Texas Trip Planning

[WoodysGirl]

There's plenty to do in the Houston area. You guys don't have to hate on my city. lol

Stuff is spread out, but there's alot to do. I would wait til closer to the date and then see what cool things might be going on. But for two days, you're not gonna even get a sniff of how much you can do.

They have a great zoo and museum district. Honestly, you can spend HOURS in a single museum and still not see all the exhibits. Discovery Green and Miller Outdoor Theater always have something artsy going on. Discovery Green will have an outdoor ice skating rink. On the other side of downtown from Discovery Green, I think there's a farm market on Saturdays, too, if you're into that kind of thing. If you want to trek 45 mins to Galveston, they have an annual Festival of Lights at Moody Gardens that would be awesome for the kiddo. If you want to trek about 45 mins a different direction, you can check out the San Jacinto Battleship in La Porte. Space Center is cool for the kiddos.

Food-wise, there's plenty of places to eat. Houston has a ton of restaurants. I don't eat beef, so I can't recommend any steakhouses or even bbq. I typically only eat my Mom or my brother's BBQ. There's a cool pizza place over by Shepherd Square that's really good. Can't think of the name, tho, but I can get it if you're interested. One of my fav Italian eateries is Mia Bella. Not overly kid-friendly, but the food is good. Again, plenty of seafood restaurants, but tourists like Ragin Cajun. If you want some local flavor, try Breakfast Klub for breakfast. It's extremely popular, so fet there early as the lines are long. Niko, Niko's for Greek.

And for the wife, if she's into shopping, then the Galleria Mall is the place to avoid, er, be.

Here's a link for more ideas: http://www.visithoustontexas.com/things-to-do/

 

[YosemiteSam]

Hey guys.

After giving this a serious thought, me and my wife decided to spend our next Christmas week in Texas. Our plan is to visit Houston-Dallas and maybe San Antonio with our kids who are under 10.

There is direct flight between Newark and Houston so we will probably land to Houston and rent the car. For hotel reservations, we will wait until May because I want to see Cowboys' schedule. I am hoping to take my Cowboys fan son to his first game in Dallas.

Besides obvious activities in Houston and Dallas, what are other things you suggest?

Oh dear god don't let this guy into Texas!

Just an FYI if you plan on driving from Houston to Dallas. It's a heck of a lot bigger State than New Jersey and you had better plan accordingly! Since Austin and San Antonio are fairly close together, you definitely want to visit both. The Alamo in San Antonio and of course 6th Street in Austin. If you can take in a Longhorns game while in Austin, that's worth it too! Big college football games are the best football games to attend bar none. Check out the South Congress Bat Bridge too.

 

[WoodysGirl]

For the record, the visit to Alamo should take all of 15 mins.. lol

I was soooo disappointed when I visited it. And then they want to charge you to see the good stuff. Pffpt. We roamed around and then did the cool stuff across the street.

 

[Tabascocat]

Houston isn't exactly a nice tourist destination. I was born and raised there and lived here for 38 of my 44 years, spent six in Cali.

Sure, it is artsy and retro with some good places to eat but that is about it. The zoo is just bleh, the museums near it are better. San Jacinto Monument? Not exactly a pretty drive there, heh and underwhelming once you arrive.

Galveston is nothing special, best thing there is Moody Gardens. NASA is the only must see IMO, halfway between Houston and Galveston down I45.

Since you are coming to our fine state, stay near the SA/Austin areas as long as possible and partake in our customs......especially cow-tipping

 

[WoodysGirl]

Houston isn't exactly a nice tourist destination. I was born and raised there and lived here for 38 of my 44 years, spent six in Cali.

Sure, it is artsy and retro with some good places to eat but that is about it. The zoo is just bleh, the museums near it are better. San Jacinto Monument? Not exactly a pretty drive there, heh and underwhelming once you arrive.

Galveston is nothing special, best thing there is Moody Gardens. NASA is the only must see IMO, halfway between Houston and Galveston down I45.

Since you are coming to our fine state, stay near the SA/Austin areas as long as possible and partake in our customs......especially cow-tipping

Of course, no one is suggesting Houston is a tourist destination, but it certainly offers enough entertainment for a two-day visit. It really depends on what you're into, but way to turn your nose up instead of offering suggestions, which is what they guy asked for.

I like S.A., but I like it more because I have friends who live there who actually don't partake in the tourist stuff. Way less expensive that way.

 

[YosemiteSam]

For the record, the visit to Alamo should take all of 15 mins.. lol

Yep, it's very small and not a whole lot to look at. The main reason to visit is due to it's historic significance. I think I was there about 10 minutes.

 

[Tabascocat]

Of course, no one is suggesting Houston is a tourist destination, but it certainly offers enough entertainment for a two-day visit. It really depends on what you're into, but way to turn your nose up instead of offering suggestions, which is what they guy asked for.

I like S.A., but I like it more because I have friends who live there who actually don't partake in the tourist stuff. Way less expensive that way.

I suggested NASA

I already gave him tips earlier in the thread, mainly for SA.

 

[Shunpike]

Thanks guys. You are the best.

And Sam

I still want to see Saturn's rings live if possible.

 

[WoodysGirl]

Yep, it's very small and not a whole lot to look at. The main reason to visit is due to it's historic significance. I think I was there about 10 minutes.

I was giving him time to walk in and give at least 2 mins reaction time...and then another 3 mins to be sure that that's all there was before leaving. lol

 

[WoodysGirl]

I suggested NASA

I already gave him tips earlier in the thread, mainly for SA.

I've done S.A. It definitely caters to tourists. I just avoid those areas of town if I can help it. Riverwalk isn't that fascinating when you've been a few hundred times. lol

NASA? I've done Space Center.. I'd totally rather spend my time elsewhere.

But I understand how it is. When you live here, alot of stuff just isn't interesting. But when you're visiting, it could be cool. And we're talking about two days. The guy isn't planning to move.

 

[Tabascocat]

I've done S.A. It definitely caters to tourists. I just avoid those areas of town if I can help it. Riverwalk isn't that fascinating when you've been a few hundred times. lol

NASA? I've done Space Center.. I'd totally rather spend my time elsewhere.

But I understand how it is. When you live here, alot of stuff just isn't interesting. But when you're visiting, it could be cool. And we're talking about two days. The guy isn't planning to move.

True, but the Riverwalk and NASA is something that would be great for the first time. Have you been to Nasa lately? It has gotten better and they brought in the huge 747.

I don't want Shunpike spending his two days driving in Houston traffic going 45 minutes one way then another Nothing is really centered for him to pack in, except for the Herman/Memorial park area.

I think I got spoiled from living in San Fran and Los Angeles/SD areas, things to see and do everyday

 

[Shunpike]

True, but the Riverwalk and NASA is something that would be great for the first time. Have you been to Nasa lately? It has gotten better and they brought in the huge 747.

I don't want Shunpike spending his two days driving in Houston traffic going 45 minutes one way then another Nothing is really centered for him to pack in, except for the Herman/Memorial park area.

I think I got spoiled from living in San Fran and Los Angeles/SD areas, things to see and do everyday

Hey dex

Nasa is a huge hit for me and my kids. Even for that one, we can spend 2 extra days in Houston. We are planning to skip Galveston. Maybe 1 day Nasa and 1 day Galleria Mall and maybe a basketball game in Houston we should be good.

 

[WoodysGirl]

True, but the Riverwalk and NASA is something that would be great for the first time. Have you been to Nasa lately? It has gotten better and they brought in the huge 747.

I don't want Shunpike spending his two days driving in Houston traffic going 45 minutes one way then another Nothing is really centered for him to pack in, except for the Herman/Memorial park area.

I think I got spoiled from living in San Fran and Los Angeles/SD areas, things to see and do everyday

There's plenty centered with the suggestions I gave him..again for a two day trip. lol

But if he likes NASA as he mentioned then I say go for it. I think with a little bit of research, he'll find plenty to do and have a good time.

re: SF/LA/SD.. it's all relative. I could never want to deal with the cost of living in those places. 1200 sqft house and you're paying $500k at least. No sir. Not me.

 

[WoodysGirl]

To add to the SA/Austin trek, if you have time, there's an outlet shopping mall in San Marcos that the wife might be interested in.

I personally hate shopping, but I don't begrudge others from spending their hard earned coin. lol

 

[Longboysfan]

Just don't see Dallas sites...
Fort Worth Stockyards.
I'm from Jersey and was impressed by the size of the cattle they have there on their cattle drive. Just a walk the cows in a big circle.
Also there is a demo rodeo there. Hit their site. Kids would like it.
Even if Cowboys not at home - go tour stadium - bring a football.
The regular Rode does not come in till late January.

 

[Doomsday101]

I agree - Franklin's, while good, isn't worth the 2+ hour wait in line for bbq, when there is better bbq available - if you're coming from San Antonio and heading north to Dallas, you can hit the Gonzales Food Market, Luling City Market, or any of the joints in Lockhart (Kreuz is my favorite).

I can't imagine spending 2 days in Houston as a tourist. About the only thing I can think of to see would maybe be NASA. Otherwise, it seems to me to just be a big urban sprawl with little unique flavor/character.

I live in Houston and while I like living here you are right not much of a tourist town. However I do see these big open air tour buses with people on them and keep wondering what the heck these people seeing? lol

 

[YosemiteSam]

Thanks guys. You are the best.

And Sam

I still want to see Saturn's rings live if possible.

Currently you can see Jupiter prominently in the sky at night on any clear night. (the brightest object in the sky that isn't the moon or sun) Saturn I believe starts to rise at night around March. Saturn should be visible at night from March to around July or August of this year.

 

[YosemiteSam]

Just don't see Dallas sites...
Fort Worth Stockyards.
I'm from Jersey and was impressed by the size of the cattle they have there on their cattle drive. Just a walk the cows in a big circle.
Also there is a demo rodeo there. Hit their site. Kids would like it.
Even if Cowboys not at home - go tour stadium - bring a football.
The regular Rode does not come in till late January.

Do they still do the longhorn drive every day in the stock yards? Those guys are BIG with massive horns. Very cool to see even though the event happens very quickly.

 

[Longboysfan]

Do they still do the longhorn drive every day in the stock yards? Those guys are BIG with massive horns. Very cool to see even though the event happens very quickly.

Yes. At 11am and 4pm weather permitting.

 

[Shunpike]

Currently you can see Jupiter prominently in the sky at night on any clear night. (the brightest object in the sky that isn't the moon or sun) Saturn I believe starts to rise at night around March. Saturn should be visible at night from March to around July or August of this year.

See you in April Sam.