//
District in Houston, Texas, a.k.a., Montrose
Photo: Jim Evans, CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
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.
From the travel guide. Select a place for details, a map and what is nearby.
Located in the historic Light Guard Armory, the BSNM is dedicated to the brave Black men and women 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.
Alternative artwork center. Check the calendar for current exhibits and their hours.
The private family collection of John and Dominique de Menil, consisting of 20th-century modern masterpieces. 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.
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 quiet, 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. Leashed dogs permitted outdoors; only trained service dogs permitted indoors.
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.
Gallery with neat exhibitions of local photographers. In the back room there's a small library with a diverse collection of photography books that is open to visitors.
A non-profit microcinema housed in a former church building.
With downtown's skyline as its backdrop, Houston's premier greenbelt of 124 acres winds from Shepherd Drive on the west to Bagby Street on the East End. Eleanor Tinsley Park, located within this greenway (Taft-Sabine), is the site of major Houston festivals and events, including the city's Fourth of July Fireworks. Bike and jogging trails run from Shepherd Dr. through downtown.
Be part of the Great Day Houston Live studio audience.
Bat Bridge
Summer evenings at dusk, a quarter million bats fly out from their perches beneath the Waugh Drive bridge over Buffalo Bayou, emerging like a dark cloud for an evening of dining on fresh mosquitos.
Held yearly in October. Includes children's activities, an Athenian playground, food and entertainment.
Combining Asian & Cajun influences, with a fusion menu of special and traditional dishes, cajun crawfish, fresh seafood, Thai food, and Vietnamese food.
Texas' own super premium, all natural ice cream.
This local restaurant features some incredible, and TEXAS sized, salads as well as mouthwatering burgers and other entrees. Brunch menu on Sundays.
Crave blintzes at midnight or corned beef and cabbage at sunrise? This is your place. Cops from next door rub shoulders with families, politicos and all walks of colorful Montrose life at this brick-paved double-decker. Complete with subway artifacts and Grand Central Station-style handrails, it's city slick and open 24 hours a day.
Vietnamese food, popular with the late night crowd.
Authentic and tasty Greek food.
Hotspot for diner-style American eats & stick-to-your-ribs soul food including chicken & waffles.
Cozy Tex-Mex joint open 24/7 Thursday through Monday, known for bargain prices & dozens of tequilas.
Bright, cozy counter serve offering Hawaiian poke bowls in set & customized combinations.
Family-friendly chain featuring Salvadoran & Tex-Mex favorites, plus mojitos & margaritas.
Informal eatery serving a variety of beef noodle soups (pho) & other classic Vietnamese fare.
Snug, no-frills eatery featuring Vietnamese sandwiches, noodle soups & other traditional dishes.
Marco Wiles (Da Marco restaurant) brings his penchant for pizza to this casual, welcoming restaurant. The simple yet intriguing menu is based on authentic thin-crust Neapolitan pizzas and Italian antipasti. From a rocket-hot wood-burning oven handmade in Rome, the pizzas arrive crispy and slightly charred around the edges. Close to 20 kinds of pizzas are offered, with toppings like proscuitto, arugula, wild mushrooms and fresh herbs. A varied list of small dishes rounds out the menu.
The tasty, cooked from scratch Mexican food has been handed down, generation to generation in the Laurenzo family and is a staple in the Houston food scene. Great Grandmother Ninfa Laurenzo came to Houston in 1948 and started cooking almost immediately, spawning the huge chain of Ninfa's restaurants. 1308 Cantina puts together all of the best for an incredible taste of Tex-Mex cooking sure to leave your mouth watering. The fajitas and margaritas have been amazing the Montrose since the Cantina opened.
Feast is "Rustic European Fare" served in a cozy house (with a nice upstairs patio). The Brit owners and servers are friendly, the continental wine list is varied and interesting, and the ever-changing menu veers from adventurous (breaded pig tails with dipping sauce, anyone?) to comfy (lamb stew with dumplings). The 2- or 3-course prix-fixe lunch is a fantastic deal for what you get (dinner-sized portions!); there's also a "roast" lunch by reservation every 2nd and 4th Sunday of the month.
A conveyer belt sushi restaurant chain. They also have two other locations in the Houston area.
Some of the tastiest sushi in Houston can be found here at Osaka. The portions are generous and you may be happily surprised with something on the house.
Well known option for innovative Indian dishes & handcrafted cocktails in modern, airy environs.
Japanese chain where diners cook meat, seafood & veggies on individual tabletop grills.
One of Houston's best restaurants--known for great wine and Italian fare. Reservations required.
Parisian chef Olivier Ciesielski interprets contemporary cuisine with classic French care. Reservations required.
New Orleans character & cuisine shine at this decadent eatery serving turtle soup, oysters.
JR's is one of Houston's most established and popular gay bars. Located next to SouthBeach, many patrons begin their night here before heading to SouthBeach. The bar continues to be a favorite of Houston's gay community.
Meteor is a gay video bar in Montrose near Midtown. The crowd tends to be well dressed, a mixture of young and formerly young, and fun.
Live music on most nights, this British pub in the heart of Montrose attracts a diverse and fun crowd embodying the neighbourhood in which it is located.
This penthouse club is a hot spot in Houston's club scene, located at the top of a mid-rise in Montrose.
SouthBeach is Houston's premier gay dance club. World renowned DJs and special events pack the crowds into the late night hours, dancing to the hottest tracks in the gay club scene.
Open since 1928, the Icehouse is a bar that provides outdoor seating and free hot dogs. Because of the outdoor seating, people are allowed to bring their dogs, play horseshoes, and basketball. There is usually live country music on Friday nights.
Poison Girl is off of Westheimer Rd. near the Dunlavy St. intersection. It has a dive bar atmosphere and offers quality drinks and great prices. The perfect place to go and hang out with friends.
Anvil is one of the best bars in Houston. Their drinks are inspired by prohibition era concoctions. The mixologists (not bartenders) are talented at what they do and can create a drink with almost any flavor that you like.
Boondocks is a fun dive bar/dance club that plays music from recent top 40s hits to disco!
If you like 1980s music and you like to dance, this "dive lounge" is the perfect place to go and jam out with friends on the laser lit dance floor. Etro is located directly behind Anvil Bar and Refuge.
This laid back bar has a rustic interior and an excellent patio scene in front and out back. Valet parking is available or you can self park across the street. This is the perfect place to enjoy cold beers on a warm spring night or watch a game with friends.
Lively bar with a party vibe featuring dueling piano shows & novelty bucket drinks.
Chill spot for drinks & sports on TV, along with outdoor patio seating & occasional live music.
Lodgeur
Furnished studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom apartments for short-term stays and extended visits. The apartments are located next to the METRORail’s Ensemble/HCC Station. Each unit includes a full kitchen, in-unit laundry, and garage parking.
Intimately small luxury hotel in a 1920s-era mansion. For travelers without budgetary constraints.
This dramatic four-story bed and breakfast is a unique alternative with fab rooms, artists' works on walls, exercise equipment and shaded verandas that present panoramic views above the tree line. The innkeeper speaks English, German and Spanish.
A one-stop shop for incense, crystals, magic candles, herbs, spell ingredients, pagan jewelry, and anything else regarding the supernatural one might need. Even if you're don't practice any magick you can still find a plethora of interesting things. Limited parking available.
Choose an airport to see hotels, stations, taxi ranks and car rental desks around it.
Houston · International · HOU
Loading places around the airport…
Articles and travel topics about Neartown and United States.
Travel tipsFind the cheapest countries to fly to from the US and UK in 2026. Compare realistic round-trip flight deals, budget airlines, and prime booking windows.
8 min read
Travel tipsFind the best time to visit Hawaii in 2026. Compare whale seasons, big-wave surf, dry shoulder months, hotel rates, and island microclimates.
8 min read
InspirationDiscover the best places to visit in April. Compare Dutch tulip fields, Thailand's Songkran water festival, Roman spring gardens, and cherry blossoms.
6 min read
Travel tipsA practical guide to travelling with medication and refrigerated drugs like insulin and GLP-1s. Learn airline rules, customs papers, and cooling tips.
7 min read
Every section of the guide. Open one to read it in full.