Travel: Houston, Texas

Hulking Houston is the largest Texan city, and true to the state's reputation, everything seems to be on a supersized scale.

Colossal shopping centres, monstrous water parks and huge sporting arenas. Even the Texan barbecued steaks are generously proportioned.

Founded in 1836, the city takes its name from the first president of the Republic of Texas, Sam Houston. Among the forest of sky-piercing commercial towers there are some pockets of heritage worth exploring. Start your sightseeing in the Market Square Historic District, where the beautiful 19th-century architecture has been preserved. After dark the district comes to life with a wild array of venues, clubs, and restaurants.

For a taste of the high life, catch a concert at the Houston Grand Opera, which has enormous stature in the world for its fine arts performances.

Get your fill of ethnic shopping and souvenirs at Traders Village. Boasting more than 2500 dealers, there are stalls serving indigenous foods as well as stalls showcasing the crafts of Native American artisans, in addition to a strong Mexican influence. A sure-bet city highlight is the Houston Aquarium, which is not only a haven for marine life but an amusement park decked out with classy retail and eateries. Famed arcade developer Tilman Fertitta created a very upscale restaurant where there is a 454,500-litre floor-to-ceiling tank which serves as the centrepiece of a simulated lagoon. You can travel by train right through the shark tank on the Shark Voyage, or dine on specialties from the sea while you admire the wonders of ocean life. Kids just love this.

Another family thriller is Houston Zoo, which is home to more than 500 species of animals, including one of the biggest venomous snake collections in the country. Only a few minutes from downtown Hermann Park, the zoo is a trend-setter in interactive exhibits.

Get a taste of the thrills and spills at an American baseball game at one of the country's finest arenas. Minute Maid Field, conveniently located downtown, is home to the Houston Astros.

The former Union Train Station is now part of the field's main entrance. Trains and the railroads played a big role in Houston's history. The field and the station are listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and today a home run or a winning Astros game sets a train going along part of the stadium wall. In deference to the field's namesake and its most important product, the tender of the train is filled with huge oranges instead of coal.