... for a vacation, what would I do? I'm trying to figure out what kind of stuff I could do and around how much it would cost me for a week to ten days? (excluding airfare but including hotel) What are 3 and 4-star hotels charging these days? Is it too hot to walk around? What kind of stuff could I do? (Nature/nightlife/good eats) Is there any way I could watch a Rockets summer league game? What cities are nearby in which I could have some fun too? This trip is for me and two other guys in our mid to late twenties. Any comments would be much appreciated! (P.S. A sticky for this kind of question on the Hangout may not be a bad idea!)
According to your profile, you'll be coming in from Turkey, is that right? This time of year in Houston, you're looking at highs of anywhere from 85 to 105. With the humidity it can feel even hotter. I imagine you experience similar climates where you live. So if you dress accordingly and drink lots of fluids you should be fine doing some walking. Rockets summer league games aren't played in Houston, unfortunately. All NBA summer league games take place in either Orlando, FL or Las Vegas, NV. However, I would suggest going down to Toyota Center and at least looking at the building. I don't know for sure, but they might do tours there. Also, depending on when you're here, there may be a musical act playing there that you want to see. If so, get tickets to that and you'll get to check out where the Rockets play. I don't travel much myself, so I'm not the right one to ask about hotel prices and such. I also don't partake much in the night life around town, so I'll let others direct you in that regard. By the way, have you ever been to the United States before?
I've never been before, this would be my first time.. But my brother lived there and graduated from UofH around 10 years ago, another brother was in Corpus Christi (sp?) and I have some family in Texas as well.. Why, you think I should go somewhere other than Houston if it's my first time?
Unless you're already coming primarily to see family, if you're coming to the US just for vacation, there's not much to do in Houston compared to the other large metropolitan American cities. Very little of Houston is walkable, it's incredibly hot/humid all summer, and public transportation is awful. The museums and art galleries are decent here, but not on par with what you could find in New York, Chicago or LA. Dining is similarly good here, but doesn't stack up to the larger cities. If you're coming just to shop, the Galleria and its surroundings are potentially world class, but I don't know if you can make 7-10 days out of it. On the plus side, I think the hotels are cheaper here, but only slightly. Houston is overall much more affordable to live in, but for a vacation spot, it's kind of lacking. Unless you're just tired of NY/LA, or are for some reason overwhelmingly intrigued by Tex-Mex cooking & NASA, I'd recommend vacationing there first.
If your a rockets fan and never been to houston, you should wait till the nba season. atleast thats what i would do.
Not exactly. There are definitely cities that are better vacation spots than Houston, but if you've never been to the United States at all, then I think pretty much any major city would make for an interesting destination (including Houston). If you've got family here, it'll be even better.
I don't know if you're a baseball fan but would recommend catching an Astros game at Minute Maid. Even if you don't like baseball the stadium is pretty cool. The Houston Fine Arts Museum and the area around it is pretty nice and the best part of Houston. Some other stops would be the San Jacinto Monument, Johnson Space Center and Galveston.
If you guys are coming to America, I would not suggest Houston in the summer. In the fall and winter, yes, but the summers are just squelching hot and humid, and it makes outdoor activities difficult. If you are determined to come to Texas, then come up to Austin, I will buy the first round of drinks. And, for the love of God, bring some of that Turkish coffee with you....YUMMMY !! DD
I love my city, but visiting Houston in the summer as your first trip to the United States might be the worst vacation idea ever. I've lived here all of my life and I still can't get over how freaking miserable the heat is in the summer. Go to New York or Chicago.
Isn't it just as hot there in Austin, except with more humidity? I know the drought yall have been in... it's pretty crucial... we're about to get into that same severe drought, we're in the early stages. It looks like we might, no rain for the next 7 days as of today..... temps to be in the upper 90's.. 98..99.. it's beefing down here!
Austin has a higher elevation and wasn't built on a sweltering swamp, so it makes the summer heat more bearable. As far as hotels go, you can go to priceline.com and select an area to stay at and a star rating and name your own price (usually you can get half off what rooms usually go for)
Same here. Houston is a great city to live in. It's not a great city to visit. Day to day living is nice and laid back. Great restaurants are abundant. Grocery stores and other stuff are very conveniently close. If you're in the mood, you can hit good clubs and museums and parks. But these are stuff you want to do when you live here. Not something you'd care to do on a visit.
Completely agree. And, as others have said, definitely avoid Houston in the summer. It's unpleasant as hell. (Austin is fine in the summer due to the low humidity.) If and when you do come here though, I highly recommend The Orange Show, The Art Car Museum and The Menil Collection.
Houston is a terrible tourist city. Sad to say it but even Dallas is a better place to go for tourism. Probably San Antonio as well.
Hotwire has 4 star hotel near Galleria for $69. I picked a random week in July. Austin is overrated. (ducking to avoid punch to groin)
Houston really has nothing to offer...I think you would have a better experience in another major metropolitan..maybe a city in Cali, Florida or even NYC.. I love Houston, it's just not as fun as the other cities around the u.s....try Austin like DD mentioned.. Chilcutt
Definitely Can't believe no one said the Downtown Aquarium Maybe even Splashtown. The Toyota Center and Reliant do tours in the summer. I'm not sure when though.
http://www.citypass.com/city/houston.html not a great place to walk around- if you have transport and dont mind driving a lot, definitely take a look at this.
/me punches Faos in the groin. But seriously: I grew up in Houston, I love the city, it's still my hometown. But it's terrible for tourism. Austin is much, much better.
