As the saying goes, everything is bigger in Texas - but why not visit Houston to see for yourself? We think you'll be impressed by oversized hometown pride, hospitality and heck, even the men. True, Texas has a red-state reputation but beneath the political machinations, you'll find a down-home, gay-friendly feel most everywhere you go - especially in Houston, the Bayou City.

Chances are when you think of Houston, images of oil, cattle and NASA come to mind. But Houston - Texas' largest city - is a lot more. It is a large metropolitan city with the embracing hospitality of a small town. It is culturally diverse, a center for education, technology and industry, and it's rapidly becoming a popular gay and lesbian travel destination - both for business or a weekend get-away.

Energized and bustling, downtown Houston is a melting pot for business, residential development and entertainment. From baseball to theater, from historical to contemporary, the heart of Houston has it all. The city's skyline district has several new office towers being incorporated next to an already vital and evolving 90-block area in the historic district, which features clubs, restaurants, shops and convenient parking.

Climate-wise, Houston enjoys comfortable temperatures in winter, and warm, mild days the rest of the year. Situated not too far from the Gulf of Mexico, it averages nearly 50 inches of rain annually, and can also be downright hot and steamy during the summer months. Think cool, loose and comfortable when packing, but don't worry - Houston also enjoys a reputation of being "the most air-conditioned city in America," so relief is always just around the corner.


Gay Friendly Hotels in Houston

With its growing gay population, Houston boasts many gay friendly hotels! The entire downtown area of Houston for example, has recently begun a revitalization bringing upscale, chic hotels which appeal to many gay travelers, along with the national name brands that everyone knows and trusts. All of our favorite hotels are featured in our PCG list of gay friendly hotels.

Before you make a reservation at any of our hotels, we recommend that you first determine what part of town you need to be in. In a city the size of Houston (remember - we said everything is big here!) your options are immense.

The Montrose neighborhood is Houston's gay ground zero. Home to local artists, actors, musicians and students, Montrose is one of the most eclectic neighborhoods of Houston. Brushing downtown to the south, Montrose is well known for its unique persona with its special shops and architecture. It has an eclectic blend of businesses and definitely has something for everyone. Montrose boasts a luxury Victorian hotel built in 1923, but rooms are limited so you'll most likely want to stay in another more-traveler-friendly area and then drive or taxi over to Montrose for nighttime play.

Just north of Montrose is the West Gray area, known for great restaurants & shops. It's just a short drive north of Westheimer on Montrose.

If your visit does not require you close proximity to downtown Houston, we suggest staying west of Montrose, in the Galleria area. This area is a short drive or taxi ride away and offers a wide selection of hotels while still staying close to the gay-friendly Montrose area.

Downtown Houston's financial and business districts are just steps from many internationally renowned cultural destinations. Here you'll find modern hotels - for both business and pleasure seekers - featuring upscale amenities such as workout facilities, in-room movies, pools, cocktail lounges and 24/hour dinning.

No matter where you decide to stay, Houston offers some unique gay-friendly hotel options, and we invite you to browse our list below. If you already know what your style is - you can sort by hotel type on the left.


What to Do? Where to Go?

At 8,778 square miles, the Greater Houston Area covers more ground than any other major city in America. In fact, it is as big as the entire countries of Israel and El Salvador! That's a lot of space - and Houston fills it with a vast number of interesting and appealing sites and attractions:

The world-class and internationally recognized Theater District - a 17-block area in downtown's epicenter - provides venues for ballet, opera, theater companies, and symphony and Broadway performers. Nationally it ranks second to New York in terms of sheer numbers of concentrated theater seats in a downtown area.

In 2002, the new Hobby Center for the Performing Arts debuted and one year later, the Downtown Aquarium opened, offering up-close views of exotic marine life, seafood restaurants, a Ferris wheel, carousel and much more. Nearby, Bayou Place boasts live music, restaurants and a movie theater for passers-by who want to sample the infinite offerings.

Close by is Rice Village, home to prestigious Rice University. The Rice Village area is one of the most vibrant and exciting in Houston. Beautiful tree lined, residential streets surround the university. Great shopping and eating can be found at The Village which has more than 350 stores, including 70+ restaurants. The 16-block area has an eclectic mix of unique shops and designer boutiques.

And Rice Village is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to shopping. With a reputation as an international city, as well as its big-city appeal, Houston's shopping experience offers everything from popular department and chain stores to antiques and artisan crafts. In short, Houston is a gay man's shopping paradise.

Need proof? Check out The Galleria. With its stunning architecture, exceptional store mix and distinctive style of entertainment, The Galleria has established itself as the #1 shopping and tourist destination in Houston with over 24 million annual visitors. Set beneath spectacular glass atriums, The Galleria, features more than 375 fine stores and restaurants, a full-size ice rink, two high-rise hotels, two office towers and a variety of other amenities. Anchor stores include Neiman Marcus, Macy's, Saks Fifth Avenue and Nordstrom.

Other unique shopping experiences include Houston's European-style shopping center in Uptown Park which features a wealth of Old World charm and elegant stores. Also try the enchanting Victorian Old Town Spring Shopping Village which features more than 150 merchants offering home decor, art and antiques.

If you are feeling adventurous, visit The Houston Space Center which is considered Houston's #1 attraction. You can experience the feel of being in space and the low gravity of the moon. Launch a rocket. Feel a real moon rock-even meet some actual astronauts.

You might also enjoy the 1,500-acre Memorial Park, dedicated to the memory of the men who served in World War I. The park is located about three and a half miles west of downtown and it is the largest urban park in Texas boasting numerous drives, bridle paths, nature trails, and walks which wind through the park and the 265-acre Arboretum and Botanical Garden. The park features an 18-hole municipal golf course and clubhouse, a tennis center, swimming pool, baseball diamonds, and picnic grounds.

The Houston Zoo is essentially a small city housing over 4,500 animals and welcoming 1.5 million guests each year. The zoo is served by an offsite light rail station on the Red Line of the METRORail light rail system. Stop by and say hello to the new born orangutan! The Zoo is FREE on the following holidays: Martin Luther King Day, Memorial Day, July 4th, Labor Day, the Friday after Thanksgiving.



Dining in Gay Houston

Houston's restaurant scene is as ethnically diverse as its 4 million residents, so it's not surprising that visitors with appetites for international flavor leave the city with mouthfuls of good things to say about dining in Houston. From the cute little hole in the wall places that offer more taste than style, to the fine dining establishments where reservations are a must, the Houston restaurant scene has a wealth of options for the picky (and not so picky) eater.

From ethnic delights to down-home dishes, chances are you'll be able to find it here. What's more, most restaurants are located near the city's attractions like shopping or special event venues that make it easy to plan a day (or a night) filled with good food and fun. With roots in oil, cattle, shipping, and the Mexican-American war, today's Houston is a myriad of cultures - Southern, Western, Mexican-influenced, and International with its dozens of foreign consulates. With this comes a culinary feast from all around the world, making the dining experience delightful and never boring.

Houston is known for great food - and all types of cuisines - and for every budget. Whether you're looking for sushi, ribs, Mexican or good ole fashioned southern cooking � you can find it at a number of our gay friendly restaurants. For a list of gay friendly restaurants in Houston, be sure to visit the list that can be found under the City Directory on the left side of this page.

After a satisfying meal you'll want to burn off some energy in Houston's energetic nightclub scene. For a full listing of Gay Bars and Nightclubs in Houston - and their upcoming events, click on the "Bars and Nightlife" tab in the City Directory above.

When the night nears an end, we hope you will have the comfort of returning to your favorite gay friendly hotel where you can climb back in bed, fall fast asleep and arise the next morning to enjoy another full day of fun in Houston.

Gay Bars and Clubs in Houston

Dynamic and diverse, Houston's nightlife options abound. Houston, where you can roam between clubs that offer high-energy dancing, country western, bad boys, light shows, leather and lace, cruising and conversation. No one is left out by what is one of the hottest (literally and figuratively) night-life scenes found in any city, anywhere.

When you're ready for gay night-life, you'll most likely find yourself back in Montrose. About fifteen or so bars are located just in this area - most of which are within walking distance from each other. Start out at Pacific St. and work your way around until you find what you like. Because of it's year-round balmy weather, outdoor activities are as popular in November as they are in May, and you'll find numerous bars with patios and decks where you can enjoy your cocktails in the cool night breeze.

The bars offer something for everyone from laid-back neighborhood bars and vibrant drag lounges, to the expected country western dance bar and the unexpected trendy martini lounges and video bars. You might prefer a large neighborhood bar that has offers dancing, pool tables, or maybe you are in the mood for a more intimate piano bar. So check our list of gay bars - whatever your taste, Houston can satisfy!

Planning an upcoming trip to Houston? Check out our City Directory on the left margin of this page for a full listing on gay friendly hotels, hip restaurants, and even a list of gay friendly masseurs. Whatever your desire - you can find it in gay friendly Houston.

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