TOURISM HOSPITALITY & HANDBOOK
VISIT WEBSTER
WEBSTER HOTEL + TOURISM PARTNERS,
As Webster continues to grow as a destination, so does the opportunity to bring our hotels and tourism partners together in a more intentional way. This luncheon has grown alongside that momentum and now reflects the broader network of people and places that help shape the visitor experience in Webster.
From where guests stay to what they do, see, and enjoy while they’re here, each part of that experience plays a role in supporting overnight stays, encouraging return visits, and strengthening Webster’s tourism economy.
This luncheon and booklet are designed to keep you informed, connected, and aligned as Webster continues to evolve. From development updates and marketing efforts to tourism drivers and shared opportunities, we hope this gathering helps strengthen the partnerships that benefit us all.
Thank you for the role you play in making Webster a place visitors want to experience again and again.
KATIE VELA City of Webster Marketing and Tourism Specialist
amplifying the reach Webster’s Market Strength
Webster is at the helm of a thriving super-regional market, fueled by impressive statistics and anchored by high-performing retail and entertainment venues. Our steady growth means more visitors, more spending, and more opportunities on the horizon.
SUPER-REGIONAL AUDIENCE
206,300
POPULATION IN 5 MILE RADIUS
500,300
POPULATION IN 10 MILE RADIUS
250K
DAILY TRAFFIC COUNT FOR I-45
SECTOR
BUSINESSES IN THE TRADE AREA 250K
36
OF RETAIL CENTERS
150 RESTAURANTS & ENTERTAINMENT VENUES 2M SQUARE FEET OF MEDICAL FACILITIES WITHIN 3 MILES 50+ MAJOR SPACE COMPANIES IN THE REGION
1.6M
ANNUAL GALVESTON CRUISE TRAVELERS
MAGNETIC TOURISM DESTINATION
1.3M
ANNUAL SPACE CENTER HOUSTON VISITORS
ESTIMATED ANNUAL SUNSET AMPHITHEATER VISITOR COUNT
ANNUAL GREAT WOLF LODGE VISITORS 500K+
ANNUAL LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM VISITORS
LEADING VENUES IN WEBSTER
ACADEMY SPORTS + OUTDOORS
#1 in the United States out of 301 locations in 21 states
American Furniture Warehouse
#1 in the Houston MSA out of three locations
Boomerjack’s #3 in Texas out of 24 locations
Buffalo Wild Wings
#1 in the Houston MSA out of 30 locations
Chair King #2 in Texas out of 22 locations
Costco Wholesale
1 million+ guests annually #1 in memberships in the Houston MSA
Cinemark
#1 in the Houston MSA out of 20 locations
James Avery Jewelry #1 in Texas out of 120+ locations
Kura Revolving Sushi #2 in Texas out of 13 locations
la Madeleine French Bakery & Café #2 in the United States out of 86 locations in 9 states
Little Woodrow’s #1 location out of 25 locations
Main Event
#1 in the Houston MSA out of six locations
Nordstrom Rack #1 in South Texas out of 11 locations
Pappasito’s Cantina #3 in the Houston MSA out of 22 locations
Rudy’s Bar-B-Q top 10 stores in the US out of 51 locations
Shake Shack
#1 in the Houston MSA out of nine locations
Smoothie King #1 in the United States out of 800+ locations in 32 states
Snooze #1 in the United States out of 70 locations in ten states
Sun & Ski Sports
#1 in the Houston MSA #5 in the United States
Taco Cabana #1 in the Houston MSA out of 35+ locations
Torchy’s Tacos
#2 in the Houston MSA out of 23 locations
Twin Peaks #1 in the world out of 100 locations in US and Mexico
Vida Mariscos #1 in the Houston MSA out of three locations
Walk On’s #1 in the Houston MSA top 10 in the US
ready to take the stage New Business in Webster
The Webster Economic Development Team fosters the creation of new and expanding commercial development and the retention of existing businesses
NOW OPEN
BAMBOO SANDWICH
109 W. Bay Area Boulevard
Vietnamese sandwich shop serving bánh mì and other Vietnamese favorites
BNX BURGERS + FRIES
601 E NASA Parkway
Fast-food burger joint serving fresh, flavor-packed burgers and fries
BRICKS + MINIFIGS
20814 Gulf Freeway
LEGO buy-sell-trade store offering complete sets, individual pieces, and a wide selection of minifigures
EOS FITNESS
19801 Gulf Freeway
Fitness center offering group classes, strength training and cardio equipment, saunas, plunge pools, and more
ESCAPE IT
1 2 3 4 1 2 3
20801 Gulf Freeway
Entertainment venue featuring five immersive escape rooms, digital axe throwing, and a bar serving beer and wine
ETHAN ALLEN DESIGN STUDIO
1065 W. Bay Area Boulevard
Furniture showroom offering a designfocused experience with customizable furnishings
KOYO HAND ROLL BAR
18207 Egret Bay Boulevard
Contemporary sushi bar specializing in made-to-order hand rolls
THE MONK’S
1416 FM 528/NASA Parkway
Indian fusion restaurant serving bold twists on Indian and Indo-Chinese classics
PAPICHULO MEXICAN GRILL
111 W. Bay Area Boulevard
Restaurant serving Tex-Mex favorites for breakfast, lunch, and dinner
PARIS BAGUETTE
18203 Egret Bay Boulevard
French-inspired bakery café offering fresh pastries, breads, cakes, and coffee
SLICK CITY
20750 Gulf Freeway
Indoor attraction featuring 11 waterless slides, go-karts, ziplines, and more
TEE’D UP INDOOR GOLF
105 Magellan Circle
Bar and restaurant featuring five golf simulation bays and four automatic mahjong tables
THORNTON’S GYMNASTICS
512 East NASA Parkway
Gymnastics training facility offering space for athletes of all levels and hosting yearround competitions
TIFA CHOCOLATE & GELATO
1065 W. Bay Area Boulevard
Dessert café serving house-made gelato, macarons, coffee, and internationally sourced chocolates
88 KING BUFFET
WHISKEY RIVER
4
1030 W. NASA Parkway
Western-themed dance hall featuring live music and complimentary dance lessons
ZERO LATENCY
20801 Gulf Freeway
Virtual reality entertainment venue featuring a 2,000-square-foot arena and a restaurant
COMING SOON
SPROUTS FARMERS MARKET
OPENING TBD | 20740 Gulf Freeway
Casual Chinese restaurant offering an expansive buffet selection
CLUTCH SPORTS BAR
SUMMER 2026 | 1020 NASA Parkway
Sports bar serving award-winning food in a vibrant, high-energy atmosphere
FIREBALL INDOOR SOCCER
OPENING TBD | 304 Ibis St.
Indoor and outdoor soccer complex offering leagues, field rentals, and event space for all ages and skill levels
IKEA
AUGUST 2026 | 19801 Gulf Freeway
Next-generation, medium-format concept offering the global retailer’s hallmark style in a more accessible format
PEACH COBBLER FACTORY
OPENING TBD | 20911 Gulf Freeway
Dessert shop serving Southern sweets like cobbler, ice cream, banana pudding, cinnamon rolls, and more
MAY 29, 2026 | 1001 Bay Area Blvd.
Specialty grocer offering farm-fresh produce, meats, and a wide selection of natural, organic, and gluten-free foods
TOWNEPLACE SUITES
OPENING 2027 | 700 Rogers Drive
1 2 3 4 1 2 3 4
Extended stay hotel slated to become Webster’s 23rd hotel
WEST COAST SOURDOUGH
OPENING TBD | 528 W. Bay Area Boulevard
Deli serving stacked sandwiches on house-baked sourdough, along with hearty soups, crisp salads, and artisan flatbreads
WINGBAY
OPENING TBD | 820 W. Bay Area Boulevard
Restaurant serving halal-certified wings, tenders, and chicken sandwiches
WOODY’S HIDEAWAY
OPENING 2026 | 20801 Gulf Freeway
Sports bar and grill featuring pool tables, golf simulators, darts, ping pong, cornhole, and wall-to-wall TVs
Tourism Drivers Sports + Entertainment Driven Tourism
Webster welcomes millions of visitors each year through powerful tourism channels—from medical and business travel to sports tournaments and memorable experiences.
SPORTS TOURISM
Facilities like Absolute Volleyball Academy, Thornton’s Gymnastics, and Chicken N Pickle attract tournament play that brings athletes, coaches, and families to Webster, giving hotels and local businesses a valuable opportunity to connect with visitors already coming into the market.
ABSOLUTE VOLLEYBALL ACADEMY
Featuring indoor courts, as well as outdoor sand volleyball courts, Absolute Volleyball Academy hosts tournaments and events year-round, bringing a steady flow of teams and spectators to Webster.
For More Information:
Katy Garza AVA Co-Owner katy.garza@avatexas.com
O: 281.678.8752 | C: 713.906.9260
THORNTON’S GYMNASTICS
Since relocating to a 16,000-SF facility in Webster, Thornton’s Gymnastics has expanded its capacity for year-round competitions, classes, camps, and family events, bringing athletes and families to the city on a regular basis.
For More Information:
Todd + Kim Thornton Thornton’s Gymnastics Owners gyminfo.tgc@gmail.com 832.932.5237
JOHN TURNER CLASSIC VOLLEYBALL TOURNAMENT
CHICKEN N PICKLE
A social and recreation venue with pickleball courts, dining, and event space, Chicken N Pickle attracts leagues, tournaments, and group gatherings that bring visitors to Webster year-round.
For More Information:
Shannon Dean CNP Sales Account Manager sdean@chickennpickle.com
281.245.5208
Held annually at Absolute Volleyball Academy, the John Turner Classic high school volleyball tournament brings hundreds of athletes, coaches, and families to Webster each August. Webster hotels were invited to submit group rates for a dedicated tournament lodging page shared directly with teams, while welcome packets distributed during event check-in, help drive visitors to Webster hotels, restaurants, and attractions.
Scan the QR code to view the JTC Webster hotel site
EXPERIENCE-DRIVEN TOURISM
Webster is surrounded by standout attractions that help drive visitation year-round. These family-friendly destinations bring travelers to the area for memorable experiences—and give them reasons to return.
LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM SPACE CENTER HOUSTON
Welcoming more than one million visitors annually, Space Center Houston plays a key role in driving tourism demand in Webster. Its ability to attract both leisure and group travel creates consistent opportunities for hotels to capture overnight stays tied to family trips, student travel, and major events.
This visitation also supports surrounding restaurants, attractions, and retail, reinforcing Webster’s position as a regional destination.
For More Information:
Rochelle Pettaway
SCH Marketing Specialist rpettaway@spacecenter.org
281.244.2156
Eric Redeker
SCH Business Enterprise Manager eredeker@spacecenter.org 281.244.2144
Lone Star Flight Museum helps broaden Webster’s visitor base by drawing aviation enthusiasts, school groups, and special-event attendees to the Ellington area throughout the year. Signature events like the Wings Over Houston Airshow create added opportunities for Webster hotels to capture overnight stays tied to staff, performers, vendors, and outof-town guests.
The 2026 Wings Over Houston Airshow is set for October 31–November 1.
For More Information:
Anna Hawley LSFM CEO anna.hawley@lonestarflight.org 713.705.5572
Aimee Waltrip
LSFM Events Director aimee.waltrip@lonestarflight.org 346.352.7673
Bill Roach
Wings Over Houston Executive Director director@wingsoverhouston.com 281.579.1942
PORT OF GALVESTON CRUISE TRAVEL
Cruise growth at the Port of Galveston continues to strengthen regional travel demand, with the port projected to welcome nearly 4 million cruise passenger movements in 2026. The addition of a fourth cruise terminal and new sailings from lines such as MSC Cruises is driving even more traffic through the region.
For Webster hotels, that means ongoing opportunities to attract guests needing overnight accommodations before embarkation or after returning, while nearby restaurants and attractions can benefit from added visitor spending. For More Information:
Tourism Drivers
Flyway—Webster’s Entertainment District
The 80+ acre destination development fuses the indoors with the outdoors in remarkable, unprecedented ways with best-in-class dining and entertainment venues amid a walkable, inviting atmosphere with a boardwalk, event lawn, and unique amenities.
FLYWAY BOARDWALK
The Flyway Boardwalk spans 1,720 feet along Clear Creek, featuring pavilions, scenic lighting, and lush landscaping. This pedestrian-friendly path connects guests to Flyway’s dining, entertainment, and recreation venues, blending the indoors with the outdoors.
FLYWAY park
Flyway Park, located at 1050 Great Wolf Way, spans six landscaped acres with a pond, greenery, lighted walking path, and pavilion with concrete benches. The park connects Great Wolf Lodge guests to Flyway’s boardwalk and entertainment venues, creating a welcoming starting point for exploration.
GREAT WOLF LODGE
• 532 Family Friendly Suites
• 92,000 SF Indoor Water Park
• 61,000 SF Entertainment Center
• 13,351 SF Conference Center for 900+ Guests
JORDAN AUSTIN HARRIS jaustinharris@greatwolf.com
MICHAEL LANG mlang@greatwolf.com
sunset amphitheater at flyway
COMING SOON!
• 12,500-Capacity Multi-Season Amphitheater
• 217 Private Luxe FireSuites
• 350-Seat, Membership-Based Aikman Club
• $3.7 Billion Economic Impact and 400+ Jobs
BOB MUDD bmudd@venu.live
chicken n pickle
• 70,000 SF Pickleball Complex
• Six Indoor and Two Outdoor Pickleball Courts
• Event Space for up to 900 Guests
CJ WOODS cwoods@chickennpickle.com
SHANNON DEAN sdean@chickennpickle.com
Vida Mariscos
• 13,000 SF Mexican Seafood Sports Bar
• #1 Vida Mariscos Location in the Houston MSA
LINA AHUALLI jahualli@icloud.com
gauchos do sul
• 9,000 SF Brazilian Steakhouse
• Upscale Dining with Premium Meats, Gourmet Salad Bar and Craft Cocktails
LINA AHUALLI jahualli@icloud.com
ambriza social mexican kitchen
• Elevated Mexican Cuisine + Award Winning Margaritas
• 8,800 SF Indoor Space and 3,900 SF Patio
JULIO GARCIA julio@ambriza.com
aLE + IVY
COMING SOON! COMING SOON!
• Sports Bar with 12,305 SF of Restaurant Space and 10,079 SF of Patio Space
• 8,800 SF Indoor Space and 3,900 SF Patio
LLOYD ACE l@empiremedia.net
DAVID FAIRCHILD d@empiremedia.net
Tourism Drivers Aerospace + Medical Tourism NASA + WEBSTER’S SPACE ECONOMY
Just 2.3 miles from Webster, NASA Johnson Space Center drives major economic activity, contributing more than $2.5 billion annually to Texas. Webster is home to many of the companies advancing this work, including Axiom Space, Leidos, Voyager Space, Lockheed Martin, KBR, and Ad Astra Rocket Company. Through work tied to commercial space stations, space suits, ISS operations, habitats, propulsion, transport, and orbital debris solutions, these firms help position Webster at the center of what comes next in human spaceflight and commercial exploration.
Many of Webster’s aerospace partners also operate on a global scale. Companies like KBR and Leidos maintain local teams in Webster while drawing from workforces of tens of thousands worldwide, bringing employees, partners, and project teams into the City for training, mission support, and specialized work.
ELLINGTON SPACEPORT
The region’s aerospace footprint also extends north to Ellington, a unique blend of international airport, NASA training center, military airfield, and the world’s first urban commercial spaceport. Spanning more than 400 acres, Spaceport supports launches and landings, hardware development, testing, training, and research, while Ellington Field supports more than 2,300 jobs.
Together, JSC activity, Webster-based aerospace contracts, and Ellington’s continued growth bring a substantial daily workforce into and through Webster—fueling consistent weekday demand for hotels, restaurants, and services.
Scan the QR code for more information on Webster’s Aerospace Industry
Earlier this year, the Artemis II crew became familiar faces across the country as their mission brought NASA into the national spotlight. With years of training at Johnson Space Center just minutes from Webster, their mission and story adds to the region’s draw for space fans, visitors, and aerospace professionals alike.
WEBSTER’S MEDICAL CENTER
Webster’s Medical Center delivers care to nearly 1.8 million patients each year across 24 cities south of Houston. Within a three-mile radius, more than 2,500 physicians and 5,000 medical professionals provide care across two million square feet of facilities, including four hospitals, two Level II Trauma Centers, pediatric emergency care, NICU services, advanced heart care, and a growing network of specialty providers—creating a powerful economic engine that draws patients, families, workers, and specialists into Webster year-round.
Scan For more information
NOW OPEN
HCA TEXAS MATERNAL FETAL MEDICINE
1408 FM 528
Specialized practice focusing on high-risk pregnancies with compassionate, expert care; seeing 40-45 patients daily
COMING SOON
CLS HEALTH EXPANSION
908 W. Medical Center Boulevard
CLS Health is expanding its Webster footprint with a next-generation medical campus on nine acres across the street from its development at 905 W. Medical Center Boulevard, which opened in 2024.
MEMORIAL PLASTIC SURGERY
20090 Gulf Freeway
Memorial Plastic Surgery is expanding into a 35,000-square-foot facility, offering surgical, non-surgical, and spa services led by top cosmetic and reconstructive surgeons.
HCA HOUSTON HEALTHCARE CLEAR LAKE EXPANSION
500 Medical Center Blvd.
HCA is investing $180 million to add a 155,000-square-foot patient tower and expand its 80,000-square-foot women’s services area.
TEXAS ONCOLOGY RELOCATION
20985 Gulf Freeway
The Deke Slayton Cancer Center is relocating to a larger, 31,000-squarefoot facility at Webster Town Center, offering greater convenience and expanded space for care.
turning up the volume Marketing Initiatives Supporting Tourism
Webster’s marketing efforts are designed to drive overnight stays—spotlighting the City’s attractions, events, and dining to inspire travelers to book a room and stay awhile.
VISITOR GUIDES
GUIDES ARE AVAILABLE FOR HOTELS + VENUES UPON REQUEST
STAY, PLAY & DINE GUIDE
The Stay, Play & Dine Guide offers free, year-round promotion for Webster’s hotels, entertainment venues, and restaurants.
It’s stocked at major attractions, travel hubs, and City locations—and always just a click away online.
EVENT PLANNING GUIDE
The Event Planning Guide provides free, year-round promotion for Webster’s venues, meeting spaces, and caterers.
Available at City facilities and online, it’s a go-to resource for seamless event planning.
SOCIAL MEDIA CHANNELS
TOUR TEXAS
Webster’s page on TourTexas.com drives traffic to Webster’s tourism and hotel websites and captures leads from potential visitors seeking area attractions and accommodations.
TOURISM WEBSITES
VISIT WEBSTER
The Visit WebsterSpace Coast Texas website promotes the region and local hotels, providing resources to view guides, book accommodations, and plan trips.
CITY OF WEBSTER
The newly redesigned City website helps visitors find tripplanning information, explore local accommodations, and easily connect to the Visit Webster website.
BOOK DIRECT
The City of Webster and Space Center Houston use Book Direct to promote Webster hotels on their websites.
turning up the volume
Marketing Initiatives Supporting Tourism
TEXAS STATE TRAVEL GUIDE
Webster’s advertisement in the Texas State Travel Guide reaches over 500,000 readers worldwide.
TEXAS LOGO SIGNS
Webster invests more than $150,000 annually in the maximum number of TxDOT blue logo directional signs allowed, guiding travelers to hotels at Exits 25, 26, 28, and along the NASA Bypass. Webster is one of only ten Texas cities making this level of commitment to hotel visibility.
CHALLENGER COLUMBIA STADIUM SPONSORSHIP
VISIT WEBSTER SEARCH CAMPAIGN
Webster sponsors the “Thank a Teacher” segment at Challenger Columbia Stadium, honoring outstanding CCISD teachers with Webster Staycation gift baskets delivered by Mayor Donna Jasso. Participating hotels gain exposure through concourse ads, stadium announcements, and social media highlights while helping celebrate local educators.
Webster’s early 2026 digital search campaign successfully reached travelers actively searching for regional attractions, family getaways, and things to do near Webster. The campaign helped keep Webster hotels and tourism partners visible in key Texas travel markets, turning online search interest into meaningful awareness and potential overnight stays.
Additional Resources
REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT INSIGHTS
Hotels can use the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation’s Architectural Barriers Projects page to search by city or county and identify recently issued permits and projects in the region. This provides valuable insight into upcoming development and potential demand generators, while also creating opportunities to proactively connect with businesses bringing in construction teams, contractors, and opening crews who may need extended-stay accommodations.
FLOCK SAFETY CAMERAS
The City of Webster prioritizes visitor safety with substantial investments like Flock Safety Cameras. The Webster Police Department strategically pinpoints locations surrounding the City’s hotels to install the advanced license plate reading cameras to offer round-the-clock monitoring. The cameras serve as a crucial deterrent and aid in preventing and resolving various crimes, including property theft, vehicle break-ins, violent incidents, and vehicle theft.
For more information, contact Assistant Police Chief Jeremy Edge at 281.316.4153 or jedge@websterpd.com.
HOTEL OCCUPANCY TAX ASSISTANCE
In accordance with state law and the City’s hotel occupancy tax ordinance, all hoteliers are required to pay a seven percent tax on the price paid for a hotel room. This tax, collected by the hotel, must be remitted to the City every month.
You can remit hotel occupancy taxes online using Localgov, a secure file and pay platform. For assistance, please call Local Gov’s Customer Service team at 877-654-0021 or email service@localgov.org.
CIVIC CENTER RENTAL
The Civic Center is more than just a spacious venue; it’s an affordable gem, perfect for meetings, conferences, and special events, with tremendous potential for Webster hotels.
For more information, contact Administrative Coordinator Rebeca Lazo at 281.316.4108 or rlazo@cityofwebster.com.
summer
seasonal headliners
Key Events During Peak Travel Seasons
GREAT WOLF LODGE
Summer Camp-In (May 21 to August 23, 2026)
Summer Season Passes (May 1 to August 31, 2026)
ABSOLUTE VOLLEYBALL ACADEMY
John Turner Classic Volleyball Tournament (August 13-August 15, 2026)
OTHER: FIFA World Cup (June 13, 17, 20, 23, 26, 29, and July 4, 2026)
fall
SPACE CENTER HOUSTON
Galaxy Frights (October 18-19, 2026 & October 25-26, 2026)
GREAT WOLF LODGE
Howl-O-Ween (September 24 to October 31)
LONE STAR FLIGHT MUSEUM
Wings Over Houston (October 31 to November 1, 2026)
OTHER: Lone Star Rally in Galveston (November 5-8, 2026)
SPACE CENTER HOUSTON
Galaxy Lights (Mid November to Early January)
GREAT WOLF LODGE
SnowLand (November 23 to January 5)
OTHER: Mardi Gras Galveston (January 29 to February 9, 2027)
Spring
SPACE CENTER HOUSTON
Moon 2 Mars (Spring Break)
GREAT WOLF LODGE
Splash Fest (March 5 to April 26)
OTHER: Houston Rodeo (March 2 to March 21, 2027)
Galveston County Fair & Rodeo (April 9 to April 27, 2027)
, Webster Hoteliers & Tourism Partners!
Thank you for joining us at the Webster Hotel & Tourism Luncheon. Your work helps drive Webster’s growing visitor economy, and we appreciate all you do to welcome guests, support local travel, and create meaningful experiences for every type of visitor.
Please keep us in mind as a resource, and let us know how we can continue supporting your efforts to attract guests and strengthen tourism in Webster.
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