July 2021
How To Create The Perfect Picnic
“Downtown Houston is where I live and like to unwind, so when I want to stay close to home, I head to Buffalo Bayou Park. I try to snag a space within the Eleanor Tinsley Park section. The greenspace is so picturesque and right off the bayou, making it a ...
Immigrant communities that capture the real American Dream
I'm Nigerian but born and raised in Houston, the largest population outside of Nigeria...Whenever I would go back [to Nigeria], there's so many nuances that people expected me not to understand because I didn't live there. Like, y'all — it's mini Nigeria in Houston.
New Series Celebrates Immigrant Communities Throughout U.S.
It was a Sunday, they'd just come back from church. The largest Nigerian church in America actually started in the living room of the house I grew up in, and they go to our [same] church.
A Bigger Canvas
The dazzling new Kinder Building at the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston confirms the city's status as a cosmopolitan art mecca. Visiting groundbreaking galleries, mind-expanding installations, and under-the-radar incubators nurturing homegrown talent. Michael Agresta opens his eyes to a world of possibilities.
June 2021
10 Best LGBT + Bars Across the United States
Houston’s Ripcord has been the spot for gay men to gather and mingle since the 80s and is located in the LGBTQ+ friendly Montrose neighborhood.
Convention Centers Invest in Hybrid Offerings as Events Resume
Houston’s George R. Brown Convention Center has been outfitted with a fully-fledged broadcast studio, the Avenida Houston Virtual Studio, to “give event planners even more flexibility in how they operate their conventions,” says Michael Heckman, Acting CEO & President of the Houston First Corporation.
10 Hotel Pools Worth Traveling for This Summer
As they say, everything is bigger in Texas, and the Marriott Marquis Houston does not disappoint with its Texas-shaped lazy river rooftop pool.
13 Amazing Asian American-owned Hotels in the U.S.
In February 2021 - just months before the Blossom Houston Hotel was set to open in the spring - owner Charlie Wang should have been completely focused on getting every detail of his 267-room, 16-floor property ready. But when he heard that some of his employees were dealing with broken pipelines in ...
Houston First taps Jorge Franz as President of GHCVB
In his new role, Franz will act as a liaison between Houston First and the GHCVB, a
hospitality industry association and advocacy organization that helps to market the Bayou
City as a site for conventions and other large-scale events. Houston First is the quasigovernmental organization charged with promoting the city ...
This Juneteenth, Houston Activists Are Shining a Light on the Ci
What many don't know, however, is how central the city of Houston became to the history of those communities—as well as what we celebrate on June 19 to this day.
How and Where to Celebrate Juneteenth in 2021
In Houston, a Jubilee Dinner will celebrate freedom throughout the African diaspora with food.
18 of the best Hilton Hotels in the US to earn or use points
An obvious choice for business travelers, Hilton Americas-Houston connects to the George R. Brown Convention center via skywalk, yet this downtown flagship property is also a great choice for city explorers on the go.
Check out a galaxy of new bars and quirky museums in Houston
With its flourishing urban parks, cultural spaces and rooftop bars, this cosmopolitan city built on oil is on a mission to invest and evolve.
Destination Spotlight: Houston
Destination Spotlight 76 - Visit Houston's CEO Michael Heckman helps us share many reasons why the city deserves some of your travel dollars
Traveling to Houston for the vaccine? Guide to Enjoy the City
Going to Houston but don’t want to spend all the free time shopping? This Texan city has an important cultural offer, outdoor spaces and fun activities, in addition to one of its main attractions: Houston Space Center.
May 2021
What to Do and Where to Meet in Houston
It’s often said that the United States is a mosaic of different ethnicities, cultures, cuisines—the list could go on—and it’s likely you’ll find no better microcosm of this than in Houston.
5 Delicious Places to Eat in Houston
Combining local flavors, world recipes, and creative chefs, the food scene in this Texas city shows that in and of itself it is a good reason to plan your next visit.
What to do in your next visit to Houston
This southern American city has a leisure offer that you should not miss. This Texan city has always been a favorite for Mexican travelers.
Bigger in Texas
Its original Trellis Spa always drew me to sit for a spell in quietude. But that was the old Trellis Spa (bless its heart). Folks, hold onto your horses because the new Trellis Spa, reimagined by Blu Spas, Inc., can strut sitting down.
Chris Williams On Feeding Communities With Dignity
After creating a restaurant and menu inspired by his great-grandmother's genius, turning his focus to sustainable support in Houston.
Lonestar Getaways
53 Out-of-this-World Escapes For Wine Lovers, Movie Buffs, Adventure Seekers, and More.
In pictures: The southern US city where you'll discover the real
With its flourishing urban parks, cultural spaces and rooftop bars, Houston is on a mission to invest and evolve
Houston, a weekend of luxury and fun
More than shopping malls, NASA and hospitals, this city visited by many Mexicans has much to offer.
Opinion: Houston will rise again with a resurgence of conference
A major resurgence of meetings, conferences and events is already underway. After nearly 12 months of dormancy, the hosting venues of our city are poised to post record-setting numbers in the final two quarters of the year.
Where To Eat The Best Vietnamese In Houston
More than 50 years since astronaut Mr Jim Lovell radioed mission control to report that infamous “problem” with Apollo 13 – and 25 years since Mr Tom Hanks echoed his words on the silver screen – Houston is still inextricably linked with Nasa in the minds of many. Take a closer look ...
New Attractions Ready City for Return of In-Person Meetings
A proactive stance throughout the pandemic has landed Houston with a bumper H2 2021 of in-person events, a suite of new attractions, and high hopes for the future of meetings and conventions in the city.
April 2021
Hotel Business in Houston on the Road to Recovery
Occupancy at Houston hotels is off six points from what would normally be expected this time of year, but it's a far cry from where we were last year The past year has been brutal for the Houston hotel industry.
Hotel Business in Houston on the Road to Recovery
The past year has been brutal for the Houston hotel industry.
10 Autism-Friendly Vacation Spots for Families
Many cities, parks, museums, and other attractions have sensory sensitivity programs to help make autism-friendly vacations easier to plan.
Beaux Arts Houston: How to tour Texas’ top art scene - Haute Liv
Perhaps Texas’ artsiest city is Houston, a sprawling, culturally diverse metropolis born on oil profits, sports teams, and a storied space program.
Celebrate Solar New Year With Inspiration From These Southeast
Houston chefs share their favorite holiday memories
2021’s Most Diverse Cities in the U.S.
Houston ranked No. 1 among nations most diverse cities in Wallethub, which is the final installment in WalletHub’s diversity study series. It combines household diversity and religious diversity with our previous reports on socioeconomic diversity, cultural diversity and economic diversity.
Inside Texas' First Hemp-Based Vodka Company
In 2019, Houston Native Ben Williams launched one of the only fully black-owned distilleries in the country. Now, Highway Vodka is taking the Lone Star State liquor scene by storm.
The Weekend Guide: Barbecue, Rothko, and Space History in Housto
From its world-class museums to its wild outdoor spaces, Space City demands a second look.
What to Do in Montrose, Houston's Most Walkable Neighborhood
A Stetson’s toss to the west of high-powered, high-cultured, high-heeled downtown Houston sits a neighborhood a world away from the fast-paced drama in America’s oil capital.
A Crawfish Feast Where the South Meets Southeast Asia
Spring is turning into a comeback season at Crawfish & Noodles, a Houston restaurant famed for the Viet-Cajun style that has spread around the country.
The Good Place
Urban parks are more important now than ever before. Three American cities - Philadelphia, Houston, and Los Angeles - feature rich green spaces, new and old, that provide history, community and sanity in the 21st Century.
DuJour Cities: Houston
Highlights include new restaurant openings and hotel openings and renovation news (i.e. Four Seasons Hotel Houston’s renovation, etc). Please click here (p. 126-127).
March 2021
Eat Your Way Around the World With These International Cookbooks
Houston is one of the largest cities in the nation, but it’s also one of the country’s most diverse. In fact, one in four Houstonians are foreign born. So it should come as no surprise that the bustling city’s ever-evolving culinary scene reflects its multicultural influences.
Roar for the University of Houston Cougars at this free downtown
Local fans can scream for the team at a free downtown watch party sponsored by Houston First.
UH Coogs watch party Monday night at Avenida Houston
You can join other Cougar fans at Avenida Houston in front of the George R. Brown Convention Center to cheer the team on in tonight’s game against the Oregon State Beavers.
15 Amazing Resorts & Hotels That Welcome Pets
From the Emerald City to the Sunshine State, we’ve rounded up the best family-friendly resorts in the US that welcome pets with open arms.
Houston Has a 'Record-Breaking' Stretch of In-Person Events Sche
After a year mostly without in-person trade shows, Houston has reportedly re-booked 92% of canceled conventions for future years in Houston.
Cities Develop Branded Covid-19 Safety Measures To Boost Tourism
Tourism demand remains somewhat dampened, but there are signs of life as travelers seek safe options, often outdoors, to travel again.
Airbnb, Houston First Promote Bayou City as Travel Destination
Home-sharing and short-term rental marketplace Airbnb has entered into a partnership with Houston First Corp. to market the Bayou City as a go-to destination for travelers looking to hit the road after being forced to remain home for nearly a year.
How Houston is Preparing for a Busy Year of Meetings and Events
Right from the beginning of the pandemic, Houston First was at the forefront in reacting to changing market conditions, government restrictions, and reluctance for people to travel.
Hotels with ties to women’s history
Here are some of the hotels that have unique ties to women and celebrate their achievements.
New Hotel Coming to the Heart of the Texas Medical Center
The debut U.S. property from Blossom Holding Group plans to open in May.
Marketplace Events Gears Up To Launch New Home Shows In Houston
Houston’s hospitality and tourism community sees far better times ahead.
How to Spend Easter in Houston
"Houston is a city worth visiting any time of year, and although 2020 was a difficult year we can see the light at the end of the tunnel and Houston is ready to welcome visitors with a great variety of activities for everyone this Easter 2021."
Convention Business in Houston Bouncing Back Strong for the Seco
The city's convention center has more events on the books from July to December than it had for the same months in 2019.
Houston goes after the Mexican tourist with more flights
The American city is targeting VFR and segments like luxury and conventions on hybrid format, for its promotion in Mexico, its main international market.
Airbnb And Houston First Partner To Support Neighborhoods And To
New campaign is a joint effort to encourage locals to safely explore Houston's neighborhoods and inspire future travel.
Historic Hotels Honor the International Women’s Day
News Accommodations Historic Hotels Honor the International Women’s Day As part of Women’s History Month celebration, we look at the stories of women behind some of the world’s most iconic hotels
How Houston Is Preparing for a Busy Year of Meetings and Events
There’s no doubt, as we reach 12 months of impact from Covid-19 in the U.S., the last year has been challenging for the tourism and events industries.
Frozen in Time
A historic winter storm disrupted the entire city. Here’s how each industry tackled it.
The Texas Hotel Industry Got A Boost From The Winter Storm
The industry is still suffering from the pandemic, but saw increased occupancy levels as a result of last week’s freeze.
February 2021
Spring Welcomes 69 Notable Hotel Openings Around The Globe
This spring, dozens of hotels around the world will open their doors for the first time during the months of March, April and May.
Rothko Chapel, Secular Temple for Contemplation and Spirituality
Interview by Warp Magazine Mexico reporter Kristina Velfu did with David Leslie, Executive Director of Rothko Chapel, in celebration of the Chapel's 50th Anniversary
Don't Miss This Interesting Exhbit in Houston!
At the Houston Museum of Natural Science, visitors will find a new exhibit called POMPEII: The Exhibition.
Meet The Black Men Behind Texas' First Hemp-Based Vodka
Sometimes your calling comes to you in a dream, but for some it comes by accident.
Zagat Conversations: ‘Being A Black Entrepreneur Is Like A Freed
Highlights from a three-day Slack chat among Black chefs, restaurateurs, entrepreneurs, and journalists.
Houston First Celebrates Black History Month with Events, Storie
Houston First Corporation (HFC) is excited to share its Black History Month lineup for 2021 The public is invited to join as HFC celebrates Black History Month with a collection of events, stories and art.
25 Best College Towns
So, okay, Houston isn’t exactly a town—in fact it’s one of the most populous cities in the United States—but there are a lot of colleges which are located in and around this huge city.
Houston tourism takes another blow as pandemic keeps conventions
Houston’s convention and tourism business may be the greatest long-haul coronavirus victim.
27 Ways to Celebrate Black History Month This February
It’s Black History Month, and many organizations around town are celebrating with specially-curated events.
So Far in 2021: True Tales From Great Destinations
Destination Inspiration: For everybody buried under the Nor’easter, here’s a heartwarming hello from Fort Lauderdale, Florida.
Houston First Celebrates Black History Month with Events, Storie
Houston First Corporation (HFC) is excited to share its Black History Month lineup for 2021 The public is invited to join as HFC celebrates Black History Month with a collection of events, stories and art.
January 2021
10 reasons to stay at Four Seasons Hotel Houston
Diverse and fascinating, Houston is one of the most attractive and interesting cities in Texas, with so much to see and explore. However, a key aspect of enjoying the travel experience to the fullest is staying in a spectacular hotel. And of the many options available, one of our favorites ...
After a 2020 filled with turmoil, optimism abounds in Houston
2021 is bringing cautious optimism to Visit Houston/Houston First Corporation.
After Tough Year For Houston’s Convention Business, 2021 Is Look
The coronavirus had not yet officially arrived in Houston when the first major convention was canceled.
Which Convention Centers Are Open?
Here's a roundup of the largest convention facilities in the U.S. — whether they're open and what they've been doing behind the scenes to improve safety.
Houston, United Airlines and HAS await you with open arms
Houston, Texas.- Space city, shopping, culture and gastronomy destination. Is a metropolis that captivates all who visit, since its offerings are vast and provide a unique experience.
A Family Road Trip Through Texas (and Down Memory Lane)
A family-friendly guide to a three-day Texas road trip—plus, one writer reminisces on the Texan cities that nurtured her relationship.
10 very good reasons to visit Houston
Houston, Texas, is a city with so much to offer for all travelers, as it has everything from incredible shopping to culture, gastronomy, nature and entertainment. But, if you're not quite sure if it's a good option for you, here are ten excellent reasons to travel to Houston.
Roads Less Traveled Roads Less Traveled
8 underrated U.S. destinations that should be on your radar in 2021
The Texas Traveler
The late, great Anthony Bourdain dedicated a “Parts Unknown” episode to Houston in 2016, signifying that it had finally become a food destination.