Situated o­n a flat, almost featureless Gulf Coast plain, Houston sprawls from its center in vast tracts of subdivisions, freeways, office parks, and shopping malls. Many visitors are surprised by such green surroundings, but the climate is much the same as coastal Louisiana and Mississippi - warm and humid with ample rainfall. To take advantage of the year-round warm weather, Houston has 430 municipal parks and 165 golf courses.

Houston is the fourth most populated city in the United States. Not usually considered a tourist destination, most visitors come here for business or family reasons and are lured into playing tourists o­nly after getting here. Houston's society has a dynamism that is palpable and has brought a flood of newcomers from around the world, who have found it a welcoming city. It is also o­ne of the most family-friendly vacation destinations in the country, with many facilities and attractions created with families and children in mind. The city's welcome starts with a trolley system that takes you just about anywhere for FREE!