Top Reasons to Go to Houston and Galveston

World-class Art. Houston is home to eclectic institutions like the Menil Collection, the Rothko Chapel, and world-famous Museum of Fine Arts, as well as off-the-wall places like the Art Car Museum and the kitschy Orange Show.

Sports Lovers' Paradise. Root for any number of home teams. Major League Baseball's Astros, the National Basketball Association's Rockets, the National Football League's Texans, the American Hockey League's Aeros, the WNBA's Comets, and Major League Soccer's Dynamo are all here.

Black-belt Shopping. Houston's famed Galleria—with a Neiman Marcus, Saks Fifth Avenue, Cartier, Chanel, YSL, Louis Vuitton, and an indoor-skating rink—draws affluent shoppers from all over the world.

Affordable International Dining. Houston's best-kept secret is that it's one of America's best dining cities. Korean barbecue? Check. Texas Barbecue? Check. You'll find pretty much every cuisine imaginable in the Bayou City, without pretense and at a great price.

Parks & Trees. Skyscrapers loom in the distance, yet the natural beauty along Allen Parkway reminds you that Houston was built along a wild bayou. Green spaces flourish in all corners of the city. The two crown jewels are Memorial Park and Hermann Park.