Welcome to downtown Houston, the heart of the 4th most populous city in the United States, a diverse and growing urban center for entrepreneurs in retail, industry, and entertainment. It’s prospered in many industries, among them shipping, space and aeronautical, medical research, and, of course, oil and gasoline. But growth in major American cities often brings with it the dreaded urban sprawl – and Houston is infamous for its sprawling, automobile-dependent layout. And therefore it’s also notorious for traffic. But luckily, you can forget traffic for a while. Because you’re downtown, which is surprisingly walkable. Since the mid-1990’s, the city has worked to revitalize its downtown into a pedestrian-friendly area catering to various tastes. Over the years the city has sought to build exciting new attractions while also spotlighting the historical markers sprinkled throughout. This tour follows that spirit by guiding you through a sample of downtown’s old and new attractions.Licenses:Photo “Panoramic Houston ” by Henry Han is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0