AudaTours logoAudaTours

Stop 2 of 14

Main Street Market Square Historic District

headphones 02:44
Main Street Market Square Historic District

Now, let me point out some interesting details about this district. The Main Street Market Square Historic District has some irregular boundaries, which just adds to its unique charm. It encompasses all the blocks between Travis and Main Streets, from Texas Street to the northern boundary of the University of Houston-Downtown. And if we head south from Market Square at Preston Street, we'll capture all the blocks until we reach Buffalo Bayou.

You'll find some real treasures within this district. There's the University of Houston-Downtown, a four-year state university, known for its incredible students and educational offerings. It's one of the anchors of this district, keeping the energy alive.

But what truly steals the show here is Market Square Park. Let me tell you, this place has seen it all! It used to be the site of not one, not two, but four Houston City Halls and City Markets. Then, we have three stunning 19th-century structures adjacent to the park, namely the Fox-Kuhlman Building, the Baker-Meyer Building, and the Kennedy Bakery Building. These buildings are like a time machine, transporting us back to the rich history of this city.

And don't worry, we won't miss out on other architectural gems in this district. Eugene Heiner, the renowned architect, has left his mark here too! He designed some fantastic buildings, including the Henry Brashear Building and the Sweeney and Coombs Building. They're truly a sight to behold.

But wait, there's more! Just across the street, we have the Houston National Bank, which used to be owned by the famous Ross S. Sterling. Plus, we can't forget the Magnolia Brewery Building and the Magnolia Ballroom, built by the Houston Ice and Brewing Company. They knew how to bring the party, I tell ya!

And those are just a few of the incredible historic buildings that line Main Street in this district. We're talking about the Rice Hotel, the Barringer-Norton Building, the Scanlan Building, and many more. So get ready to walk back in time while enjoying the present-day beauty of Main Street Market Square Historic District!

Alright, let's move on to our next stop! Remember to take lots of pictures so you can look back on this wonderful tour.

arrow_back Back to Houston Audio Tour: From Main Street Market Square to Spirit of the Confederacy
Loved by travellers

Thousands of tours started.
Plenty of opinions.

4.8 across the App Store and Google Play. Here's a few we keep coming back to.

starstarstarstarstar
This was a solid way to get to know Brighton without feeling like a tourist. The narration had depth and context, but didn't overdo it.
Christoph
Christoph
Brighton Tour
starstarstarstarstar
Started this tour with a croissant in one hand and zero expectations. The app just vibes with you, no pressure, just you, your headphones, and some cool stories.
download Get the app

Pop your headphones in.
Step outside.

Free to download. Tours in every city. Start in 60 seconds — no account, no card.

Download on the App StoreGet it on Google Play
starstarstarstarstar_half
4.8
AudaTours app icon
headphones
~ 4 min until your first tour starts
public
1,000+ cities worldwide
all_inclusive
AudaTours
Unlimited

Every tour. Every city. One subscription.

3096 tours2272 cities138 countries50+ languages