2022: The Definitive ClutchFans Houston Tourist Thread

I've planned some daytrips around Houston for people a few times, and they've always enjoyed them. Of course, food's a central theme in any trip here, so bring an empty stomach! Also, it's a good idea to have a day bag if you're here in the summer, as it can get brutally hot for any outdoor activities, and you'll want something a bit nicer than a t-shirt and shorts for nighttime activities...we're casual, but not slovenly.

We've got loads of cool art, from top-notch museums, to Houston-proud murals all over the downtown area. We've got an art car culture, complete with a neat museum, and an eccentrically trippy experience called The Orange Show for lovers of unusual art projects.

If you're into sports, our stadiums are great--especially the Astros, Dynamo, and Rockets, all of which are located close to each other downtown.

We're only an hour from the beach, which admittedly isn't spectacular, but there are loads of cool buildings and history in Galveston, and even some ghost tours! Very laid back beach town atmosphere.

The city is a hidden gem that's more than just food. Anyway, I usually start people off with this itinerary, then customize it to their needs:

1. Arrive early morning.
2. Book flight to New Orleans.
3. Enjoy.

 

Maybe they just wanted to see basketball

 

Ninfas

 

What about the Rustic in Uptown Park?
It's pretty Texan.

For BBQ, Truth in the Heights or Pinkerton's.

 

Snorkeling on Clear Lake around the reef is awesome -- still a bit chilly right now though.

 

I take people to the science museum because I am a nerd.

 

Bissonnet at night

 

Bissonnet by Hwy 6 or Bissonnet by the beltway? Because the attractions are very different...

 

I was in Houston last month with a couple of Minnesotans. As all of us are architects or in a related field I really pushed the architecture and arts related highlights of Houston:
The Museum of Fine Arts which has not just one but three additions done by world famous architects. Also the Modern Art Museum.
Penzoil Place in Downtown designed by Philip Johnson is a very famous structure in architecture circles.
Also some of the other skyscrapers in downtown like the Wells Fargo tower, and Heritage Plaza are pretty famous.
The Rothko Chapel is also pretty famous in art and architecture.
Near the Rothko Chapel is also the DeMenil Museum and couple of smaller museums that are outstanding for their architecture and art.
Rice University has some pretty impressive architecture.
Of course the Williams Tower is pretty impressive.
The Astrodome even though in a sad state is still one of the most important buildings in modern architecture. It was revolutionary for it's time and it's design and technology changed the way we build stadiums since then.

 

• Museum District (my fav part of town) - 19 different museums and oozing with culture. You can spend an entire day at the Natural Science museum. Same goes for the Menil collection.
• Hermann Park - kind of similar to above, but outside. It's our version of Central Park. See a show at Miller Outdoor Theatre, go to the Zoo, the Japanese gardens, ride the train, hang out by the duck pond or just roll down Miller Hill

Or if you want to prove to your guests that we are actually cooler than Austin:

• Big Red Button on the Mosbacher Bridge
• Buffalo Bayou Cisterns
• Project Row Houses in the Third Ward
• Orange Show
• Smither Park (next door to the Orange Show)

 

Last time I was there, the button didn't do anything.

 

Disappointing if true. I haven't tried it in years.

 

I've always wanted to do this on BB through downtown.

 

I always tell out of towners that Houston is like that old saying "only a face a mother could love." It's a place that only someone from there could love, there is nothing for outsiders.