THE only time we ever hear of Houston is when someone references the words of James A. Lovell, just as an oxygen tank exploded on Apollo 13 in 1970. You know the one I mean.

Despite the fact that the Space Center is perhaps the city’s crowning jewel, those of you that are not so bothered about rockets and zero gravity will be pleased to know that it has lots more to offer.

With a shopping complex four times the size of the Trafford Centre, the largest fine arts museum in the Southwest, four sports stadiums, a skyline to rival the likes of London and Brisbane and a zoo home to 6,000 animals, there’s a bit of something for everyone. As for all you foodies and beer lovers, let’s just say there’s plenty to go around.

And there is no better way to travel the eight-and-a-half hour trip from Manchester to Houston than via Singapore Airlines. Business Class in particular was nothing short of luxurious with a wide range of beverages and meals to choose from, comfortable and spacious seating and entertainment to last a week.

The city is abundant with stylish accommodation set among its skyscrapers and endless bars and restaurants, and I would recommend a stay at the JW Marriott Houston Downtown hotel.

The interior is swish and modern with spacious rooms, powerful showers, comfortable beds and the impressive feature of an iPad in each room, allowing guests to speak to reception at any hour of the day as well as order room service.

I would recommend not using a debit card on arrival at this hotel as the money that is held for incidentals can take more than a week to arrive back in your account.

I will shamelessly admit that the food in Houston is a highlight, especially for a fan of meat and Mexican food. Jackson Street BBQ, Underbelly and Caracol are some of the best spots serving tasty, authentic Texan and Mexican food at reasonable prices.

And speaking of authenticity, a look around 8th Wonder Brewery is well worth it, with a great range of beers to try whether you love a hoppy pale ale or chocolately stout.

A visit to the Space Center is a must. It has welcomed more than 18 million visitors since opening in 1992 and you can see why.

Visitors can see hundreds of space artefacts, many that have actually made the journey into space and brought astronauts home, as well as lots of training equipment that astronauts used before their missions. A look inside the Independence Plaza featuring the Boeing 747 shuttle carrier aircraft and the shuttle replica Independence is a highlight as well as a quick drive over the road to Rocket Park, home to a genuine Saturn V.

For the kids, lunch with an astronaut and meet an astronaut are gorgeous, interactive features at the centre that are sure to live long in the memory.

For those wanting seeking a bit of education and inspiration, Houston is home to 20 museums and galleries, with the Museum of Natural Science being a particularly fascinating attraction, with ancient artefacts to gaze upon from throughout history.

Any fans of dinosaurs, ancient Egypt or marine life, this needs to be on your list.

More than anything, it’s important to just see as much of this diverse and multicultural landscape as you can during your stay and the best way to do this is by picking up a Houston CityPASS which comes with admission to all the top places in the USA’s fourth most populated city.

Temperatures are inviting in Houston all year round, the people are some of the most friendly in the USA and as a person who always wants a bit of everything from a holiday, the place did not disappoint.

For those of you thinking of jetting out there, go for it and enjoy y’all!

Stephanie Brawn flew from Manchester Airport with Singapore Airlines, which now flies five times a week to George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston.

Flights start at £415pp in economy and £2,390pp in business class. Details from www.singaporeair.com

She stayed at the JW Marriott Houston Downtown hotel, rooms from $299 dollars per night. Details from www.jwmarriotthotelhouston.com.

General one-day admission to the Space Center $24.95 for adults, $19.95 for children four to 11 years old and $22.95 for seniors.

A Houston CityPass costs $56 per adult and $46 per child and can be purchased through www.citypass.com.