Houstonmetropolis of the south

Houston’s George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), 20 miles north of downtown, accounts for the majority of flights in and out of the area. Expect to pay a taxi fare of about $60 for what’s typically a 30-minute drive downtown. The older and smaller Hobby Airport, seven miles southeast of downtown, means a faster, less expensive (about $30) ride. Once downtown, the street grid is fairly easy to navigate. And although Houston can be overwhelming, understanding a handful of key neighborhoods helps. Find Montrose (the city’s arty neighborhood) west of downtown, and the Heights—where many restaurants and bars are located—northwest of downtown. Westheimer Road runs through the upscale River Oaks neighborhood to the newer shopping and hotels district around the Galleria, also known as Uptown.