I went to Houston in October 2018, a little "micro trip" during which I did an awful lot of stuff. I had fantastic weather, and managed to outdo myself in terms of visiting art galleries, and getting around the city generally. I have often been curious about Houston, the city with no zoning, and it was only the gay neighbourhood that I really got a sense of how a lack of zoning might express itself in the built environment. I kind of liked it. I did find the architecture in Houston to be remarkably dull for a city of its wealth and size.
Photo List (Total 306 Photos)
Click bolded headers below to view, or click "just the best" for quick tour
-
Downtown Houston (98 photos) - These are photos from my walkabout in downtown Houston. The gallery starts at City Hall and nearby Tranquillity Park, continues with the inevitable skyscraper shots and also some historical buildings, especially along Main Street. It moves to Sam Houston Park which contains many relocated heritage structures (all closed when I visited), then along the Sabine Walkway to Buffalo Bayou Park.
-
Buffalo Bayou (47 photos) - This gallery starts where the first gallery let off, along the Sabine Walkway and in Buffalo Bayou Park, though now I am in the unused cistern enjoying an immersive art experience. It also includes a little walk in the historic Sixth Ward, and a morning walk along the Buffalo Bayou that is quite a bit further east than the cistern.
-
Arts West of Downtown (59 photos) - Just west of downtown, in the Midtown / Montrose area, there is a cluster of galleries. The largest in the Menil Collection, and this gallery starts at that lovely mid-sized museum and a few other attractions nearby. I also went a bit north of there to the Art Car Museum, and I very much enjoyed the relaxed and amused vibe there. The gallery ends with a visit to the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens, which was the home of Ima Hogg and which showcases period furniture. The gardens were lovely in a way that I am not sure comes across in these photos.
-
Hermann Park and Art Museums (66 photos) - South east of downtown is another cluster of galleries, including the Houston Fine Arts Museum, the Contemporary Arts Museum, the Center for Contemporary Craft and the Lawndale Art Center. I also visited the elegant Hermann Park nearby.
-
Other Houston (36 photos) - This is a bit of a random assortment of photos that didn't fit elsewhere. I went to the very popular Saint Arnold Brewing Company for supper, in an industrial area east of downtown. I dropped by the Bayou City Art Festival, and saw a Lily Allen concert. Also a few photos from my hotel room window and at the airport.
