The massive metropolis of Houston, sprawling across the Gulf Coast plain of East Texas from its busy port, is almost twice the size of the entire state of Rhode Island. Even with this heavy urban concentration, though, Houston is green and lush, sited at the end of a belt of forest coming down from the north, and characterised by marshlands and bayous lined with cypress trees in the southern reaches.

Houston, named after former Republic of Texas president Sam Houston, is hot and humid. To make life more bearable in the close-packed downtown area much activity has gone underground. The city centre sports an air-conditioned seven-mile (11km) pedestrian tunnel system full of restaurants and shops. Unlike most cities, downtown in Houston is the hub of residential development, so it remains busy and bustling long after dark.

Texas' largest city is not generally a sought after tourist destination, being concerned more with business than pleasure and leisure. Computer manufacture, gas and oil, and a huge concentration of medical institutions account for most of the economic activity, but all those hard-working citizens have to play sometimes, and there are some good attractions like excellent museums, the amazing Astrodome sports pavilion, some wonderful theatres and, thanks to the cosmopolitan mix of its residents, some ethnically diverse cuisine on offer in its many restaurants and neighbourhoods. For visitors the absolute 'must-see' in Houston is the famed Space Center, mission control for the US space programme.

Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center

Address: 1601 NASA Parkway Houston

Admission: $20.95 (adults), $19.95 (seniors), $16.95 (children 4-11). Online discounts available. Monday to Friday 10am to 5pm, weekends 10am to 6pm (extended hours in summer)

Telephone: (281) 244 2100

Museum District

Address: Houston

Admission: Most institutions have free admission, otherwise entry fees range from $2-9 for adults Varies between museums

Telephone: (713) 715 1939

The Orange Show

Address: 2402 Munger Street Houston

Admission: $1 Open most weekends, from 12pm to 5pm.

Telephone: (713) 926 6368

Sam Houston Historical Park

Address: 1100 Bagby Street Houston

Admission: $10 (adults) for Historic House tours; Museum gallery free Museum hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am to 4pm, Sundays 1pm to 4pm. Historic House tours: Tuesday to Saturday 10am, 11.30am, 1pm and 2.30pm; Sundays 1pm and 2.30pm

Telephone: (713) 655 1912

Bayou Bend

Address: 6003 Memorial Drive at Westcott Street Houston

Admission: $10 (adults). Admission to the gardens is $3 (adults). Other concessions are available. Saturday and Sunday 1pm to 5pm. Guided tours are available Tuesday to Thursday from 10am to 2.45pm, and Friday to Saturday from 10am to 11.15am, but advance reservations are necessary. No guided tours in August. The gardens are open Tuesday to Saturday from 10am to 5pm and Sunday 1pm to 5pm

Telephone: (713) 639 7750

National Museum of Funeral History

Address: 415 Barren Springs Drive Houston

Admission: $10 (adults), $7 (children under 12). Other concessions also available. Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm; Saturday 10am to 5pm; Sunday 12pm to 5pm

Telephone: (281) 876 3063

Rodeo and Livestock Show

Where: Reliant Park,Houston

When: 20 January to 28 February 2012

Houston Children's Festival

Where: Various venues in downtown Houston,Houston

When: 9 - 10 April 2011

Houston International Festival

Where: Stretches across 16 acres of parks and streets around Tranquility and Sam Houston Parks, in downtown Houston,Houston

When: 30 April to 8 May 2011

Buffalo Bayou Regatta

Where: Sesquicentennial Park on Houston's waterfront,Houston

When: 10 March 2012

Houston International Jazz Festival

Where: Discovery Green Park,Houston

When: 5 - 7 August 2011

El Tiempo Cantina

Address: 3130 Richmond Ave Houston

Food Type: Tex-Mex

Mark's American Cuisine

Address: 1658 Westheimer Rd Houston

Food Type: American

Vic & Anthony's Steakhouse

Address: 1510 Texas Ave Houston

Food Type: Steakhouse

Indika

Address: 516 Westheimer Houston

Food Type: Indian

Chez Nous

Address: 217 S Ave G, Humble Houston

Food Type: French

Laurenzo's El Tiempo Cantina

Address: Houston

Food Type: Tex-Mex