Walking Tours
Houston is not an ideal city to walk around, but visitors who are interested in the architecture and culture of the city can join one of the monthly Sunday walking tours which are offered by the Greater Houston Preservation Alliance (tel: (713) 216 5000; website: www.ghpa.org). The tours vary each month, so keen walkers should telephone for details and departure point information. Discover Houston Tours (tel: (713) 222 9255; website: www.discoverhoustontours.com) also offers a variety of walking tours in Downtown, the Museum District, the Historic District and the Tunnel System. Reservations are required.

Alternatively, both Memorial Park and Buffalo Bayou have jogging trails that are ideal for getting some fresh air. The views of the Downtown skyline are spectacular from the Buffalo Bayou.

Bus Tours
Houston Tours (tel: (713) 988 5900; website: www.houstontours.com) has a year-round city sightseeing tour. A minimum of three passengers is required. The tour passes through Downtown, the Theater District, the Museum District, the Texas Medical Center and includes the Water Wall, the Galleria and River Oaks area. Houston Tours also operates a tour to the Space Center Houston. Pick up for tours is from all major hotels inside Loop 610.