5alive

Hi, we will be visiting Houston to see Rice University next month. Suggestions of where to stay or not to stay near the university? How close should I be and are there areas near Rice to avoid? If anyone has done PL or Hotwire, for Houston, any suggestions.

I will have the evening of the overnight and then the two of us will have another afternoon/evening free as well. Suggestions appreciated!

Should I rent a car or get a hotel with a shuttle to the airport? We are flying home early morning on a weekend day--should we move to a hotel by the airport? The negative is that it's extra hassle to move lodgings and cuts into our visiting time the day before.

Thanks for all advice!

Five Alive

maryanntex

You should rent a car.

You don't need to move to a hotel by the airport. Which airport are you flying to/from? Regardless, you will be going against rush hour traffic, so won't have that problem.

If I were you I would either stay (1) at a hotel in the Galleria (two Westins there) or near it, or (2) closer to Rice. There are a number of hotels near Kirby and 59, like a Courtyard, Residence Inn, etc. I don't have any direct experience with them, but have driven by them and they all look fine.

As far as suggestions for what to do in your free time, what are you interested in? Rice is very close to the museum district, and also to Rice Village, which has stores and restaurants. Hermann Park is across the street from Rice and has a zoo, Museum of Natural Science, walking/jogging trails. There is also a 3-mile trail around Rice that's great for running or walking.

Tabernash2

Rice is such a gorgeous campus! We visited there for DD, many years ago, with a schedule like yours. We stayed at an inexpensive chain hotel, down the road from Rice. There are lots of them. http://explore.rice.edu/explore/hotel.asp

I had a car, and I remember wishing I'd stayed at the Galleria, just for something close to do while DD did her overnight.

BigRuss

Assuming "the airport" is Bush (IAH), then you don't want to stay near there for a visit to Rice. IAH is way out on the northwest side of the city and Rice is relatively central. Even if "the airport" is Hobby, it's too bloody far.

Houston is physically DOUBLE the size of New York City. You MUST rent a car. The taxis to a hotel near whichever "the airport" you stayed near would cost far more than a rental. Sheeyoot, I used to go to Houston for business and would rent a car just to drive from Hobby to the Galleria area for a day trip because it would be less than two taxi rides.

travelgourmet

Agree that you will need a car and I would second the recommendation to stay at the Galleria. Personally, I would wake up early, rather than staying by the airport, but make sure you have enough time.

FWIW, Rice is an amazing school and a beautiful campus. Everyone I know that went there (including my wife) raves about their experience.

volcanogirl

I'll throw in another vote for the Galleria area. That's the most popular area to stay in - lots of shopping, restaurants, etc. You definitely need a car; things in Houston are very spread out.

5alive

Thanks so much for everyone's feedback. I am leaning toward choosing a hotel near Rice. I would have only stayed by the airport the night before we flew out, but moving hotels is a pain and eats into exploration time. If we stay by Rice, I'm guessing if we fly out at 7:30 AM, we need to be there 6:30 Am, and add another half hour to drop off the car plus travel time. I"m guessing that's leaving at 5 AM?

I will rent a car unless our hotel has a shuttle and can confirm it will be available. I definitely don't want to pay cabfare to George Bush airport.

As to what I like to do--I am open to many things. My preference would be a historic neighborhood, up-and-coming neighborhood. As to museums, I love both history and art museums. I was intrigued by the Bayou Bend Museum--has anyone been? The Rothko Chapel also looked worthwhile.

stumpworks73

The hotels near Bush are shabby at best. Better a 430 wake up and avoid a doubly painful hotel change.

maryanntex

You HAVE to rent a car! Don't even think about getting a shuttle. I don't know where you live, but in Houston you have to have a car!

If you leave at 5 a.m., you will for sure be at the airport in plenty of time.

What days of the week are you going to be in Houston? Bayou Bend is interesting. Lots of fine antiques and a beautiful setting. If you go to Bayou Bend, stop by here, too. http://www.beercanhouse.org/ It's very close--and definitely the flip side of the coin from Bayou Bend, but very interesting--and unique. The Rothko Chapel (and the Menil Collection) are definitely something you plan to see. The Museum of Fine Arts and the Museum of Natural Science are both good. Look at their websites to see what's there when you are. At Rice, the Rice Gallery has only site-specific installations. Always interesting, and they don't take a lot of time to see. http://ricegallery.org/new/exhibition/gaia.html And also at Rice, the Turrell Skyspace, at dawn or at dusk, is awesome. And let me know if you need restaurant suggestions near Rice. I'm an expert!

volcanogirl

The Museum of Fine Arts is fantastic. The Menil Collection is also popular. Bayou Bend is a beautiful property with wonderful gardens and fountains and a historic home you can tour. If you ever make it back during March/April, the Azalea Trail is wonderful. The zoo and Miller Outdoor Theater and the Museum of Natural Science are close to Rice. The Rothko Chapel is really famous; it doesn't do much for me, but an architect pal thought it was the coolest thing. Houston has a vibrant theater district if you want to make it downtown. Hotel ZaZa is popular, not sure of the $.

5alive

Hi, all,

Got a hotel near Rice and will definitely rent a car, even if I only drive it to/from airport and and to/from a night out. There is in fact a shuttle that will take you up to Rice for the day from the satellite hotels nearby and we will likely use it. However, estimates were $48/each way to get to the airport via taxi and we can get a car for not a lot more than that.

Maryann, I would definitely be interested in restaurants near Rice and the Turrell Skyspace looks cool.

Tabernash2

Sounds like a plan! The campus has fun exhibits and musical performances, if you enjoy that sort of things it's a good way to get a feel for campus life.

The little shopping streets close to campus are a must see for a prospective student. I am forgetting what it's called-- Rice Village? It is walkable from Rice campus, so students frequently go there to shop, dine and hang out. It's nice.

maryanntex

Rice Village has a lot of new restaurants. Prego is one of my favorites, but it's a little pricey--more like a birthday celebration type place, at least for my budget. www.prego-houston.com

benjy's is great, too. www.benjys.com

Also near Rice, and a little less expensive is the Raven Grill. Their sweet potato and spinach enchiladas are the best! www.theravengrill.com/

For lunch, Ruggles www.rugglescafebakery.com/ or Local Foods (owned by the same people as benjy's www.houstonlocalfoods.com/are both good.

For a quick bite for lunch, Brown Bag Deli (the one on Amherst) thebrownbagdeli.net is good, and La Madeleine is okay for breakfast or lunch--as is Zoe's.

The Goode Co. restaurants are all popular with the college kids. Goode Co. Barbecue, Goode Co. Taqueria, and Goode Co. Seafood. All three are located close to each other, and not far from Rice. www.goodecompany.com/locations

If you need more suggestions, check out these reviews: http://www.b4-u-eat.com/eat002.asp?Z...t+U&H=0&N=&S=N

5alive

Maryann, thank you so much I will put them onto my google map for Houston!