10 Things To Expect When Visiting Houston Texas

Beautiful architecture, immense culture, and great food are just a few of the reasons Houston continues to rank highly among other metropolitan cities in the U.S. Before you board a flight to H-Town, there are a few things about this city that can be downright confusing to any out-of-towner. Read below for 10 things that will save time and help make your visit memorable.

Humidity, Heat And Unpredictable Weather

Houston weather is hot and humid the majority of the year. This past Christmas, the city clocked in at 84 degrees! Houston weather can also be unpredictable – experience all four seasons in one day unpredictable. So don’t skimp on sunscreen when visiting, but also pack a light jacket along with plenty of tank tops. Pro tip: Not one for sweltering heat waves? Visit Houston during mid-February to April.

Tex-Mex

Hospitality

Manners are our thing in the South, so ‘yes sirs’ and ‘no ma’ams’ are habitual responses, like saying ‘bless you’ after a sneeze. Avoid awkwardness from kind strangers and anticipate that famous Southern charm.

Southern Drawl

Fast talkers, be aware; speech in the South is a lot slower. Expect your patience and comprehension to be tested while adjusting to the tendency to stretch the ending of most words in Houston. Pro tip: Howdy is an acceptable greeting anywhere in Texas.

Houston’s Cool Factor

Houston culture can be summed up as the perfect mix of country and cool. Both celebrity and cowboy spottings are the norm here. The vastness of Houston allows room for everyone, no matter your preference, to fit in and flourish. Hang with hipsters in the Heights or cruise the swanky bars that line downtown’s streets with the high society. Not your scene? Don’t worry, as Houston’s got plenty of options to accommodate any tastes. Pro tip: Don’t leave without sipping a frozen margarita or scarfing down a patty melt from Whataburger.

Embracing of All Cultures

Houston is a hub for diversity in America. More cultures and nations are represented here than anywhere else in the country. With over 90 different cultures proudly represented in H-Town, examples of cultural pride can be found in art, politics, and food. Pro tip: Don’t turn down a chance to check out a cultural event, like the Japan, Polish, or Caribbean festival. These events are packed with delicious food and fascinating people from all over the world.

Concrete Jungle

The city of Houston is always under construction. Expansions or repairs improve access within the city and beautify Houston. These steady developments mean lots of detours, roadblocks, and traffic. Pro tip: Use Houston Transtar for an up-to-date construction schedule.

Traffic

Six million residents occupy Houston and its surrounding areas. So the chances of being held captive in a traffic jam are extremely likely. Thanks to constant construction, accidents, and the sheer volume of people on the highways, Houston’s traffic is exhausting. Pro tip: 9am-3pm is typically the sweet spot for traffic during the week when it is not as hectic.

Events and Attractions

No matter the time of year, Houston is a place of celebration! Enjoy the one-of-a-kind livestock and rodeo shows in the spring, or be dazzled by the magical winter lights festival in December. Visitors of Houston can also tour the NASA Johnson Space Center year-round, or go for a swim at Galveston beach, about an hour out of the city. Pro tip: Come back in 2017 when Houston hosts the 54th Super Bowl at the NRG Stadium!

You’ll Be Back

With so many great advantages to the city of Houston, it’s no wonder more and more people visit each year or make Houston their home. Cheap cost of living, job opportunities, and a wide selection of schools make Houston the ideal place to start a family.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.