Discover Houston

From every angle, the south's got soul. You can taste it in the food, hear it in the music and feel it in the history.

Air New Zealand flies non-stop from Auckland to Houston. Domestic connections are available from Air New Zealand serviced airports.

A Houston holiday is larger than life and more soulful than a Willie Nelson ballad. It goes straight for your tastebuds, with BBQ food that knocks your socks off. It gives your mind something to chew on at Discovery Green and Space Center. And it lets you relax and unwind in twinkly night-time beer gardens, where the soundtrack is as chilled as the pilsner. 

Houston's also handy to some of the south's other big drawcards, like San Antonio, Austin and New Orleans. You can even use Houston as the launch pad for a road trip that goes all the way to Chicago.

Where to go and what to see in Houston

While it looks glittery and contemporary, Houston is a city that's steeped in history. The state of Texas has changed hands a number of times in its past and during the American Civil War it featured on both sides of the argument. History buffs will find fascinating war memorials, the most impressive of which is undoubtedly the San Jacinto Battle Monument and Museum.

As far as entertainment's concerned, there's everything from balloon rides, kayak trips and bike trails to exploring the famous Houston Space Centre, plus some relaxed options if you prefer taking things a little slower. Get out to the beach or discover some of the huge city parks, then duck inside one of many local galleries to cool off and take in the stunning artworks.

Wherever you go in Houston, an exceptional food experience is just a tummy rumble away. While famous for its Tex-Mex flavours, this city has been expanding its culinary repertoire in recent years. You can chow down on a bao, dip into Deep South cuisine or follow your nose to an authentic barbecue restaurant where meltingly tender smokehouse meats take 24 hours to cook. Wherever your appetite leads you, you'll find that Houston's food has a lot of soul.

 

Essential information

Best time to go icon.

Best time to go

The most popular times to visit Houston are late winter/early spring (February through to May) and late autumn/early winter (October-November).

How much will it cost icon.

How much will it cost?

Not including air travel and hotels, you should allow about USD $150 to $200 a day per person for food and entertainment.

Keep exploring Houston

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