Outside of Downtown Walking Tours
Introduction
We offer over eighteen (18) walking tours outside of downtown of which sixteen (16) are outside walking tours.
The Galleria and the Gerald D. Hines Water Wall Tour and the Lakewood Church and Greenway Plaza Tour are the only primarily interior tours. The Galleria and the Gerald D. Hines Water Wall Tour is the only primarily interior walking tour outside of the I-610 Loop; all of the other tours are within the I-610 Loop. All of these tours require reservations. All of these tours involve narratives about the history and present areas and institutions.
We offer the outside walking tours for seven (7) months of the year, from October through April. Temperatures are generally below 90 degrees Fahrenheit/32 degrees Celsius. Houston often has humidity that is between 60 to 80%. During the five (5) month period of May through September, the Houston high temperatures are often between 95 degrees Fahrenheit/35 degrees Celsius and 109 degrees Fahrenheit/43 degrees Celsius
For one's skin protection, one should:
- Apply sunscreen lotion or spray.
- Wear comfortable shoes (with ankle support) and socks.
- Wear a hat with a wide brim to protect one's head.
- Wear sunglasses with UV coating.
- Wear shirts with sleeves to cover one's arms.
- Bring a water bottle with water in it.
- Use a bathroom immediately before we begin the walk.
Each of these tours is approximately 2.5 hours. They normally begin at 11:00 AM because many institutions open at that time. However, we can be flexible and adjust the starting time. Also, all tours can be shortened to 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 hours. Of course, one has to eliminate some of the sites that we see with a shorter tour, but we can accommodate your desires.
Many of these tours are in historic neighborhoods that have large oak and other trees. Characteristic of many older neighborhoods that are more than 75 years old and in some cases more than 100 years old, are uneven, cracked, and broken pavements. This may be caused by shifting, foundation problems, protruding roots, neglect, construction, et cetera. These tours are generally not stroller friendly. One has to walk in the streets as no sidewalks exist in some neighborhoods on Tour L.
Most galleries are closed on Sunday and Monday and many museums are closed on Monday. Thus, the best days for the tours that include going into such art settings are Wednesday through Saturday. Also, as the lifetime and location of art galleries can be short, be understanding if changes occur.
Remember, that a walking tour only moves as fast as the slowest person. Furthermore, the more people on a walking tour the slower the tour. Keep this mind when planning your tour. With a large group, a leader should volunteer to be the sweep or caboose. This person will be at the end to ensure that no one falls behind.
Tours A through D are the four Downtown Walking Tours. Click here for information about these tours.
The following are the tours outside of Downtown:
| Tour E | Tour F | Tour G |
| Tour H | Tour I | Tour J |
| Tour K | Tour L | Tour M |
| Tour N | Tour O | Tour P |
| Tour Q | Tour R | Tour S |
| Tour T | Tour U | Tour V |
Tour E — The Galleria and the Gerald D. Hines Water Wall
This is the only primary indoor tour outside of the downtown area. We walk between 3.0 and 3.5 miles/4.8 and 5.6 kilometers. We spend approximately 1.5 to 2.0 hours inside the three levels of the Galleria. The Galleria was originally built in 1970. It has been added three additional times in 1976, 1986, and 2003, forming now Galleria I, II, III, and IV. With 375 stores, it is the 4th largest shopping mall in the United States (US). The original Galleria has a full-size ice skating rink and food court. See some of the finest stores in the world including:
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Check The Galleria’s website to find the most updated information on the stores and restaurants that occupy The Galleria.
The last part of this tour is to go to the 64 foot/20 meters high Gerald D. Hines Water Wall. This C or U shaped structure was built in 1985 as the air conditioning unit for the Williams Tower. The architect was Philip Johnson. It is the most photographed area of Houston. 11,000 gallons of water pour off it every minute.
This tour begins and ends off of McCue Road and Hidalgo Street at the Red Garage Level 1, Zone T. All of The Galleria parking is free. Dozens of restaurants are located in The Galleria if you want to stay for lunch, as well as shop.
Tour F —The Smaller Museum District and the University of Saint Thomas
This is one of the most beautiful tours as we walk through a neighborhood that dates to the early 1900s. Be prepared to walk on uneven pavement. The preferential days for this tour are Tuesday through Sunday when every museum is open. Most of the museums open by or at 11:00 AM. This tour covers about 2.0 to 2.5 miles/3.2 and 4.0 kilometers. We go into six museums, including:
- The Cy Twombly Gallery
- The Dan Flavin Installation
- The Houston Center for Photography
- The Menil Collection
- The Rothko Chapel
- The Watercolor Art Society - Houston
We also go inside the Chapel of Saint Basil and see the labyrinth on the campus of the UST.
We see the historic Link Lee mansion that now is the main building for the University of Saint Thomas (UST), the childhood home of Howard Hughes, and one or two more surprises.
The Cy Twombly Gallery, Dan Flavin Installation, Houston Center for Photography, and the Menil Collection are closed on Monday and Tuesday.
The Watercolor Art Society – Houston is closed on Monday.
The Rothko Chapel is open every day.
All of the above museums have free admission.
This tour begins and ends by The Black Labrador Pub at 4100 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006. Limited free parking is in front of the bakery and on Colquitt Street. Be aware of signs. Paid parking is available in the parking garage behind the restaurant. However, the parking can be validated if you eat lunch at The Black Labrador.
Tour G — The Museum District and Theaters North of Binz/Bissonnet To Holman Between Main Street and La Branch Street
This is one of the most strenuous walks. It has one stop for a bathroom and refreshment break. It is the longest walk covering about 4.0 to 4.5 miles/6.4 to 7.2 kilometers. It has the most sites.We walk by (and sometimes in) 10 museums, galleries, and theaters, including the:
- Holocaust Museum Houston (HMH)
- Asia Society Texas Center (ASTC)
- The John C. Freeman Weather Museum (Weather Museum)
- Caroline Collective(CC)
- Czech Center Museum Houston (CCMH)
- Houston Museum of African Amaerican Culture (HMAAC)
- Former Houston Light Guard Building and home of the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum (BSNM)
- The Ensembel Theatre
- Former Temple Beth Israel and the original High School for the Performing and Visual Arts (HSPVA), and currently The Heinen Theater
- Community Artists' Collective (CAC)
- The Station
The Holocaust Museum Houston is open everyday. For the most up to date information, call (713) 942-8000.
The ASTC is closed on Monday. Admission is free. For the most up to date information, call (713) 496-9901.
The Weather Museum is closed on Sunday. For the most up to date information, call (713) 529-3076.
The CCMH is closed on Sunday. For the most up to date information, call (713) 528-2060.
The MFAH is closed on Monday. Admission is free on Thursday. For the most up to date information, call (713) 639-7300.
he BSNM is closed on Sunday. For the most up to date information, call (713) 942-8920.
The Station is closed on Monday and Tuesday.Admission is free. For the most up to date information, call (713) 529-6900.
The CC, HMAAC, and CCC have inconsistent schedules. It is not easy to predict when they will be open.
The Ensemble Theatre and Heinen Theater are performing arts centers that are generally closed during the day.
If one wants lunch immediately after the tour, a Cafe Express is located in the basement of the Audrey Jones Beck Building of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston at 5601 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005 across the street from the Law Building.
The tour begins and ends at the parking lot across the street from the Caroline Wiess Law Building of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) at 1001 Bissonnet Street, Houston, Texas 77005, located between Montrose Boulevard and Main Street. Free parking is available there. Paid parking in the MFAH garage two blocks west, between Fannin Street and San Jacinto Street, is also available.
Tour H — Museums and Galleries North of Binz/Bissonnet to US 59 Between Montrose Boulevard and Main Street
This is a walk of about 2.0 – 2.5 miles/3.2 and 4.0 kilometers. We stop inside or outside the following:
- Contemporary Arts Museum (CAM) Houston
- The Harris Gallery
- The Jung Center of Houston (Jung Center)
- Lillie and Hugh Roy Cullen Sculpture Garden (Sculpture Garden)
- Glassell School of Art
- Bijou Gallery
- Nolan-Rankin Gallery
- Houston Center for Contemporary Crafts (HCCC) Park
- Houston Center for Contemporary Crafts
- Lawndale Art Center (LAC)
We will also see the oldest Masonic lodge in Texas, Bell Park, a statue of Christopher Columbus, and more.
In case you are interested in planning the day of your walking tour when museums are free and or you want to know the prices of some popular activities, we provide the following information:
The CAM is closed on Monday. Admission is free. For the most up to date information, call (713) 284-8250.
The Jung Center art gallery is closed on Sunday. Admission is free. For the most up to date information, call (713) 524-8253.
The Sculpture Garden and HCCC Park are free and open everyday.
The HCCC is closed on Monday. Admission is free. For the most up to date information, call (713) 529-4848.
The LAC is closed on Sunday. Admission is free. For the most up to date information, call (713) 528-5858.
The MFAH is closed on Monday. Admission is free on Thursday. For the most up to date information, call (713) 639-7300.
The lifetime and location of art galleries can be short; please understand if changes occur.
If one wants to eat lunch immediately after the tour, a Cafe Express is located in the basement of the Audrey Jones Beck Building of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston at 5601 Main Street, Houston, Texas 77005 across the street from the Law Building.
The tour begins and ends at the parking lot across the street from the Caroline Wiess Law Building of the Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH) at 1001 Bissonnet Street, Houston, Texas 77005, located between Montrose Boulevard and Main Street. Free parking is available there. Paid parking in the MFAH garage two blocks west, between Fannin Street and San Jacinto Street, is also available.
Tour I – Hermann Park I
This is a fun tour in which one might want to bring children. Hermann Park was opened in 1914. George Hermann donated 280 acres and Houston Mayor Ben Campbell had the city purchase an additional 122 acres. It is the most famous park in Houston and is a huge magnet for fun and cultural events. This walk is approximately 2.5 to 3.0 miles/4.0 to 4.8 kilometers.
In Hermann Park, we will walk by:
- The Houston Zoo
- McGovern Lake with its paddleboats
- Hermann Park Mini-Train
- Jogging track
- The Buddy Carruth Playground For All Children
- The Japanese Gardens – also walk inside
- Replica of the Washington Monument
- Replica of the Washington, DC Reflecting Pool
- Hermann Park Golf Course
- Miller Outdoor Theatre
- Houston Museum of Natural Science (HMNS)
- Chinese Pagoda
- The Houston Garden Center and Rose Garden
- Statues of Mahatma Gandhi, Martin Luther King, Jr., Confucius, General Sam Houston on his horse, and over one-half dozen busts of Spanish explorers and Latin American revolutionary liberators and heroes of the 1800s including Simon Bolivar, Cabeza de Vaca, Benito Juarez, Jose Marti, Bernardo O'Higgins, Jose de San Martin, Vicente Fuerte, and more.
In case you are interested in planning the day of your walking tour when museums are free and or you want to know the prices of some popular activities, we provide the following information:
The HMNS is free on Thursday afternoons after 2:00 PM. For the most up to date information, call (713) 639-4629.
The Hermann Park Conservancy maintains the train and pedal boats in the park. For the most up to date information, call (713) 524-5876.
The Houston Zoo opens at 9:00 AM everyday. The zoo has a restaurant in it, also. For the most up to date information, call (713) 533-6500.
The tour begins and ends in front of the Houston Garden Center at 1500 Hermann Drive, Houston, Texas 77004. The telephone number for the Houston Garden Center is (713) 284-1986, although it should not be necessary to use. Free parking for 3 hours is available here.
Tour J – Hermann Park II and The Museum District South of Binz/Bissonnet
This is a relaxing tour around the golf course and to three (3) museums outside of Hermann Park. This walk is approximately 3.0 to 3.5 miles/4.8 to 5.6 kilometers.
Outside of Hermann Park, we walk by:
- The Mecom Fountains
- The Museum of Fine Arts Houston (MFAH)
- Children's Museum of Houston (CMH)
- John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science AKA the Health Museum
In case you are interested in planning the day of your walking tour when museums are free and or you want to know the prices of some popular activities, we provide the following information:
The MFAH is free all day on Thursdays. It is closed on Monday. For the most up to date information, call (713) 639-7300.
The Children's Museum is closed on Monday. For the most up to date information, call (713) 522-1138.
The Health Museum is free on Thursday after 2:00 PM. It is closed on Monday. For the most up to date information, call (713) 521-1515.
The Hermann Park Conservancy maintains the train and pedal boats in the park. For the most up to date information, call (713) 524-5876.
The Houston Zoo opens at 9:00 AM everyday. The zoo has a restaurant in it, also. For the most up to date information, call (713) 533-6500.
The tour begins and ends in front of the Houston Zoo at 6200 Golf Course Drive, Houston, Texas 77030. Free parking abounds there. You may want to stay at Hermann Park to enjoy the options. A McDonald's restaurant is located in the HMNS if you want to stay for lunch. The Zoo also has a restaurant, but one has to pay for admission to the Zoo to get to it.
Tour K – Galleries North of Between US 59 and West Alabama on Main Street and Montrose Boulevard
This tour includes two main areas of galleries. We go inside over one-half dozen galleries with a wide variety of styles of art.
The lifetime and location of art galleries can be short; please understand if changes occur.
The tour begins and ends behind 4411 Montrose Boulevard and Woodrow Street, Houston, Texas 77006. Parking is available in lots on the north and south side of Woodrow Street as well as on the street and Greeley Street.
Tour L – Galleries Between Buffalo Speedway and Dunlavy
This tour has more galleries on it than any other tour. It is a relatively short one, covering approximately 2.5 to 3.0 miles/4.0 to 4.8 kilometers.If they are all open, one could go in approximately fifteen galleries; eleven of which are within 4 blocks. You will also see unique residential architecture from the 1980s to the present mixed with 1940s quaint clapboard homes.
We begin the walk from the Dessert Gallery located at 3600 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77098, on the southwest intersection with Richmond Avenue. You may want to eat there or at any of over one dozen restaurants in the area.
Tour M – The Houston Heights I – 22nd to 12th Street
This tour covers a lot of territory with many sites. It is about 3.5 to 4.0 miles/5.6 to 6.4 kilometers. It is very scenic and historic. The Houston Heights was the first suburb of Houston, being established in 1892 with a streetcar enabling people to commute two rivers/bayous away to Houston. The elite lived here from 1892 until approximately 1906 when newer and closer neighborhoods opened in Houston. It was just one of one-half dozen Heights. It includes walking by:
- Yale Street Grill since 1923.
- Helms Elementary School Nature Garden
- The site of the Candy Man’s nefarious deeds. He was a serial, homosexual, pedophilia, cannibalistic killer
- The Kraftsman Bakery and Cafe
- Over 1 dozen antique and resale shops
- Penzeys Spices
- Nursery
- HITS Theatre
- Opera In The Heights
- Marmion Park, site of the former Daniel Denton Cooley house from 1893 to 1965
- Houston Theosophical Society
- Reagan Masonic Lodge
- The Noble Lady, a day spa
- Heights Funeral Home, the oldest in Houston
- Paul Carr Jogging Trail
- Milroy Park
- Former Houston Heights City Hall from 1914 to 1918
- Heights Library, the oldest branch library in the Houston Public Library system, from 1926
- John Reagan High School
- Early 1900s gas station
- Alleged site where Bonnie and Clyde hid in 1931.
- Some of the best collection of Victorian homes with patios and balconies in Houston
- Huey Long Museum. Not to be confused with the Louisiana governor and senator, this Huey Long was the lead guitarist with the Ink Spots in 1943 and 1944.
- Former Heights High School, now the Alexander Hamilton Middle School
The tour begins and ends at the McDonalds at 2022 Yale Street, Houston, Texas 77008. You may want to have lunch there, at the Yale Street Grill located across the street, or at any of the five or six restaurants on 19th Street
Tour N – Sawyer Heights, Woodland Heights, and The Houston Heights II – Spring Street to 11th Street
This tour of the Heights is more diverse as it goes through three different Heights. This is one of the two most strenuous hikes as we cover about 4.0 to 4.5 miles/5.6 to 6.4 kilometers and have some mild grade differences. We begin by walking along the Rail to Trails bike path. We have one bathroom and refreshment break and a couple of other walking breaks. Some of the highlights of the tour are seeing:
- White Oak Park
- Narrow walking bridge over a creek
- Stude Park and artwork
- Fitzgerald's
- Private statues on public display of works of art in Woodland Heights
- 11th Street/Ruggles Cafe
- Art galleries along 11th Street
- World War II Memorial
- Gazebo
- House
- Waldo's Coffee Cafe
- Victorian homes
- Sara's Inn – one of less than 10 B&Bs in Houston
- Antique stores
- Donovan Park
- Walking over White Oak Bayou using the Rails to Trails bike path
The tour begins and ends outside the Target located at 2580 Shearn Street, Houston, Texas 77007. This is accessed by Exit #767B/Taylor Street, off of I-10. Target has a Starbucks and Pizza Hut located inside. Several other restaurants are in the parking lot area.
Tour O – The Montrose Area
This is one of the most eclectic neighborhoods in Houston.& Long known as the center of the gay population of Houston, it was established in the early 1900s and has some lovely and historic homes. This will cover Hyde Park, Audubon Place, Westmoreland Place, and more. We will walk past Courtlandt Place to stare at some of the most elite homes and people of Houston on their private street.We will walk past:
- The house in which Clark Gable lived when he was a local theater performer and womanizer of older ladies
- The house in which Lyndon Baines Johnson lived when he was an aspiring schoolteacher
- The Waldo Mansion, the oldest residential house still resided within in Houston
- Mayor Annise Parker's home
- French Alliance
- Morty Rich Hostel
- KPFT radio headquarters
- Several other historic homes including Victorian and the Craftman style. This was a dominant style for smaller houses built throughout the country from approximately 1900 to 1930. They are known for their artful design including landscaping, and the interior and exterior home. It encouraged originality, simplicity of form, using local natural materials, and the visibility of handicraft.
- Spec's liquor outlet store
- Many restaurants, stores, and clubs along Westheimer Road, Montrose Boulevard, and Grant Street.
The tour begins and ends at the Jack in the Box at 3220 Montrose Boulevard, Houston, Texas 77006 at Lovett Boulevard. Look for parking on the nearby streets.
Tour P – The Rice Village and Rice University Area
This tour is a shopper’s delight. The Rice Village has over 200 businesses and some of the greatest variety of restaurants and bars. Many, if not most of the stores, are female boutiques. Ethnic venues include British, Chinese, French, Greek, Indian, Irish, Italian, Jewish style, Scottish, Thai, Turkish, and Vietnamese. Miscellaneous establishments include delis, bakeries, and coffee, wine, chocolate, ice cream, and yogurt restaurants. The first hour of the tour is mostly in the Village. The latter half of the tour is largely on the Rice University campus. Rice is the most prestigious institution of higher education in Texas and all of the Deep South. Its campus is beautiful and sprawling.It was found in 1912. We will walk through two or three buildings as well as seeing the grand architecture of others. We will see the statue of William Marsh Rice that rests over the ashes from his cremation. The tour is approximately 3.5 to 4.0 miles/5.6 to 6.4 kilometers.
The tour begins and ends at La Madeleine at 6205 Kirby Drive, Houston, Texas 77005.
Tour Q – The University of Houston
This tour covers the largest university in Houston with over 47,000 students. It is third largest university in Texas and reached Tier I status in 2011. It was found in 1927 as a junior college. For high culture, we will go to the:
- Blaffer Gallery,
- Moores Opera House, and the
- Wortham Theatre.
For low culture, we will see the:
- Cougar Baseball Field,
- Hofheinz Pavilion, once home to the Houston Rockets, and
- Robertson Stadium, once home to the Houston Oilers the Houston Dynamo, in addition to be being the home for the UH Cougars and TSU Panthers.
We will walk through the:
- University Center (UC),
- UC Satellite, where we will take a break,
- MD Anderson Library, and the
- College of Architecture building with the Parthenon replica on the roof.
We also see the KUHF/KUHT broadcasting building, the Conrad N. Hilton College of Hotel and Restaurant Management, and dozens of works of art, including the Statue of the Four Lies, and two replicas of Shasta, the traditional cougar mascot, on the UH campus.
Some places may be closed between semesters and on weekends.
The tour begins and ends on the first floor in front of the University of Houston's (UH) 4-story parking garage on the southwest corner of University Drive and Calhoun Road, Houston, Texas 77004. The entrance is on Calhoun Road, across the street from the Campus Recreation and Wellness Center. Park on the second floor in the Visitors parking area. Two restaurants, vending machines, and bathrooms are on the first floor of this complex. The cost of the parking is approximately $7.00. If one is going to UH via I-45, exit #44B/Spur 5 to get there and then turn right on University Drive.
Tour R – Texas Southern University (TSU)
This tour covers the second largest predominantly African American university in the nation and the second largest university in Houston. It has over 9,000 students. TSU was found as Texas State University for Negroes, in 1947. Its name changed to its current one in 1951. We will cover the campus, including seeing an old cornerstone with the original name, the African art exhibit and Barbara Jordan exhibit, and go to the Texas Southern University Museum, provided it is open. The TSU Museum has artwork from its longtime Department of Art chairperson and world-famous muralist John Biggers. We will go inside the Thurgood Marshall School of Law, visit the Student Center for a break, and walk along Tiger Walk.
Some places may be closed between semesters and on weekends.
The tour begins and ends by the parking garage on the north side of Cleburne Street and to the east of Tierwester Street, Houston, Texas 77004. The parking garage charges a fee that is usually under $10.00.
Tour S – Memorial Park I – North of Memorial Drive
On this walk,we will go by the tennis courts, golf course, soccer fields, timing track, several exercise areas, the swimming pool, an abandoned road, playgrounds, an abandoned softball field, the historical marker detailing the history of the biggest riot in Texas history that had its origins at Memorial Park when it was Camp Logan in August 1917, and the Beck's Prime. The paths are generally wide and level, although one can explore into the forest. It is approximately 3.5 – 4.0 miles/5.6 to 6.4 kilometers.
The tour begins and ends at the Memorial Park Tennis Center at 1500 West Memorial Loop, Houston, Texas 77007. It is on page 492K in the Key Map book. It is off of I-10, Exit #764, Washington Avenue, Westcott Drive, Katy, Memorial Park from either east or west.
Tour T – Memorial Park II – Primarily South of Memorial Drive
This has a fascinating series of trails. We start by walking on one or more of the trails within the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. You can visit the Discovery Room and the Nature Gift Shop in the museum building. We proceed to follow the path along Woodway Drive and will walk in one of the mountain bike trails that are located in the remote heavy forest. Soldiers created these mountain bike trails as trenches when this was Camp Logan as they prepared for World War I, in 1917. We will also go by softball, soccer, and football fields, volleyball courts, the picnic area and more. It is approximately 3.5 – 4.0 miles/5.6 to 6.4 kilometers.
This tour begins and ends at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center at 4501 Woodway Drive, Houston, Texas 77024-7708. This is off of I-610, Exit #10, Woodway Drive, Memorial Drive from the south or #10A, Woodway Drive, Memorial Drive from the north.
Tour U – Glenwood Cemetery
This is the River Oaks for the Dead. It is a lovely setting on rolling hills between Washington Avenue and Memorial Drive. Many beautiful statuaries and fountains are located here. It was chartered in 1871 and began operations in 1872. It is the permanent resting place for Howard Hughes, Gene Tierney, Glenn McCarthy, George Hermann, Henry MacGregor, Eugene Thomas Heiner, Anson Jones, Ron Stone, Clark Gable’s second wife, the Allen family, the Rice family, the Baker family, the Botts family, the Hobby family, the Autry family, the Blaffer family, the Cooley family, the Masterson family, and many other notable Houstonians. Washington Cemetery, formerly known as German Cemetery, is adjacent to it. It was established in 1887. Many of the old headstones are in German. We will go into this cemetery, also. The only cross-dressing woman to receive a federal pension for her service in the Civil War is buried there. The terrain has many inclines and declines making it a more strenuous route than most of the walking tours. This walk is approximately 3.0 to 3.5 miles/4.8 to 5.6 kilometers.
The tour begins and ends inside the main entrance off to the west side so as to not block traffic. The address is 2525 Washington Avenue, Houston, Texas 77007. Find parking across the street from it on any of the side streets.
Tour V – Lakewood Church and Greenway Plaza
Greenway Plaza opened in 1973. It was Houston's first mixed-used development with businesses, restaurants, offices, and residences. It has 10 buildings ranging from 11 to 31 floors. Lakewood Church is in a building that was erected from 1973 to 1975. It originally was called The Summit from 1975 to 1998 and then The Compaq Center from 1998 to 2003. It was a multi-purpose sports arena, and entertainment venue for concerts, the circus, and high school graduations. It is the largest church in the United States with 43,500 members locally and 80,000 worldwide. It has 16,800 seats. It has six services weekly: four in English and two in Spanish. The Lakewood congregation moved into the abandoned building on July 16, 2005. Its main pastor, Joel Osteen, is the world's most famous televangelist. The gift shop is open during the day Monday through Friday.
The tour begins and ends outside the front entrance of Lakewood Church on the west side of Timmons Lane. Lakewood Church's address is 3700 Southwest Freeway, Houston, Texas 77027.One can park either in front of the church on Timmons Lane or in the underground parking of Greenway Plaza for a fee.
Tour W – To be announced.
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