Houston, TX

[Kogo Shuko]

I'll be heading to Houston at the beginning of April and I was wondering what are some of the most entertaining things to do there?

As a resident? As a tourist?

I know there's NASA, and a few trail riding outfits.

But does anyone recommend anything in particular?

What about food? Best restaurants? Where would one go to find some really good barbeque?

I'll be there a six days with only one day completely booked (a Saturday wedding).

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Is that during the livestock show/rodeo? I think it's coming up, but not exactly sure when.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

I think I'm missing it by two weeks.
Which makes me sad, because that's the sort of thing I really love.

 

[Juliegirl1]

NASA is a must see, we have a very nice zoo and lots of great museums. The Houston Museum of Natural Science is one of my favorites and the Museum of Fine Arts is great too. You can check into getting a City Pass and get some discounts on different things. Galveston is only an hour away and is full of fun things to do like shop on the Strand, visit Moody Gardens Aquarium and Butterfly exhibit, eat some really good seafood. BBQ is good - my favorite is Goode Company on Kirby but they do have other locations. Don't forget to get a piece of pecan pie. Houston is full of fabulous restaurants.

Unfortunately the rodeo will be over by then. However the 2nd annual BBQ festival is going on at Reliant - looks like you have to buy tickets in advance but I don't know much about it. The International Film Festival is going on at the beginning of April too.

 

[tikkycole]

I live in west of Houston and I work in the city. I was born and raised here. Great things to do are the city zoo[really nice] the baseball stadium is also nice and games are cheap if you buy tickets at the gate, like 7 bucks and the museum district if your in the downtown area. NASA is kinda cool if your going south of Houston. Best to do that on a weekday. Food in Houston is great, especially Mexican food, even chain restaurants. Remember one important thing, Houston is spread out and very big in size. Its nothing to drive an hour each way to go somewhere so plan accordingly. p.m me if you want more info.

 

[Kogo Shuko]

Thank you for the info!

Tell me more about the zoo! Are the animals in exhibits that mimic their habitats (like AK)?

I just checked the BBQ Festival and we're going to miss it by 2 days! BOO!!

It sounds like Houston is like Ottawa. It takes me over a half hour to get to my BFs house, and I take the highway to get there! Ottawa sort of just sucked in the surrounding towns and turned it into one big city some time ago, so it's spread out quite large.

 

[dolphinrescuegirl]

Kemah boardwalk!

 

[JennaTX]

Lived in Houston most of my life...lots of fun things to do! But I am not a fan of NASA...imo it is now outdated and there are better ways to spend your time.

The museums are great!!! The Kemah boardwalk is lots of fun. If you like to shop go to the Galleria area. When you are going the zoo will be perfect...not too hot.

Eat at Whataburger....get a taquito for breakfast, the best!

 

[Planogirl]

Check the calendar. Houston has tons of festivals all throughout the year. This is one of the things I miss most.

 

[Arsenal1982]

Food:

Original Marini's Empanadas
Hugo's - Delicious Mexican Food

 

[Kogo Shuko]

Thanks for the food suggestions! Mmmm...

Question: I read somewhere that there are some shelling opportunities out on Galveston (Jamaica beach). Is it worth going? I love collecting shells, but I've been to Sanibel Island, and my expectations are sorta high now. lol

 

[DisneyCowgirl]

Goode Company Bar B Que is the best.

There are many really great restaurants in Houston. Check here for info:
http://www.chron.com/entertainment/alison-cook/gallery/Alison-Cook-s-Top-100-restaurants-70021.php

Galveston is a good day trip, but I don't know about shell-hunting.

The Menil Collection has a Magritte exhibit right now and I think it is free.
http://www.menil.org/

Bayou Bend will probably be really pretty then:
http://www.mfah.org/visit/bayou-bend-collection-and-gardens/

 

[Arsenal1982]

Thanks for the food suggestions! Mmmm...

Question: I read somewhere that there are some shelling opportunities out on Galveston (Jamaica beach). Is it worth going? I love collecting shells, but I've been to Sanibel Island, and my expectations are sorta high now. lol

Yea there is some shelling opportunities out in Galveston. I've only seen small ones but then again, I wasn't really trying that hard.

 

[BadgerGirl84]

I used to work in Houston about two weeks a month for a couple of years. If I went back, I think I would pretty much eat all the time. I worked in the medical district and didn't have much time to venture too far out. There are some good restaurants in Rice Village and the natural history museum is nice. The Galleria is a nice mall if you are into shopping malls.

 

[Dahly]

If you are, Battleship Texas and the San Jacinto Battleground and Monument are an interesting way to spend the day.

The Railroad Museum in Galveston is small, but informative. there is some good info about Hurricane Ike that hit the island in 2008.

 

[MomofIndigo]

You might be here during the International Festival or the International Film Festival and the Flan Festival. Check the calendar ... there is so much going on in April. But I always miss it because I work in public accounting...

I am in West Houston but very close to City Centre. Lots of shops and restaurants like Brio or Ruggles Green or Yardhouse which is a very popular happy hour restaurant. Outdoor entertainment almost every night, there is a movie theater around there too if you just want to catch a movie but you can eat during the movie and from what I have heard not every city has something like that. April is awesome to eat outdoors before it becomes too hot. Rice village too has some really cool restaurants.

If you like sushi then Uchi is an awesome place to go. Another up and coming restaurant is Underbelly or Pass & Provisions. Or the Rainbow Lodge for good game meat dishes (elk, bison, etc...)

Out near all the museums is Miller Outdoor theater. Its free and really close to the zoo. Events always going on there too. just check calendars.

You are coming during an awesome time. You will miss the Rodeo but you will be here after spring break and before Easter. there is just alot going on March/April/May here. HOPE YOU ENJOY YOUR TRIP!

 

[Planogirl]

I've found some OK shells and a few sand dollars on Galveston's beaches. Don't expect nice white sand and blue water though. The sand is darker plus Galveston is at the end of the ship channel and a lot of offshore rigs are nearby so they have to deal with a lot of offshore oil trash.

Check out Moody Gardens if you go to Galveston! We always enjoyed some of the attractions there.