Several other comparable and reputable communities in the Houston area include Greatwood, Nassau Bay, Spring Valley Village, University Place, Memorial, and Clear Lake.  

The Port of Houston, the nation’s largest port in international tonnage and second in total tonnage, is one of the region’s greatest assets.  This 50-mile system has public and private facilities in multiple communities.  Barbours Cut Terminal, the busiest terminal in the port, is located in Morgan’s Point.  The port, situated along Buffalo Bayou and Galveston Bay, is operated by the Port of Houston Authority, and is a major point of international trade for the United States.  An expansion and renovation of part of the port began in 2010 and is expected to be completed by 2020.  This renovation will give The Turning Basin Terminal a multipurpose complex with open wharves and 37 docks to be used for direct discharge and loading of breakbulk, containerized, project or heavy-lift cargoes, and is projected to accommodate the increase in the transportation of steel.  Many petroleum companies have built refineries along the channel where they are partially protected from the threat of major Gulf of Mexico storms.  According to statistics provided in 2006 by portofhouston.com, the port’s annual revenue is $168 million, while its economic value is $118 billion.  With a net income of $42 million, the port of Houston records 785,000 attributable jobs.  

The port provides a portion of its economic value, but Houston’s infrastructure is supported by other modes of transportation, hauling, and shipment.  More than 600 trucking firms operate in Houston, some of which are Nationwide Transport Services, Adams Warehouse and Delivery, B4 Logistics Inc., and Air 7 Seas Transport Logistics, Inc. 

ConocoPhillips, an American multinational energy corporation, is headquartered in the Energy corridor district of Houston, and is an industry leader with 11,400 employees.  With an annual revenue of $38.7 billion, an average ConocoPhillips employee makes $99,333 a year.  Highest paying competitors include , Occidental Petroleum, and Phillips Petroleum International Investment Co.  Jobs in this company and industry include drilling engineer, construction, and science and engineering.

Occidental Petroleum engages in hydrocarbonation exploration in the United States, as well as in the Middle East and Colombia.  Organized in Delaware and headquartered in Houston, this company also contributes to the petrochemical manufacturing in the United States, Canada, and Chile.  Occidental Petroleum employees have a retention rate of 3.8 years and make an average of $105,606 annually.  They are an industry leader with 11,000 employees and an annual revenue of $17.8 billion.  Occidental Petroleum is rated by zippia.com as the #2 best company to work for in Houston, Texas.  Job opportunities include ICS Network Security Engineer, Field Foreman, Corrosion Tech, Sr Staff Accountant, Sr Paralegal, and E&I Technician.  

CITGO Petroleum and Phillips 66 both serve the multinational energy community to provide energy in ways that improve lives.  Median annual salaries hover around $37,000.

The Sysco Corporation is involved in marketing and distributing food products, smallwares, kitchen equipment, and table top items to restaurants, healthcare and educational facilities.  Competitive with Ecolab, Kimberly-Clark, and Staples, Sysco employees remain in the company for nearly four years, and earn approximately $49,285 annually.  The company is an industry leader with 66,500 employees, an annual revenue of $55.4 billion, great products, and exceptional service.  Recent job opportunities include Sr. Director, Labor Relations, Coord, Benefits Administration, Warehouse Associate, and CDL B Delivery Truck Driver.

Retail companies in the Houston area include Mattress Firm, Charming Charlie, Stage Stores, Momentum BMW, Houston Wire & Cable Company, Lewis Food Town, and Mustang Cat.

In the healthcare industry several hospitals, cancer centers, and clinics provide outstanding service to the Houston communities. Texas Children’s Hospital, employs 11,970 workers and brings in an annual revenue of $5.5 billion.  It is voted by zippia.com as the #1 in  best healthcare companies to work for in Houston, Texas. MD Anderson Cancer Center is a part of The University of Texas and is a comprehensive cancer center in Houston.  The #2 rated healthcare company seeks to eliminate cancer in Texas, the nation, and the world through outstanding programs that integrate patient care, research and prevention, and through education for undergraduate and graduate students, trainees, professionals, employees, and the public.  Several other healthcare facilities and centers include US Physical Therapy, Burzynski Clinic, Legacy Community Health Services, and Alleviant Medical.

The Houston’s community is served through the finance community by Aramco Services, Cardtronics, Crestwood Equity Partners, Prosperity Bancshares, and Cadence Bank.

Zippia.com has curated a list of the best companies to work for headquartered in and around Houston.  Here is a list of 18 best Fortune 500 companies to work for in Houston.

• ConocoPhillips
• Occidental Petroleum
• Sysco
• Phillips 66
• Apache
• Calpine
• NRG Energy
• Halliburton
• CenterPoint Energy
• EOG resources
• Kinder Morgan
• Baker Hughes
• Targa Resources
• Quanta Services
• Plains All American
• Enterprise Products
• Waste Management
• National Oilwell Varco

It is said that everything is bigger in Texas…so, naturally, the fun adventures, spectacular attractions, and amazing experiences are bigger and better, as well!  Houston is a magnet for tourism.  Its close connection to the Space Center Houston, and NASA’s astronaut training and flight control complex bring space enthusiasts from all over the world!  Visit the Houston Museum of Natural Science to explore the breathtaking collection of mineral specimens, space station models, dinosaur skeleton mounds, and the planetarium.  Spend an afternoon in the Children’s Museum.  It was founded in 1980 by a group of parents who desired to raise early education development within the community.  Hands on exhibits and sensory stimulating stations make this a memorable place for the whole family.  Discovery Green is an 11.78 acre public city park .  This urban oasis offers open air reading rooms, free WiFi, playgrounds, and shareable games and equipment.  The Downtown Aquarium is home to a gigantic 500,000 gallon aquatic wonderland filled with exotic species and fish.  The six acre dining and entertainment complex was made even more spectacular with the redesigning of two of Houston’s landmarks…the Central Waterworks Building and Fire Station No.1.  

The Health Museum is a common stop for school aged children as it serves as a popular field trip venue.  The Health Museum welcomes more than 180,000 guests each year, and provides children and adults alike with excellent interactive health and science educational experiences.  Walk through the human body, and participate in real organ dissections as part of your visit.  

Fast Track Amusements gives the family perfect race track memories.  Drive on the Wacky Gator Super Speedway.  Play dozens of arcade games, miniature gold, laser tag, and Formula 1 style go karts.  For the more cultured tourists, the Museum of Fine Arts caters to nearly 1.25 million guests who attend workshops, programs, and resource centers annually.  This museum is home to Gleizes’s La Femme, Memling’s portrail, Monet’s Water Lilies, and dozens of Roman period sculptures and statues.  

Minute Maid Park, home of the Houston Astros, now brings open air baseball to Houston for the first time in over thirty-five years.  The recently renovated baseball stadium is complete with a 242 for high retractable roof. 

Other places of interest to add to an exploration itinerary include Cockrell Butterfly Center, The Galleria, Hobby Center for the Performing Arts, Hines Waterwall Park, Texas Rock Gym, the Houston Zoo and Hermann Park,  JPMorgan and Chase Tower, and the Toyota Center.  Take a stroll or ride a bike through Buffalo Bayou Park.  This 160 acre green space running through the city is sure to take work off our mind!

Astros, Texans, Dynamo and Dash, Rockets, SaberCats, and Skeeters…Houston has several professional sports teams that are sure to please the fans and crowds on or off the court.  

The Astros light up Minute Maid Park with baseball memories.  You will definitely want to sit in the Crawford Boxes-the 2,500 seat-section that juts out into the left field corner.  Here you will have a chance to go home with a home run ball!  

Dynamo and Dash soccer teams have made a name for themselves as they compete in the new BBVA Compass stadium.  

The Houston Rockets, playing in the Toyota Center, can amaze up to 18,300 fans in the indoor arena.  

Playing in the AVEVA Stadium, the Houston SaberCats are one of seven teams in the newly formed Major League Rugby league.  They made Houston their home in 2018.

Texas and football just seem to go together.  The NRG Stadium, an indoor/outdoor venue featuring natural grass and a retractable roof, is home to the Texans.  

The Skeeters, playing at Constellation Field, are Sugar Land’s ALPB professional baseball team.  The stadium has a playland designed specifically for children, complete with jungle gym equipment, a splash pad, and a carousel.