Houston was born on Buffalo Bayou, where the Allen brothers set up shop at what is now Allen's Landing in 1836. Downtown grew up around that spot and today works on two levels. At street level you have the Theater District, home to nine major performing arts organizations, plus Daikin Park for the Astros, the Toyota Center for the Rockets and the George R. Brown Convention Center. Discovery Green gives the east side a free, 12-acre front yard with a lake, dog runs and hundreds of free events a year, and Market Square Park keeps the old civic heart green. Below ground, about six miles of air-conditioned tunnels link some 95 blocks of towers, food courts and shops, open on weekdays. Nights bring shows and games, and just east across the freeway, EaDo adds bars, breweries and some of the city's most interesting cooking.
What to expect
- Only Wells Fargo Plaza and the McKinney Garage on Main open straight into the tunnels.
- Carry a tunnel map; each building signs its own stretch, which can be confusing.
- Tunnel stairs make wheelchair travel hard in places, mostly in the northern part.
- The Green and Purple lines stop at Convention District, right by Discovery Green.
- By Discovery Green, the Avenida Central garage is closed; use Avenida North instead.
What to do
- Explore the downtown tunnels at weekday lunchtime
- Spend an evening at Discovery Green or catch a show in the Theater District
- Stand at Allen's Landing, where Houston was founded
Where to eat nearby
- Guard and Grace
- Nancy's Hustle
What to see
- Discovery Green
- Market Square Park
- Daikin Park
- Allen's Landing, 1836Founding site
- About six miles linking 95 blocks; normally open weekdays 6 a.m. to 6 p.m.Tunnel system
- 12 acres, free admission, open daily 6 a.m. to 11 p.m.Discovery Green
- Home of the Astros since 2000, at 501 Crawford StDaikin Park