Explore Space City’s Cultural Epicenter
While Houston’s museums might get a lot of attention, the downtown Theater District is the true lifeblood of the city’s vast performing arts scene.
Houston is one of only a handful of cities in the country that features permanent professional companies in residence for every major performing arts discipline – including theater, ballet, opera, and music. Consequently, it boasts some of the best performance companies in the country. Founded over a century ago, the Houston Symphony stands as one of the oldest performing arts organizations in Texas. The Houston Ballet is the fourth largest such company in the U.S., while the Houston Grand Opera is the only opera company in the world to have received two Grammy awards, two Emmy awards, and a Tony.
What to Do
Houston has over 500 organizations dedicated to visual and performing arts, many of which perform in the Theater District.
For music lovers, the Houston Symphony offers nearly every weekend a variety of concerts and special musical events, including movie showings accompanied by a live orchestra. Additionally, Broadway at the Hobby Center and the non-profit Theatre Under the Stars feature a diverse array of musical theater shows, including audience favorites like “The Lion King” and “Hamilton.” Furthermore, the Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera deliver performances on most weekends, while the Alley Theatre showcases live stage performances of contemporary and classic plays throughout the week, often featuring multiple daily performances.
If you have children, don’t miss the Houston Downtown Aquarium, located just across Buffalo Bayou. It not only features numerous aquatic animal exhibits but is also home to white tigers, a shark tunnel, and several games and amusement park rides.
Where to Go
Houston’s Theater District occupies a small section of the north side of downtown, where all major performance centers are within an easy walking distance of one another.
- Alley Theatre presents live theater plays throughout the year.
- Jones Hall for the Performing Arts is home to the Houston Symphony and often features speakers and performers coordinated by the Society for the Performing Arts.
- The Wortham Theater Center houses performances for both the Houston Grand Opera and the Houston Ballet.
- The Hobby Center for Performing Arts hosts touring shows from Broadway and London’s East End, in addition to live performances and concerts.
Street parking can be difficult to find in the District; however, if driving, park in the Theater District parking garage at the corner of Smith Street and Capitol Street, where prices typically range from $10-15. You can conveniently pay with a credit card, and the garage also provides pedestrian access to Jones Plaza.
If you wish to avoid Houston’s notorious traffic, the METRORail has lines extending into the Theater District. The purple and green lines both stop close to Jones Plaza.
Where to Eat
For a delightful pre- or post-show dinner, most locals recommend Perbacco. This classic Italian restaurant offers high-quality food in an elegant setting, making it perfect for date night. Conveniently located across from Jones Hall, the staff is skilled at helping diners make it to their shows on time. Consequently, as it’s popular for pre-theater dining, making a reservation is advised, particularly on weekend evenings.
If you’re not in a rush to catch a show, consider the Downtown Aquarium Restaurant. The dining room is surrounded by a stunning 150,000-gallon aquarium filled with captivating aquatic life, providing an enjoyable atmosphere for both families and couples alike.
Where to Stay
The Lancaster Hotel is a historic boutique hotel directly across from Jones Hall. In addition to attractive and comfortable accommodations, the hotel provides excellent amenities, including a guest lounge with drinks and snacks and complimentary car service within three miles. From 5 p.m. to 6 p.m. every evening, the hotel hosts a Wine Hour in the lobby, allowing guests to relax before heading out to a show, complemented by a full-service restaurant that makes pre-theater dining easy. With rates around $125-$150 per night, it’s well worth the investment.
For those seeking a more contemporary luxury experience, Hotel ICON is conveniently situated within walking distance of the Theater District. The hotel is surrounded by some of downtown Houston’s thriving venues and is just off the METRORail Red Line train.
