Where To Stay In Houston

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Texas’ largest city by population and the fourth largest in the U.S, Houston, is a sprawling metropolis full of class attractions. Best known for the iconic Houston Space Centre, there’s tons more to see, do, and discover in the vibrant city. Any visitor, no matter their preferences or the length of their stay, will find plenty to keep them busy. With so much to enjoy spread over such a large city, deciding where to stay in Houston to make the most of your time can seem intimidating. 

We’ve narrowed your options by picking the five best areas to stay in Houston based on what they offer travellers. Whether you’re planning a whirlwind sightseeing tour, a high-octane party break, or a suburban retreat, this post will help you decide which neighbourhood is the best for you to call home during your time in Houston. 

Where To Stay In Houston

1- Downtown Houston

where to stay in houston with family
Downtown Houston skyline in Texas, USA at twilight.

If you want to experience the heart of the action, then the Downtown area is your ideal choice.

The most central district of Houston, Downtown is packed with things to see and do, along with some of the city’s best offerings for hospitality and entertainment. 

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Many of the city’s largest arenas and convention centres are downtown.

The George R. Brown Convention Centre, the Toyota Centre, the PNC Stadium – aka the Shell Energy Stadium – are all located in the Downtown area. 

Hosting most of the city’s major sporting events and concerts, if you’re attending a big game or show in Houston, you will most likely want to stay here. 

Fans of the performing arts, whether theatre, dance, or music, will benefit from Houston’s Theatre District, located in the northwest corner of the downtown area. 

The compact district of just 17 city blocks is home to no less than nine theatres, including Wortham Theatre, which is home to both of Houston’s ballet and opera companies, and the Hobby Centre, which hosts Broadway productions. 

If street art is more up your alley, you’ll want to swing by Graffiti Park. The area between the west end of Leeland and Bell Streets is decorated with swathes of colourful murals splashed across the walls. 

Downtown is one of the loveliest areas in the city to be after dark.

The city lights shine the brightest in the Houston Skyline District, where soaring skyscrapers are clustered together. 

Heading out from here and through the theatre and central business districts, you’ll find plenty of high-end bars and restaurants to enjoy a glamorous evening.

If you’re worried that the ultra-urban landscape, with all its towering sky-scrapers and the hustle and bustle, will feel too cramped and crowded, you can rest assured that there are plenty of public parks and plazas to take a break in too. 

The skyline in Houston with blue sky.
Where is the best place to stay in Houston if it’s your first time? The downtown area is central and close to many attractions.

Discovery Green is a popular park at the heart of the Central Business District with fields, tree-lined walkways, a playground, cafes and a lake.

The park frequently hosts local events, such as festivals and live music, so it’s always worth passing by to see what’s on. 

On the other side of Downtown, Sam Houston Park is packed with historic buildings and museums tucked amongst its trees.

The park leads into Eleanor Tinsley Park, which features various lawns and walking trails along the Buffalo Bayou.

Families with kids may be put off of the Downtown area due to the area’s general expense, crowding, and relative lack of child-friendly activities, but there are some family-friendly attractions for those who have their hearts set on staying in the city centre. 

Alongside the various parks is the Houston Aquarium, where visitors can marvel at the shark tanks and get hands-on experiences at the touch pools.

Pros

  • Tons to see and do
  • Great for fans of the arts
  • Central and surrounded by similarly exciting neighbourhoods
  • Super walkable – great if you don’t have a car
  • Loads of accommodation options

Cons

  • Generally more expensive
  • Fairly crowded
Best Budget Hotel

Athens Hotel & Suites

Best Mid-Range Hotel

The Laura Hotel – Autograph Collection

Best High-End Hotel

Four Seasons Hotel Houston

Museum District

Rolled white towels on the bed in the hotel
Deciding where to stay in Houston for a vacation can be daunting as there are lots of hotels in choose from.

The Museum District may be the best choice for first-time tourists visiting Houston who want to spend time ticking off attractions and museums.

As the name suggests, the Museum District is packed with many museums and galleries spanning a broad range of topics and interests. 

You can spend hours browsing significant museums like the Houston Museum of Natural Science, which houses dinosaurs, a planetarium, and a butterfly house among its various exhibits. 

Alternatively, spend your time wandering between the numerous smaller museums dotting the neighbourhood.

Niches range from the fun, interactive exhibits of the Health Museum to the rather more sombre Holocaust Museum. 

Art lovers will have a ball exploring the many art galleries in the Museum District.

The Museum of Fine Arts, The Contemporary Art Museum, and the Cullen Sculpture Garden are all right next to each other, so you won’t be wasting time running around the city. 

Various smaller galleries cover a broad range of mediums and topics.

The Houston Centre for Contemporary Craft’s multimedia exhibits offer one of the more eclectic collections. 

The Houston Museum of African American Culture, Asia Society Texas Centre, and Czech Centre Museum allow visitors to learn about a range of global cultures through creativity. 

This area is also a fantastic option for families who want to have plenty of child-friendly attractions to choose from. 

Visiting the Children’s Museum Houston is a fun way to get kids interested in and learning about various topics, from science and engineering to history and art.

The exciting interactive exhibits will have them simultaneously burning off energy and broadening their minds. 

If that doesn’t wear everyone out, spend an afternoon exploring Hermann Park. 

The sprawling park boasts plenty of fields and winding walking trails for everyone to stretch their legs.

There’s plenty to be discovered within the park, from statues and monuments to an intricately landscaped Japanese Garden complete with a tranquil teahouse. 

The Miller open-air amphitheatre hosts a variety of free shows and performances throughout the year, so make sure to check if anything’s on during your visit.

Meanwhile, McGovern Lake boasts a fishing pier and pedal boats for aquatic fun.  

Covering most of the centre of the park is Houston Zoo, a family-friendly attraction home to animal species from across the world, from lions and elephants to bears and sea lions. 

Reptile and bug houses ensure that everyone’s interests and curiosities are covered.

There’s also a petting zoo where you can get closer to some fluffier and friendlier residents. 

Pros

  • Tons of museums to browse
  • Perfect for art lovers
  • Plenty of family-friendly attractions
  • Decently close to the city centre

Cons

  • Not quite as walkable and also not ideal for cars
  • Fewer dining and hospitality options
Best Budget Hotel

Americas Best Value Inn Medical Center Downtown

Best Mid-Range Hotel

Hilton Garden Inn Houston Medical Center

Best High-End Hotel

Hotel Zaza Houston Museum District

Midtown and Montrose

Hotel welcome drink set two glasses of champagne by the bed
When planning where to stay in Houston, first decide whether you want to be close to the action or are prepared to trade off location for a bit more luxury.

If you want plenty to keep you occupied no matter the hour of day or night, then Midtown and Montrose is perfect for you. 

Set right between Downtown and the Museum District, it’s within easy reach of the city’s top sights and attractions and puts the best hospitality on your doorstep.

The area also has plenty of attractions, so you won’t always have to go traipsing out to the neighbouring districts.

The iconic, octagonal Rothko Chapel, with its stunning murals and sculptures, is nestled right in the heart of Montrose.

The Menil Collection houses almost 20,000 artefacts and artworks across the street, from the modern-day to the palaeolithic era. 

Known as one of the trendier neighbourhoods in Houston, the cosy tree-lined streets are home to many small galleries, vintage shops and independent cafes.

With a diverse dining scene offering cuisines from around the world, no one will go hungry, whether they’re craving Japanese, Sichuan or Cajun. 

Midtown and Montrose is known to be one of the absolute best areas of Houston for nightlife, with many of the best clubs and bars clustered in the neighbourhood.

You’ll find a great mix of chic and quirky to suit whatever vibe you prefer for your nights out. 

If you manage to work through everything Midtown’s nightlife has to offer, the bright lights of Downtown are also just a short walk away. 

Montrose is also where you’ll find many of Houston’s LGBT community hanging out.

The Crocker Street and Hyde Park Boulevard junction area has gay bars, clubs, and venues catering to the city’s LGBT scene. 

Pros

  • Great nightlife
  • LGBT friendly
  • Super central
  • Diverse foodie scene

Cons

  • Sparser accommodation options
Best Budget Hotel

Extended Stay America Suites

Best Mid-Range Hotel

Abode Houston – Montrose Downtown

Best High-end Hotel

La Colombe d’Or Hotel

Northwest Houston

Northwest Houston is a suburban district a few miles from Downtown.

With a laid-back, community atmosphere, far fewer crowds, and lots of green spaces, it’s an ideal location for families looking for somewhere to stay with kids.

It’s also considerably much cheaper than staying in inner-city districts.

It’s a little too far out from the city centre to make a great base if sightseeing is the main goal of your visit.

However, if you’re visiting Houston on business or to visit friends or family, it’s an ideal place to enjoy some peace, and the city sights aren’t too far away if you do want to make a day trip or two. 

Addicks Park dominates the west side of the neighbourhood covering 2,168 acres, with tons of space to explore and plenty of amenities to get the whole family excited to be out in the fresh air. 

The park has all the amenities for a fantastic family day out.

It’s a great place for a picnic, with plenty of picnic tables and even grills available for public use.

There are even eight covered picnic pavilions you can reserve for larger gatherings. 

Miles of walking trails wind through the park’s forests and around its large reservoir.

It’s home to a wide array of wildlife, so keep your eyes peeled for deer hopping through the trees.

If wild animals aren’t enough, there’s also a small zoo where you can meet even more critters, from Bison to emus. 

Pros

  • Ideal if you’re bringing a car
  • Great for families with kids
  • Considerably more affordable than the city centre

Cons

  • Far from the city centre
  • Not ideal for tourists/sightseers 
Best Budget Hotel

Comfort Suites

Best Mid-Range Hotel

Residence Inn by Marriott

Best High-End Hotel

Hotel ZaZa Houston Memorial City

Kingwood

Top view apartment building complex near vacant land with containers at sunset in Houston, Texas,
Wondering where to stay in Houston? Check out these top neighbourhoods.

On the northern outskirts of Houston, Kingwood is one of the greenest areas in Houston, with leafy residential streets and easy access to various parks and nature reserves. 

Spring Creek Greenway stretches out from the west, while the sprawling Lake Houston Wilderness Park extends from the east.

Together they provide miles upon miles of natural greenspace to explore, with hiking trails, educational centres, and various amenities. 

It’s quite a bit cheaper to stay out here, but you will also have fewer accommodation options.

You’ll also have much more local, laid-back hospitality than the more fashion-forward offerings of the inner-city neighbourhoods.

One of Kingwood’s top perks is its proximity to George Bush Intercontinental Airport, which is Just a few miles, so you won’t have to worry about hurrying across the city to catch an early morning flight. 

Pros

  • Close to the airport
  • Very affordable
  • Easy access to tons of open greenspace

Cons

  • Very removed from the city centre
  • Not a good choice for sightseeing 
Best Budget Hotel

Baymont by Wyndham

Best Mid-Range Hotel

Comfort Suites Kingwood Humble Houston North

Best High-End Hotel

Courtyard By Marriott Houston Kingwood

Plan Your Trip

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Steve Burden
Steve Burden is an avid traveller and experienced writer. As a former pro wrestler, Steve used to travel frequently for work throughout the USA and Europe. Having spent the last decade travelling all over the world in search of new sights and experiences, he has turned his love for travel into a new career helping others decide on the best places to visit, as well as what to see when they get there.