Rough-and-tumble East Houston is the city's beating, industrial heart - along with William P. Hobby Airport, you'll find the Houston Ship Channel and working-class neighborhoods (as made famous by John Travolta in the film Urban Cowboy) in the shadow of the somewhat alien landscape of oil refineries that line the shores. On closer inspection, though, East Houston is not so easily defined - here is also rich Hispanic culture (and eats!), Houston's namesake university (with surprisingly good student-run hotel and restaurant!), and off-the-wall live theater (bring the kids!).

See

• Battleship Texas and San Jacinto Battleground Monument (in San Jacinto State Park, Battleground Rd., LaPorte (From IH-610 east, take SH-225 east for 11 miles to Battleground Road (SH-134), continue north approximately 2 miles. Turn right on Park Road 1836 for the Monument or continue on SH-134 another mile to reach the Battleship.)). Open every day (closed for major holidays), 10-5 (battleship), 8-6 (monument). San Jacinto Monument is free. Tour a World World II battleship. The monument commemorates the battle at which Texas won its independence from Mexico. Adults $5, Children (6-18) $3, Children (5 and under) free. Senior discounts.. 

• Linh Son Pagoda (in Santa Fe (Texas)). Has a 50ft/15m high brilliant white statue of the Buddha, North America's largest. 

• Space Center Houston. Indoor fun space museum with lots of hands-on space-science exhibits and artifacts from the full history of U.S. space exploration. Highlights include the actual Apollo and Mercury launch vehicles, and a tour of astronaut training facilities. 

Do

• The Orange Show, 2402 Munger St (IH-45 South (Gulf Freeway to SH-35 (Telephone Rd) exit), ☏ +1 713 926-6368, fax: +1 713 926-1506, oranges@orangeshow.org. 10AM-5PM Sa-Su. One-of-a-kind attraction dedicated to the eccentric, artistic and scientific. Features the Beer Can House and annual Art Car Parade. $1. 

Buy

• Baybrook Mall, 500 Baybrook Mall (IH-45 South at Bay Area Blvd.), Friendswood, ☏ +1 281-488-4620. 10AM-9PM Mo-Sa, 11AM-7PM Su. 

Eat

• Chabuca's, 316 NASA-1, Webster, ☏ +1 281 554-8000, fax: +1 281 332-5029, reservation@chabucas.com. South American style food and buffet served in a great atmosphere. 

• Frank's Grill, 4702 Telephone Rd, ☏ +1 713 649-3296. One of the city's best places for a great breakfast on a budget. Texas size pancakes, a heaping plate of grits and the best bacon around. 

• Taqueria Del Sol, 8114 Park Place Blvd. Authentic Mexican food. 

• Tokyo Bowl, 2402 Bay Area Blvd, ☏ +1 281 480-5311. Japanese fast food. $10.