Overview
North Houston is known chiefly as the home of George Bush Intercontinental Airport, industrial parks, the busy office buildings of Greenspoint, and sleepy residential areas, but determined travelers will also find pleasant green spaces, cozy neighborhood eateries, and even some waterparks nestled among the towering pines of East Texas.
2 sights · 3 things to do · 4 places to eat · 1 bars & cafés · 5 places to stay
Updated from Wikivoyage on 1 October 2026 · Something wrong or missing? Improve it on Wikivoyage
Best things about North Houston
National Museum of Funerary History
A well-organized museum that contains informative displays and an extensive collection of items relating to historical funeral practices and customs including hearses through history, caskets and coffins, the history of …
Hurricane Harbor Splashtown
Great water park located in the suburb of Spring next to I-45.
Mercer Botanic Gardens
300 acres of landscaped gardens with native plants, butterflies, and water features.
The Texas Renaissance Festival
One of the nation's largest, most acclaimed Renaissance theme parks where the sights, sounds, tastes and beauty of the 16th century come alive every Saturday and Sunday for 8 weekends October through November, from 9AM t…
Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures
Aquatic center with colorful water slides, zip lines & splash pads, plus turtles & baby alligators.
Plan your trip
Best time to visit & weather
Most comfortable: Oct–Apr. Summer highs reach about 95°F; winter lows dip to about 44°F. Very hot (Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep) — plan outdoor time for mornings. Wettest: Jun and Oct. (climate data from nearby Houston)
Blue bars: average daily high and low (°F). Purple columns: average monthly rain and melted snow (inches).
Getting there
- From you: to see whether to drive or fly, and how long it takes.
- IAH George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston — 4 mi away (major hub). Directions
- HOU William P. Hobby Airport, Houston — 24 mi away (major hub). Directions
I 45 North and Highway 59 (soon to be I 69) and the Hardy Toll Road are your main arteries in North Houston. Beware that I 45 (also called the North Freeway) Is a traffic nightmare. Traffic information is at Transtar. Hwy 59 (Eastex Freeway) is usually less congested but again check Transtar before making plans. The Toll road is your best bet for a price. It uses the "Easy Tag" to prepay.
Full “Get in” guide ↓Budget & where to stay
No prices are listed for this place yet. See the Sleep guide ↓ for options.
Sample 1-day itinerary
Day 1
- Morning National Museum of Funerary History, Mercer Botanic Gardens, Hurricane Harbor Splashtown
- Lunch China One
- Afternoon Big Rivers Waterpark & Adventures, The Texas Renaissance Festival
- Dinner Brooklyn Pizzeria
- Evening Hoot County Saloon
Stops are grouped by area so each day needs little backtracking. Check opening hours before you go.
Food for you
Cuisine (tap to filter)
What to ask about, for your diet
Diet labels come from each listing's description and cuisine; “likely” means the cuisine usually has good choices, not a promise. Check with the restaurant. Open the food finder
Photos
Map
Every listing with a location. Tap a pin for its Google Maps link.
Get in
Go George Bush Intercontinental Airport
The airport is named after the 41st President of the USA, George H. W. Bush, the father of the 43rd President, George W Bush, despite the fact that the former only represented Texas for four years in the House of Representatives while the latter was a two-term governor of the state. The airport is located approximately 22 mi north of downtown Houston.
I 45 North and Highway 59 (soon to be I 69) and the Hardy Toll Road are your main arteries in North Houston. Beware that I 45 (also called the North Freeway) Is a traffic nightmare. Traffic information is at Transtar. Hwy 59 (Eastex Freeway) is usually less congested but again check Transtar before making plans. The Toll road is your best bet for a price. It uses the "Easy Tag" to prepay.
See
See National Museum of Funerary History
A well-organized museum that contains informative displays and an extensive collection of items relating to historical funeral practices and customs including hearses through history, caskets and coffins, the history of embalming and cremation, items relating to funerals of Presidents, Popes and celebrities.
Do
Buy
Shop Greenspoint Mall
A dismal, empty shell of a shopping mall that does its best business when an itinerant carnival sets up shop in its empty parking lot.
Eat
Eat Brooklyn Pizzeria
NYC-style pies & slices, plus Italian classics, subs & homemade desserts from a family-run pizzeria.
Eat Nee Hao
Chinese eatery serves huge portions of familiar dishes in a tiny interior.
Eat Porky's Backyard Food Truck Park
A family friendly food truck park and bar that is located in the northeast side of Houston.
Eat China One
A varied menu of classic Chinese dishes, plus weekday lunch specials, in unfussy environs.
Drink
Drink Hoot County Saloon
Relatively cheap drink prices, an outdoor patio area, and a jukebox.
Sleep
Stay Hilton Garden Inn Houston Northwest
This 171-room hotel is part of Chateau Court, a 13-acre mixed-use development that includes retail space and an office village. The rooms are equipped with work desks; speakerphones and high-speed Internet access. A hospitality center in each room includes a microwave, refrigerator and coffee maker. Iron/ironing board and hairdryer are also in all rooms. The hotel is decorated with slate flooring, leather chairs, cherry wood and hand picked French artwork.
Nearby
The Woodlands
City / town · 12 listings · 13 mi away
Pasadena
City / town · 4 listings · 23 mi away
Magnolia
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Stafford
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Sugar Land
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Katy
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Pearland
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Baytown
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My experience
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