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South and west of downtown, South Inner Loop is home to the Museum District, Hermann Park, the main campus of the University of Houston, Rice University, the Texas Medical Center, and NRG Stadium.

This district is bounded by freeways I-45 on the east, I-69 on the north, and I-610 (the "loop") on the south and west.

Understand

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Get in

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Map
Map of Houston/South Inner Loop

Best ways to reach this part of Houston are Metro light rail trains, Metro city buses, and by car.

Train

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Houston's Metro light rail system is an easy, comfortable way to get to the Medical Center, Rice University, and Museum District. Trains run down the center of Main Street beginning as early as 4:30AM and running as late as 2:15AM.

Bus

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Several Houston Metrobus routes run through this part of the city. Use bus lines 1, 8, 34, 65, 87, 292, and 298. There is also a local trolley service for the Medical Center. Bus lines for this area connect to the Metro light rail train line at the TMC Transit Center at Fannin and Pressler. Bus stop locations and schedules are on the Houston Metro web site.

Car

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Houston is a sprawling city in which everyone drives everywhere. The Medical Center/Rice/Museum District area lies in between the Southwest Freeway (U.S. 59) and the South Freeway (TX 288).

  • From U.S. 59 southbound, exit Fannin, then head left
  • From U.S. 59 northbound, exit Greenbrier, then head right
  • From TX 288 either direction, exit McGregor
  • From I-610, exit Fannin and either head north, or use the Park and Ride lot and ride Metro

Street parking is available in much of this area, and there are public parking lots at the major museums, in Hermann Park, and around the Medical Center (the latter are most expensive).

See

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Museums

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  • 1 Children's Museum of Houston, 1500 Binz St, ☏ +1 713-522-1138. Tu-W 9AM-6PM, Th 10AM-8PM, F-Sa 9AM-6PM, Su noon-6pm. Fun, educational, hands-on museum featuring a whimsical courtyard with a rail caboose and a bayou river, and indoor exhibits with both a cultural and a scientific element. $12, Th 5PM-8PM free. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 2 Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, 5216 Montrose Blvd, ☏ +1 713-284-8250, . Tu-W 10A-7PM, Th 10AM-9PM, F 10AM-7PM, Sa 10AM-6PM, Su noon-6PM. Non-collecting museum with rotating exhibits focusing on the ever-changing landscape of today's visual arts. Free. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 3 The Health Museum, 1515 Hermann Dr, ☏ +1 713 521-1515, . Tu-W 9AM-5PM, Th 9AM-7PM, F-Sa 9AM-5PM, Su noon-5PM. Formerly known as the "Museum of Health and Medical Sciences", this museum is affiliated with the Texas Medical Center. Explore human anatomy, the life of a germ, the human genome, and more. $9 adults, $7 kids 3-12 and seniors, Th 2PM-7PM free. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 4 Holocaust Museum Houston, 5401 Caroline St, ☏ +1 713 942-8000, . M-F 9AM-5PM, Sa 10AM-5PM, Su Noon-5PM, Th 2PM-5PM free. Holocaust Museum Houston is dedicated to educating people about the Holocaust, remembering the 6 million Jews and millions of other innocent victims and honoring the survivors' legacy. Using the lessons of the Holocaust and other genocides, the Museum teaches the dangers of hatred, prejudice and apathy to tens of thousands of people worldwide each year. Not recommended for children under the age of 10. $12. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 5 Houston Museum of Natural Science, 5555 Hermann Park Dr., ☏ +1 713 639-4629, . 9AM-5PM. Permanent venues include the butterfly center, exhibit halls, planetarium, and IMAX theater, others vary by availability. Adult $25, Child $15, Thursday 2PM-5PM free, additional fees for shows and special exhibits. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 6 Museum of Fine Arts Houston, 1001 Bissonnet St, ☏ +1 713 639-7300, . Tu-W 10AM-5PM, Th 10AM-9PM, F-Sa 10AM-7PM, Su 12.15PM-7PM, M closed. Adult $15, youth (13-18) $7.50, 12 and under free, Thursdays free. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 7 Houston Maritime Museum, 2204 Dorrington St., ☏ +1 713 666-1910, . Tu-Sa 9AM-5PM. Great museum in a converted house. Lots of maritime history from the Spanish Conquest onward. Must see for history or sailing buffs. 13 and older $5, 3-12 $3, 2 and under free. (updated Mar 2016)
  • Menil Collection, 1533 Sul Ross, ☏ +1 713 525 9400. 11am-7pm, closed Monday and Tuesday. Eclectic and diverse collection of art and artifacts. The collection consists of about 17,000 works spanning all time periods and geographies. Popular cafe across the street. The lawns invite picnic relaxation under the towering magnolia trees. Free. (updated Jul 2022)

Other sites

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  • 8 Hermann Park, ☏ +1 713-524-5876, fax: +1 713-524-5887. Approximately 455 acres (about half the size of Central Park in New York City). George Hermann gave the parkland to the City of Houston in 1914. It is accessible via the MetroRail. Encompasses the Miller Outdoor Theater, the Houston Zoo, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the Hermann Park Golf Course. 
  • 9 Hermann Park Railroad, 6102 Hermann Park Dr, ☏ +1 713 526-2183. 10AM-5PM. The Hermann Park Railroad takes a two-mile, 18 minute journey around Hermann Park with three stops along the way. $3.25. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 10 Houston Zoo, 1513 N. MacGregor Dr, ☏ +1 713-533-6500, . 9AM-7PM. Mid-size zoo with several large animal exhibits worth visiting such as the gorillas and elephants. Visiting early in the day is advised as most of the zoo-keeper talks are before noon and the animals go into hiding if the day is hot. Adult $17, Child $13, 1st Tu of month Sept-May free. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 11 Hermann Park Golf Course, 2155 N. MacGregor Way, ☏ +1 713 526-0077. M-Th $ 18, F-Su $28. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 12 Japanese Garden, Main St & Sunset Blvd, Hermann Park (at the south end of the Reflection Pool), ☏ +1 713-284-8300. Mar 1-Oct 31: 9AM–6PM, Nov 1-Feb 28: 9AM–5PM. Designed by world-renowned Japanese landscape architect, Ken Nakajima, the garden was built to symbolize the friendship between the United States and Japan, and to recognize Houston's thriving Japanese community. free. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 13 Texas Medical Center. A sprawling medical complex which is home to some of the world's best hospitals. 

Do

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  • 1 Houston Texans, Two NRG Park, toll-free: +1 866 46-839267 (+1-866-GO-TEXANS), fax: +1 832-667-2191. Houston's National Football League (NFL) team plays at NRG Stadium in the South Loop area, next to the now-vacant Astrodome. 
  • Houston Cougars. Sports teams of the University of Houston, playing NCAA Division I sports mostly in the Big 12 Conference. As with most major universities, the hot-button sports are football and basketball, with men's basketball having periods of national prominence in the 1980s and 2020s. The most prominent venues are 2 TDECU Stadium (football) and 3 Fertitta Center (basketball). 
  • Rice Owls. Sports teams of Rice University, playing NCAA Division I sports mostly in the American Athletic Conference. Due largely to Rice's very high academic standards, football and basketball have been generally mediocre over the last few decades; baseball has been the most nationally competitive sport during that time. 4 Rice Stadium not only hosts Owls football in the fall, but also the Houston Roughnecks of the United Football League in the spring. The stadium also has a place in the history of the US space program, as John F. Kennedy made his famous "We choose to go to the Moon" speech here in 1962. Other significant venues are 5 Tudor Fieldhouse (basketball) and 6 Reckling Park (baseball). 
  • 7 Miller Outdoor Theater, 6000 Hermann Park Drive, in Hermann Park, ☏ +1 832 487-7102, fax: +1 713 942-0863. vary. Free professional theater offering a wide variety of shows in warmer months (which in Houston, span April through November). Hillside (lawn) seating is always free, some shows have ticket seating under the pavilion, varies by show. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 8 ZaSpa, 5701 Main St, ☏ +1 713-639-4566, . M-F 10AM-8PM Sa 9AM-8PM Su 9AM-7PM. A secluded, luxury spa located on the private 2nd floor of Hotel ZaZa Houston offering a variety of spa treatments for both men and women. Facilities include a pool and spa café. $60-295. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 9 Pedal Boats, 6102 Hermann Park Dr, ☏ +1 713 526-2183. F-Su 11AM-4PM. Pedal your way around the lake in Hermann Park. $10 per boat for 30 minutes. (updated Mar 2016)

Events & Festivals

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  • 10 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, 1 Reliant Parkway (NRG Park), ☏ +1 832 667-1000, . Month of March. NRG Stadium and NRG Park. Annually in March. The world's largest rodeo and includes rodeo events, calf scramble, and music concerts. It is known for its big-name music acts as much as it is for the rodeo. The livestock show attracts professional breeders who bring in their world-class livestock to be judged. There is also a carnival on the grounds. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 11 International Literature Festival Houston, 5216 Montrose Boulevard (Contemporary Art Museum of Houston & Rice University). Hosts a world class array of panels, authors, celebrities and entertainment for your enjoyment and enlightenment. Focuses on Hispanic literature. Held in October. 

Buy

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  • 1 Rice Village. Some of Houston's most eclectic shopping is in the small businesses of Rice Village, roughly between Kirby and Greenbrier and around Rice Blvd. and University Blvd. (updated Jul 2017)

Eat

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  • 1 Benjy's, 2424 Dunstan Rd, ☏ +1 713 522-7602, . Su-M 10:45AM-9PM, Tu-Th 10:45AM-10PM, F-Sa 10:45AM-11PM. Modern American dining. This is a favorite of many locals. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 2 Bombay Brasserie, 2414 University Blvd, ☏ +1 713-355-2000, . Lunch: M-F 11AM-2:30PM, Sa-Su 11AM-3PM, Dinner: M-Th, Su 5:30PM-10AM F-Sa 5:30PM-10:30PM. Indian cuisine. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 3 Croissant Brioche, 2435 Rice Blvd, ☏ +1 713-526-9188. French bakery. 
  • 4 El Meson, 2525 University Blvd, ☏ +1 713 522-9306, . Su noon-9PM, M-Th and Sa 11AM-10PM, F 11AM-11PM. Great choice when you're hungry for ropa vieja or any classic Cuban dish. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 5 Monarch Restaurant & Lounge, 5701 Main St, ☏ +1 713-527-1800. A fine dining option at Hotel ZaZa Houston serving seafood and steak entrees with Mediterranean flair. The Lounge is available for dancing and Monarch Terrace overlooks Main Street & Mecom Fountains. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 6 Lucille's, 5512 La Branch St,, ☏ +1 713 568-2505. Modern takes on Southern classics by a classically trained chef served in a cozy, vintage house. (updated Feb 2020)
  • 7 Bodegas Taco Shop, 1200 Binz St #160, ☏ +1 713 528-6102. Tex-Mex spot for build-your-own burritos, tostadas, tacos & salads, with a tequila bar & patio. (updated Feb 2020)

Drink

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  • 1 [formerly dead link] Kelvin Arms, 2424 Dunstan Rd, ☏ +1 713 528-5002, . Traditional Scottish pub atmosphere. Good variety of draft beers (including Belhaven), though their strong point is their outstanding selection of fine single-malt Scotch whisky. (updated Mar 2016)
  • 2 The Ginger Man, 5607 Morningside Dr, ☏ +1 713 526-2770, . M-F 2PM-2AM Sa-Su 1PM-2AM. Fun, casual pub atmosphere with an outstanding selection of microbrewed, regional, and import beers. Where else are you likely to find Youngs ales on tap alongside a Belgian kriek? Nothing beats relaxing out in the Ginger Man's courtyard with a chilly beverage on a warm Houston evening. (updated Mar 2016)

Sleep

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Budget

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  • 1 Houston International Hostel, 5302 Crawford St, ☏ +1 713 523-1009, . More of a large family house than a hostel, with bedrooms containing bunk beds for travelers. The house is in the downtown museum district so there is a lot to do within walking distance (Thursday is free museum day!) but it's in a residential area, so shops and restaurants are not immediately nearby. The bathrooms are shared and the facilities are clean. Hostel customs are observed at the hostel. (updated Mar 2016)

Mid-range

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Splurge

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  • 5 Hotel ZaZa, 5701 Main St, ☏ +1 713-526-1991. Upscale boutique hotel with an outstanding location next to Hermann Park and the Museum of Fine Arts Houston, with easy Metro access, elegantly appointed rooms, and an atmosphere of pampered luxury. 

Connect

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This district travel guide to South Inner Loop is a usable article. It has information for getting in as well as some complete entries for restaurants and hotels. An adventurous person could use this article, but please feel free to improve it by editing the page.
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