The Open Road Travel

Houston is the largest, most populous city in Texas and fourth most populous in the entire US. Brimming with attractions throughout, determining the best areas to stay in Houston based on your own wants and needs is essential to getting the most out of your visit to the city.

That’s why I want to give you a rundown of all the things you will want to know about Houston before you set off. From the best sites and attractions to the perfect time of year to go, this should give you everything you need to make your stay in Houston one to remember.

Located on the shores of Trinity Bay, on the Gulf Of Mexico, Houston offers a perfect blend of southern and Latino culture. From the bars and restaurants to the shops and attractions, this is a city that has something unique to offer in every direction.

Attractions like the San Jacinto Historic Site and the Houston Holocaust Museum will appeal to fans of history, as will most of Houston’s Museum District. Meanwhile, the Houston Zoo is a great choice for those who are more interested in nature.

A collection of pro sports teams covering the NFL, NBA, MLB and more offers ample entertainment to get your blood pumping throughout the year. You even have the legendary NASA headquarters, where you can take some time to learn more about man's exploration into outer space.

If you’d rather relax than explore, Houston also features some of the best beaches in the region. Combined with restaurants serving traditional southern and Mexican cuisine, among others, you will always be able to find somewhere to relax and immerse yourself in the spirit of the city.

With its fabulous, warm climate, a stay in Houston can be enjoyed at almost any time of the year. However, as with many destinations on the Gulf Of Mexico, you have to be aware of hurricanes.

While they are possible at any time throughout summer and fall, late August to the end of September is historically when they are at their most frequent and dangerous. That’s why, unless absolutely necessary, I would recommend planning your stay in Houston outside of this window.

Moving on to our list of the best areas to stay in Houston, I’m going to suggest a few areas, each of which will be ideal for some of the most common needs people have when travelling.

Located at the very heart of the city, Downtown Houston is the ideal choice for those who don’t plan to rent a car or simply like everything close by. With numerous shopping malls, bars, and restaurants within walking distance, your every need will be catered to throughout your stay in Houston.

Minute Maid Park, the Toyota Centre, and the George R. Brown Convention Centre host the vast majority of the major events and conventions in the city between them. This makes Downtown Houston ideal for anyone attending a show or game at one of these locations.

You also have one of the largest Theater Districts in America, and one of only 5 that have permanent professional companies in all the major performing arts disciplines, ballet, music, opera and theatre. Anyone who wants to catch a show during their stay in Houston will simply be spoilt for choice in Downtown.

Downtown Houston is also the part of the city that has the greatest selection of hotels on offer. With countless different styles and costs available, there will be options for everyone, no matter your taste or budget.

Stay In Downtown Houston If:

· You are visiting to watch the Houston Rockets or Houston Astros play

· You are attending any other event at the Toyota Centre or Minute Maid Park

· You want a great range of hotels and amenities

· You are interested in the performing arts

· You want most of the attractions to be within walking distance

The best hotel in Downtown Houston to give you the full experience of the city is The Lancaster Hotel. A stylish, modern, boutique hotel, it is listed as a Texas Historical Landmark and Historic Hotel Of America.

With plush rooms, a restaurant serving dinner and a complimentary breakfast, and amenities like private parking and Wi-Fi throughout, the needs of the entire family will be taken care of throughout your stay.

Comprised of the northeast portion of Midtown and the southwest portion of Downtown, Huston’s Central Business District is the ideal place to stay for those looking to make the most of Huston’s vibrant nightlife scene.

While it may sound like it caters more to those travelling to Houston on business, which it is equally well suited for, the Central Business District also contains the best collection of nightclubs and bars in the city.

From rooftop lounges where you can enjoy a sophisticated drink with a view of the city to clubs blasting pumping music till the early hours, the Central Business District will have an option to help you party however you choose.

As the name suggests though, this is also where you will find the largest collection of businesses and major corporations in the city. People travelling to Houston for work will therefore find this easily the most convenient place to stay.

Various hotels and facilities like shops and restaurant cater to workers, both in terms of their prices and opening hours. This ensures you will have plenty of places to eat, stay, and relax, that are never too far from your place of business.

Stay In The Central Business District If:

· You are travelling on business

· Nightlife is a priority during your stay

· You want to relax in the stylish rooftop lounges

When it comes to hotels, The Whitehall Houston is the ideal choice for the modern partygoer. Its location at the heart of the district combined with an onsite cocktail bar will keep you in the thick of the action every night.

Meanwhile, the stylish, comfortable rooms, rooftop pool and sundeck, as well as a choice of 3 on-site restaurants, gives you plenty of ways to recover during the day.

Northwest Houston is a much more residential part of the city, filled with local stores, businesses and parks. You will also find prices in these establishments are generally lower, as they won’t feature the price hikes common in heavily tourist areas.

This makes it the perfect place to stay in Houston for those travelling with kids, hoping to have a relaxing vacation without breaking the bank. It is also where you will find the best display of the diverse cultures that Houston is famous for.

You have a Koreatown section, featuring shops and restaurants boasting East Asian goods, cuisines, and culture. A Hispanic section, where you can find some of Houston’s best examples of the Mexican influence south Texas is famous for.

Then there is even an area known as “thrift store nirvana”, where deal-seekers can explore one of the best collections of thrift stores anywhere in the US.

Stay In Northwest Houston If:

· You are travelling on a budget

· You are travelling with family or small children

· You like a diverse range of cultures

· You enjoy shopping in thrift stores

Platinum Inn And Suites would be my top pick for accommodation in this part of Houston. It provides great access to the attractions of Northwest Houston, while providing an easy journey back in to the heart of the city.

Spacious family rooms are available in a chic, stylish hotel. With a complimentary breakfast and incredibly reasonable prices, it is ideal for both families and budget travellers during their stay in Houston.

As in many major cities, the main airport in Huston, George Bush Intercontinental Airport, is located outside the city limits. That’s why I would recommend anyone wanting to stay near the airport during their trip stay in Kingwood.

A collection of small villages known as the liveable forest, Kingwood lies between the city and Lake Houston. This provides not only convenience in terms of getting to and from the airport but also allows you to experience everything that Houston and its surrounding area has to offer.

Lake Houston is a particularly popular place to visit for people staying in Kingwood, as it represents an entirely different experience to the one you will find in Houston.

With activities like boating, fishing, hiking, and camping, as well as lakeside cabins for those who like to enjoy nature in a little more comfort, it is one of the best places to take in the Texas landscape in the Houston Metropolitan Area.

This natural vibe can also be enjoyed within the town as well. Numerous parks offer wonderful places to spend time outdoors, while features like skate parks ensure the kids have as much fun as the grown-ups.

Throughout the year, these parks even host a number of festivals. With Mardi Gras, Christmas In The Park, the 4th Of July Parade, and a collection of other events, you have a good chance of having something unique to experience, regardless of when you visit.

Besides the quiet, natural draw of Kingwood, it is also a perfect destination for those worried about safety as well. With a significantly lower crime rate than the rest of Houston, it gives you the best chance of feeling relaxed and carefree throughout your stay.

You can get a feel for what the quaint, rural side of Texas is like, get in and out of the city quickly and easily, and have complete confidence you won’t miss your flight or have to drag your luggage all over town.

Stay In Kingwood If:

· You want to stay near the airport

· You want to stay in a more rural part of the region

· You want to visit Lake Houston

· You are travelling with family

· You are worried about safety

In terms of accommodation, the La Quinta Inn & Suite Kingwood Houston provides an experience that matches that of Kingwood itself. Located just 15 minutes from Lake Houston, it makes a great base to get out and explore the natural side of the area.

Its stylish façade boasts a rural beauty, while the rooms and on-site pool and hot tub offer all the luxuries of the big city. Each room features luxuries like flat screen TVs and tea and coffee making facilities, ensuring you can kick back and relax when not on the go.

Houston is one of the biggest, best, and most diverse cities in the southern United States. From cuisine and culture to sports and attractions, it is guaranteed to have something to offer for everyone.

Hopefully, now you will have a clearer view of the best areas to stay in Houston when you make your own trip, ensuring it is one to remember for years to come. All that is left is to start getting things booked, so you can look forward to heading off on your own Texan adventure.