In Houston, you will find everything from traditional Christmas trees and decorations to lighted palm trees. You can drive around town to catch the Christmas spirit, or just enjoy the lights on your neighbors’ houses.

To get you started, here are some interesting holiday scenes from around Houston.

Christmas at the Texas Medical Center in Houston

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34517255@N00/ / CC BY 2.0

Christmas in Highland Village, Houston

Photo credit: Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

Uptown Houston Lighting Ceremony

Photo credit: Greater Houston Convention and Visitors Bureau

Snowy December Day in Houston

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/eschipul/ / CC BY-SA 2.0

Paddle Boat House, Hermann Park

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/bobrosenberg/240019746/ / CC BY 2.0

McGovern Commons at the Texas Medical Center in Houston

Photo credit: http://www.flickr.com/photos/34517255@N00/ / CC BY 2.0

The BBP recently introduced their new pontoon boat, Spirit of the Bayou, with a cruise along Buffalo Bayou. (The Spirit of the Bayou replaces a boat lost to an arson fire over the summer.)

On this cruise, the boat traveled east along the Bayou from Allen’s Landing, through historic east Houston with historian Louis F. Aulbach providing insight, commentary and fun facts about Houston history along the way. Aulbach is the BBP’s resident historian, and he leads monthly historical tours.

Viewing the city from the bayou gives you a brand new perspective on Houston. Passengers can view industry, nature, history and striking views of the downtown Houston skyline, while taking a relaxing boat trip along a portion of Houston’s main waterway.

Several Buffalo Bayou boat tours are available at various times of the year, from the Christmas cruises happening this month to bat colony tours, historical tours and more. Tours depart from Sabine Promenade. You can get information about scheduled tours, or how to schedule a private Buffalo Bayou boat tour for your group, at the Buffalo Bayou Partnership website.

Be sure to book your cruise to discover this little-seen side of Houston. Meanwhile, take a look at some of the photos from the recent preview cruise offered by BBP.

Buffalo Bayou from Allen’s Landing

Buffalo Bayou Nature

One of Many Bridges Over Buffalo Bayou

Downtown Houston Skyline from Buffalo Bayou

You can find neon in unexpected places around Houston, including a church founded by freed slaves.

Here are some Houston neon photos to give you a peek at some of the neon you can find around town.

You can see lots more Houston neon photos in the Houston Neon photo group on flickr.

.

.

Houston Carnival

Image Credit: Cordey | CC BY 2.0

Blue

Continental Club, Houston
Image Credit: Cortney Martin82 | CC BY 2.0

Neon Museum Exhibit

A model of a petrochemical plant in the Houston Museum of Natural Science
Image Credit: Tom_Adams | CC BY-SA 2.0

Neon Crackle

A detail shot of the museum exhibit in the photo above
Image Credit: Chris Denbow | CC BY 2.0

Holder’s Pest Control Neon Roach

The famous sign is no longer around, but it is remembered by many Houstons.
Image Credit: Mike Stucker | All rights reserved, used with permission.

Neon Palm

Image Credit: Eschipul | CC BY-SA 2.0