Texas
Related: About this forumAdvise for vacation in Houston
Accompaning my wife to a conference in Houston, taking the kids. What are the can't miss attractions/places? Also, what are the best beaches in the area? Thanks,
HubertHeaver
(2,522 posts)About 40 miles south on IH 45. If the highway is clogged up, take Texas 3. It will merge into 45 for the bridge onto the island.
The Gulf side beaches run the length of the island. I prefer the public access beaches toward Jamaica Beach, or even beyond. Lots of new beach-front housing along that road but there are public access points.
Xipe Totec
(43,890 posts)TBF
(32,085 posts)the rooms are so-so for the price but the restaurant/pool are good. For someone coming from out of the area be aware that Moody is on the bay so you have to drive a few streets over to get to the beach.
We live in the south suburbs of Houston and went down for a weekend with our kids - had a great time.
Even better if you have time is to go down to Corpus or South Padre. Great for building sand castles ... no white sand beaches though (many drive in the other direction and visit Northern Florida for those).
This weekend bring both sunscreen and insect repellant (Bullfrog makes some good combos) - we've been hit by mosquitoes from the rains the past few weeks.
onestepforward
(3,691 posts)It's a great place to go!
evemac
(132 posts)We just used CityPASS for Boston, and I would recommend it as well for Houston. I believe it includes NASA, the Fine Arts Museum and the Houston Children's Museum among other city attractions. Check out Miller Outdoor Theatre as well. The closest beach of course is Galveston, but I haven't been recently, so I cannot give you updated info on the best beach. Moody Gardens is on the way to Galveston, and this is a great place to see as well. Hope you have a good time!
antigop
(12,778 posts)HubertHeaver
(2,522 posts)You will need a very good city map or gps guidance. the city streets don't really make sense.
HubertHeaver
(2,522 posts)usregimechange
(18,373 posts)HubertHeaver
(2,522 posts)Is the family accustomed to long drives?
usregimechange
(18,373 posts)Sedona
(3,769 posts)nt
kentauros
(29,414 posts)Or did you miss that part?
HubertHeaver
(2,522 posts)And a good part of it is underwater.
Paladin
(28,271 posts)Ilsa
(61,697 posts)a great flashback for us older folk and a hood educational experience for young folk.
Moody Gardens is neat.
Depending on when you are there, the Cynthia P. Mitchell Pavillion in The Woodlands might have some wonderful and affordable concerts to attend.
TexasTowelie
(112,369 posts)we both know that the Johnson Space Center isn't in just any hood! (Darn those night-time typos).
Good suggestions otherwise.
efhmc
(14,731 posts)and peddle boats. http://milleroutdoortheatre.com/
Ilsa
(61,697 posts)If you want a nice beach, drive all the way down to South Padre Island.
The water and beaches north of So Padre make my skin feel dirty.
efhmc
(14,731 posts)Magazine. My gboys LOVE it. If you go to Galveston for the beach, go to the county beach to get away from the crowds. Plan to eat out at the amazing ethnic variety of restaurants. There is an asian town/area near downtown. http://www.yelp.com/biz/port-of-houston-authority-free-boat-tours-houston This is great tour and free but reservations need to be made a month in advance. Could go on and on. I miss that city soooo much.
TBF
(32,085 posts)The Houston Museum of Natural Science just re-did their dinosaur wing and they have IMAX movies.
usregimechange
(18,373 posts)efhmc
(14,731 posts)TBF
(32,085 posts)we moved to Texas from the Wash DC area, so it was new to pay for entrance to museums. I really miss the Smithsonian ....
kentauros
(29,414 posts)I linked the site map because their homepage is really laid out mostly for news reporting and finding all the arts, entertainment, restaurants, sports, and park info is difficult among that mess.
Anything labeled "Best of" usually is a good choice.
Also, if you like Mediterranean food (as well as Indian) Houston is full of restaurants and groceries catering to those cuisines. Might as well plug my friends' place, Zabak's Mediterranean Cafe, as home to the best falafel in the city!
Curmudgeoness
(18,219 posts)I would plan around all things indoors. The beaches are crappy around there, but as someone who did not live near any large bodies of water until I lived in Houston, I always enjoyed going there anyways. The zoo is nice, but this time of year would probably kill you walking around there. Johnson Space Center is not my cup of tea, but everyone who visited me enjoyed it.
freshwest
(53,661 posts)http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/huntwild/wildlife/wildlife-trails/coastal/upper
Another area you might enjoy, particularly in the evenings which will be marginally cooler:
Houston Theater District
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Houston_Theater_District
Despite its problems after Hurricane Ike, there are things to do on Galveston Island, which has new amusements and places to eat. It's a short run, in terms of driving in Texas, 50 miles down Interstate 45 and across the causeway either to Broadway and the older part of Galveston, or take one of the exits going west to see newer places.
Although it's nowhere near what it once was. There are condo suites for families to stay at with grocery delivery, extra bedrooms and small kitchens with views of the Gulf of Mexico. All air-conditioned. For example, there is The Victorian Condo-Hotel Resort & Conference Center, which I'm linking through the city's Galveston.com site which tells you more:
http://www.galveston.com/victoriancondo/
Have a great trip. watch for traffic, mosquitoes and a few other things natives may warn you about.
usregimechange
(18,373 posts)ceile
(8,692 posts)Quirky things to see:
http://orangeshow.org/
The Orange Show and the Beer Can House are must sees. I went to these things on various field trips when I was a kid and I remember them 25+ plus years later. Admission is about $2.
Battleship Texas, San Jacinto Monument, Kemah Boardwalk
All about 45 mins south of downtown. Kemah has rides and games for kids and good food.