Baytown, Texas (TX)

Houston Raceway Park

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About the Venue

The Park is situated on 440 acres.  The three story tower building incorporates 23 VIP suites, media center and race control facilities equipped with state-of-the-art timing and scoring equipment.

Houston Raceway Park's spacious, paved pit area holds approximately 400 racing rigs, with additional pit parking available on grass. The spectator parking lots have a capacity of over 10,000 cars, along with a special VIP parking area capable of holding an additional 600 vehicles.

The Park has a seating capacity of 30,000, with additional grandstand seating brought in during major events to accommodate reserved seat requests. HRP has modern, permanent rest room facilities and concession buildings, conveniently located near spectator seating on both sides of the race track.

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City Guide

 

Houston

Known around the world for NASA Space Center in the Clear Lake area and Texas Medical Center, Houston is also the proud home of several performing arts groups, professional sports teams, shopping destinations and great restaurants. Houston is broken into different neighborhoods. You can cross a street and walk into entirely different surroundings. Only by exploring Houston's diverse neighborhoods can you truly know this remarkable city.

Downtown

Downtown Houston, bounded by Interstate 45, Interstate 10 and U.S. 59, continues to evolve as the nucleus of the city.  Ten years ago, a downtown visitor may have wondered why the bustling business district was empty after 5 p.m.  No more.  Home to six professional sports teams, nine performing arts companies and a wide selection of restaurants and nightlife, the consensus is in.

Uptown

With its trademark stainless steel arches and colorful, lush plantings, coupled with shady live oaks, the Uptown Houston District is Houston’s shining star for shoppers.  Names like Nordstrom, Saks Fifth Avenue, Louis Vuitton, Versace, Chanel and Cartier lend a unique sophistication that makes Uptown one of the world’s greatest urban centers.

Montrose

“Montrose is a pocket of eccentricity and diversity where fine restaurants, antique stores, art galleries and some of the city’s top museums can be found.  But so can junk shops, tattoo parlors, tarot readers and vintage clothing boutiques. Coffeehouses and sidewalk cafes, a mishmash of architectural styles and large Hispanic and gay populations are also key ingredients or Montrose’s eclectic style.”  —The New York Times, 2002

The Heights

Century-old trees, peaceful walking paths, great shops and dining spots plus a wealth of architectural history comprise the charming Heights neighborhood. The well-groomed esplanade along Heights Boulevard offers a scenic 1.5-mile trail for joggers and walkers, with water stations for four-legged friends and a notable World War II Memorial at 11th Street.

River Oaks

River Oaks is Houston's most exclusive neighborhood, complete with white-columned mansions and manicured gardens. The area boasts of being the wealthiest neighborhood in Texas and has one of the wealthiest zip codes in the country. Real estate values range in from $1 to $20 million.

Rice Village Area

Minutes from the famed Texas Medical Center, family-friendly West University Place lies to the west, while tree-lined, residential grand dames Southampton and Southgate grace the east. They first sprang up to support Rice University and still thrive as Houston’s own version of the Ivy League.

Chinatown

Houston has the second-largest Indochinese population in the United States after Los Angeles.

Midtown

One of Houston’s trendiest neighborhoods, Midtown sits between downtown Houston and the Museum District.

What to Do

Hermann Park Conservancy (www.hermannpark.org)

Hermann Park, presented to the City of Houston by George Hermann in 1914, is Houston's most historically significant public green space. Over the years, the Houston Zoo, Miller Outdoor Theatre, the Houston Museum of Natural Science, and the first desegregated public golf course in the United States have all added to the Park's importance as a recreational destination. Some highlights include: Hermann Park Japanese Garden, Hermann Park Train (runs daily 10-5pm; $2.25), Miller Outdoor Theatre (www.milleroutdoortheatre.com), and Pioneer Memorial Log House Museum just to name a few. Located at 6201 A Golf Course Drive, Houston, TX 77030; (713) 524-5876.

Museum of Fine Arts (www.mfah.org)

The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is one of the largest art museums in America. There are two major museum buildings, the Caroline Wiess Law Building and the Audrey Jones Beck Building; two facilities for the Glassell School of Art, the Studio School for Adults and the Glassell Junior School; two house museums that exhibit decorative arts, Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens and Rienzi; the Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden; and 18 acres of public gardens.

The collection contains more than 56,000 artworks, which date from antiquity to the present. The major civilizations of Europe, Asia, North and South America, and Africa are represented. Italian Renaissance paintings, French Impressionist works, photographs, American and European decorative arts, African and Pre-Columbian gold, American art, and European and American paintings and sculpture from post-1945 are particularly strong holdings.  Check website for hours and current exhibit prices. Located at 1001 Bissonnet St, Houston, TX 77005; (713) 639-7300.

Houston Zoo (www.houstonzoo.org)

Set in a 55-acre lush tropical landscape, Houston Zoo is home to more than 4,500 exotic animals representing more than 800 species. The Zoo’s newest addition, the Ethel G. and Allen H. Carruth Natural Encounters Building brings Zoo guests nose to nose with meerkats, tamarins, otters, and colorful tropical fish. Get eye to eye with a prairie dog, see an eagle’s nest and watch a river otter slide down a muddy river bank at the John P. McGovern Children’s Zoo. Open daily, March 9-Nov 2, 9-7pm; Nov 3-March 8, 9-6pm. Adults, $10; kids (2-11), $5; kids (0-1), free; senior (65+), $5.75. Military discounts available. Located in the Hermann Park Conservancy at 1513 N. MacGregor, Houston, TX 77030; (713) 533-6500.

Museum of Natural Science (www.hmns.org)

Founded in 1909, the science museum is the nations fourth most highly attended science museum. Enjoy the Wortham IMAX Theater, Cockrell Butterfly Center, the Burke-Baker Planetarium, or one of the permanent exhibits. For information and show times, call (713) 639-IMAX. See website for hours. Adults $9; kids (3-11) $7; seniors (62+) $7. Located at One Hermann Circle Drive, Houston, TX 77030; (713) 639-4629.

Space Center Houston (www.spacecenter.org)

Space Center Houston is a place where people can experience space - from its dramatic history and exciting present to its compelling future. Space Center Houston is the only place on Earth that gives guests an out-of-this-world journey through human adventures into space. Space Center Houston's unparalleled exhibits, attractions, special presentations and hands-on activities tell the story of NASA's manned space flight program. SCH is the only place in the world where visitors can see astronauts train for missions, touch a real moon rock, land a shuttle, and take a behind-the-scenes tour of NASA.  Adults $18.95; kids (Age 4-11) $14.95; seniors: $17.95; parking: $5.00. 10-5pm Mon-Fri; 10-6pm Sat-Sun. Located at 1601 NASA Parkway, Houston, TX 77058; (281) 244-2100.

Armand Bayou Nature Center (www.abnc.org)

Experience first hand how Armand Bayou Nature Center is working to preserve the wetlands prairie, forest and marsh habitats surrounding Armand Bayou. Visit this astonishingly beautiful part of the Texas Gulf Coast and "reconnect with nature". Visitors can learn about our plant and animal inhabitants, bird-watch, hike on the Nature Center's trails or view our live animal displays of snakes, spiders, hawks and bison. A visit to the Center's Martyn Farm will take you back in time to late 1800's farm life in Texas. The Center consists of a boardwalk through the forest and marshes, live animal displays, educational signage, bison and prairie platforms, butterfly gardens and a 1800's farm site. Tue-Sat 9-5pm, Sun Noon-5pm, Closed Mondays. Adults, $3; Kids (4 and under), free; youth (ages 5-17), $1; seniors (ages 60 and older) $1. Located at 8500 Bay Area Blvd, Pasadena, TX, (281) 474-2551.

San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site (http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/spdest/findadest/parks/san_jacinto_battleground/)

The famous Battle of San Jacinto that brought Texas its independence was fought on this site. Because of the great importance of the Battle to the course of history, the battleground is of state, national and international significance, a fact that is attested to by the site's National Historic Landmark status. The primary purpose of the 1,200-acre site is to commemorate the Battle and to preserve the Battleground on which Texian troops under General Sam Houston achieved the independence of Texas by defeating a Mexican Army led by General Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna on April 21, 1836. Check website for prices and current exhibition hours. Located at 3523 Battleground Rd, LaPorte, TX 77571; (281) 479-2431.

Shopping

The Galleria (www.galleriahouston.com)

With its stunning architecture, exceptional store mix and distinctive style of entertainment, The Galleria has established itself as the #1 shopping and tourist destination in Houston with over 24 million annual visitors. Set beneath spectacular glass atriums, The Galleria features more than 375 fine stores and restaurants, an impressive ice rink and two Westin hotels. This world-class shopping complex showcases the best names in retailing including Neiman Marcus, Cartier, Gucci, Macy's, Tiffany & Co., Saks Fifth Avenue, The Sharper Image, Ralph Lauren Collection, Louis Vuitton and Houston's only Nordstrom. Open Mon-Sat 10-9pm; Sun 11-7pm. Located at 5085 Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77056; (713) 966-3500.

Rice Village (www.ricevillageonline.com)

Rice Village, also known as The Village, has been one of Houston's oldest and best-loved shopping destinations since the 1930s. Just two blocks from the Rice University campus, the area is known for its wide variety of restaurants, nightlife venues, and shopping. With over 300 shops in the immediate 16-block area, Rice Village has something for everyone and is known for its multitudes of small and eclectic shops and boutiques. Recent expansion in the area has also brought in high-end clothing stores and the nation-wide retail venues such as Chico's, Eddie Bauer, and Pier 1, to list a few. Located next to Rice University on the South West side of Houston.

Uptown Park (www.uptownparkhouston.com)

European elegance meets Texas style at Uptown Park. This is a lifestyle center like no other – Houston’s elegant Italian-style piazza. Catering to life’s indulgences, the center is lined with shops, boutiques and cafés that create an intimate atmosphere with an emphasis on charm. Lush with fountains, detailed architecture and lavish landscaping, the surroundings are warm and inviting. This is a place where shoppers can linger at intimate gathering spots, sip on a glass of wine, or stroll with a latte. 1131 Uptown Park Blvd. (Post Oak Blvd. @ Loop 610), Houston, TX; (713) 850-1400.