This guide to the most popular streets in Houston includes a range of busy and unique thoroughfares. The sprawling city in Texas has many different neighbourhoods with popular shopping streets and nightlife strips scattered across the city. From the bustling Main Street in Downtown to the trendy 19th Street in The Heights, there are many different avenues in Houston depending on what you’re looking for.
Beyond shopping and nightlife, many Houston streets are known for their beautiful houses and iconic landmarks. You can admire the upscale estates on River Oaks Boulevard and enjoy picturesque views on Sabine Street Bridge. As Houston has plenty of popular streets and squares to explore, we’ve listed some of our favourites for you to include in your itinerary.
- 1
Main Street
Houston’s most popular street in Downtown
- Food
- Nightlife
- Photo
- Shoppers
Main Street is a central thoroughfare through Houston. Stretching over 4 miles, it runs from Downtown to the Houston Zoo in the south. It passes through some of the most popular neighbourhoods in the city, including Downtown, Midtown and Museum Park. The street is considered one of the most popular places in the city to shop, dine and explore the attractions.
Main Street is at its most vibrant in Downtown Houston, particularly between Commerce Street and Dallas Street. This section has a plethora of restaurants, bars, shops and hotels and is busy from morning until night. Running down its middle is a light rail connecting the north and south of Houston.
Location: Main St, Houston, TX 77002, USA
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Westheimer Road
A long east-west road known for dining and shopping malls
- Food
- Nightlife
- Shoppers
Westheimer Road runs west of Midtown for about 19 miles. The east-west road has some of Houston's major shopping and nightlife centres strung along its length. From Montrose to Mid-West, Westheimer Road forms the main thoroughfare across the western neighbourhoods of Houston. Westheimer Road eventually terminates at George Bush Park where it merges with Westpark Tollway.
The eastern end of Westheimer Road in Montrose is popular for its restaurants and bars. As you head further west, it increasingly becomes a major shopping zone. It’s home to some popular malls such as Market Square at Eldridge, Westchase Shopping Center and Westheimer Commons.
Location: Westheimer Rd, Houston, TX 77063, USA
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19th Street
Trendy shopping street known for antique stores and boutiques
- History
- Shoppers
19th Street in The Heights is northwest of Downtown Houston. Located in the historic Victorian neighbourhood, the street is known for its boutique shops, antiques, and bohemian vibe. While not as popular with many visitors to Houston, it’s a favourite shopping strip among locals.
19th Street is home to some well-known independent fashion boutiques and antique stores. You’ll also find art galleries, thrift stores and trendy cafes and restaurants along the street. Adding to the vintage vibe is a restored movie theatre from the early 1900s, showcasing a range of live music and film events.
Location: W 19th St, Houston, TX 77008, USA
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Washington Avenue
A major east-west road famous for its bars and pubs
- Nightlife
Washington Avenue is a long road stretching from the western side of Downtown to Memorial Park. It’s named after Washington County as it was part of the original route from Houston to Brenham. However, it’s now most popular for its section running through the Rice Military area of Houston.
This nightlife epicentre is very well-known for its bars and pubs, making it one of the best places to go in Houston for a night out. The most popular section of Washington Avenue runs from Patterson Street to Westcott Street. This is where you will find a concentration of some of the best bars in the city. From sporting bars to cocktail bars, there’s plenty of places on Washington Avenue for everyone to enjoy after dinner.
Location: Washington Ave, Houston, TX 77007, USA
Mapphoto by Safety Cap (CC BY 3.0) modified
- 5
Broadway Street
A long street and main thoroughfare through Pearland
- Couples
- Photo
- Shoppers
Broadway Street is the main east-west road running through Pearland city, south of Houston. It’s the main shopping and dining hub in the area, with several malls scattered along the street. Its major attraction is the Pearland Town Center, a huge plaza with shops, department stores, a cinema, restaurants, a hotel, and entertainment venues.
There are also several smaller malls and shopping plazas further east along Broadway Street. Standouts include the Silverlake Shopping Center, Cullen Crossing, and Pearland Plaza. These malls make it one of the most popular shopping streets south of Houston.
Location: Broadway St, Pearland, TX 77584, USA
Mapphoto by Brian Reading (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
- 6
Kirby Drive
A north-south thoroughfare connecting some of Houston's best attractions
- Families
- Photo
- Shoppers
Kirby Drive is a long north-south road in Houston. It stretches from Buffalo Bayou Park west of Downtown to Holmes Road in the South Main district. It passes through several of the city’s main attractions and shopping malls, making it a popular thoroughfare to explore for both visitors and locals alike.
At the northern end of the drive, the Buffalo Bayou Park is a hugely popular green space with beautiful views across the skyline. As it heads south, Kirby Drive offers some of the city’s best shopping experiences, including The Centre at River Oaks and Kirby Richmond Plaza. The thoroughfare also runs through NRG Park, which is home to the famous NRG Stadium. Many come here for football games, rodeos, and concerts.
Location: Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77005, USA
Mapphoto by WhisperToMe (CC0 1.0) modified
- 7
Sabine Street
Most well-known for its bridge overlooking the city
- Budget
- Photo
Sabine Street is located just west of Downtown. It provides the eastern border of the Eleanor Tinsley Park area in the city. However, what truly makes this street stand out in Houston is the Sabine Street Bridge. Located at its southern end, the bicycle-friendly bridge crosses the Buffalo Bayou.
Sabine Street is one of the best places for a photoshoot in Houston. The bridge is a unique vantage point, offering views across the Houston skyline and park. It's especially popular with photographers at either sunset or later into the evening when the colours and lights are at their best.
Location: 103 Sabine St, Houston, TX 77007, USA
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St Emanuel Street
A popular nightlife street in Downtown
- Food
- Nightlife
St Emanuel Street is a popular dining and nightlife hub in Downtown Houston. Running parallel to the Eastex Freeway, it’s a more compact alternative to Main Street. The most vibrant section of the street is south of the BBVA Stadium and is where you’ll find most of the bars and restaurants.
Within these 5 blocks along St Emanuel Street, you can find everything from rustic bars to breweries and gastro pubs. The street is also home to a variety of international restaurants from American grills to Vietnamese. For entertainment, you can find a popular video arcade and live music venue, making this street an underrated night-time destination.
Location: St Emanuel St, Houston, TX 77003, USA
Mapphoto by Houtexusa (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
- 9
Memorial Drive
The only major road passing through Memorial Park
- Budget
- Couples
- Families
- Photo
Memorial Drive runs for around 20 miles across the western half of Houston city. It curls its way from the Theater District in Downtown to George Bush Park to the west. Established in the 1920s, it’s unique in that it follows the curves of Buffalo Bayou. While it crosses through many neighbourhoods of the city, it’s well known for being the only major road through Memorial Park.
Memorial Park is a huge expansive city park with walking and cycling trails, a golf course, and hosts the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. The eastern end of Memorial Drive runs along Buffalo Bayou Park and Eleanor Tinsley Park just beside Downtown. This makes Memorial Drive especially popular among those looking to visit Houston’s beautiful parks.
Location: Memorial Dr, Houston, TX 77024, USA
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River Oaks Boulevard
One of the most affluent streets in Houston
- Families
- Luxury
- Photo
River Oaks Boulevard is one of the main streets in the affluent River Oaks area of Houston. It stretches from the River Oaks Country Club down to Westheimer Road. The residential neighbourhood is known as the most expensive in Houston, with River Oaks Boulevard home to some of the priciest estates and mansions in the city.
River Oaks’ lavish reputation was planned and designed back in the 1920s. The boulevard along with other nearby streets are lined with beautiful oaks, shrubs and azaleas, making it a very picturesque part of the city. Many of the houses on River Oaks Boulevard are listed as historic by the city government.
Location: River Oaks Blvd, Houston, TX 77019, USA
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