on the bayous and shorelines of Galveston Bay.

位於蓋維斯頓灣的河口及海岸地帶。

Houston is the most populous city in Texas

休士頓不僅是德州人口最多的城市，

and one of the largest cities in the USA.

也是美國最大城市之一。

Named after the general

休士頓是以

who led the territory to independence from Mexico in 1836,

1836 年帶領此地區脫離墨西哥獨立的一位將軍命名，

Houston began life as tiny outpost in America's old west.

使休士頓從此成為美國舊西部的小前哨。

Just one hundred and twenty-five years later,

125 年後，這座城市則成為

the city would become the center for exploring a new frontier ~ Space.

探索「太空」這個新領域的中心。

In fact, the first official words transmitted from the Moon's surface were,

事實上，人類從月球表面傳回地球的第一句話就是：

"Houston, Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed."

「休士頓，這裡是寧靜海基地。老鷹號已經登陸。」

Yet despite Houston's size and star-bound aspirations,

然而，儘管休士頓幅員遼闊又是太空中心，

this metropolis remains refreshingly down to Earth.

但這座城市也有它清新務實的一面。

And for a city built on the big-business of energy, shipping and aerospace,

雖然這座城市主要是以能源、運輸與航太科技為重，

it's surprisingly cultural too.

但它的文化蘊涵也不容小覷。

Beneath Houston's downtown skyline,

在休士頓市中心的天際線下，

the parklands of Discovery Green are filled with striking public art.

綠色探索公園展示的眾多公共藝術可能會讓您大吃一驚。

While nearby, the Museum District is home to 18 cultural, historic,

此外，附近就是博物館特區，區內共有 18 座文化、歷史

and science museums, all within walking distance of one another.

及科學博物館，只須步行即可在各館區間移動。

Here you'll find one of the world's great private art collections.

您可以在此欣賞全球數一數二的私人藝術收藏。

The Menil Collection showcases treasures from antiquity

曼尼爾美術館中就展示了眾多藝術珍品，

through to the works of modern masters like Picasso, Warhol and Rothko.

從古代藝術到畢卡索、安迪‧渥荷與羅斯科等現代大師的傑作都在其中。

Displayed simply within this Renzo Piano designed gallery,

展館本身是由倫佐‧皮亞諾設計，這座美術館

the collection prides itself on being accessible, friendly and free.

最大的特色就是能讓您近距離欣賞藝術作品，而且完全免費。

Nearby, continue your journey through the artistic ages

您還可前往附近的休士頓美術館，

at the Museum of Fine Arts.

繼續沉浸在藝術的世界。

While just a few blocks away at the Houston Zoo,

而休士頓動物園就在幾個街區外，

come face to face with some of Planet Earth's living treasures.

您可以在此看見地球上活生生的美好事物。

Still within the Museum District is historic Hermann Park,

此外，極具歷史意義的赫曼公園也位於博物館特區，

home to the soaring Pioneer Memorial and the Reflecting Pool.

園內可見高聳的先驅者紀念碑和倒映池。

If Hermann Park is the place Houstonians go to relax,

如果赫曼公園是當地人悠閒放鬆的去處，

Memorial Park is the place they go to get active, and back to nature.

那麼紀念公園就是他們從事戶外活動、接觸大自然的地方。

Set within the park is the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center,

休士頓植物園與自然中心就位在這座公園內，

over 150 acres of tranquil forest, meadow, and wetlands habitats.

擁有佔地 150 英畝的寧謐森林、草原和濕地棲息地。

Flowing gently through the heart of Houston is Buffalo Bayou.

靜靜流淌的水牛河貫穿休士頓中心。

At it's mouth rises the San Jacinto Memorial,

河口處的聖哈辛托紀念碑博物館，

marking the site where in just 18 minutes,

是用來紀念休士頓將軍率領的軍隊。

General Sam Houston's army won the Lone Star State it's independence.

他僅僅用了 18 分鐘，就使德州從此脫離墨西哥獨立。

Nearby, walk the decks of another reminder of past conflict,

走近不遠處的德克薩斯號戰艦，

Battleship Texas.

踏上甲板緬懷過去戰役的壯烈。

Commissioned in 1914 and serving through to two World Wars,

這艘軍艦於 1914 年開始服役，並歷經兩次世界大戰，

this much-feared, former flagship of the US Navy

曾經是使敵軍聞風喪膽的美國海軍戰艦，

now serves a much quieter roll ~ as a museum ship.

如今則安享晚年，成為一座船艦博物館。

Houston's most popular ships of all, however, are its spacecraft.

不過在休士頓最受人喜愛的艦艇，當然還是太空船。

Don't miss Space Center Houston,

千萬別錯過休士頓航太中心，

where you'll experience humankind's greatest adventure;

您可以在此體驗人類最偉大的探險，

from the moon landings, to the International Space Station, and beyond.

包括登陸月球、國際太空站和其他有趣的地方。

One of the reasons NASA chose Houston

美國太空總署之所以選擇休士頓

as the center for it's spaceflight activities,

作為航太活動的根據地，

is the almost perfect year-round weather.

就是因為這裡終年完美的天候。

But be prepared, it can get hot on the Gulf Coast.

但您得有心理準備，墨西哥灣一帶還是非常炎熱。

When the temperature rises,

天氣熱的時候，不妨前往休士頓的

cool off at Houston's beaches, water-parks, and old-school fun fairs.

海灘、親水公園或懷舊遊樂園涼快一下。

Catch the sea breeze at Kemah Boardwalk

您可以到海濱步道遊樂園享受海風吹拂，

which serves up the simple pleasures of yesteryear.

帶您找回昔日的簡單快樂。

Or, hurl through time and space at the Galveston Historic Pleasure Pier.

或是來到蓋維斯頓碼頭遊樂園，體驗穿越時空的感受。

Meet Houston's coolest residents at Moody Gardens.

走一趟穆迪花園，見見休士頓最酷的居民。

This futuristic complex of pyramids houses an aquarium, rainforest,

充滿未來感的金字塔建築中，結合了水族館、雨林

and discovery center, and is a total celebration of our living planet.

和探索中心，對人類賴以生存的地球獻上生命禮讚。

When the sun starts to set, take a walk by the gulf.

在夕陽西下之時，漫步於墨西哥灣岸。

Then refuel on some fiery Tex Mex cuisine,

享用火熱的德州墨西哥美食，為自己補充能量，

before launching into another day in the brightest star in Texas ~ Houston.

等待明日繼續探索德州最耀眼的星星：休士頓。