One Of Houston's Best Neighborhoods Is A Lively Urban Hub With Skyline Views And Global Restaurants

Houston, with a population rapidly approaching 2.4 million residents, according to the U.S. Census Bureau, is packed with many great neighborhoods, both urban and suburban. One of the city's best neighborhoods, lively Midtown, is an urban hub with killer skyline views.  While this trendy neighborhood may not be home to Houston's oldest restaurant, visitors can choose from plenty of world-class dining options.

Midtown is sandwiched between downtown Houston and the Museum District. At its center is Main Street, where the light rail transports residents to nearby neighborhoods as well as other parts of the city. There's no shortage of green spaces in this H-town neighborhood; Midtown has a dozen parks, with a dozen more within an easy quarter-mile walk. In total, the area boasts over 140 acres of meticulously landscaped parks perfect for having outdoor fun or simply relaxing. 

Cultural experiences abound in Midtown, too. It has more than 20 murals and art galleries. Visitors can catch spectacular dance, music, and theatrical performances at the Midtown Arts and Theater Center Houston, or enjoy dramas, comedies, and musicals at the Ensemble Theater. Art shows, live performance events, and food festivals are popular events for residents and visitors alike. Midtown is easy to reach. Guests can fly into one of two major Houston airports (Hobby or George Bush Intercontinental) and drive from there.  After a full day exploring Houston and admiring H-Town's after-dark skyline views, you'll probably be ready to get some sleep.

As you expect from a large metropolis, Houston has plenty of hotels, B&Bs, and short-term rentals available to guests. The Maison Midtown may not be as swanky as the Houstonian in the city's Memorial neighborhood, but it is still an amazing place to call home while in the area. The building was patterned after New Orleans architecture, and all rooms in the three-story-bed-and-breakfast have whirlpool tubs, walk-in showers, bath robes, and stunning views of the downtown skyline. A Southern-style breakfast is served in a cozy parlor downstairs.

Restaurants choices are virtually unlimited in the Midtown neighborhood of Houston, a walkable community saturated with dining options for every meal (and snack) of the day. Brennan's of Houston has been a fixture in Midtown since 1967. It offers Texas Creole dishes and hosts a Creole Jazz Brunch every Sunday. The dress code for the dining room is business casual, though casual clothing is allowed in the bar and courtyard.

Midtown also boasts globally inspired restaurants, allowing guests to taste dishes from around the world. Jinja Ramen Bar prides itself on authentic ramen dishes with handcrafted noodles and broths that have been slow-simmered to perfection for 20 hours. Traveler's Table offers a globally diverse menu, featuring Nigerian suya skewers, Norwegian salmon, Caribbean braised oxtails, and Argentinian-style tenderloin. Dove's Restaurant features a fusion of Southern and Asian flavors, with menu items such as Cantonese calamari and Bao sliders. Midtown's variety of global and fusion restaurants reflects its diverse, multi-cultural population.

Unofficially known as one of Houston's "party 'hoods", the Midtown section of this city is home some of Houston's most vibrant nightclubs, dive bars, and cocktail bars. It is safe to say Midtown contributed to the city's title as the sixth largest party city in the country. Beer lovers flock to Axelrad Beer Garden to enjoy an evening outside, chilling in a hammock, or joining friends at a table. The spot is dog-friendly, and children are allowed until the venue switches up to 21 and up later in the evening. Although the beer garden shares a patio with a pizza place, and there are food trucks and pop-ups onsite, guests are allowed to bring in outside food. 

Prefer wine to beer? 13 Celsius has you covered. Named for the optimal temperature to store wine, this wine bar has high-quality wine selections, charcuterie boards, and small bites. It even hosts live music on occasion. The Dogwood seemingly has it all: Craft beers, top-notch cocktails, tons of whisky options, and an extensive wine list. Best of all, you can enjoy your drink on their rooftop patio. Little Woodrow's is a laid-back sports bar offering beer buckets, beer flights, whisky and scotch, and a patio seating area with misting fans, swings, and televisions. The bar also occasionally hosts crawfish boils, fight nights, turtle racing, and "belly flop" competitions. 

Jethro's Cocktail Lounge strikes a balance between up-scale and casual. Guests can enjoy their drinks in the lounge or on the patio. Jethro's is known for its specialty drinks and yummy smashburgers. No matter what type of drinking establishment you are looking for, you will find your perfect match in Midtown — there's truly something for everyone. if you have a little bit of extra time, be sure to visit one of Houston's most unique sights, the Texas Temple.