FlyingBlue Petroleum

“Hello Houston, Apollo 13 here.” In a few seconds, the fourth largest city of the United States entered into the world’s collective memory. The leading space centre, Houston, with its two million inhabitants, is one of the world’s most future forward cities. It’s here that the most significant pharmaceutical and information technology research centres are based. A nice paradox, it is also a city renowned for its art and architecture. Named the Texan capital of the art of living, the city has a port on the Gulf of Mexico and is also the gateway to famous beaches such as Jamaica or Galveston.  Welcome to Texas.

A must-see: the Houston Space Center which epitomizes the American space adventure. It takes a good day to visit the exhibitions, participate in a (fictional) space mission, wear a space suit and eat lunch like an astronaut. The spectacle of the conquest of space is the reference. A film with a dazzling montage showing that the successes are made out of sometimes tragic failures. A surprising shop with incredible richness completes a “kid centre” that children won’t want to leave.
1601 NASA Parkway - + 1 281-244-2100 - www.spacecenter.org
 

Visit the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston (MFAH), starting point for any visit in the city. It is the oldest museum in Texas. Created at the beginning of the 20th century, since 2002 it has housed the most significant collection of photography in the United States. That’s impressive. But it’s the museum’s eclecticism that grabs the attention. From traditional Texan art to European sculptures and paintings, some 25 different collections line modern rooms that are infused with light.  
1001 Bissonnet - + 1 713-639-7300 - www.mfah.org
 

Cross the road to visit the Contemporary Arts Museum of Houston (CAMH) with its striking architecture marrying metal and glass. They say this is the essential place to discover the works of Frank Gehry and Cindy Sherman. The tour dedicated to them is available in English and Spanish. Remember, the permanent exhibition details 50 years of contemporary Texan creations.
5216 Montrose Blvd. + 1 713-284-8250 - www.camh.org
 

Move in “The house of blues” which is without doubt the most intriguing night time venue.
With a dance floor akin to a theatre stage and a mezzanine from which to watch the concerts, it is the meeting place of choice for Americans passing through Texas. A nightly concert completes, every Sunday, a surprising “gospel brunch” with an enormous buffet.
House of Blues Houston - 1204 Caroline Street - + 1 (888) 402–5837


Cheer for the Houston Texans at an  NFL (National Football League) game. Here they are proud of their team and above all the stadium. With one of the best sliding roofs, 200 private boxes and over 70,000 seats, it has become the unmissable Saturday night meeting place. A crazy atmosphere punctuated by cheerleaders accompanied by  several “longhorns”, the local long-horned cattle. It’s hard to get more kitsch than this. Tickets can be booked through concierges at all hotels in Houston.


Dream at Tootsie, which for a long time has been a Mecca for young ladies. Also present in Dallas and Atlanta, this classic shop with a 1950s style may be a little outdated, yet it has evolved while maintaining its chic and conservative side so loved by fans of elegance. “Shop as if in Paris” explains the slogan. Why not?
 

Escape the city with a trip to Galveston, a snapshot of Texas by the sea. Despite being an important industrial port the city has maintained the small colonial style houses, rimmed with immaculately kept gardens, of its town centre and coastline. Take the time to stroll down Stand Street, the most lively area of the city, packed with small museums, restaurants and shops.
To understand the importance of oil to Texas, on platform 19, just after 21st street, the three storey oil platform Ocean Star  reveals its secrets to visitors (Pier 19 – + 1 409-766-7827).  This is industrial tourism in a highly original museum where children, helmets on heads, play the role of prospectors.