The George R. Brown Convention Center is one of the main hubs in Houston for big events. This 1.8 million square foot convention center was built in 1987 and to this day is still expanding in order to bring exceptional events in Houston to life. Staging Solutions and the George R. Brown Convention Center have a 20 year history of working together to produce extraordinary events.
Since we work at the George R. Brown so often, we are familiar with all of the best places to eat, stay, and play nearby. We want you to be able to make the most out of visiting Houston and your event experience, so we’ve compiled a list of the best things to do around the George R. Brown Convention Center in downtown Houston.
The most important part of visiting Houston is where you’re going to stay. If you’re attending an event in downtown, there are a host of considerable hotels just waiting for you in the area. If you’re looking for a boutique hotel experience, Hotel Icon is an excellent choice for a unique meeting place, as well as luxury accommodations. The Marriott Marquis Hotel just opened this past year and if you’re looking for southern hospitality, you won’t want to look any further than its giant Texas shaped lazy river on the roof. Our team did an amazing job executing the Super Bowl LI Gala here, especially since our planning took place before the hotel was even built. If you’re attending an event last minute, another option is to look into Hotel Tonight, where you can find great deals on downtown Houston hotels.
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What goes along hand-in-hand with where you’re going to stay? Where you’re going to eat. Houston is a nationally recognized city with incredible restaurants and diverse food options. While you can find amazing restaurants in every area of town, downtown hosts a number of amazing choices to pick from. Treebeards has a few different locations downtown, but is a go-to for great cajun and southern comfort food. If you’re looking for something a little more unique, Phoenicia Specialty Foods, an international grocery store, is only a few blocks away from the George R. Brown Convention Center. This is a great option for either grabbing food on the go, or if you want to sit and enjoy your food. If you need coffee, juice, or a pick-me-up dessert, your best option in the neighborhood is Tout Suite, which sits right on the opposite side of 59 from the George R. Brown. With a cool, eclectic vibe, Tout Suite is a great place to sit and work remotely, people watch, and enjoy a hot drink. Want to unwind after a long day of meetings? Hearsay Gastro Lounge is your solution with a cozy atmosphere and craft cocktails.
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Now that your basics are covered, you can enjoy the rest of what downtown Houston has to offer. From the theatre district to extensive parks and sports events, downtown Houston is really a central hub of entertainment venues. Take in a Houston Rockets basketball game at the Toyota Center or watch the Astros swing away at Minute Maid Park. Beyond sports events, Houston’s downtown has its own miniature Central Park, Discovery Green, which happens to be right across the street from the George R. Brown. Whether it’s summer or winter, there’s always something going on including paddle boarding, ice skating, yoga on the lawn, concerts, and more. It’s also a great place to walk and stretch your legs after attending a day-long event. Market Square Park has an array of activities going on, as well as being around a variety of restaurants and bars. They have Thursday night bingo and movies on the lawn, so if you’re in need of some relaxation, this is the place to go.
Looking for more formal entertainment? Downtown is home to Houston’s theater district spanning 17 blocks. For a more intimate performance, The Alley Theater has been recently revamped and puts on award-winning plays. The Houston Symphony resides in Jones Hall, a giant theater that puts on a variety of different performances. Stride over to the Wortham Theater to see the Houston ballet, or productions like Wicked. Nearby is Bayou Place which hosts the Revention Music Center, a movie theatre, restaurants, event venues, and more.
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Our team has worked almost, if not all, of these venues, and can attest to how expansive and dynamic downtown Houston is. If you’re attending an event at or around the George R. Brown Convention Center then you’re not in short supply of things to see, eat, and do.