With over 2 million residents, Houston is the largest city in Texas and the fourth largest city in the nation. The city has a vibrant theater district, world class museum district, and wonderful cuisine from around the world.

Theater District

Houston’s 17-block Theater District is second only to New York in number of theater seats in a concentrated downtown area, and has professional residential companies in each of the major performing arts (Opera, Ballet, Symphony, and Theater). Information about the district and its major performing companies can be found in the links below:

• Houston Grand Opera
• Houston Ballet
• Houston Symphony
• Alley Theatre

Museum District

Located within walking distance of campus, Houston’s Museum District is a vibrant collection of art, science, and cultural museums dedicated to educating and inspiring people from all backgrounds. Some of the most interesting museums are:

• Museum of Fine Arts
• Cullen Sculpture Garden
• Contemporary Arts Museum Houston
• Museum of Natural Science
• Menil Collection
• Rothko Chapel
• Holocaust Museum

For those traveling with children, there is also the Children’s Museum of Houston.

Outdoor activities

Houston is often perceived as a car-centric city, but there are numerous green spaces spread throughout the city. The list below gives some of the best outdoor spaces located near campus.

• Buffalo Bayou – One of the American Planning Association’s Top 10 Great Public Places
• Hermann Park
• Miller Outdoor Theatre
• Houston Zoo
• Discovery Green
• Memorial Park

Dining

Houston’s diversity is reflected in the variety of wonderful food options. Some of our favortie dining options are (in no particular order):

• Oishii
• Jeannine’s Bistro
• Fadi’s
• Goode Company Seafood
• El Tiempo Cantina
• Hobbit Cafe
• Brasil
• Coreano’s Food Truck
• Barnaby’s
• Ruggles Green
• Niko Niko’s
• Mandola Fmaily Restaurants
• Little Big’s Burgers
• Empire Cafe
• Tacos A Go-Go
• Thai Village

More information about these and other restaurants can be found at the Houston Restaurant Guide.

Shopping

The Rice Village shopping area is within walking distance of Rice’s campus, and offers dozens of great shopping and dining choices.

Some other shopping destinations in Houston are:

• The Galleria
• Highland Village
• Memorial City Mall

Live Music

• Bayou Music Center
• Fitzgerald’s
• House of Blues
• McGonigel’s Mucky Duck
• Warehouse Live

Sports

There are five major professional sports teams in Houston, four of which play in the top division for their sport:

• Houston Texans (National Football League)
• Houston Astros (Major League Baseball)
• Houston Rockets (National Basketball Association)
• Houston Dynamo (Major League Soccer)
• Houston Aeros (American Hockey League)

There’s almost always at least one sport in season, so be sure to check the teams’ websites to see if there are any games when you’ll be in town.

Johnson Space Center

‘Houston, we’ve had a problem’
— Astronaut Jack Swigert, April 14, 1970

Located roughly 40 minutes southeast of campus, the Johnson Space Center has been at the center of some of NASA’s defining moments. The JSC offers tours of the famous facility and fun science exhibits for all ages.