Houston Texas Real Estate - Houston TX Homes for Sale - Property Listings

Houston is the largest city in Texas with a population of 2.2 million people. Houston is the seat of Harris County and is the sixth largest metropolitan area in the United States. The economy of Houston has a broad industrial base in the energy, manufacturing, aeronautics, transportation, and health care sectors. Houston is a vibrant multicultural city with an ever growing international community. The city attracts more than 7 million visitors each year to the Houston Museum District.

Houston is known worldwide for NASA Space Center in the Clear Lakes area the Texas Medical Center. On many occasions, Houston surgeons have performed firsts in heart surgery. The Houston medical community has also been at the forefront of groundbreaking cancer research. Houston is the place to be for entertainment and relaxation. The city is home to numerous golf courses, scenic parks, amusement parks, an aquarium, shopping destinations, performing arts groups, museums, professional sports teams, and great restaurants.

Houston History

John Kirby Allen and Augustus Chapmen Allen were real estate entrepreneurs from New York City. In 1836, they bought 6,642 acres of land along the Buffalo Bayou with the intent of founding a city. They named the city after Sam Houston, who was the popular general of the Texans at the Battle of San Jacinto. Houston was incorporated in June of 1837, and that same year became the temporary capital of the Republic of Texas.

By 1860 Houston had emerged as a commercial and railroad hub for the export of cotton. During the Civil War Houston served as a headquarters for General John Bankhead Magruder. He used the city as an organization point for the Battle of Galveston. By 1890 Houston had become the railroad center of Texas.
During World War II, tonnage levels at the port decreased and shipping activities were suspended. Fortunately, the war did provide some economic benefits for Houston. Petrochemical refineries and manufacturing plants were constructed along the ship channel because of the demand for petroleum and synthetic rubber products during the war. After the war, Houston's economy reverted to being mainly port-driven.

In 1961 of NASA's “Manned Spacecraft Center” was established and created the city's aerospace industry. The Astrodome was nicknamed the “Eighth Wonder of the World,” and was opened in 1965 as the world's first indoor domed sports stadium.

In June 2001, Tropical Storm Allison dumped up to 37 inches of rain on parts of Houston, causing the worst flooding in the city's history. The storm cost billions of dollars in damage. In August 2005, Houston became a shelter to more than 150,000 people from New Orleans who evacuated from Hurricane Katrina. One month later, approximately 2.5 million Houston area residents evacuated when Hurricane Rita approached the Gulf Coast, leaving little damage to the Houston area. This event marked the largest urban evacuation in the history of the United States.

Houston Parks and Recreation

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department offers numerous activities and entertainment for the residents and visitors of Houston. If golf is your game, stop by one of the 7 golf courses and work on your swing. If you’re looking for a place to relax and have a picnic, Houston is home to more than 350 beautiful parks. Houston’s 56 community centers all offer fun activities and programs perfect for everyone in the family.

Golfing

The Houston Parks and Recreation Department offers 7 challenging golf courses and 1 junior training course. Inside the loop you'll find Memorial Park Golf Course, Hermann Park Golf Course and Gus Wortham Park Golf Course. Outside the loop golf course choices include Sharpstown Park Golf Course, Brock Park Golf Course, Glenbrook Park Golf Course and Melrose Park Golf Course. All courses are non-metal spike facilities and all have driving ranges except for Glenbrook Golf Course.

Click here for more information on golfing in Houston.

Lee and Joe Jamail Skate Park

The Lee and Joe Jamail Skate Park was designed by the premiere skate park firm Gridline, this state-of-the-art, public 30,000 square-foot in-ground skate park is the first world-class, in-ground skate park in the region. The park has areas for skaters of all levels, from the seasoned pro to the beginner.

Click here for other skate parks

Houston’s Parks

Houston has 350 developed parks in the Parks and Recreation Department, and over 200 maintained open spaces. Whatever time of day you come by, there is always something going on at one of Houston’s parks.

Community Centers
The Houston Parks and Recreation Department's offers 56 community centers across the city. The community centers offer everything from athletic activities, crafts, community meetings, and more. You can choose from a variety of programs and recreational activities for all ages.

Click here for the Houston Parks and Recreation Department (HPARD).

Houston Events

Houston is the place to be when you’re looking for something fun and exciting to do! Houston has many events going on all year round. Take park in the Houston Marathon or visit the Bayou City Art Festival. For fun for the whole family, stop by the Houston Children’s Festival. You won’t want to miss out on these great events!

Chevron Houston Marathon
The Chevron Houston Marathon is Houston’s largest single-day sporting event. This event features more than 20,000 participants, 200,000 spectators and 5,000 volunteers that will take to the streets.

Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
This annual 20 day rodeo and concert event is the biggest rodeo in the world.

Houston's Official July 4th Festival
Houston's Official July 4th Celebration is located along the Buffalo Bayou and Eleanor Tinsley Park. This festival celebrates with a live concert featuring a nationally known and recognized recording artist and one of the largest fireworks displays in the United States!

Bayou City Art Festival
Built on an 8/10 mile asphalt loop surrounded by lush trees, foliage, and picnic areas, the annual, juried, fine art event boasts a stress-free outdoor gallery brimming with 300 artists working in 19 artistic media.

H-E-B Children's Festival
The H-E-B Houston Children's Festival has been designated as “Houston's Official Family Celebration.” The festival is getting ready for its 19th year as Houston's favorite family outing. The festival offers six stages of music and entertainment and more than 350 exciting activities, music, crafts, exhibits, participatory games, sports and rides.

Texas Renaissance Festival
The Texas Renaissance Festival features a little bit of 16th-century English kingdom come to life for seven consecutive weekends. Activities and entertainment include jousting, falconry exhibitions, magic shows, juggling and great food.

Bayou City Art Festival
The Bayou City Art Festival Downtown welcomes the fall season and has created a new Houston Fine Art tradition. Fall art festival takes place at City Hall Reflection Pond.

U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships
The 2009 U.S. Men's Clay Court Championships returns to the River Oaks Country Club, keeping the second longest-running USTA National Championship in Houston.

Houston Attractions

Houston is home to many unique local attractions. The city offers numerous local sporting events, museums, galleries, performing arts venues, and more. Don’t miss out on having a great time in Houston with your family and friends!

Houston Rockets

The Houston Rockets are an American professional basketball team based in Houston, Texas. They play in the NBA.

Houston Texans

The Houston Texans is a professional American football team based in Houston, Texas. They are currently members of the Southern Division of the American Football Conference in the NFL. The Texans joined the NFL as a 2002 expansion team.

Houston Astros

The Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The team is in the Central Division of the National League.

Houston Dynamo

The Houston Dynamo, a Major League soccer club, will compete in the league’s Western Conference with Chivas USA, the Colorado Rapids, FC Dallas, the Los Angeles Galaxy, Real Salt Lake and the San Jose Earthquakes. The franchise – including players and coaches – moved to Houston from San Jose, California in December 2005.

Contemporary Arts Museum Houston

The Contemporary Arts Museum exemplifies the dynamic relationship between contemporary art and contemporary society through its exhibitions, public and educational programs, and publications. The CAMH provides the physical and intellectual framework essential to the presentation, interpretation, and advancement of contemporary art; it is a vibrant forum for artists and all audiences, and for critical, scholarly, and public discourse.

Museum of Fine Arts: Houston

The Museum of Fine Arts is a dynamic cultural complex consisting of two museum buildings, two art schools, two decorative arts centers, and a sculpture garden. The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is one of the premier destinations in the United States for art lovers.

Holocaust Museum Houston

Holocaust Museum Houston is dedicated to educating people about the Holocaust, remembering the 6 million Jews and other innocent victims and honoring the survivors' legacy. Using the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides, we teach the dangers of hatred, prejudice and apathy.

Miller Outdoor Theater

The family friendly Miller Outdoor Theatre offers the most diverse season of professional entertainment of any Houston performance venue. Classical music, jazz, ethnic music and dance, ballet, Shakespeare, musical theatre, classic films, and more are included. Relax in the covered seating area or enjoy a pre-performance picnic on the hillside.

Blaffer Gallery

It is our mission to promote a spirit of investigation, collaboration, and dialogue that extends far beyond the museum walls to present art that is intellectually stimulating and relevant. The museum serves as a resource for the study of art, art history, and other related disciplines, extending the University's educational and scholarly programs to the people of Houston. Blaffer Gallery strives to develop future artists, arts professionals, and arts audiences, while sponsoring a spirit of investigation, collaboration, and dialogue that broadens art interest in the University and regional communities.

Wortham Center

The Wortham Center is home to the Houston Ballet and the Houston Grand Opera. Since its opening in 1987, Wortham has entertained audiences totaling more than 5 million people. It has also served as the backdrop for hundreds of social galas, civic meetings, corporate and group events, and even weddings, further underscoring its role as a community center as well as a performing arts venue.

The Houston Museum of Natural Science

The purpose of the Houston Museum of Natural Science has been to “enhance in individuals the knowledge and delight in natural science and related subjects” since 1909. To this very day, this purpose is carried out in every project, program and exhibition associated with the museum.

For information on local links and contact information, please visit my Houston Relocation Page.
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