We have a 8 hour layover at the Houston International Airport in April. We arrive at noon and leave at 8:00 p.m. We were wondering if there was something we could do close to the airport. Is the Houston Space Center anywhere near there? We are a family with 2 teenage boys. Thanks.

Bush Intercontinental Airport is about 25 miles north of downtown; the Space Center is about 25 miles south of downtown. You're looking at an hour-plus drive, each way, (more, with traffic) to/from the Space Center, which is fun, but very touristy and expensive, in my view. If you have access to a car, it is doable, but cab rides are expensive in Houston, and public transportation limited.

Depending on your interests, you might instead check out one or more of the museums (fine art, contemporary art, children's, natural science, health & medicine, Holocaust, etc. --- 22 total) in the museum district, which is just south of downtown and an easy 30-minute drive from the airport. This is also one of the nicer parts of Houston --- close to Rice University, the Rice Village (shopping, restaurants), and the Texas Medical Center. You'd have plenty of time to explore the area. The Natural Science Museum, in particular, has excellent exhibits, a butterfly center, IMAX, and planetarium. www.hmns.org.

Good luck!

crimsonowl
Thanks for the information on what to do in Houston. We will take your advice and probably will go to the Natural Science Museum. I also have to thank you for your post on canopy tours on the Costa Rica forum. We will be on our trip home when we have our layover in Houston.

No problem. Have fun in Costa Rica, and enjoy your brief visit in Houston --- it isn't the greatest city to visit, but those of us who live here, love it.

Best wishes.

If you are spending the day at the Science Museum, you might want to grab a meal before heading back to the aiport in Rice Village. There are all sorts of great restaurants around there.

Don't forget to plan for Houston TRAFFIC! I'm guessing it will be an hour plus to get back to the airport in time for your security screening and exciting wait time!

Houston traffic isn't really THAT bad, except for I-10 Katy freeway. However, if you do go the the Village in the afternoon, avoid trying to get back on US59 north between Shepherd and downtown. There's major construction going on, and can be really slow. Instead, take Holcombe blvd, pass Texas Medical Center. Road becomes MacGregor and you can pick up TX288 north. Then take US59 north back to the airport. US59 north has been newly rebuilt, and it's very fast getting back to the airport even during PM rush.