size-large wp-image-25768\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-842921614-e1526588693582-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"Museum District - Houston, TX\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-842921614-e1526588693582.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-842921614-e1526588693582-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-842921614-e1526588693582-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-842921614-e1526588693582-400x250.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25768\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Education meets entertainment in the Museum District. Visit the Cockrell Butterfly Center at the Museum of Natural Science.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>The Festivals &amp; Events<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Having the largest population in Texas has its perks, like attracting some of the best artists, performers, athletes and more to create some of the best event experiences. For example, this year kicked off the inaugural In Bloom Music Fest in March, which featured everyone from Beck to Incubus. Spring is also the season for the Houston Open PGA Tour and the Bayou City Art Festival, allowing golf and art fans to take advantage of the city\u2019s best weather. And let\u2019s not leave the foodies out. Houston is a melting pot for some of the best food and drink-based events, including The Great Texas BBQ Festival, the Houston Crawfish, Crab &amp; Grill Festival and the Houston Greek Festival. Promise you won&#8217;t leave this city hungry.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25769\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25769\" class=\"size-large wp-image-25769\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-800419902-e1526589256938-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"Festivals - Houston, TX\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-800419902-e1526589256938.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-800419902-e1526589256938-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-800419902-e1526589256938-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-800419902-e1526589256938-400x250.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25769\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Gather friends or family to enjoy some of Houston&#8217;s greatest festivals and events.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>The Rodeo<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Speaking of large events, the 19-day Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is big enough to earn its own spot on our list. After all, it\u2019s the world\u2019s LARGEST livestock show and rodeo. But don\u2019t mistake this for just a bull riding event. The three-week extravaganza features epic food (like the World\u2019s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest), incredible concerts (2019&#8217;s line-up includes country music legend George Strait), livestock and horse shows, shopping and dining opportunities and even a city-wide celebration for Houstonians to show off their Western pride on Go Texan Day. Save some room in your suitcase for a truly authentic souvenir \u2014 handmade custom cowboy boots!<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25770\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25770\" class=\"wp-image-25770 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-859382116-e1526590530148-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo - Houston, TX\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-859382116-e1526590530148.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-859382116-e1526590530148-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-859382116-e1526590530148-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-859382116-e1526590530148-400x250.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25770\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Plan your Houston trip in late February\/early March, and you may be lucky enough to experience the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo!<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>The Ocean<\/strong><strong>&nbsp;<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>What\u2019s bigger than the ocean? While not technically \u201cin\u201d Houston, the Gulf of Mexico is just an hour&#8217;s drive away. Don\u2019t miss your opportunity to visit the beach with a quick jaunt to Galveston Island via a <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/things-to-do\/galveston-island-visit-with-city-tour.a306790.activity-details?srp=true&amp;location=Houston%2C+Texas&amp;startDate=2018-05-10&amp;endDate=2018-05-24&amp;latLong=29.758690%2C-95.365880&amp;rid=178265\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">hop-on hop-off tour<\/a>. Not only will you get to see some of the best sights of Houston, but you\u2019ll also have the chance to get a little sea breeze in your hair as your cruise the Gulf in search of dolphins and other aquatic life. Love to shop? You\u2019ll fit right in with the unique finds at the Strand Historic District, where local boutiques abound.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25778\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25778\" class=\"wp-image-25778 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-878012814-e1526661016872-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"Galveston Beach - Houston, TX\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-878012814-e1526661016872.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-878012814-e1526661016872-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-878012814-e1526661016872-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-878012814-e1526661016872-400x250.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25778\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Did you know the beach was just an hour away from Houston?<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>The Shopping<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>Still in the mood to shop? You could make a whole vacation out of it in Houston. Start out at The Galleria, and you may never want (or have) to leave. The 2.4 million-square-foot shopping center is the largest in Texas, and the fourth largest in the U.S. Bring your wallet and your walking shoes to peruse 400 stores and restaurants, a full-size ice skating rink and more. There are even several hotels nearby so you won\u2019t have to travel far to drop off all your incredible finds.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25779\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25779\" class=\"wp-image-25779 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-683988116-e1526660882120-1024x640.jpg\" alt=\"Galleria Mall - Houston TX\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-683988116-e1526660882120.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-683988116-e1526660882120-300x188.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-683988116-e1526660882120-768x480.jpg 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-683988116-e1526660882120-400x250.jpg 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25779\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Pack light, you&#8217;ll want to leave room for all the new things you find on your Houston shopping spree.<\/p><\/div>\n<h2><strong>The Hotels<\/strong><\/h2>\n<p>So you\u2019re ready to see why everything is bigger and better in Houston for yourself, but where will you stay? Even many of city\u2019s hotels have a staggering number of room to keep up with the grandeur nature of its surroundings. We love the location and spacious appeal of the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/Houston-Hotels-Hilton-Americas-Houston.h976144.Hotel-Information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hilton Americas \u2013 Houston<\/a>, featuring 1,200 rooms just across from Discovery Green park. Topping out at just 1,000 rooms (tiny, we know) is the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/Houston-Hotels-Marriott-Marquis-Houston.h14986044.Hotel-Information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Marriott Marquis Houston<\/a>, a central downtown escape that actually houses a lazy river. Prefer something a little more quaint? The <a href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/Houston-Hotels-Hyatt-Regency-Houston.h20005.Hotel-Information\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Hyatt Regency Houston&nbsp;<\/a>has only 958 rooms \u2014 ha! \u2014 and it\u2019s connected to the Downtown Tunnel System for optimal exploration opportunity.<\/p>\n<div id=\"attachment_25780\" style=\"width: 1034px\" class=\"wp-caption aligncenter\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-25780\" class=\"wp-image-25780 size-large\" src=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Screen-Shot-2018-05-18-at-11.32.12-AM-e1526661219936-1024x640.png\" alt=\"Hilton Americas - Houston, TX\" width=\"1024\" height=\"640\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Screen-Shot-2018-05-18-at-11.32.12-AM-e1526661219936.png 1024w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Screen-Shot-2018-05-18-at-11.32.12-AM-e1526661219936-300x188.png 300w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Screen-Shot-2018-05-18-at-11.32.12-AM-e1526661219936-768x480.png 768w, https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/Screen-Shot-2018-05-18-at-11.32.12-AM-e1526661219936-400x250.png 400w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><p id=\"caption-attachment-25780\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">Plan your stay at a larger than life hotel, such as the expansive Hilton Americas &#8211; Houston.<\/p><\/div>\n<p>Enjoy your experience in this city of epic proportions, just remember to keep a map handy so you don&#8217;t get lost (unless you want to, of course).<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A big population, an even bigger opportunity for fun. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":46,"featured_media":25782,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[160],"tags":[406,1139,1198,83,242],"class_list":["post-25745","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-city","tag-foodie","tag-houston","tag-houston-hotels","tag-museums","tag-texas"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.8.1 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>13 Things That Prove Everything is Bigger &amp; Better in Houston | Travelocity<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"They say everything is bigger in Texas, and it couldn&#039;t be more true in its biggest city of Houston. We&#039;re featuring the top 13 things that prove it to be true, and show why everything really is bigger and better here!\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/13-things-that-prove-everything-is-bigger-and-better-in-houston\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"13 Things That Prove Everything is Bigger (and Better) in Houston\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A big population, an even bigger opportunity for fun.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/13-things-that-prove-everything-is-bigger-and-better-in-houston\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Inspire | Travelocity.com\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2018-05-18T19:43:37+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-10-29T14:57:54+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-884014956-e1526661526885.jpg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"1024\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"640\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Gina Tagliarino, Travelocity Sr. Creative Copywriter\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Written by\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"Gina Tagliarino, Travelocity Sr. Creative Copywriter\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:label2\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data2\" content=\"9 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\/\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/13-things-that-prove-everything-is-bigger-and-better-in-houston\/\",\"url\":\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/13-things-that-prove-everything-is-bigger-and-better-in-houston\/\",\"name\":\"13 Things That Prove Everything is Bigger & Better in Houston | Travelocity\",\"isPartOf\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/#website\"},\"primaryImageOfPage\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/13-things-that-prove-everything-is-bigger-and-better-in-houston\/#primaryimage\"},\"image\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/13-things-that-prove-everything-is-bigger-and-better-in-houston\/#primaryimage\"},\"thumbnailUrl\":\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/05\/iStock-884014956-e1526661526885.jpg\",\"datePublished\":\"2018-05-18T19:43:37+00:00\",\"dateModified\":\"2020-10-29T14:57:54+00:00\",\"author\":{\"@id\":\"https:\/\/www.travelocity.com\/inspire\/#\/schema\/person\/3277a4a0a458251771497f749c56113a\"},\"description\":\"They say everything is bigger in Texas, and it couldn't be more true in its biggest city of Houston. 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