Live Like a Local in Downtown Houston, Texas

Downtown Houston, Texas, is a vibrant area featuring a wide variety of neighborhoods, each with their own unique cultures, histories and trademark attractions. Are you new to the Bayou City? Explore some notable Houston neighborhoods along with their popular features to help you understand the anatomy of your new city like the back of your hand.

Montrose

This historic, 4-square-mile Houston neighborhood is known for its rich culture and arts scene. Browse modern European paintings at The Menil Collection or spend the day at the Houston Center for Photography, which offers various educational programs for visitors of all ages. You can also shop one-of-a-kind antique stores or grab a bite to eat at locally-owned gems—like Nobie’s or Paulie’s Restaurant—just a stone's throw from downtown. Montrose is a lively, unique area offering plenty of nightlife and events—this makes it a favorite among younger, more active crowds. The community also encompasses the widely popular Hyde Park, a historic suburban locale that features a mix of old and new. With such a wide variety of amenities, this is one neighborhood you will want to explore and truly get to know.

East Downtown

This hip, funky neighborhood—also commonly referred to as EaDo—has been a hotbed for investment and growth over the past few years. Residents of the trendy area have seen new businesses and housing options pop up quickly, and the density of the area makes walkability a breeze. BBVA Stadium, home to the Houston Dynamo, is also right in the neighborhood—catching the next big match has never been easier for soccer fans in EaDo. Another favorite among locals is Discovery Green. Located one block east of I-69, Discovery Green is a 12-acre urban park that offers several events year-round like Funfetti Fridays and Kayak on Kinder Lake. If trendy, new and fast-growing sounds like your perfect setting, EaDo is a great place to spend a day of exploration.

Memorial Park/Washington Corridor

Stretching from Memorial Park to Downtown, this newly revamped neighborhood offers all the conveniences of big city living. The Wave is a shuttle that makes stops throughout the Washington Avenue District, Midtown and The Heights neighborhoods, allowing for easy commuting. A popular home base for young professionals, this neighborhood offers easy access to the various business centers Houston holds.

Memorial Park is not all business, though. This area, like many downtown Houston areas, features a vibrant arts scene and a full calendar of local events ranging from flea markets to brewery festivals. Spend the day admiring art at the Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens which is the former home of Houston philanthropist Ima Hogg. Once you have worked up an appetite, head over to Washington Ave. and enjoy a burger from Stanton City Bites or B&B Butchers & Restaurant. The neighborhood also features plenty of running and biking trails throughout the urban area to help residents and visitors alike get outside and stay active.

Midtown

One of the most walkable locations in Downtown Houston, Midtown offers easy access to public transportation, dining, entertainment and much more. Midtown locals love the area’s relative newness—blossoming developments and a vibrant nightlife make this a popular neighborhood for younger Houstonians. This urban community is also perfect for sports fans—Minute Maid Park, NRG Stadium and Toyota Center are located right in the neighborhood. Do not forget about the school-aged children, though. Midtown boasts several indoor play places and splash pads that are perfect ways to beat the Texas heat. Additionally, Downtown Aquarium has several fun family events, especially around the holidays. If you are looking to experience a fast-growing environment and proximity to city attractions may want to consider exploring Midtown.

Museum District

A more residential portion of Houston’s Downtown, the Museum District offers you plenty of opportunities to experience city life without forfeiting suburban comfort. With nearly 20 science, culture and arts institutions, easy public transportation access and a neighborhood schedule packed year-round with events for the whole family, you will never get bored in this unique neighborhood. Locals especially enjoy the 445-acre Hermann Park. You will also find crowd-pleasers like McGovern Lake, the Houston Zoo and much more. One of the main highlights of the park, however, is the Miller Outdoor Theatre, which frequently hosts shows, cultural events and performances year-round. Additionally, the Museum District’s location is a major drawing point for families as it sits directly between downtown and the Houston Medical Center, two of the city’s largest employment sources.

The Heights

If The Heights could be simplified into one phrase, it would be “family-friendly.” The area includes a network of diverse suburbs featuring children’s parks, hike and bike trails and plenty of green space to explore. This neighborhood also prides itself on promoting small, local businesses—every first Saturday of the month, the neighborhood hosts a special event to showcase the area’s unique culture and support community businesses. The Heights also provides delicious dining options for any food craving. Head over to The Boot for some savory Cajun dishes or to Coltivare Pizza & Garden for authentic Italian cuisine. If you are looking for the perfect family outing, The Heights is a great place to explore.

Eastwood

Just outside of bustling downtown Houston, Texas, sits this tranquil suburb. The city’s first master-planned community, Eastwood is a historic neighborhood in the East End and offers suburban comfort without sacrificing access to a big city center. The former Maxwell House coffee factory on Harrisburg Boulevard has been a prominent fixture in the community for nearly five decades, and it was also once the site of Ford Motor Company Model T plant. Locals enjoy the proximity to the George R. Brown Convention Center, which hosts a wide variety of events year-round, as well as the music venue Warehouse Live.

Are you ready to explore downtown Houston, Texas, like a local? With more than 30 unique, modern communities throughout some of the most popular Houston neighborhoods, Perry Homes offers prospective buyers a world of choices to explore. If you are on the hunt for your new Houston-area home, we have the perfect place for you to start! Explore and compare our luxurious Houston communities to be one step closer to finding your dream home in this bustling and diverse city.