Houston City Hall

See the historical highlights and cultural delights of Houston on this panoramic bus tour. Enjoy unobstructed views from your seat and listen to informative commentary from your guide. Cruise past important landmarks like the historic City Hall, Market Square, Heritage Society, and Graffiti Park. Start your sightseeing tour at a cowboy-themed Visitors Center with Texan heritage artifacts and photo opportunities. Sit at the coffee shop or shop for souvenirs before boarding the bus. Head to the Toyota Center, home of the professional NBA basketball team the Houston Rockets. See the beautiful urban park of Discovery Green located in the heart of the Convention Center area. Next up is Houston Graffiti Park filled with vibrant street art and wall murals. See the latest street mural exhibition organized by Street Art for Mankind non-profit.  Discover Minute Maid Park, the home of the 2022 World Series champions, the Houston Astros. Move to Market Square Park in the city's Downtown Historic District to see the Old Union train station building. Finally, admire the last original buildings of the Downtown's Main Street Square. Marvel at the Art Deco architecture of the Houston City Hall building in front of Hermann Square. See the slow-moving Buffalo Bayou River, where in 1836 John and Augustus Allen founded Houston. Next, continue to Tranquility Park which was built to commemorate the Apollo 11 moon landing in July 1969. Spot the Downtown Aquarium, the Sam Houston Park dedicated to the buildings and culture of the city's past, and the Heritage Society museum and park.

Embark on a self-guided tour through Downtown Houston. Stroll past historical and modern landmarks while listening to the audio guide on your smartphone device as you explore the history, art and culture of Houston. Marvel at the large imposing Houston City Hall while you hear some of Houston’s exciting past. See the Bob Lanier Public Works Building, the impressive United States Custom House and the 1884 Houston Cotton Exchange Building, once a commercial and trading center for the cotton industry. Learn the history behind some of Houston’s oldest homes at the Kellum-Noble House, The Old Cabin, the Nichols-Rice-Cherry House and the Majestic Metro which originally operated as a movie theater. Hear the interesting personal stories behind the Julia Ideson Building, the Niels and Mellie Esperson Buildings, and the Rice Hotel. We’ll tell you about Allen’s Landing, a popular spot offering a glimpse into Houston's history. Learn the history of the Gulf Oil Building, the Texaco Building and the oldest continually operating church in Houston, the Christ Church Cathedral. Hear how the Buffalo Bayou, with its rich history, played a significant role in the development of Houston as a city. Explore the Heritage Society Museum at Sam Houston Park which is dedicated to preserving and interpreting the history of Houston and the Houston Aquarium building, home to over 200 species of marine animals. We’ll visit Market Square, a historic district located in the Old Town area, known for its vibrant atmosphere and diverse mix of restaurants, bars, shops, and entertainment venues. Stroll past Houston’s dynamic Theater District while you hear about the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, a popular venue for theatre and music, the Jones Hall for the Performing Arts dedicated to the Houston Symphony and the Alley Theatre with its wide variety of plays and musicals. You’ll also see the Wortham Theater Center home to the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera. You can take as long as you like to enjoy the parks and buildings, museums, restaurants and shopping while you explore the wonderful Downtown Houston!