Houston Architecture & Landmarks

Houston's modern downtown skyline can be seen from many places across the city. The gleaming buildings form craggy lines across the horizon, making the view the third-most-concentrated skyline after New York and Chicago. Because Houston is so spread out, it makes sense that the city would have more than one area of tall, eye-catching buildings.

In the Galleria or Uptown District of the city is the Williams Tower, which can be seen just as easily as some of the buildings in downtown. Although Houston is surrounded by multiple suburban neighborhoods that share similar redbrick home designs, neighborhoods in The Loop showcase unique and lavish residential architecture. River Oaks, The Heights, Montrose, and Rice Village are examples of what history and some good old-fashioned money can do.

Insider's Guide: The Best of Architecture & Landmarks in Houston

All roads lead to downtown where some of the state's tallest and most influential buildings serve as bookmarks in the Houston skyline. Topping the list is the J.P. Morgan Chase Tower (601 Travis St). The 75-story building is the tallest in Texas. To really see the city, take the ear-popping elevators to the 60th floor for an amazing panoramic view of the city.

©2006 Martin aka Maha At 75 stories, the J.P Morgan Chase Tower is the tallest building in the state of Texas.

The Bank of America Building (700 Louisiana St), affectionately called "Spikey," is one of the first significant examples of post-modern architecture built in downtown Houston. The distinctive edging was inspired by Dutch Gothic canal houses in The Netherlands, and at 56 stories high, it's the seventh tallest building in Texas.

The Williams Tower (2800 Post Oak Blvd) is the fourth tallest building in Texas. At 64 stories, Williams Tower -- which is still called Transco, its former name by locals -- is a helpful directional landmark. Walk across the lawn and experience the Williams Water Wall, a multistory sculptural fountain that's popular with residents and visitors and locals who like to take photographs of the semicircular fountain. The Water Wall is open to the public daily from 10 am to 10 pm.

It's hotels, not office buildings, that often have some of the best views of the city. Room 1008 at the Mobil Three-Star Alden-Houston Hotel (1117 Prairie St) has one of the best seats in the house to watch a game at Minute Maid Park (501 Crawford St). And the Mobil Three-Star Hilton Americas Houston (1600 Lamar) offers multiple views of the city, so ask for table 707 at its Skyline Bar and Grill and get a 180-degree view of downtown in return. Step out onto the expansive veranda just outside the indoor pool and see more the city.

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