Taking a walk around downtown Houston gets you up close to the innovative architecture of this major financial and oil-production center. Add a guide, either human or electronic, and you'll also learn the history behind the buildings and parks you visit. Whether you enjoy the one-on-one interaction of a real-live tour guide or prefer to go it alone with an MP3 version, there's a walking tour here for you.
Houston's History
In 1836 the fledgling Texas Republic won its independence from Mexico, and brothers J.K. and A.C. Allen bought land on Buffalo Bayou with the intention to build a great city. The Allens named their settlement after the Republic's hero, Sam Houston, and it served as the new nation's capital from 1837 to 1839. The small town really took off in 1914 after a new ship channel in Buffalo Bayou made Houston a deep water port, and the discovery of oil in Texas turned the area into a major oil center.
Downtown Area
Houston's downtown structures range from 1800's-era homes and businesses to modern glass-and-steel skyscrapers. The area also includes a thriving theater district, the city's Civic Center and the Harris County government seat. Twenty feet underground, a six-mile network of tunnels connects 95 city blocks and includes restaurants and small shops; the tunnel system is only open on weekdays when the office buildings that provide access to it are open.
Guided Excursions
Several companies offer guided tours of downtown Houston. Houston Historical Tours focus on buildings notable for their architecture, such as the 1927 Neils Esperson Building and the Art Deco-style Gulf Oil Building from 1929. Each trip also features a visit to the Chase Tower 60th floor observation deck, and some also visit the theater district. For an in-depth look at a specific building or neighborhood, the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance conducts a tour every month showcasing one of Houston's landmarks.
Audio Tours
If you prefer to set your own pace and go it alone, there are self-guided audio tours available for the downtown area. These free guides are downloadable to an MP3 player and allow you to spend as much or as little time as you like at each stop. You can even spread the tour out over several days. Travel Texas guides you through 10 stops downtown, while the Ultimate Downtown Walking Tour from downtown Houston includes some unusual sites and local refreshment stops.
Discovery Green
Discovery Green is a 12-acre park right in downtown Houston. This outdoor living space opened in 2008 and includes a lake, playground and water features for kids, runs for both large and small dogs, and space for quieter pursuits, such as reading rooms and chessboards. Downtown Houston's audio tour of this eco-friendly park, aptly called "A Walk in the Park," acquaints listeners with all of Discovery Green's features.
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