Explore the hub of 19th-century Houston with Preservation Houston's guided walking tour of the historic neighborhood surrounding Market Square. The 90-minute tour begins on the corner of Travis and Congress in the redeveloped Market Square Park.

The site of Houston's public market from the city's earliest days, Market Square was also the location of City Hall from 1840 to 1939. Market Square Park, which underwent a complete redesign in 2010, documents the area's history through interpretive displays and a physical outline of the former City Hall and Market House building foundations.

The tour will explore the park as well as some of the 19th- and early 20th-century commercial buildings in the area, including the 1861 Kennedy Bakery and the 1893 Kiam Building. This is an exterior architectural tour; the tour will not go inside any buildings. There are no public restrooms on the tour route.

Tour participants who walk, bike or use public transportation will receive a $2 discount.