Thriving arts scene:Graffiti artist GONZO247's mural in downtown Houston.
WHY
Many people are surprised to discover Houston is the US's fourth largest city. And while it's true it doesn't have the profile of LA,New York or Chicago,it's certainly not short of attractions. Space Centre Houston deservedly gets a lot of the glory but you'll find 18 other cultural heavyweights in the city's Museum District plus America's second largest downtown theatre district.
The city's previously neglected downtown is being spruced up in time for the 2017 Super Bowl with a rush of new hotels,bars and restaurants. And since December 2015,access has been easier than ever thanks to Air New Zealand's direct flight from Auckland.
Space Centre Houston.Credit:Alamy
VISIT
There's something for everyone in the Museum District,a cultural cauldron six kilometres from downtown that's accessed by an efficient light rail service. Highlights include the Museum of Natural Science (hmns.org),with its IMAX theatre,butterfly centre and planetarium,and the Museum of Fine Arts (mfah.org),which is home to more than 56,000 artworks. Houston might not be an obvious choice for the performing arts but it's one of only five US cities with resident professional ballet,opera,symphony and theatre companies. The 13,000-seat Theatre District stages everything from Broadway hits to one-person shows and there's free alfresco entertainment at the Miller Outdoor Theatre. Seemilleroutdoortheatre.com
EAT
The Alley Theatre is a Tony Award-winning indoor theatre in Downtown Houston.
Texas barbecue is the region's culinary superstar and you'll find no shortage of places to sample it. Which is the best? Who knows but you won't go far wrong at Jackson Street BBQ (jacksonstbbqhouston.com) where the brisket is marinated for 18 hours before being smoked over pecan and oak woodchips. Steak is another stalwart and at Pappas Bros Steakhouse (pappasbros.com) they dry-age their cuts in-house for 28 days. For an insight into the city's more creative offerings,sign up for a chef-led culinary tour. Seevisithoustontexas.com/culinary-tours