Port of Houston
The Port of Houston is an economic colossus — the largest port in the United States by foreign waterborne tonnage and a critical hub of global trade. Stretching 25 miles along the Houston Ship Channel from the Turning Basin to Galveston Bay, the port handles over 247 million tons of cargo annually and supports nearly 3.2 million jobs across Texas.
The port is the nation's largest handler of petrochemical products and the leading US port for imported steel, with massive container terminals, grain elevators, and petrochemical facilities lining the ship channel. Watching enormous container ships and tankers navigate the channel just feet from shore is a humbling experience.
The best way to experience the port is the free M/V Sam Houston boat tour, a 90-minute narrated cruise along the ship channel operated by the Port of Houston Authority. The tour passes active container terminals, grain elevators, and the San Jacinto Monument, offering a fascinating look at the industrial infrastructure that powers Houston's economy.
The 1836 San Jacinto Battleground State Historic Site, located along the ship channel, marks where Texas won its independence from Mexico and features a monument taller than the Washington Monument.
Visitor Tips: The Sam Houston boat tour is free but reservations are required — book online well in advance as spots fill quickly. Tours run Thursday through Sunday. Bring binoculars for ship-watching. The San Jacinto Monument and Battleship Texas are nearby and worth combining into a full day trip.
