Empire Today

Join the hustle and bustle of The Market Square Park, the original heart of community activity in downtown Houston. Combining live entertainment, tasty temptations, shady walkways, and dog runs to rival all dog runs, Market Square Park is reminiscent of another era where neighbors gather and enjoy the space they call home.

Duck into an authentic Irish-style pub, where live music, pints, and lip-smacking pub food rule the evening. McGonigel's Mucky Duck is a nightlife spot in Houston that's celebrated for its Irish nights featuring open calls for musicians and Irish dancers to entertain the crowd.

The Houston Zoo is home to more than 4,500 animals, with more than 900 species representing the seventh most-visited zoo in the nation. Explore the featured attractions, which include the Kipp Aquarium, The Fischer Bird Gardens, the Tropical Bird House, a Children's Zoo with a petting zoo and water playground, the World of Primates, the Wildlife Carousel, the McNair Asian Elephant Habitat, and the Reptile & Amphibian Building.

Enjoy outdoor entertainment under the stars at the Miller Outdoor Theatre, one of Houston’s culturally diverse and always free outdoor performance venues. Relax in the covered seating area or enjoy a pre-performance picnic on the hillside as you experience the most diverse eight-month season of professional shows that include classical, jazz, and ethnic music, dance, ballet, Shakespeare, musical theatre, classic films, and more.