North Houston refers to the communities and neighborhoods around and beyond Beltway 8, a highway loop that encircles the city and runs through north Houston as well. An active area for commercial and residential development, several major roads run through north Houston, including Beltway 8, Interstate 45, FM 1960, the Hardy Toll Rd. and Highway 249. FM 1960 forms the north side of the area, while Highway 249 and, to a lesser extent, Beltway 8 acting like a boundary between north and central Houston.
Major north Houston communities include Greenspoint, Champions Park, Inwood, Fallbrook, Greenwood Forest, Woodland Oaks and Westfield. Conroe and The Woodlands are both just north on I-45 from these communities, which means there are many active commercial and entertainment centers in the area, as well as a variety of restaurants to choose from.
State Highway 249 branches off I-45 North and intersects with Beltway 8 on the northwest side of the city. The Inwood area neighborhoods are found here, along with numerous parks and small commercial developments, which are perfect for some quick shopping or dining out. For commuters who work in North Houston, Highway 249 offers plenty of lunch stops without the traffic that’s normally associated with Houston’s primary roads.
FM 1960 is one of the last major crossroads that intersects with I-45 before I-45 passes into The Woodlands and beyond. Just to the north is the Spring area and FM 1960 passes through Westfield to the east, with George Bush Intercontinental Airport just beyond that. With the airport nearby and plenty of businesses operating in the area, FM1960 is another hotspot for restaurants.
The North Freeway, usually called I-45 in Houston, is among the city’s most important and most used highways. It splits the entire Houston area into two halves, right down the middle. West of I-45 is Independence Heights, Acres, Fallbrook, Greens Landing and the Woodgate area. East of I-45 is Northside, Greenspoint and the Aldine area.
Although there are many neighborhoods in north Houston, it’s the area’s shopping and dining that really stand out, making it a popular spot for people out on the town.
