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.

Tours

Bayou City Bike Tours

Bayou City Bike Tours was founded by three proud Houstonians who are strong advocates for a more bike-friendly, healthy, and service-oriented Houston. Experience the central city on a leisurely 3-hour ride ...
Tours

Twilight Tours

Escape from the city and enjoy the cool breeze as you glide along Buffalo Bayou's waters during their exclusive Twilight Tours. Bring the entire family and look for graceful herons, ...
Tours

Houston Bike Bar Tours

Houston Bike Bar Tours is the new way of going out on the town in style! Party Bikes are 100% pedal powered vehicles that serve those looking for a different and ...

Bayou City Bike Tours

Bayou City Bike Tours was founded by three proud Houstonians who are strong advocates for a more bike-friendly, healthy, and service-oriented Houston. Experience the central city on a leisurely 3-hour ride through Downtown Houston and nearby neighborhoods.
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Meet Downtown

Italian Passion

Concept: BOH Pasta Chef: Ben McPherson Known for: Batanga, Prohibition Supper Club, Krisp Bird & Batter Cuisine: Italian In Italian, “boh” is teenage slang, used the same way American teens ...
Above and Beyond:

Whether you’re an architecture nut or a casual admirer of Houston’s marquee buildings, such as Pennzoil Place, One Shell Plaza and Williams Tower, you have the Houston heat to thank ...
From Coffee to Cocktails

Concept: The Secret Garden Mastermind: Jonathan Gallardo Known for: Prohibition Supper Club Style: Global coffee and inspired cocktails Tucked into a wrought-iron-fenced enclave just off Main Street, Bravery Chef Hall’s ...
Well-Crafted

Concept: Lockwood Station Mixologist: David Cedeno AKA “David Daiquiri” Known for: Brasil, Prohibition Supper Club Style: Classic craft cocktails David Cedeno has done a lot of things. He created Brasil’s ...
The World on His Shoulders

Concept: Atlas Diner Chef: Richard Knight Known for: Feast, Hunky Dory Cuisine: Americana with hints of British The cobalt-blue tile supporting the Formica counter that runs along Bravery’s back wall ...
A Modern Vietnamese Gastropub

Concept: The Blind Goat Chef: Christine Ha Known for: Winning MasterChef Season 3 Cuisine: Regional Vietnamese “The Blind Goat is my very first foray into the industry,” says Christine Ha, ...
A Cut Above

Concept: Cherry Block Craft Butcher and Kitchen Chefs: Felix Florez and Jessica Timmons Known for: Black Hill Ranch, Landry’s Cuisine: Gulf Coast and Texas traditions Chefs Feliz Florez and Jessica ...
Tradition With a Twist

Concept: Kokoro Chefs: Daniel Lee and Patrick Pham Known for: Uchi Cuisine: Sushi and Yakatori The thing Daniel Lee, Patrick Pham and their restaurant partner Jonathan Tran want to make ...
Spotlight On Wardrobe Teams

The 2019-2020 season is underway in the Theater District and no one is more excited than the wardrobe teams for the Alley Theatre, Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet and Theater ...
Chef's Tables

Walk past the Palm Springs-inspired landscape and through the doors of Bravery Chef Hall, and a symphony of sound and scent assault the senses. There’s Ben McPherson, behind the glass ...
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Upcoming Events

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Art, Education, Exhibits
Wed Sept. 25 2019

Furnishing A Texas-Made Home In The Victorian Era

Heritage Society

The furniture on display in The Heritage Society’s Museum Gallery represents the Texas pioneer version of the same pieces that would have been in any middle-class Victorian home. The native ...
Food/Drink
Wed Oct. 02 2019

City Hall Local Lunch Market

City Hall/Hermann Square

The new City Hall Local Lunch Market offers the public a variety of prepared, ready to eat foods. Creative items by local artists are also available for purchase, all amidst ...
Art, Exhibits, Library
Wed Sept. 25 2019

Post-Impression: Envisioning Vincent Van Gogh's Life Through Fashion

Central Library

This exhibition features garments from Fashion Fusion, an annual competition presented by the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, and the award-winning Fashion Design program at Houston Community College. This year, ...
Art, Exhibits, Library
Sun Oct. 13 2019

¡MUSICA! A HISTORY OF HISPANIC SOUNDS IN HOUSTON

Julia Ideson Library

Hispanics have contributed to the Houston music scene in every genre and decade. This exhibit captures key moments through the decades and the vast impact the Hispanic community made on ...
Art, Entertainment, Exhibits, Festivals, Live Music
Sat Oct. 12 2019

Bayou City Art Festival

City Hall/Hermann Square

Now in its 48th year, Houston’s largest art festival will transform the streets of Downtown into artistic avenues bursting with colors and culture as it spotlights 300 artists, representing 19 ...
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