WELCOME TO THE NEIGHBORHOOD.

We’re really glad you’re here. Houston Methodist has been a part of the Houston community for 100 years. As one of the founding health care providers in the city, we’re proud we’ve helped Houston become a world leader in health care services. We’ve put together this guide to help you get to know Houston like we know Houston — as an insider. We’re here to help make your transition to living a happy, healthy life a little easier, whether it’s finding a new primary care doctor or just finding your way around a new city.

Here are five things you need to know to help you feel at home.
1. We like to do things big!
If there is one stereotype about Texas that Houstonians willingly embrace, it is that size really does matter.
  • We could be our own state. Houston is a large world-class city that we’re proud to call home. The Greater Houston area encompasses eight counties and covers 8,778 square miles. THAT’S BIGGER THAN THE STATE OF NEW JERSEY.
  • The Texas Medical Center is bigger than downtown Houston. When it comes to health care, Houston is home to the world’s largest medical complex, the Texas Medical Center, INCLUDING THE NO. 1 HOSPITAL IN TEXAS — Houston Methodist Hospital. The 2.1-square-mile complex includes some of country’s most renowned hospitals — making it an international hub for patient care, medical research and education. There are more than 85 hospitals throughout the metropolitan area, so if you are looking for a doctor, you’ve come to the right place.
  • We are big fans of the rodeo. We also hold the record for the world’s largest livestock show and rodeo — Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. We like to show up and show out for this quintessential Houston event, which brought more than 2.4 MILLION ATTENDEES to NRG Park in 2018. The rodeo not only gives Houstonians a chance to dress up in their cowboy hats and boots, it also provides millions of dollars in scholarships and educational program grants annually.
2. You’ve got to have street smarts.
Whether you’re coming from Sugar Land, The Woodlands or Clear Lake, navigating a metropolitan area with more than 6.9 million people and notoriously congested traffic means you have to get creative to ensure a stress-free commute.
  • Know where you’re going and how you’re getting there. Because Greater Houston is so big and doesn’t have a subway system, most commuters either drive or use the METRO to ride the bus or rail. If you are driving, you need to understand the freeways. If you can simply remember that HOUSTON HAS TWO LOOPS — 610 Loop and Beltway 8 — and that all the major freeways intersect these loops, you will have an easier time getting around the city.
  • Download the app. If you want a heads-up before heading out, Houston TranStar’s mobile app offers an interactive map to assist travelers by providing alerts on current traffic conditions, active incidents affecting traffic and camera views of roadways.
3. Houston has some great grub.
We may hold the distinction of being a city that dines out more than any other, but that’s because we have some great food. As the most ethnically diverse large U.S. city, Houston’s dynamic food culture offers something for every palate. From traditional Texas barbecue and Gulf Coast seafood to the vast array of ethnic foods, there are lots of tasty and even healthy options to choose from.
  • Find a new food fave. Summer is one of the best times for foodies to head out on a food crawl. During Houston Restaurant Weeks, participating restaurants offer multicourse menus at a fixed priced, with proceeds benefiting local food banks. Looking for something for the whole family? Try Houston Food Fest, an annual event with various food vendors, games, activities and live music.
  • Get ready for barbecue — Texas style. But, if you want to get a real taste of Texas, head to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo World’s Championship Bar-B-Que Contest to see how it’s really done. This annual event takes place during Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, and tickets usually include a little barbecue to hold you over.
  • Head south for seafood. For THE FRESHEST GULF COAST SEAFOOD, wander down to Kemah and Galveston, where you’ll find great seafood markets and restaurants, including a few on the Kemah Boardwalk and on Seawall Boulevard and The Strand.
  • You can never go wrong with locally sourced foods. The best way to keep your food choices healthy is to visit one of the city’s local farmers markets. Here you’ll find a smorgasbord of FRESH, LOCAL INGREDIENTS — from produce, cheeses, honey and fish to grass-fed beef — to prepare some healthy delights at home.
4. Houston is a hotspot for sports.
If you love sports, you’ve come to the right place. After hosting Super Bowl LI and the Final Four in 2016, we scooped up another Final Four in 2023 and the College Football Playoff in 2024. And, when we are ready to root for the home team, Houston has professional major league teams for football, baseball, women’s and men’s soccer, basketball, and rugby.
5. There’s always plenty to see and do.
You’ll never have a problem finding something to do in the Greater Houston area. If you have kids, there’s plenty to entertain them as well. It’s a family friendly city with amazing parks, museums and performing arts venues.
  • Memorial Park: Nestled between 610 Loop, Interstate 10 and Buffalo Bayou, this 1,466-acre park features an 18- hole golfcourse, 30 miles of trails for hiking and a 3-mile walking-running trail with exercise stations. It also offers tennis courts; softball, baseball, soccer and flag football fields; indoor swimming and fitness; playgrounds; croquet and volleyball courts; inline skating; and cycling. INSIDER TIP: While you are at the park, check out the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. Admission to the nature center is free. You might also be interested in touring the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens. Children younger than 9 are admitted for free. If you would like a guided tour, make reservations.
  • Houston Zoo: Located in Hermann Park near the Museum District, the zoo is home to more than 6,000 animals. It also offers an array of other activities, including a reptile and amphibian house, carousel, giraffe feeding and family overnight sleepovers. INSIDER TIP: A family membership will pay for itself in two visits. Pack a lunch, and cool off and have fun at the water play park. If you dig trains, catch the Hermann Park Railroad, which isn’t far from the zoo entrance.
  • Museums: Houston Museum District features 19 museums, including The Menil Collection, the Children’s Museum of Houston, the Holocaust Museum Houston and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, which has one of the top 10 largest collections of art in the country. INSIDER TIP: Most of these museums offer a free admissions day, often on Thursdays. Space Center Houston is the city’s first Smithsonian Affiliate museum. With more than 400 activities, the center also serves as a gateway to NASA Johnson Space Center. You can climb into a simulated Orion capsule at the Mission Mars exhibit or take the tram to mission control. INSIDER TIP: Because the center gets visitors from around the world, plan to get there early, especially on weekends.
  • Performing Arts: Houston is a haven for ballet, music, theater and opera, where artists showcase their talents for us all to enjoy. In the spotlight is Houston Theater District, home to nine professional performing arts organizations and located downtown, making it the second largest in the country after Broadway. INSIDER TIP: Save yourself the hassle of looking for downtown parking. Underground parking and valet are available at these venues. Also, consider making a night of it by enjoying dinner at one of the many nearby restaurants located in the theater district and downtown.