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Offered languages
- English
- English
Explore the buildings, bayous and bold stories of downtown Houston on a self-guided smartphone audio tour.
Walk a 2.5-mile route at your own pace while GPS-triggered narration introduces the Kellum-Noble House, Sam Houston Park, City Hall, the Esperson buildings, Christ Church Cathedral, Buffalo Bayou, Market Square, the theatre district and Houston’s early commercial landmarks.
A live GPS map shows your location and directs you between stops. Download the tour before arriving, then listen without mobile data. Pause at parks or attractions and resume whenever you are ready.
This is an exterior, self-guided walking experience with no in-person guide. Attraction admission and interior access are not included, and buildings do not need to be open to complete the route. Allow approximately 2–3 hours. The tour begins at the Kellum-Noble House and ends at the former Houston Cotton Exchange.
What's Included
Meeting and pickup
Your tour begins at one of Houston's oldest homes, the historic Kellum-Noble House.
The tour ends at the impressive Cotton Exchange Building. We will give you turn by turn instructions to return to the first stop.
Itinerary
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(Pass by)
Begin at Houston’s oldest surviving building and discover the remarkable lives preserved within its brick walls.
Admission ticket free -
The Heritage Society at Sam Houston Park (Pass by)
Meet the organization that rescued Houston’s historic homes and keeps the city’s early stories alive.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Step back to frontier Texas at a humble cabin built before Houston was founded.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Admire an elegant Greek Revival home that travelled across Houston to reach its place in the park.
Admission ticket free -
Sam Houston Park (Pass by)
Stroll through Houston’s first public park, where historic homes meet the modern downtown skyline.
Admission ticket free -
Houston City Hall (Pass by)
See Houston’s civic heart and the striking Art Deco details of City Hall.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Admire the grand former central library, celebrated for its Spanish Renaissance architecture and public art.
Admission ticket free -
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts (Pass by)
See the performing-arts venue whose dramatic halls frame Houston’s downtown theatre district.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Discover the unusual skyscraper that supports the city’s public works behind its historic façade.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Look up at Mellie Esperson’s elegant tower and its temple-inspired crown above Travis Street.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Compare Houston’s distinctive paired Esperson towers and the story behind their timeless design.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
See how the former Texas Company headquarters reflects Houston’s rise as an energy capital.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Admire the stately former federal building that once housed Houston’s customs and postal services.
Admission ticket free -
Christ Church Cathedral (Pass by)
Visit the exterior of Houston’s oldest congregation and its beautiful downtown cathedral.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Discover how Houston’s landmark Rice Hotel evolved from the site of the Republic of Texas capitol.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Take in Jones Hall, the award-winning home of the Houston Symphony.
Admission ticket free -
Alley Theatre (Pass by)
See the bold concrete home of Houston’s resident theatre company and hear its dramatic story.
Admission ticket free -
Wortham Center (Pass by)
Admire the Wortham Center, home to Houston Ballet and Houston Grand Opera.
Admission ticket free -
Houston Interactive Aquarium and Animal Preserve (Pass by)
Learn about the interactive aquarium and animal preserve located beyond the downtown walking route.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Walk beside Buffalo Bayou, the waterway that helped launch Houston as a trading city.
Admission ticket free -
Downtown Historic District Market Square (Pass by)
Relax in Houston’s original civic square, now a lively park filled with history and public art.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Discover how a historic downtown movie palace became the stylish Majestic Metro event venue.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Admire the restored 1910 courthouse and its grand Beaux-Arts details.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
Stand at Houston’s birthplace, where the Allen brothers first established their bayou settlement.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
End at the ornate former Cotton Exchange, a landmark of Houston’s early commercial boom.
Admission ticket free -
Downtown Aquarium (Pass by)
Pass the Downtown Aquarium, a waterfront entertainment complex created from two historic Houston buildings.
Admission ticket free -
(Pass by)
See the historic Gulf Building at 712 Main, a landmark Art Deco skyscraper now known as the JPMorgan Chase Building.
Admission ticket free -
Theater District (Pass by)
Explore Houston’s Theater District, a lively downtown cluster of acclaimed performance venues and public spaces.
Admission ticket free
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
Additional info
- Service animals allowed
- Public transportation options are available nearby
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- All areas and surfaces are wheelchair accessible
- Transportation options are wheelchair accessible
- Wheelchair accessible
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Tags
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
Cancellation Policy
- For a full refund, you must cancel at least 24 hours before the experience’s start time.
- If you cancel less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time, the amount you paid will not be refunded.
- Any changes made less than 24 hours before the experience’s start time will not be accepted.
Rating
You can cancel up to 24 hours in advance of the experience for a full refund.
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