Houston/South Inner Loop

Best ways to reach this part of Houston are Metro light rail trains, Metro city buses, and by car.

Train

Houston's Metro light rail system is an easy, comfortable way to get to the Medical Center, Rice University, and Museum District. Trains run down the center of Main Street beginning as early as 4:30AM and running as late as 2:15AM.

Bus

Several Houston Metrobus routes run through this part of the city. Use bus lines 1, 8, 34, 65, 87, 292, and 298. There is also a local trolley service for the Medical Center. Bus lines for this area connect to the Metro light rail train line at the TMC Transit Center at Fannin and Pressler. Bus stop locations and schedules are on the Houston Metro web site.

Car

Houston is a sprawling city in which everyone drives everywhere. The Medical Center/Rice/Museum District area lies in between the Southwest Freeway (U.S. 59) and the South Freeway (TX 288).

• From U.S. 59 southbound, exit Fannin, then head left
• From U.S. 59 northbound, exit Greenbrier, then head right
• From TX 288 either direction, exit McGregor
• From I-610, exit Fannin and either head north, or use the Park and Ride lot and ride Metro

Street parking is available in much of this area, and there are public parking lots at the major museums, in Hermann Park, and around the Medical Center (the latter are most expensive).

Museums

• Childrens Museum of Houston

  phone: +1 713-522-1138
  address: 1500 Binz St
  Fun, educational, hands-on museum featuring a whimsical courtyard with a rail caboose and a bayou river, and indoor exhibits with both a cultural and a scientific element.

• Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

  phone: +1 713-284-8250
  address: 5216 Montrose Blvd
  Non-collecting museum with rotating exhibits focusing on the ever-changing landscape of today's visual arts.

• The Health Museum

  phone: +1 713 521-1515
  address: 1515 Hermann Dr
  Formerly known as the "Museum of Health and Medical Sciences", this museum is affiliated with the Texas Medical Center. Explore human anatomy, the life of a germ, the human genome, and more.

• Holocaust Museum Houston

  phone: +1 713 942-8000
  address: 5401 Caroline St
  Holocaust Museum Houston is dedicated to educating people about the Holocaust, remembering the 6 million Jews and millions of other innocent victims and honoring the survivors' legacy. Using the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides, the Museum teaches the dangers of hatred, prejudice and apathy to tens of thousands of people worldwide each year. Not recommended for children under the age of 10.

• Houston Museum of Natural Science

  phone: +1 713 639-4629
  address: 5555 Hermann Park Dr.
  Permanent venues include the butterfly center, exhibit halls, planetarium, and IMAX theater, others vary by availability.

• Museum of Fine Arts Houston

  phone: +1 713 639-7300
  address: 1001 Bissonnet St

• Houston Maritime Museum

  phone: +1 713 666-1910
  address: 2204 Dorrington St.
  Great museum in a converted house. Lots of maritime history from the Spanish Conquest onward. Must see for history or sailing buffs.

Other sites

• Hermann Park

  phone: +1 713-524-5876
  Approximately 455 acres (about half the size of Central Park in New York City). George Hermann gave the parkland to the City of Houston in 1914. It is accessible via the MetroRail. Encompasses the Miller Outdoor Theater, the Houston Zoo, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Hermann Park Golf Course.

• Hermann Park Railroad

  phone: +1 713 526-2183
  address: 6102 Hermann Park Dr
  The Hermann Park Railroad takes a two-mile, 18 minute journey around Hermann Park with three stops along the way.

• Houston Zoo

  phone: +1 713-533-6500
  address: 1513 N. MacGregor Dr
  Mid-size zoo with several large animal exhibits worth visiting such as the gorillas and elephants. Visiting early in the day is advised as most of the zoo-keeper talks are before noon and the animals go into hiding if the day is hot.

• Hermann Park Golf Course

  phone: +1 713 526-0077
  address: 2155 N. MacGregor Way

• Japanese Garden

  phone: +1 713-284-8300
  address: Main St & Sunset Blvd, Hermann Park
  Designed by world-renowned Japanese landscape architect, Ken Nakajima, the garden was built to symbolize the friendship between the United States and Japan, and to recognize Houston's thriving Japanese community.

• Texas Medical CenterA sprawling medical complex which is home to some of the world's best hospitals.

• Houston Texans

  address: Two NRG Park
  Houston's National Football League (NFL) team plays at NRG Stadium in the South Loop area, next to the now-vacant Astrodome.

• Miller Outdoor Theater

  phone: +1 832 487-7102
  address: 6000 Hermann Park Drive, in Hermann Park
  Free professional theater offering a wide variety of shows in warmer months (which in Houston, span April through November).

• ZaSpa

  phone: +1 713-639-4566
  address: 5701 Main St
  A secluded, luxury spa located on the private 2nd floor of Hotel ZaZa Houston offering a variety of spa treatments for both men and women. Facilities include a pool and spa café.

• Pedal Boats

  phone: +1 713 526-2183
  address: 6102 Hermann Park Dr
  Pedal your way around the lake in Hermann Park.

Events & Festivals

• Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

  phone: +1 832 667-1000
  address: 1 Reliant Parkway
  NRG Stadium and NRG Park. Annualy in March. The world's largest rodeo and includes rodeo events, calf scramble, and music concerts. It is known for its big-name music acts as much as it is for the rodeo. The livestock show attracts professional breeders who bring in their world-class livestock to be judged. There is also a carnival on the grounds.

• International Literature Festival Houston

  address: 5216 Montrose Boulevard
  Hosts a world class array of panels, authors, celebrities and entertainment for your enjoyment and enlightenment. Focuses on Hispanic literature. Held in October.

• Rice VillageSome of Houston's most eclectic shopping is in the small businesses of Rice Village, roughly between Kirby and Greenbrier and around Rice Blvd. and University Blvd.

• Benjy's

  phone: +1 713 522-7602
  address: 2424 Dunstan Rd
  Modern American dining. This is a favorite of many locals.

• Bombay Brasserie

  phone: +1 713-355-2000
  address: 2414 University Blvd
  Indian cuisine.

• Croissant Brioche

  phone: +1 713-526-9188
  address: 2435 Rice Blvd
  French bakery.

• El Meson

  phone: +1 713 522-9306
  address: 2525 University Blvd
  Great choice when you're hungry for ropa vieja or any classic Cuban dish.

• Monarch Restaurant & Lounge

  phone: +1 713-527-1800
  address: 5701 Main St
  A fine dining option at Hotel ZaZa Houston serving seafood and steak entrees with Mediterranean flair. The Lounge is available for dancing and Monarch Terrace overlooks Main Street & Mecom Fountains.

• Kelvin Arms

  phone: +1 713 528-5002
  address: 2424 Dunstan Rd
  Traditional Scottish pub atmosphere. Good variety of draft beers (including Belhaven), though their strong point is their outstanding selection of fine single-malt Scotch whisky.

• The Ginger Man

  phone: +1 713 526-2770
  address: 5607 Morningside Dr
  Fun, casual pub atmosphere with an outstanding selection of microbrewed, regional, and import beers. Where else are you likely to find Youngs ales on tap alongside a Belgian kriek? Nothing beats relaxing out in the Ginger Man's courtyard with a chilly beverage on a warm Houston evening.

Budget

• Houston International Hostel

  phone: +1 713 523-1009
  address: 5302 Crawford St
  More of a large family house than a hostel, with bedrooms containing bunk beds for travelers. The house is in the downtown museum district so there is a lot to do within walking distance (Thursday is free museum day!) but it's in a residential area, so shops and restaurants are not immediately nearby. The bathrooms are shared and the facilities are clean. Hostel customs are observed at the hostel.

Mid-range

• Holiday Inn - NRG Area Medical Center

  phone: +1 713 790-1900
  address: 8111 Kirby Dr
  Offers complimentary internet access.

• Hilton Houston Plaza / Medical Center

  phone: +1 713-313-4000
  address: 6633 Travis St
  Location in the midst of the Texas Medical Center. 80% suites. 100% non-smoking.

• MainStay Suites Texas Medical Center/Reliant Park

  phone: +1 832-201-3131
  address: 3134 Old Spanish Trail
  Offers free wireless high-speed Internet access.

• Houston Marriott at the Texas Medical Center

  address: 6580 Fannin St
  Adjacent to several hospitals of the Texas Medical Center and connected to Methodist Hospital via the skywalk.

Splurge

• Hotel ZaZa

  phone: +1 713-526-1991
  address: 5701 Main St
  Upscale boutique hotel with an outstanding location next to Hermann Park and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, with easy Metro access, elegantly appointed rooms, and an atmosphere of pampered luxury.