Houston's HEART is the center for
H - Healthcare and Hospitality
E - Education and Energy
A - Arts and Advocacy
R - Recreation and Research
T - Technology and Transportation
Healthcare and Hospitality
The Texas Medical Center, the largest medical complex in the world, sees 10 million patient visits annually. As an internationally recognized hub for healing, education and groundbreaking research, it is home to many of the nation’s top hospitals, physicians, researchers, educational institutions, healthcare providers and innovators shaping the future of medicine.
The South Main area welcomes visitors from around the globe. People come for medical care, business, education, entertainment and more—from the renowned Texas Medical Center to the Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo, Hermann Park, Rice University and the city's many museums. With a variety of hotels, restaurants and cultural attractions, South Main is a destination for visitors, professionals and residents alike where Texas hospitality is a priority and an honor to extend.
Education and Energy
The South Main area provides higher education and specialized learning opportunities to nearly 60,000 students and lifelong learning opportunities to all Houstonians. Institutions of higher learning, such as Rice University, the University of St. Thomas, the Houston Community College System and various educational Texas Medical Center institutions, train more than 33,000 high school, college and graduate students in a multitude of healthcare professions. Cultural institutions, including nearly 20 world-class museums, as well as Miller Outdoor Theatre and Hermann Park, provide interactive and engaging educational opportunities for individuals of all ages and interests. Additionally, since 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has surpassed $600 million in support of Texas youth and education programs.
While Houston’s role as Energy Capital of the World is centered in other parts of the city, the South Main area taps into its own dynamic energy—one of innovation and progress. From Rice University’s Ion District to Greentown Houston’s Greentown Labs and the Texas Medical Center’s Innovation Factory, this thriving area is home to cutting edge entrepreneurs, brilliant leading minds, trailblazing innovators, dynamic visionaries and forward-thinking industry leaders in healthcare, education and technology, where bold ideas and discoveries emerge every day.
Arts and Advocacy
The South Main area is a vibrant center for the arts, offering a rich variety of visual and performing arts, as well as stunning architecture and picturesque landscapes. Notable museums include the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston with its permanent collection of world art spanning more than 5,000 years of history and nearly 80,000 works, and The Menil Collection, which houses the personal art collection of founders Dominique and John de Menil. Contemporary Arts Museum Houston, Lawndale Art Center, and the Houston Center for Photography showcase contemporary art and photography. Houston Center for Contemporary Craft nurtures fine craftsmanship in a range of media, while Miller Outdoor Theatre provides more than 125 free performances each year, featuring dance, theater and music.
Surrounding these cultural anchors, Hermann Park offers a lush 445-acre urban oasis, home to the scenic Japanese Garden, a tranquil retreat of winding paths, waterfalls and traditional landscaping, as well as the renowned Houston Zoo. Within walking distance, the Houston Museum of Natural Science captivates with world-class exhibits on everything from paleontology to astronomy, while the nearby Health Museum engages visitors with interactive exhibits on the human body and medical science. Just across the way, the Children’s Museum Houston offers dynamic, hands-on experiences that make learning fun for kids of all ages.
Cultural diversity shines in institutions like the Asia Society Texas Center, which explores the depth and richness of Asian cultures through art, performance and dialogue. The Czech Center Museum Houston preserves and celebrates Czech and Slovak heritage through artifacts, exhibitions and educational programs. History is brought to life at the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, honoring the legacy of African American soldiers, and the Houston Museum of African American Culture, which showcases the contributions of African Americans to the city’s artistic and cultural fabric.
Architecturally, the area boasts masterpieces by renowned designers, including Mies van der Rohe, Philip Johnson, Rafael Moneo, and Renzo Piano, as well as iconic landmarks like the Rothko Chapel and the Astrodome, hailed as the "Eighth Wonder of the World." Together, these institutions make South Main a dynamic and inclusive destination for cultural exploration, reflection and celebration.
South Main Alliance brings together stakeholders to enhance the South Main experience and improve the quality of life for those who live, work and visit the area. In partnership with TXDOT, METRO, the City of Houston, Harris County, various management districts and TIRZs, SMA serves as a collective voice, advocating for strategic improvements in transportation; stormwater management; responsible land use/quality development; and safety and security. Through active engagement and meaningful support, SMA helps foster a well-connected, thriving, collaborative community that promotes growth, inclusivity and shared success.
Recreation and Research
Houstonians and visitors from around the world come to the South Main area for recreation, relaxation and entertainment. Hermann Park spans 445 acres and features a miniature train, an 18-hole golf course, a lake with pedal boats, a wonderfully redesigned two-acre central playground know as the “Play Gardens,” jogging trails, a free outdoor theater, the Houston Zoo, and exhibits at the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The park also offers beautiful gardens, pathways and picnic areas. Nearby, Harris County Sports and Convention Corporation-NRG Park is home to the NFL Houston Texans and world-famous Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, along with a variety of major events and entertainment.
The South Main area is a mecca for research and innovation, fueled by the Texas Medical Center, Rice University, University of St. Thomas, Houston Community College, and Texas Southern University. Not just providers of healthcare and education, these institutions are major generators of new knowledge and inspiration. In collaboration with Rice University’s The Ion—the centerpiece of the city’s Innovation Corridor—research initiatives are driving the future of medicine, technology and business.
The Texas Medical Center is expanding its impact through visionary initiatives like Helix Park, a 37-acre public space centered around TMC³, a collaborative life science campus designed to unite leading researchers, clinicians, and industry partners in a dynamic hub for biomedical innovation. Additionally, TMC Innovation Factory (TMCi) is accelerating health and life science startups by connecting entrepreneurs with the resources, expertise and clinical environments needed to bring breakthrough ideas across multiple fields to market.
Technology and Transportation
Human knowledge and capabilities are advancing daily in fields like medicine, biotechnology, nutrition, public health, agriculture, energy and engineering. The South Main area’s growing Innovation Corridor is a key driver of this progress, with sites like Rice University's The Ion, a hub for innovation in the repurposed Sears Department Store building, the TMC3 collaborative space, which houses research initiatives between academic institutions and industry partners, as well as TMCi, the Texas Medical Center’s incubator site in the repurposed Nabisco factory building. These venues are leading the way in groundbreaking research turning into real-world solutions.
Transportation is a key focus area for SMA, as the South Main corridor offers diverse transportation and mobility options to keep residents, workers and visitors connected and moving through the area. In partnership with METRO, the city’s public transportation service, the area is served by a local bus system, rapid transit and the METRORail light-rail network. This network connects destinations including downtown, Hermann Park, the Museum District, the Texas Medical Center, NRG Park and Stadium, as well as several local universities and hotels. SMA works to ensure South Main’s interests are represented with partner organizations such as the Texas Department of Transportation, Museum Park Super Neighborhood, West University Place Association and others, helping influence and advocate for change and manage the impact of any construction or highway projects that contribute to the city’s growth.