This Surprising Southern City Is Breaking All-Time Tourism Records

“Metropolis” is a word you can only throw around so much.

Famed chef and world traveler Anthony Bourdain once proclaimed there are only 2 metropolises in the U.S. — New York, obviously, followed by Chicago.

But there are many sprawling cities worthy of being mentioned, including Los Angeles, and the 4th largest city in America.

Size doesn’t always matter when it comes to choosing your next getaway. That’s why we at Travel Off Path have revealed numerous charming small towns worthy of the big stage over the years, especially around the South.

Deep in the heart of Texas lies the South’s largest city, and while some use it as a gateway to reach delightful small town getaways, there’s more than meets the eye in the surprisingly diverse melting pot of Houston, as it’s been reported to have another record-breaking year for tourism.

Business Or Pleasure?

When you picture Houston, what do you think?

If you’ve visited before, it likely comes easier. If not, there’s no clear image to preview what’s in store.

Of course, there is NASA’s Space Center. But is Houston out of this world to visit or does Houston have a problem?

A vacation destination problem that is…

For me, I picture 26-lane highways, megachurches, endless Tex-Mex, and a surprisingly diverse community given Texas’s all-around closed-minded reputation.

Houston is home to roughly 2.5 million people, and just a tick under 54 million visitors were welcomed here in 2024, so there has to be fun things to do here, right?

Right! But, the question remains to be answered if a majority of those 54 million people were here primarily for business or pleasure, since downtown was primarily designed as a massive parking lot for businesses in its early days.

Though if you’re a workaholic like me, slingin’ out articles for you folks, I’d like to think I’ve become a master at balancing both.

As a born and raised Texan, my travels to Houston were really enjoyable. Locals are friendly, margaritas are oversized in true Texas fashion, and there are many vibrant neighborhoods and unexpected attractions to enjoy within its vast city limits.

Here are a few of my Houston must-visits:

Cowboys, Chinatown & Underground Hip-Hop

Well, I bet that’s a sub-heading you bet you thought you’d never read…

To be honest, it’s not one I thought I’d ever type, but I feel it encapsulates Houston to a tee.

You can easily add another must-visit on your Houston getaway — the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo.

While I haven’t been personally, some say it’s even more thrilling than Fort Worth. If you know anything about Texas culture, that’s saying something.

Cowboy culture in general certainly isn’t surprising, but other aspects in Houston are. Take Chinatown, for example, something Dallas doesn’t have.

Home to a blend of Asian communities, it’s an awesome spot to grab authentic international cuisine, sip on a boba tea, and shop.

It’s much cozier than similar neighborhoods in places like San Francisco and New York, so it’s a nice break from the city bustle.

And as you explore the city, whether you’re scrolling Spotify or listening to the radio the old-fashioned way, you’ll undoubtedly come across Houston’s hip-hop scene, commonly referred to as “chopped and screwed”.

Like past West Coast – East Coast rappers of decades past, H-Town is a unicorn in the music industry, truly offering their own unique sound in the genre and you’ll likely see the car scene as a tangible reflection with candy paint swangin’ on dubs and ‘tippin’ on fo’-fo’s, wrapped in fo’-vouges’ — you hurr me?

Seriously, though. Hip-hop is a way of life here. Definitely check out a show if you’re visiting.

Gateway To Galveston

Look, Texas isn’t known for beaches. Much of the Gulf’s brackish-water reputation largely derives from the shores of Texas, with a few speckled clear-water paradises locals keep tightlipped about.

Galveston is not one of them — or is it?

There’s no denying Galveston is a popular vacation spot home to a buzzing boardwalk and epic seafood, but anyone who tells you the water “ain’t that bad” hasn’t been to Florida.

Truth be told, the last time I was in Galveston, I stepped on a dirty diaper on the beach, and I felt like that accurately portrayed the beach quality.

However, I may stand corrected for the time being. Galveston, under an hour drive from Houston, is actually beaming with blue waters right now, according to a new report.

Sam Sears

Sam, our Lead Writer & Journalist based in San Diego has visited 36 countries and written over 1000 articles with a focus on sharing his own travel experiences and shining a light on lesser-known gems.