Flags Real Estate
22616 Loop 494
Kingwood, TX 77339
281-682-6389 (Cell), 281-359-5881 (Office)
e-mail: tracylee3888@tracyleerealty.com
Tracy Lee Supple
Welcome to the City of Houston Government Center.
Here you can apply for a job, pay traffic tickets and pay
water bills, find out about Houston events and the
Mayor's Office of Special Events, and learn about the City
government that serves you. See our mobile site. View
our homepage photo archive and send us your favorite
photo of Houston!
HOUSTON FACTS AND FIGURES
Houston is the fourth most populous city in the nation (trailing only New York, Los Angeles and Chicago), and is the largest in the southern U.S. and Texas.
The Houston-Galveston-Brazoria Consolidated Metropolitan Statistical Area (Houston CMSA) consists of eight counties: Brazoria, Chambers, Fort Bend, Galveston,
Harris, Liberty, Montgomery and Waller.
Founded in 1836, the City of Houston has a 2006 estimated population of 2.14 million, according to the U.S. Census Bureau -- www.census.gov.
Te metro area's population of 5.54 million in 2006 is 6th largest among U.S. metropolitan statistical areas, according to www.census.gov.
Estimated July 2006 Cities Population
New York
Los Angeles
Chicago
Houston
Phoenix
8,214,426
3,849,378
2,833,321
2,144,491
1,512,986
Estimated July 2006 Metro Area Population
New York, Northern New Jersey, Long Island
18,818,536
Los Angeles, Long Beach, Santa Ana
12,950,129
Chicago, Naperville, Joliet
9,505,748
Dallas, Fort Worth, Arlington
6,003,967
Philadelphia, Camden, Wilmington
5,826,742
Houston, Sugar Land, Baytown
5,539,949
Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Pompano Beach
5,463,857
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The Houston CMSA covers 8,778 square miles, an area slightly smaller than Massachusetts but larger than New Jersey.
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Houston's latitude is 29 degrees 45 minutes north and its longitude is 95 degrees 22 minutes west
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Houston is 43 feet above sea level
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The three-airport system served over 51 million passengers in 2006, including over seven million international travelers.
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If Houston were an independent nation, it would rank as the world's 30th largest economy
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The ACCRA Cost of Living Index shows that Houston's overall after-taxes living costs are 12 percent below the nationwide average, largely due to housing costs that are
26 percent below the average
Houstonians eat out more than residents of any other city. While here you can choose to indulge in one of the more than 11,000 restaurants ranging from award-winning
and upscale to memorable deli shops.
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Houston has a Theater District second only to New York City with its concentration of seats in one geographic area. Located downtown, the 17-block Theater District is
home to eight performing arts organizations with more than 12,000 seats.
Houston has a unique museum district offering a range of museums, galleries, art and cultural institutions, including the City's major museums.
Houston has more than 500 cultural, visual and performing arts organizations, 90 of which are devoted to multicultural and minority arts and is one of five U.S. cities that
offer year-round resident companies in all major performing arts
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More than 90 languages are spoken throughout the Houston area.
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Houston has professional teams representing football, baseball, mens and womens basketball, soccer, and AHL hockey.
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Houston is home to the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The largest rodeo in the world, it attracts more than 1.8 million visitors each year.
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Houston has among the youngest populations in the nation. The city has the third-largest Hispanic and third-largest Mexican population in the United States.
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Houston boasts more than 40 colleges, university and institutions - offering higher education options to suit all interests.
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Houston is home to the Texas Medical Center, the largest medical center in the world, with a local economic impact of $10 billion. More than 52,000 people work within its
facilities, which encompass 21 million square feet. Altogether 4.8 million patients visit them each year.
The Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown MSA's Gross Area Product (GAP) in 2006 was $325.5 billion, slightly larger than Austria's, Poland's or Saudi Arabia's Gross Domestic
Product (GDP).
When comparing Houston's economy to a national economy, only 21 countries other than the United States have a gross domestic product exceeding Houston's regional
gross area product.
Houston ranks second in employment growth rate and fourth in nominal employment growth among the 10 most populous metro areas in the U.S. In 2006, the Houston
metropolitan area ranked first in Texas and third in the U.S. within the category of "Best Places for Business and Careers" by Forbes magazine.
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Home to and more than 5,000 energy related firms, Houston is considered by many as the Energy Capital of the world.
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Houston's economy has a broad industrial base in the energy, aeronautics, and technology industries: only New York City is home to more Fortune 500 headquarters.
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The Port of Houston ranks first in the United States in international waterborne tonnage handled and second in total cargo tonnage handled. It is the tenth largest port in
the world.
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Houston City Hall
Houston Visitor Center
Memorial Park Golf Course
Houston Zoo
George Bush Intercontinental Airport
Our city's largest airport, George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH), joined the Houston Airport System in June 1969.
Bush Intercontinental is located approximately 23 miles north of downtown Houston, near the Sam Houston Tollway
(Beltway 8 North)
The airport is operated and maintained by the City of Houston Department of Aviation. The Houston Airport System
functions as an enterprise fund and does not burden the local tax base for airport operations, maintenance or capital
improvements.
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» More than 10,000 acres.
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» IAH currently ranks 3rd in the United States among U.S. airports with scheduled non-stop domestic and
international service (over 181 destinations).
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» 43 million passengers through IAH in 2007 and 52 million passengers through IAH and HOU.
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» Nearly 700 daily departures at IAH.
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» With 31 destinations in Mexico, IAH offers service to more Mexican destinations than any other US airport.
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» 8th busiest airport in the U.S. for total passengers (from ACI-NA, 2006 N. Amer. Traffic Report).
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» 6th busiest airport in the world for total aircraft movements (ACI-NA World Traffic Report 2006).
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» 8th largest international passenger gateway in the nation (ACI-NA World Traffic Report 2006).
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» 17 passenger airlines.
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» 5 passenger terminals.
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» Terminal E for international travelers.
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» 13 all-cargo airlines at IAH, handled more than 837 million pounds of cargo in 2007.
NASA
"Houston" was the first word spoken from the moon.
The Johnson Space Center (JSC) is located in the Clear Lake area, about 25 miles
south/southeast of downtown Houston, via Interstate 45 South, NASA Road 1 exit.
From the early Gemini, Apollo and Skylab projects to today's International Space Station and Space Shuttle
Programs, JSC continues to lead NASA's efforts in human space exploration. JSC nurtures ties with leaders in
business, community and education, both locally and around the world, to make available the knowledge and
advances achieved through space exploration research.
Space Center Houston, NASA's Official Visitors Center features actual spacecraft, like the Mercury, Gemini and
Apollo capsules, and a walk in space through state-of-the-art simulators. Visitors also see behind-the-scenes tours
of the famed Johnson Space Center and a huge display of space flight hardware and astronaut memorabilia.
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Follow the Fossil Hunt
Follow the fossil evidence with the Houston Museum of Natural Science paleontology dig team. As part of an ongoing Museum
research project, the HMNS Paleontology department frequently digs for 290-million year old fossils in Seymour, TX. Led by
Visiting Curator of Paleontology Dr. Robert T. Bakker, they have uncovered hundreds of fossils from creatures that came even
before the dinosaurs – including almost-complete skeletons of the fearsome Dimetrodon. For the first time, you can get an inside
look into their research in straight-from-the-field posts on their blog, Prehistoric CSI.
This limited-time blog is a daily record of discoveries from their most recent dig trip, Nov. 5 – 12, 2007; it also includes
descriptions of all the species they’ve found as well as the questions they are trying to answer about prehistoric ecology.
Houston 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. Downtown is FUN.
Downtown Development
Since 1999, public and private investors have spent nearly $5 billion to revitalize downtown. This includes a
light rail system to make public transportation around the city much more accessible and convenient. Two
sparkling new sports stadiums—Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, and Toyota Center, home
to the Houston Rockets, Comets and Aeros. An expansion of the George R. Brown Convention Center,
which virtually doubled its space, and the development of the 1,200-room Hilton Americas-Houston Hotel,
connected via skywalk to the George R. Brown Convention Center. There has been a resurgence in boutique
hotels—four have opened in downtown since 2002.
The entertainment hub on Main Street between Preston and Congress is now filled with restaurants, bars and
clubs. Buffalo Bayou, the slow-moving waterway that winds through downtown, offers an aesthetic
component—a $15 million beautification project added lighting, landscaping and hike and bike trails.
Where to Stay
The most difficult part of spending a weekend in downtown is choosing your hotel—there’s something for
every taste. Budget travelers should try either of the two new Marriott properties, located in the historic
Humble Oil building right on the light rail line. The Courtyard by Marriott and Residence Inn by Marriott
both offer affordable rates. Those willing to splurge have much to choose from. The Four Seasons Houston
is a classic, complete with the Four Seasons’ signature outstanding service. Traditionalists who prefer a smaller property would
like The Lancaster, a small luxury property in the heart of the Theater District that is frequently found on Travel + Leisure’s “Best
Hotels” list. For something a little funkier, try the Alden-Houston Hotel, chicly decorated in browns and creams, or the Hotel
ICON, with a grandness representative of the early 1900s, when the building was used as a bank. Don't miss the rooftop pool at
the Magnolia Hotel. Baseball lovers shouldn’t miss the Inn at the Ballpark, a luxury hotel themed in baseball tradition. Book
ahead during Astros game—the hotel fills quickly, and the hotel bar is a popular pre- or post-game spot. The Hilton AmericasHouston is much more than a convention hotel, although it can be difficult for leisure travelers to find a room, due to an influx of
bulk business since the hotel opened in 2004.
What to Do
Families shouldn’t miss the Downtown Aquarium, a recent addition to the downtown scene. This 500,000gallon under-water adventure complex includes a Ferris wheel, an aquatic carousel, Shark Voyage, a white
tiger exhibit and a restaurant. Families could easily spend half a day at the aquarium, so
plan accordingly.
Catch a performance in Houston’s renowned Theater District, which spans 17 blocks.
Houston is one of only a few U.S. cities with permanent professional resident companies
in opera (Houston Grand Opera), ballet (Houston Ballet), music (Houston Symphony)
and theater (Alley Theatre), so there are plenty of options. The five performing arts
venues in the Theater District are also home to musical theater troupes Theatre Under
the Stars and Broadway in Houston and innovative local groups like Uniquely Houston, Dominic Walsh
Dance Theater and Da Camera.
Tickets to professional sports events are available year-round in Houston. The Houston Astros led their city
to back-to-back National League Wild Card victories in 2004 and 2005 and continued on to the World Series
after becoming 2005 National League Champions. Winners of back-to-back NBA championships in 1994
and 1995, the Houston Rockets continue to be top competitors in the Western Conference of the NBA. The
NBA's tallest All-Star, 7-foot-6-inch Yao Ming, keeps the fans on their feet during the exciting games—from
Houston to New York to Beijing! Houston's wildly popular women's basketball team, the Houston Comets,
won the first-ever WNBA championship in 1997, repeating the feat for the next three years. Top players like
Sheryl Swoopes and Tina Thompson keep fans coming back to the Toyota Center for more. The Houston
Aeros, a member of the American Hockey League, brought the International Hockey League's Turner Cup
home to Houston in 1999, and then claimed the AHL's Calder Cup in 2003. The Aeros are the primary AHL
affiliate of the Minnesota Wild and the secondary affiliate of the Dallas Stars.
Where to Eat
You’ll find everything from fine dining to great pizza in downtown Houston. Traditional favorites include Zula,
with New American cuisine and Las Vegas-style décor; Cabo, a Mexican eatery with one of the city’s best
balcony’s; Frank’s Pizza, popular with the bar crowd due to its 3 a.m. closing time; and Artista, a South
American restaurant inside the Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, which is popular before and after
performances. Mexican food lovers shouldn’t miss Irma’s, only open for breakfast and lunch. Known for
having no menu, memorable lunches include fajitas, center-cut pork chops with ancho chili sauce, spinach
enchiladas and, of course, the fresh-squeezed lemonade. Hotel restaurants have become increasingly
popular in recent years. BANK is located in the Hotel ICON. 17, at the Alden-Houston Hotel, is known for
its unique décor and out-of-this-world short ribs. Skyline Bar & Grill, on the 24th floor of the Hilton
Americas-Houston, has become a popular spot for engagements. Quattro, at the Four Seasons, continues to entice with its
Italian cuisine, popular brunch and “dinner and a movie” events, with dishes inspired by movies like Chocolat and Sideways.
Going Out
Main Street has become Houston’s hub for nightlife. Pubs like Slainte, Shay McElroy’s and the Flying
Saucer Draught Emporium are popular with beer lovers, while La Carafe, Houston’s oldest bar, is a
romantic date spot. Rub shoulders with politicos on the balcony of the State Bar, inside the Rice Lofts
Building, or listen to live jazz at Sambuca or Red Cat Jazz Café. Warren’s is famous for their martinis.
Underground
If you’re in town during the week, and you are wondering why there aren’t more
people on the street, it’s because they are all underground. The 6.3-mile Houston
Tunnel System connects office buildings throughout downtown. Inside the tunnel,
mainly used for office works Monday-Friday during business hours, you’ll find restaurants, coffee
shops, newsstands, dry cleaners, salons, shops—anything you could possibly need during your work
day.
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Houston 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. With more than 5 million square feet of retail space, Uptown Houston offers
discriminating shoppers more than 1,000 retail stores. 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.
It’s hard to miss the fourth largest retail complex in the U.S. and Houston’s most-visited destination,
The Galleria. Shop or stroll to your heart's delight at the vast variety of venues. Discover elegant
timepieces and jewelry in 18k white and yellow gold at Movado. And fashion aficionados can’t
resist the high style of Barney’s New York Co-op, Bvlgari, CH Carolina Herrera, Giorgio
Armani, Gucci, Versace and Yves Saint Laurent. How about shopping The Met without visiting
New York? Explore the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s store for reproductions and adaptations and
maybe take home the Sphinx of Hatshepsut.
The Galleria offers more than 375 stores to meet the needs of almost any shopping quest. And, its indoor ice rink draws
spectators and seasoned skaters, especially during the holiday season when the addition of a towering 55-foot Christmas tree
dazzles with 100,000 twinkling lights.
Uptown’s Pinto Ranch answers the call for designer Western attire and accessories. Buckles from the finest of silversmiths
teamed with Lucchese’s unmatched quality in bootmaking are housed in one convenient location on Uptown’s grand Post Oak
Boulevard.
With 12 major retail centers, it’s hard to decide where to begin. Don’t miss the beautiful Europeanstyle Uptown Park, a destination in itself. Intertwined throughout a graceful piazza, stores like
Lucho with its Italian fabrics and hand-stitched design offer unmatched European class.
McCormick and Schmick’s seafood specialties and Arturo’s homemade Italian medleys open
their doors to rescue hungry shoppers.
Gourmet dining in the area doesn’t stop there. Café Annie, Arcodoro,
Morton’s of Chicago, Grand Lux Cafe and Capital Grille are all outstanding options for fine
cuisine. Notable hotel restaurants in Uptown include bistro moderne at Hotel Derek and Noe at
the Omni Houston Hotel.
The Westin Galleria and Westin Oaks (The Galleria’s AAA four-diamond
hotel) await when your weary feet are ready to call it a day. Check into one of
the 487 amenity-filled rooms or treat yourself to the Presidential Suite, which
features more than 3,000 square feet of luxury complete with multiple master bedrooms, a lounge, parlor,
and plenty of room for Texas Hospitality.
Uptown Houston boasts numerous upscale hotels to choose from. The ultra-hip Hotel Derek shines
with cosmopolitan flair. The newly opened Hotel Indigo boasts chic beach house appeal, while the
luxe Granduca oozes old-European elegance. The JW Marriott and Intercontinental Hotel also
are convenient and luxurious options. For the ultimate indulgence, book a room at the Omni
Houston Hotel, a secluded AAA five-diamond property. Fitness enthusiasts may prefer The
Houstonian Hotel, Club & Spa’s 18 wooded acres, complete with a giant fitness center the awardwinning Trellis Spa.
Uptown’s fashionable evening scene includes the Buddha Bar on Sage Road, Bar Annie at Cafe Annie, Post Oak Grill, The
Belvedere at Uptown Park and Ringside at Sullivan’s on Westheimer.
For a break from the full-tilt shopping, dining and nightlife, make your way to the Water Wall at Post Oak
Boulevard and Hidalgo. Watch in amazement as 11 million gallons of water rush down the 64-foot water
feature each minute. And bring the camera—it’s the most photographed site in Houston.
Houston Chinatown
In 1965, the Chinese community in Houston numbered just 2,500, but by 2000, that population had
grown to 25,000. Today, Houston has the second-largest Indochinese population in the United
States after Los Angeles.
The population boom has resulted in an impressive number of Asian cultural destinations in the
Houston area. Houston is home to not one, but two Chinatowns. The original is just east of
downtown. The larger is situated southwest of downtown along Bellaire Boulevard. Considered
“the new Chinatown,” the major Chinese restaurants, markets and shopping plazas concentrated in
the Bellaire area include Hong Kong City Mall and nearby Ocean Palace restaurant.
Hong Kong City Mall is one of the largest Asian indoor malls in the U.S.
The more than 20 restaurants and cafes, along with a multitude of shops,
resemble a small city. The beautiful Asian architecture, colorful gardens,
fountains filled with lily pads and an enormous parking lot makes it a
centerpiece for the Houston Asian community.
experience authentic dim
restaurant is often filled with
extensive dim sum
scale structure offers views
a peaceful counterpoint to
dim sum expert, ask a
to help you enjoy the
Ocean Palace is a great place to
sum. The enormous two-story
Chinese locals who enjoy the
selection and full menu. The grandof Hong King City Mall’s lily pond for
the bustling scene. If you are not a
waiter to explain the day’s offerings
culinary and cultural journey.
A few blocks west, the serene Jade Buddha Temple covers two and
several buildings, and features a lotus pond with a statue of Kwanaddition to serving the religious and spiritual needs of its members,
Buddhist study and research center for local schools and
a half acres and consists of
Yin as its centerpiece. In
the temple functions as a
universities.
Also in the area, numerous shopping plazas feature Chinese and
other Asian restaurants, plus
Chinese groceries, films, souvenirs and the offices of the Chinese
Merchants’ Associations. Look
for the Chinese street signs when driving down Bellaire Boulevard between Boone and Fondren.
In addition to Chinatown developments, Chinese cultural highlights can be found across the city. Forbidden Gardens, west of
Houston in Katy, is an incredible outdoor museum replicating some of China’s major historic scenes, most notably, the 6,000piece terra-cotta army of China’s first emperor, which is replicated in 1/3 scale.
For an insightful experience, take the Chinese Community Center’s Asian Heritage Tour.
Houston 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.
Nestled around the southern edge of Memorial Park, River Oaks was established by Will and Mike
Hogg, the sons of former Texas Governor James Hogg.
Spend a day shopping at the River Oaks Shopping Center, the oldest
shopping center in Texas and the second oldest in the nation. Nationwide retail stores such as Gap and
Ann Taylor sit alongside higher-end shops like Sûr la Table, Events, La Mode Lingerie and Chase’s
Closet, an upscale children’s clothing boutique owned by Tionne "T-Boz" Watkins of R&B group TLC. In
addition to the 38 stores and 15 restaurants, the center is also home to the legendary River Oaks Movie
Theatre, which brings a small town feel to the age of the megaplex.
You can find classic cocktails at the infamous Marfreless bar, which is recognized only by a blue door.
Walk across the street to Sherlock’s Pub for a pint of beer, live music and the longest happy hour in
Houston.
Dine at one of Houston’s many award-winning restaurants. Grab a table on the
patio at Backstreet Café for the best people watching and a menu full of Chef
Hugo Ortega’s creations. Armandos offers white tablecloth Tex-Mex ideal for
trendsetters and River Oaks socialites. Or enjoy the inviting atmosphere of local
eatery Palazzo’s, cooking up classic Italian dishes.
Need a place to stay? The St. Regis offers a seductive escape to comfort, quality and elite
surroundings. This luxury hotel was rated the No. 1 business hotel in Houston by Travel + Leisure
(2004). Be sure to visit The Remington at the St. Regis for innovative New American fare. The
Remington ranked in a Zagat Survey as one of the top 100 hotel restaurants in America, based on
food quality, decor and service (2006).