Get To Know the Neighborhoods

Civic Center

District

UNDER the leadership of Mayor Sylvester Turner, the core of Houston's government is located in Downtown Civic Center. City Hall moved from Market Square to their new location in 1939. A reflection pool in Hermann Square faces the entrance to City Hall and is home to many events and festivals. Houston Public Library's Central Library is located next door which includes the historic Julia Ideson wing, home to the well-known Texas Room. You will also find Houston’s only outdoor museum, curated by the Heritage Society, which includes nine historic structures dating from 1823 to 1905.

Parks

Sam Houston Park

In 1900, Mayor Sam Brashier purchased the Kellem-Noble land and house on the edge of town and created the city’s first park. The 19-acre Sam Houston Park has been the ...

Art Blocks

WindowWorks

WindowWorks transforms vacant and inactive storefronts along Main Street through bold, vibrant designs. In partnership with UP Art Studio, the program features the work of 20 Texas-based visual artists including photographers, graphic designers and muralists. ...

Tours

Nation Segway Tours

Nation Segway Tours takes people on guided explorations of Houston's rich history and culture while aboard self-balancing Segways. Tourists can enjoy tours to various historic landmarks, past iconic skyscrapers, Discovery Green, ...

Sam Houston Park

In 1900, Mayor Sam Brashier purchased the Kellem-Noble land and house on the edge of town and created the city’s first park. The 19-acre Sam Houston Park has been the home of The Heritage Society since 1954, with eight historic structures including a log cabin and St. John Church, dating back as far as 1823. 1100 Bagby. The Museum of Texas History is open to the public Tuesday – Saturday 10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and Sundays 1:00 p.m.– 4:00 p.m.

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We Are Downtown

More Space: Main Street

It might have seemed unnecessary before COVID-19 to block vehicular traffic along Main Street, so restaurants and bars could expand their al fresco dining services. Now, however, that same outdoor ...

#WeAreDowntownHOU

We are Downtown. “We” means you. “We” means us. “We” determines the future of Downtown and therefore, the future of Houston. “We” includes residents, businesses, high-rises, mid-rises, courthouses, holes-in-the-wall, bars, ...

Rediscover Downtown

Rediscovery is sometimes more thrilling than experiencing something for the first time. Revisiting what once felt familiar, we see things from a different point of view, uncovering details we missed ...

Human Energy Capital

What Powers Houston? People. With Houston’s history, diversity, knowledge base, know-how, and innovation edge, Houston’s economy has global impact. What’s the outlook for Houston’s economy? We talked to Amy Chronis, ...

Women's History Month

Welcome to March, aka Women’s History Month! Dedicated to celebrating women’s contributions to history, culture and society, WHM has been observed annually in the United States since 1987. A LITTLE ...

Hop Downtown this Easter!

Easter is one of the most popular brunch days of the year. This particular #SundayFunday is about coming together with family and friends, dressing up and treating yourself to fancy ...

The Music Couldn’t Be Stopped

It seemed unimaginable that the COVID-19 pandemic, which shuttered performing arts venues and turned thousands of office employees into work-from-home pros would still be something to be concerned with a ...

A Downtown for Dogs

Now that we’ve spent a year at home with our pups, it’s going to be extra difficult to go back to sneaking out of the house and leaving our four-legged ...

Sun’s Out, Fun’s Out!

Spring in Houston is one of the best times of the year! It’s getting warmer out, but it’s not too hot [yet], and everything is starting to bloom. Now more ...

Eclectic menu, stunning space

Time and time again, Houston shows the world just how strong the city is when faced with a challenge. Despite the unprecedented year that was 2020, Houston’s culinary community has ...

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Upcoming Events

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Exhibits

Fri April 30 2021

Houston Women March On: Celebrating 100 Years of the Right to Vote

Heritage Society

This exhibit is presented in partnership with the League of Women Voters and will celebrate the perseverance of women across America and here in Houston who fought for the right ...

Tours

Thu April 22 2021

Docent-Guided Historic Buildings Tours

Heritage Society Historic Homes Tour

Private tours for 3 of these 9 historic buildings are now available--1823 Old Place, 1847 Kellum-Noble House (2021 Preservation Houston Gold Brick Award Winner!), 1850 Nichols-Rice-Cherry House, 1868 San Felipe Cottage, ...