Houston: Destination Update

HOUSTON: DESTINATION UPDATE

HOUSTON: Houston, the most diverse city in the United States according to the Kinder Institute, is also the 4th largest city in the country and an international metropolis where more than 90 languages are spoken and 92 governments have official consulate representation.

Houston is home to Space Center Houston, the official visitor center for NASA and to the renowned Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world. The city is also considered to have one of the best culinary scenes in the country, with cuisine from around the world in more than 10,000 restaurants covering 35 regions across the globe.

Houston will host Super Bowl LI in 2017, and in anticipation of the big event, an investment in infrastructure of more than US$1.5 billion is currently taking place in the downtown convention district. A new 1,000-room Marriott Marquis Hotel is under construction on the north end of the George R. Brown Convention Center (GRB). The new hotel, scheduled to open in the fall of 2016, will be connected by skywalk to the convention center, opposite to the existing 1,200-roomHilton Americas-Houston.

Five other hotels will also openin the next year near the GRB.

•Hampton Inn/Homewood Suites, with 300 total rooms

•Springhill Suites, with 166 rooms

•Hotel Alessandra, a 225-room luxury boutique property

•Holiday Inn Hotel, a 215-room hotel

The improvements also include a new façade to the GRB and a pedestrian plaza with shopping and dining options in the avenue in front of the GRB, Avenida de las Americas.

CRUISING FROM PORT OF HOUSTON

Princess Cruisesand Norwegian Cruise Linescurrently sail from the Bayport Cruise Terminal offering four andseven-day cruises to the Western Caribbean, including ports of call in Bahamas, Grand Cayman, Costa Maya, Cozumel, Roatan (Honduras) and Belize. The convenient design of the Bayport Cruise Terminal directs passengers without confusion thus minimizing congestion. The facility combines visual appeal, passenger convenience, accessibility and innovative security systems.

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TOP ATTRACTIONS

Users of the Houston CityPASS can visit five attractions for nearly half of the regular price at USD $51 for adults and USD $41 for children ages 3-11. The Houston CityPASS includes actual tickets to NASA Space Center Houston, Downtown Aquarium and Houston Museum of Natural Science. Visitors can also choose from the two option tickets to the Houston Zoo ~or~ Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and to the Children’s Museum of Houston ~or~ Kemah Boardwalk.

SHOPPING IN HOUSTON

The fourth largest city in the nation, Houston is arguably the style capital of the South. Houston is home to a Project Runway winner and more than a dozen distinct shopping areas, with retail that runs the gamut from vintage to high-end designer.

Find famous designer stores at The Galleria or exclusive boutique gems at nearby Uptown Park or Highland Village, plus see what’s newat CityCentre. Budget conscious shoppers won’t want to miss a shopping day at Katy Mills, Houston Premium Outlets or Tanger Outlets.

International shoppers can get a refund of their sales tax at Tax Free Shopping locations around the city or at Bush Intercontinental Airport, Terminals D and E. For a list of participating stores and specific requirements pleasevisit

For more information on Houston, its hotels, attractions, restaurants, museums and events or to plan your next trip to Houston visit:

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