Rice and the Community

Campus Environment

Houston

• Size: Largest city in Texas, fourth-largest in U.S., with a metropolitan area covering 8,778 square miles
• Population: 2.1 million, 5.95 million in greater Houston area
• Economy: Energy, aeronautics, health care, space, high-tech, chemical and shipping
• Attractions: 75 art galleries; five major museums; resident companies in opera , theater , symphony  and ballet  
• Sports: Five professional sports teams
• Diversity: More than 90 languages spoken
• International: 92 consulates; seventh-largest international gateway in the country; the Port of Houston, the nation's largest port in international tonnage
  
  For more information, visit the city of Houston website.

The Texas Medical Center

• Location: Across Main Street from the Rice campus
• Affiliates: 49 member institutions
• Schools: Three medical schools; six nursing schools; one of the world's foremost cancer research institutes and hospitals; schools of dentistry, public health, pharmacy and virtually all other health-related careers 
• Facilities: 14 hospitals and other nonprofit medical facilities
• Students: More than 71,000
• Employees: More than 52,000
• Patients : More than 4.8 million annually

          For more information, visit the Texas Medical Center website.

Hermann Park

• Location: Across Main Street from the Rice campus
• History: Houston's first public park
• Attractions: Houston Zoo, Japanese Garden, Miller Outdoor Theatre, Buddy Carruth Playground for All Children, Garden Center, 18-hole golf course, reflection pool, miniature train
  
  For more information, visit the Hermann Park website.

Houston Museum District

• Location: Within one-half mile from the Rice campus
• Museums: Museum of Fine Arts, Houston; Contemporary Arts Museum, Houston;  Children's Museum of Houston; Houston Museum of Natural Science; The Menil Collection; Jung Center of Houston; Holocaust Museum, Houston; John P. McGovern Museum of Health and Medical Science; Buffalo Soldiers National Museum; Czech Center Museum; The John C. Freeman Weather Museum
• OtherSites: Houston Zoo, Lawndale Art Center; Houston Center for Photography, Rothko Chapel; Houston Center for Contemporary Craft, Byzantine Fresco Chapel Museum, Rice University Art Gallery
  
  For more information, visit the Houston Museum District website.

Rice Village

• Two blocks from campus, Rice Village is home to hundreds of restaurants, nightlife venues and shops.
• Along with traditional North American eateries, there are three French, two Japanese, two Chinese, two Italian, a Mexican, two Spanish, a Mediterranean, a Vietnamese, an Indian and three Thai restaurants, as well as sandwich shops, delis, and specialty food and beverage store

          For more information, visit the Rice Village website.