Reliant Park in southwest Houston is home to Reliant Arena, Reliant Astrodome, Reliant Center, Reliant Stadium, and Carruth Plaza. Originally the area was marked by the Houston Astrodome termed the "eighth wonder of the world when it opened in 1965 as the first covered baseball park. Now with four venues for everything from sporting events and concerts to boat and auto shows that can be offered simultaneously, Reliant Park has something for everyone. Reliant Arena, home to the Houston Texans football team and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo sports a retractable roof and natural grass is a wonder itself. Located in a prime part of Reliant Park Houston, Carruth Plaza is an outdoor sculpture garden and home to both large bronze western themed sculptures and native Texas plants. Hotels and eateries abound in the vicinity several within walking distance of Reliant Park. The Houston METROrail service runs to downtown every twelve minutes for easy access and there is ample parking for each venue. With the Texas Medical Center, Rice University and the Houston Museum of Natural Science a short distance away Reliant Park is an excellent area for a base camp from which to conduct a family vacation to Houston and the southeastern part of the state of Texas.
