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Coming to Houston next week. Recommendations on Restaurants and Cool Things to do.

Discussion in 'BBS Hangout' started by Dream34, Aug 6, 2008.

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  1. Dream34

    Dream34 Contributing Member

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    I will be arriving in Houston next Wednesday (Aug 13) around 2pm and leaving Sunday (Aug 17) around 4pm. I will be travelling with my wife and 6 year old son. We are tenatively scheduled to stay at Residence Inn Houston-West University 2939 Westpark Drive. I was also considering the SpringHill Suites Houston Medical Center/Reliant Park 1400 Old Spanish Trail (Medical Center area). Both are costing around $550 for the entire stay. Are these decent locations or should I look elsewhere like near the Galleria Mall? I know the Springhill Suites is very close to Reliant Stadium. Not sure how far the other property is from Reliant.

    We are scheduled to see the Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban concert at Reliant stadium on Saturday evening. I am looking forward to seeing what Reliant stadium looks like from the inside. It looks absolutely amazing from what I have seen when I am watching my Titans beating up on the Texans... :D :p ;) (Sorry I had to throw that in!!!)

    I know the Astros are in town that weekend. So I was thinking of taking the family to the game on Friday night. I think they are playing the Giants but not sure. Any place you recommend sitting or eating while at Minute Maid? Is it easy to walk up to the stadium and get tickets or should I buy them on Ticketmaster? Which is the least expensive route to go?

    Welcome any recommendations to good Tex-Mex or other restaurants that I should definately check out as well as any attractions I could see or do with the family? Do you guys recommend Johnson Space Center or is it boring? I was thinking it may be interesting for my 6 year old.

    My wife wants to do some shopping as well. What nice shopping malls would you recommend based on where we are staying?

    She wants to buy some nice Pakistani outfits and so we are definately planning to spend some time at the Paki boutiques on Hillcroft. Many to choose from.

    Well thats about it as we are looking forward to our mini trip to H-Town so I welcome your recommendations. Thanks in advance.
     
    #1 Dream34, Aug 6, 2008
  2. flipmode

    flipmode Member

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    Johnson Space Center is probably the signature attraction for Houston, like NYC's Empire State Building or Chicago's Sears Tower... worth a visit, kids should love it.

    Shopping - go to the Galleria... and that's about it. It's the only place worth going to on a mini-trip... maybe Memorial City Mall, and maybe Highland Village too...

    Astros - you can probably just walk up. Not too hard to get tickets at the box office, plus you avoid Ticketmaster's crappy "service" charges.

    That area your hotel is in... is not such a great area. Definitely not scenic. I would suggest looking more closely at the Galleria area. Look on hotwire.com for good bargains.

    For Tex-Mex - Lupe Tortilla or Pappasito's are the best in town. Anyone else want to argue, let's go meet in the parkin' lot... :D


    Enjoy your trip!
     
    #2 flipmode, Aug 6, 2008
  3. thegary

    thegary Contributing Member

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    [​IMG]
     
    #3 thegary, Aug 6, 2008
  4. Dream34

    Dream34 Contributing Member

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    Thanks for the feedback flipmode...
     
    #4 Dream34, Aug 6, 2008
  5. R0ckets03

    R0ckets03 Contributing Member

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    Lupe Tortilla is really good.

    Escalantes is the PF Changs of tex-mex.

    Canyon Cafe kicks ass as well.
     
    #5 R0ckets03, Aug 6, 2008
  6. BiGGieStuFF

    BiGGieStuFF Contributing Member

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    Is Fonde Summer League still going?
     
    #6 BiGGieStuFF, Aug 6, 2008
  7. leroy

    leroy Contributing Member

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    Go to Austin.
     
    #7 leroy, Aug 6, 2008
  8. mtbrays

    mtbrays Contributing Member
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    Them's fightin' words! Head to the East End if you want truly good Mexican or Tex-Mex. If you head down there, you'll never head to the bland food in other parts of town again. Don Carlos on 76th is quite good and El Jardin was recently featured in the New York Times as being one of the foremost examples of what Tex-Mex should be. Mambo Parrilla on Harrisburg is the best value though, for the amount of food, flavor, and lack of English you get you though.
     
    #8 mtbrays, Aug 6, 2008
  9. RocketMan Tex

    RocketMan Tex Contributing Member

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    The only good Lupe Tortilla is the original near I-10 & Hwy 6. The rest of them suck donkey balls.

    Want good TexMex? Teotihuacan, baby! 1511 Airline Drive between Cavalcade & North Main.
     
    #9 RocketMan Tex, Aug 6, 2008
  10. ryan17wagner

    ryan17wagner Member

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    Never buy any sports ticket on ticketmaster and unless you like to burn $$. You can get cheap lower level astros tickets on eBay. With Tex-Mex you can try the orignial Ninfa's (2704 Navigation Blvd.) or Little Papasito's (2536 Richmnond Ave.) Only get the fajitas here, anything else is crap. Also Lupe Tortillas (2414 SW Freeway). Which is the 59/Grennbriar exit. Other resturatns, try Max's Wine Dive 4720 Washington Ave. Taste of Texas 10505 Katy Freeway.
     
    #10 ryan17wagner, Aug 6, 2008
  11. Landlord Landry

    Landlord Landry Member

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    Hillcroft has some decent hookers.
     
    #11 Landlord Landry, Aug 6, 2008
  12. ryan17wagner

    ryan17wagner Member

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    If Hillcroft has some decent hookers = Favre dealt to Packers and presser in an hour...then you're giving misinformation again.
     
    #12 ryan17wagner, Aug 6, 2008
  13. astros148

    astros148 Member

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    Hit up the Galleria for sure for shopping, why would you even ask lol?

    Hit up hilcroft and wilcrust, theres some paki shops there too to buy clothes for your wife. And yes you def. have to check out the Space Station, and Astros games are loads of fun, should have a blast!
     
    #13 astros148, Aug 6, 2008
  14. Landlord Landry

    Landlord Landry Member

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    thats wierd. I never said Favre was dealt to the Packers. :p
     
    #14 Landlord Landry, Aug 6, 2008
  15. ryan17wagner

    ryan17wagner Member

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    Ha! It's not a lie if you believe it....
     
    #15 ryan17wagner, Aug 6, 2008
  16. Landlord Landry

    Landlord Landry Member

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    why would I believe Favre was dealt to the team he was already on? ;)
     
    #16 Landlord Landry, Aug 6, 2008
  17. peleincubus

    peleincubus Member

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    second that
     
    #17 peleincubus, Aug 6, 2008
  18. Blake

    Blake Contributing Member

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    3 good shopping options in the area (besides the Pakistani boutiques).

    1. Galleria
    2. Rice Village (right by Rice University close to West U)
    3. Highland Village

    As far as good Tex-Mex in that area, I would seriously consider the original Ninfa's on Navigation St. The other Ninfa's are terrible. Lupe Tortilla's has great beef fajitas and an area for the kids to play.

    And RM Tex knows his Tex-Mex. Teo is amazing
     
    #18 Blake, Aug 6, 2008
  19. Dream34

    Dream34 Contributing Member

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    Thanks for the great feedback. I think we have several good options for Tex Mex covered. I noticed when I was flying through Houston once that they even have a Pappasitos in the airport. It was pretty good if I recall correctly.

    I think I will pass on the Hooker recommendation. I am sure that will not fly as a good recommendation with the wife.

    I am really looking forward to seeing H-Town without feeling rushed. I only wish I could pull in a Rockets game. Oh well. Checking out 2 of the 3 major sporting venues will be cool enough. I am really pumped about seeing Reliant. That place looks AMAZING....
     
    #19 Dream34, Aug 7, 2008
  20. krosfyah

    krosfyah Contributing Member

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    Galleria = two birds/one stone.

    Ice rink for your kid.
    Shops for your wife.

    I wouldn't stay at the hotel near Reliant ...it's not too nice around there. The other place is probably nice enough. Galleria is also nice of course.

    Another option is Hotel Icon downtown. You can take the train to Reliant. They also have a hotel taxi at your disposel. If you stay downtown somewhere else, try to stay within a few blocks of Icon because that is where the action is. Everywhere else is dead.

    I'm not a big fan of Nasa cause it's just a tourist trap now and pretty expensive ...like $20 ea. But a 6 year-old would have fun. Also nearby is Kemah boardwalk that has lots of stuff going on during the weekend esp after dark.

    Ninfa's on Navigation is the standard that all TexMex is judged against. Often have long lines, however.

    Rice Villiage has lots of shopping and eating ...but it's ourdoors. Don't go midday.
     
    #20 krosfyah, Aug 7, 2008
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