Midtown is known for nightlife, urban boom, and its proximity to Downtown. With upwards of 9,000 residents, the neighborhood is rapidly expanding, experiencing significant population growth since 2000. In order to accommodate the influx of residents, Midtown is developing at an exceptional rate; the dilapidated Sears building is being repurposed into a 9.4 acre business and technology hub deemed the Innovation District. The Midtown today is vastly different than it was a decade ago, and thanks to the myriad of quality food and drink places, brand new greenspaces, and community culture, Midtown is quickly becoming one of Houston’s most desirable neighborhoods. This guide will equip current and future residents with everything they need to know about living in Midtown.

Real Estate

Residential building in Midtown

Midtown real estate typically ranges from$125,000 to $950,000, according to Neighborhoods.com, and residence styles include modern condos like Parc at Midtown (an enormous gated complex with 10 new townhomes currently being constructed), urban lofts, and early 20th century homes along tree-lined streets.

Schools

Midtown is zoned to Gregory-Lincoln Education Center, a K-8 school with an emphasis on performing and visual arts, while southern portions are zoned to MacGregor Elementary, a music and science magnet. The secondary school option, Lamar High School is an International Baccalaureate school. Nearby magnet schools include Houston Academy International Studies, Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, and the prestigious Carnegie Vanguard High School, which was ranked among the top 10 high schools in the U.S. in 2017.

Post-secondary institutions include Houston Community College, which offers an array of associate degree programs and certifications as well as the University of Houston, Texas Southern University, and Rice University. 

Getting Around

Intersection in Midtown

Because of Houston’s urban sprawl, many residents rely on driving as their main form of transportation. But Midtown, which packs countless amenities into 1.24 square miles, is one of the city’s most walkable neighborhoods. Midtown is also along the METROrail route conveniently connecting to Downtown, the Museum District, the Medical Center, the University of Houston, and more.

Grocery Stores

The neighborhood is home to two full service grocery stores: Randalls which offers grocery delivery and Fiesta Mart, which has a selection of Hispanic specialty foods. Midtown has easy access to Kroger and HEB in Montrose and Downtown’s Phoenicia Specialty Foods, an international market featuring products from over 50 countries. 

Coffee Shops

Coffee  shops in Midtown

Whether someone needs a caffeine kick before work or they’re hunkering down for a full day of studying or remote working, Midtown delivers. Double Trouble stays open until 2 a.m. Monday through Friday for those pulling an all-nighter. The coffee bar uses house-made syrups and also serves craft cocktails, beer, specialty sodas, and mocktails. Retrospect is housed in a converted 97-year-old gas station and uses a Seattle-made Slayer espresso machine, beans sourced from local roasters, and serves sweet and savory crepes. The coffee shop’s white vinyl stools, teal walls, and bamboo evoke a languid tropical oasis.

Restaurants

Brunch options include The Breakfast Klub, a Houston institution serving up fried chicken and waffles, and Brennan’s, a New Orleans import with a renowned jazz brunch.

Midtown is a hotspot of culinary diversity. Jinya Ramen Bar slow simmers their broth for maximum flavor and hand-makes their noodles fresh daily. Ibiza Food and Wine Bar is an esteemed Spanish and Mediterranean restaurant with succulent seafood plates like Portuguese octopus, red snapper ceviche, and fried oysters. Les Givral's is an area favorite for cheap banh mi, pho, and spring rolls. Oporto Fooding House serves upscale Portuguese-inspired small plates.

Bars and Nightlife

Axelrad Beer Garden in Midtown

Midtown has some of the city’s best nightlife like Little Woodrow’s—come for the cheap happy hour specials and expansive patio, stay for the signature turtle races; Axelrad Beer Garden—swing on a hammock, drink a craft beer, and watch an outdoor movie on the big screen; and Barbarella—the best place to dance the night away.

Shopping

Midtown shopping standouts include Sig’s Lagoon Record Shop which sells vinyl, collectibles, and band merch, and My Flaming Heart, a gift shop with handmade pin-up dresses, vintage clothing and cowboy boots, unique and unusual gifts, jewelry, folk art, and oddities.

Parks

Bagby Park in Midtown

Bagby Park is a 30,000-square-foot park and community hub with an open lawn, events stage, bocce ball courts, and a dog park. A larger greenspace, the 2.5 acre Midtown Park opened in 2017 with finishing touches still being added. The park’s reflecting pool has a 10-foot waterfall meant to drown out the raucous sounds of the city. Other amenities include a playground, art installations, underground parking, and access to the Metrorail.

Culture

Museums like the Asia Society, Buffalo Soldiers Museum, and the Museum of African-American Culture provide Sunday Funday  cultural activities and enrichment. The Ensemble Theatre is a 42-year-old African-American performing arts venue and company that debuts six productions a year.