Houston

Overview

Houston is living proof that everything really is bigger in Texas. Houston is the largest city in Texas and fourth-largest in the U.S. With a population of more than two million, Houston is not only home to many Fortune 500 companies but is also an industrial base for energy, manufacturing and aeronautics manufacturers from around the world.

As the line Tom Hanks made famous in the film Apollo 13 goes, “Houston we’ve got a problem” – Houston is still home to Johnson Space Center where NASA’s Mission Control Center is located. There’s also the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center which celebrates the inner astronaut in all of us. Interactive exhibits include moon rocks, a shuttle simulator, and presentations about the history of NASA's manned space flight program – a perfect attraction for those who have always dreamed of reaching for the stars.

Houston’s culture is as thick as Texas toast. Annual events around Houston celebrate the multicultural makeup of the city’s population. The annual Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is the city’s longest-running event, spanning 20 days from late February to early March. It is the largest annual Livestock Show and Rodeo anywhere in the world. Houston is also home to the night-time Houston Pride Parade, the Houston Greek Festival, the Art Car Parade, the Houston Auto Show and the Houston International Festival. If you’re lucky enough to visit the area in the spring or fall, take in the Bayou City Art Festival – considered to be one of the top five art festivals in the U.S.

Don’t forget about Houston’s theatre district. Located in the downtown core, you’ll find nine major performing arts organizations and six performance halls showcasing the city’s best. Houston is also well-recognized as one of few U.S. cities with permanent, professional, resident companies in all major performing arts. The Houston Grand Opera, the Houston Ballet, the Houston Symphony Orchestra and The Alley Theatre are all permanent fixtures of the city’s arts scene.

Houston’s museums bring in more than seven million visitors a year. It’s worth spending some time at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston Museum of Natural Science, the Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, the Station Museum of Contemporary Art, Holocaust Museum Houston, and the Houston Zoo. Other tourist attractions include the Galleria (Texas's largest shopping mall), Old Market Square, the Downtown Aquarium, and Sam Houston Race Park. SplashTown Waterpark Houston is a water park is located just north of Houston.

WestJet is pleased to offer service to Houston starting September 8, 2015.

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Destination Basics

Houston offers visitors a moderate and mild fall and spring with a nice, comfortable heat coming by way of southeast winds from the Gulf of Mexico. You may encounter a little rain during this time so it may be a good idea to keep a rain jacket or umbrella with you.

Winters are still fairly warm. At its coldest – usually in January – daily highs still average more than 17 C. Snow is rare. Lows in the evening are around 4 C. You may want to keep a light jacket or fleece sweater with you if you plan to be out later in the day.

Summers are hot in Houston. It’s not uncommon for temperatures to reach upwards of 32 C each day. The humidity of the area can make the temperature seem much warmer, so be sure to stay hydrated. While a light wind can offer a little relief, seriously consider accommodations with air conditioning. Same goes for renting a car. If you’re travelling with children, we recommend staying at a hotel with – or near – a pool.