Houston, Texas – Space, Swamps and a 0% Tip Mistake

The beginning of our Houston Stories series

Houston, Texas is not a city that tries to impress you with charm.

It was built on swamps.

It grew on oil.

And then it reached for space.

Fourth-largest city in the United States. Energy capital of the country. One of the most culturally diverse metropolitan areas in America.

And this is where our next Texas chapter began.

“Houston doesn’t ask if you can keep up. It assumes you will.”

A Quick Look at Houston’s History

Founded in 1836 and named after Sam Houston, the city started as little more than mud, humidity and ambition.

Its rise came with:

• The Houston Ship Channel
• The oil boom
• The petrochemical industry
• The space program

When NASA established the Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center here in the 1960s, Houston became more than a city. It became a symbol.

Today, Houston is business, sports, science and raw momentum combined.

Arriving from Dallas—Our Base in the City

We arrived from Dallas and checked into Tinsley on the Park Apartments near Gillette Street.

Perfect location:

• Close to Downtown
• Close to Buffalo Bayou
• Easy access to everything

The first day? Recovery mode.

Watching the skyline from above as night fell over Houston.

Downtown doesn’t glow softly.

It shines with intent.

NASA—One Giant “Wow” (Full Article Coming Soon)

Visiting NASA Johnson Space Center deserves its own dedicated story.

Rockets.

Mission Control.

Apollo history.

Future missions.

In the upcoming article, we’ll cover:

• What Mission Control actually looks like
• Whether the tram tour is worth it
• How much time do you really need
• What surprised us most

For now, just this:

It was pure “wow”.

Art Car Museum and a Minor Social Crime

Art Car Museum Houston

Houston can be industrial, futuristic and… completely unexpected.

The Art Car Museum proves that cars can be art. Lowriders covered in flames and mythology. Sculptures on wheels. Surrealism with horsepower.

And then came our cultural lesson.

At a café, when the screen asked about the tip, I chose 0%.

Only seconds later did I realise I had just committed a minor social crime.

In the U.S., tipping isn’t optional in spirit.

15–20% is standard.

Lesson learned.

Buffalo Bayou—Houston Slows Down

Houston isn’t all concrete and highways.

A walk along Buffalo Bayou Park reveals another side:

• Green space
• Joggers
• Skyline reflections
• Calm river flow

This deserves a full standalone article, and it will get one.

NBA Night—Houston Rockets vs Brooklyn Nets

Houston Rockets playing at Toyota Center, a major sports arena in Downtown Houston.

An evening at Toyota Center watching the Houston Rockets take on the Brooklyn Nets.

American sports is not just a game.

It’s a show.

Lights. Music. Crowd energy.

And yes—the Rockets won.

For a few hours, we weren’t just visitors. We were part of the spectacle.

Brazos Bend State Park—Looking for Alligators

Exploring Brazos Bend State Park

About an hour from Houston, the city fades into wetlands.

Brazos Bend State Park is quiet. Humid. Wild.

And yes, there are alligators.

Seeing one glide silently through the water changes your perspective instantly. You remember that you’re a guest in this ecosystem.

This isn’t a zoo.

There are no barriers.

Just distance, awareness and respect.

“Travel teaches humility. Sometimes all it takes is a pair of eyes above the water.”

Water Wall, Christmas Lights and Texas Scale

One of Houston’s most iconic photo spots.

Walking toward the Water Wall near Williams Tower turned into an unexpected experience.

We passed through a residential neighborhood—and coming from the UK, we were not prepared for the scale.

Massive driveways.

Front yards the size of small parks.

Houses that looked like movie sets.

It was Christmas season. Everything was covered in thousands of lights. Decorations everywhere. Over-the-top in the best possible Texas way.

Squirrels ran around without fear, almost climbing onto our shoulders.

It felt surreal. Cinematic.

On the way, we stepped into an Apple Store.

Huge. Minimalist. Almost no staff visible.

The contrast was perfect: festive excess outside, silent technology inside.

Houston at Night—Layers of a City

Downtown Houston at Night—Texas Skyline

Downtown shines with glass towers and corporate ambition.

And at their feet stands a modest church.

Small. Quiet. Still.

Houston may grow upward, but its foundations run deeper.

That was the moment we stopped just visiting — and started observing.

Galveston—Gateway to the Caribbean

About an hour from Houston lies Galveston.

From there, we boarded the Carnival Breeze for a Caribbean and Mexico cruise.

In the upcoming series, we’ll cover:

• What cruise life really feels like
• Whether sailing from Texas is worth it
• Our experience in Mexico

Houston became our gateway to the sea.

Texas on a Plate

After space centers, wetlands, and skyline walks, it was time for something essential.

A proper American burger.

Double beef. Melted cheddar. Crispy fries.

No minimalism. No pretence.

Houston doesn’t serve small portions.

It serves experiences.

“Travel isn’t only about what you see. It’s also about what you taste.”

Why Houston Stays With You

Houston is a city of contrasts.

Space and swamps.

Skyscrapers and churches.

Art and industry.

Alligators and NBA arenas.

It’s not romantic in a European way.

It doesn’t try to charm you.

It simply moves forward.

And that’s precisely why it stays in your head long after you leave.

This is only the beginning of our Houston Stories.

Because Houston isn’t a stop.

It’s a chapter.