Moon Over Houston

Sam Houston statue, Hermann Park, pointing to moon and San Jacinto

Double Shots

When they opened in 1991, the twin octagonal towers of the St. Luke’s Medical Tower became an instant landmark in the Texas Medical Center in Houston, with their spires resembling twin syringes ready for injections.

Williams Tower (blue)

When it opened in 1983, the 64-story Williams Tower in the Galleria area quickly became an iconic Houston landmark.

Lone star full moon rising

The State of Texas and the City of Houston owe their very existence to the 18-minute battle of San Jacinto on April 21, 1836, during which the Texian Army led by General Sam Houston defeated the Mexican army of General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna. To commemorate the centennial of the victory, the state built the San Jacinto Monument on the battlefield site. Topped with a 34-foot Lone Star – the symbol of Texas – the 567-foot tall monument is the world's tallest masonry column.

Reaching for the moon

Riders on the Cyclone at Historic Galveston Pleasure Pier reach speeds of 25 miles per hour as they circle around on the 60-foot tall looping roller coaster. And then they do it backward.

What a ride # 1

While it can’t compare to a real rocket ride, the Iron Shark Rollercoaster at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier provides riders with a thrilling, heart-stopping experience.

Tipping Point

While it can’t compare to a real rocket ride, the Iron Shark Rollercoaster at Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier provides riders with a thrilling, heart-stopping experience.

Here be dragons

The Chinese dragon has long been a potent symbol of auspicious power in Chinese folklore and art. At Pleasure Pier on Galveston’s Seawall the flying Sea Dragon uses the powers of speed and g-forces to create fear among riders.

Swinging for the moon

The Texas Star Flyer at the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier reaches speeds of more than 40 miles per hour as riders swing in a 98-foot circle and get a bird’s eye view of the Gulf of Mexico and the moon above.

No sea of tranquility

The Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier -- stretching 1,130 feet over the water -- has become one of the island’s top attractions since it opened in 2012.

Crown Jewel # 1

Visible for miles along Interstate 10 in west Houston, the Memorial Hermann Memorial City Hospital features a distinctive architectural crown on the top six floors.

Moonrise over Houston Astrodome

Silent vigil: Honoring America's Armed Forces

Freedom Park, located in George H.W. Bush Park in far west Houston, honors each branch of America’s Armed Forces. The monument, capped by the Texas Lone Star, is similar in design to the historic San Jacinto Monument east of Houston.

Williams Tower in the Magritte style

When it opened in 1983, the 64-story Williams Tower in the Galleria area quickly became an iconic Houston landmark.

Moonrise over downtown Houston along Allen Parkway

Houston: First word from the moon #5

The statue of Gen. Sam Houston in Hermann Park is positioned to point to the San Jacinto battlefield where Houston led the Texas army to victory over the Mexican army 1836. The City of Houston was established a few months later and named in his honor. Houston became the first word from the moon in 1969 when Apollo 11 commander Neil Armstrong contacted Mission Control to confirm: “Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.”

Statue of Sam Houston in Hermann Park

Mockingbird on windmill at Johnson Space Center

Downtown Houston near Eleanor Tinsley Park

Longhorn in pasture at Johnson Space Center