Courtyard Houston/Brookhollow

Houston is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Texas and the Southern United States. It is the fourth-most populous city in the United States, with a population of 2.3 million at the 2020 census. The Greater Houston metropolitan area, at 7.8 million residents, is the fifth-most populous metropolitan area in the nation and second-most populous in Texas. Located in Southeast Texas near Galveston Bay and the Gulf of Mexico, Houston is the county seat of Harris County. Covering a total area of 640.4 square miles (1,659 km2), it is the ninth largest city in the country and the largest whose municipal government is not consolidated with a county, parish, or borough. Although primarily located within Harris County, portions of the city extend into Fort Bend and Montgomery counties. Houston also functions as the southeastern anchor of the Texas Triangle megaregion.

As soon as you arrive in Houston, you'll notice that it's a city that's constantly on the move. The downtown area is home to several iconic landmarks, such as the Houston Space Center and the Houston Museum of Natural Science. If you're interested in art, you'll love the Museum of Fine Arts, which houses an impressive collection of works from around the world.

But Houston isn't just about museums and landmarks. It's also a city that's famous for its food. Whether you're in the mood for Tex-Mex, barbecue, or seafood, you'll find plenty of options to choose from. Some of our favorite dining spots include the iconic Goode Company Barbecue and the trendy Uchi Houston.