Neartown is a general name for the lively area that encompasses the neighborhoods just west of Downtown. It is bounded by I-69/US-59 to the south, I-45 to the east, and Allen Parkway (adjacent to Buffalo Bayou Park) to the north. The western boundary is approximately Shepherd Drive.
. . . Houston/Neartown . . .
Both a street name and a neighborhood, Montrose is Houston’s longtime home to a large portion of its LGBT community. Due mainly to gentrification, Montrose has slowly transformed from a quirky, artsy, affordable cluster of 1920s bungalows to a more upscale, commercial, artsy neighborhood (although there are still plenty of quirkiness and bungalows!). Montrose is one of the few places in the city where walking is common, but with an August average afternoon high temperature of 92 with 54% humidity, one might find a car the better solution during the summer.
Midtown experienced serious redevelopment in the 1990s and is now home to many of Houston’s young professionals, newer restaurants and bars/clubs. The nightlife here is hip and very vibrant.
- 1 Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM), 3816 Caroline St, ☎+1 713 942-8920, e-mail: info@buffalosoldiermuseum.com. M-F 10AM-5PM Sa 10AM-4PM, Th 1PM-5PM. Located in the historic Light Guard Armory, the BSNM is dedicated to the brave men and women of color who courageously served in every great American war and military campaign, offering a complete look at African American military history from 1770 to 2000 (the Revolutionary War to the Persian Gulf War) with interactive multimedia exhibits. The BSNM is an active participant in National Veteran projects, such as the Veterans’ Registry Program. Admission: $10, students, seniors,, military – $5. (updated Mar 2016)
- 1 Chinese Consulate Building, 3417 Montrose Blvd. The only Chinese consulate in the southern United States, this building has been magnificently constructed to reflect the architecture of China. Regular protests are held in front of the building by Tibet supporters living in Houston.
- 1 Diverse Works, 3400 Main Street (METRORail Ensemble/HCC station), ☎+1 713 223-8346, e-mail: Tickets@diverseworks.org. noon-6 Wed-Sat. Alternative artwork center. Varies, some free..
- 1 Menil Collection, 1515 Sul Ross, ☎+1 713 525-9400. The private family collection of John and Dominique de Menil, consisting of 20th Century modern masterpieces, open to the public Wednesday through Sunday from 11-7. The museum building is the centerpiece of a neighborhood featuring satellite gallery spaces and related cultural institutions set in a park-like setting. It boasts a large group of surrealist works and includes a special room devoted to the objects that the Surrealists themselves collected, which inspired many of the works on view. Free admission.
- Rothko Chapel, 1409 Sul Ross, ☎+1 713 524-9839. 10AM-6PM Daily. The Rothko Chapel, founded by John and Dominique de Menil, was dedicated in 1971 as an intimate sanctuary available to people of every belief. A modern meditative environment inspired by the mural canvasses of American abstract expressionist Mark Rothko, the Chapel welcomes thousands of visitors each year, people of every faith and from all parts of the world. free.
- Chapel of St. Basil, St. Thomas University, 1100 West Alabama. Built in 1997 by architect Philip Johnson, this is a very unusual building, with a big golden dome and a black belfry built into a wall. There is a labyrinth next to the building. Generally, the campus area is not especially rich for architectural gems but is green and cheerful.
. . . Houston/Neartown . . .