Houston is the fourth largest city in United States and is home to some excellent tourist attractions, such as:

Downtown Aquarium:Located at Memorial Drive, the Downtown Aquarium will help you get up close and personal with the underwater life from all over the world. The biggest draws to the aquarium are the ferris wheel, observation tower, a train ride, white tigers, Louisiana Swamp, the Amazon River and a shipwreck.

Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens:Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens is a 28-room mansion that houses a great collection of American Folk Art, and furniture and antiques from the 1600s. The mansion is surrounded by 14 acres of well tended garden that features an abundance of azaleas. The audio and guided tours to the mansion are also available.

Space Center Houston:A favorite tourist attraction of both adults and children, the Space Center presents a range of interactive displays that deals with the outer space. The main attractions at the center include the space shuttle simulator, watching astronauts train for their moon walk and the moon rock. Kids just love the creepy monsters at the That`s SO Weird exhibition that takes place in a cave at the space center.

Houston Zoo:Located in Hermann Park, the Houston Zoo is home to varied species of animals from around the world, including koalas, tigers, vampire bats, meerkats, as well as other exotic animals and beasts. Get close to your favorite animals at the Natural Encounters. Also do not forget to visit the Wildlife Carousel which cannot be missed for anything.

Houston welcomes millions of travelers each year and provides them with accommodation that suits every taste and budget. The best areas to stay in the city include:

Downtown:Downtown is pre-eminently a business area that is home to some of the most luxurious and prestigious hotels. Along with the Four Seasons Hotel, Quattro is an expensive option that offers s great dining experience to the travelers. Lancaster is a small sized gorgeous hotel that gets quite an elite crowd.

Montrose:Visit Montrose to experience the old world elegance. The Hotel ZaZais a classic hotel that has been beautifully decorated with exquisite artwork. Robin`s Nest Inn and Angel Arbor Bed & Breakfast are really small places that need to be booked in advance. Try the Rodeway Inn Greenway Plaza for an affordable accommodation experience.

Galleria:Galleria is another prestigious area in the city which is full of elegant and sophisticated hotels. The entire beautiful neighborhood can be best viewed from the Doubletree Guest Suites. With all the luxuries amenities like a golf curse, health club and a spa, the Houstonian is visited by the elite travelers. The Omni Hotel is set in beautiful green environs and boasts of a jogging trail and fitness center for the health conscious. Owing to its proximity to the shopping areas, the shopaholics would just love to stay at the Westin Galleria Houston.

A valid passport is required by all nationals visiting United States of America.

Visa is not required by nationals of Britain, Canada, Australia and all EU countries. However, nationals of Bulgaria, Greece, Romania, Cyprus and Poland do require a visa as they are not included in the visa waiver program.

Houston remains a popular destination throughout the year. Weather wise, summer season with too hot and humid days is not the best time to visit this city. Spring and fall is considered to be an ideal time to travel. The climate is quite pleasant during these months.

Houston enjoys a humid and subtropical climate all through the year. July and August are the hottest months with average temperature hovering around 34 degree celsius. Tornadoes are also quite common in these months, especially during late summer. January is the coldest month with an average high of 16 degree celsius. Though snow is rare, rainfall is quite common during winter months in Houston. Spring is the best time of the year when travelers to the city can experience warm days and cool nights.

Currency:Currency used in Houston is US Dollar. ATMs and bureau de change can be easily found throughout the city. Debit cards and credit cards are widely accepted. Travelers` checks are mostly accepted everywhere.

Language:English is the primary language of United States. The other languages that are commonly spoken and understood in Houston include Spanish and other Indo European and Asian languages.