The most populated city in Texas, Houston is a thriving metropolis. It is named after General Sam Houston, the president of the Republic of Texas who won Texas’s independence from Mexico. It is located near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico in Southeast Texas. Its winters are mild and its summers are hot with moderate to high humidity.
Houston has earned several nicknames including the Bayou City (for its four bayous), Space City (thanks to NASA), H-Town (reflecting Houston’s entertainment culture), and the 713 (the original area code) due to its diversity and numerous cultural activities.
Houston is a vibrant city with something for everyone. If you are interested in spending the day in nature you have several choices: Houston Arboretum and Nature Center, a 12-acre urban park called Discovery Green, Memorial Park with tennis courts, fitness center, and pool is a favorite among joggers.
For sports junkies, you can catch an Astros game at Minute Maid Park, or the Houston Texans, or the rodeo at NRG Stadium, or basketball or hockey at Toyota Center. Houston is even home to a major league rugby team, The SaberCats. You can catch their late spring and early summer games at SaberCats Stadium.