9 days in Texas - Houston/San Antonio/Galveston
Mar 17th, 2011, 04:34 AM
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9 days in Texas - Houston/San Antonio/Galveston
We are a couple in our mid 50's travelling to Texas for a wedding this weekend in Houston. We're doing side trips to San Antonio and Galveston (I HAVE to go to the beach). I am mostly looking for restaurant suggestions. In Houston this weekend we'll be staying at the Inn at the Ballpark and we're looking for somewhere to eat Friday night, moderate to above average in price. We like seafood, Italian, steaks and while we're in Texas we should probably go to a barbeque place. Don't care much about Mexican food. We'll be in San Antonio for 2 nights, staying at Drury Inn & Suites Riverwalk, and also staying 2 nights in Galveston at Hotel Galvez and Spa. Restaurant suggestions and things to do would be greatly appreciated! We'll have a car.
Mar 17th, 2011, 04:47 AM
#2
Ah, then you probably don't want to go to my #1 choice -
http://www.mamaninfas.com/
It's where Mama Ninfa created the fajita and I really enjoyed the food AND the drinks. Can't wait to go back when/if I'm in Houston again.
http://www.mamaninfas.com/
It's where Mama Ninfa created the fajita and I really enjoyed the food AND the drinks. Can't wait to go back when/if I'm in Houston again.
Mar 17th, 2011, 10:26 AM
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I realize that there are nicer beaches in Texas than Galveston. We are only going to be at the beach from Wednesday when we leave San Antonio until Friday when we return to our friend's house where we'll spend the weekend before we fly out of Houston on Sunday. To minimize the time spent in the car Galveston made much more sense. We'll make the most of it.
Mar 17th, 2011, 10:52 AM
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I guess my thinking was that we are going to Texas to go to a wedding in Houston, not to go to the beach, but if I can sneak in a few days at the beach, I'll pick a location that will give us maximum beach time. By staying in Galveston, we will be able to stay at the beach on Friday and leave late afternoon to get back to our friend's house. Further south we would be spending most of the afternoon driving back to the Houston area.
Mar 17th, 2011, 11:07 AM
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For dinner, head over to Rice Village. Several nice places there, I really like Prego http://www.prego-houston.com/about.html
Others-
http://www.ricevillageonline.com/din..._category_id=1
For BBQ, Pappas is really good, not fancy, but really good.
http://pappasbbq.com/home/
Others-
http://www.ricevillageonline.com/din..._category_id=1
For BBQ, Pappas is really good, not fancy, but really good.
http://pappasbbq.com/home/
Mar 17th, 2011, 11:37 AM
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On the RIverwalk in San Antonio, I like Boudros (reservations suggested, ask for a table outside, weather permitting). Biga on the Riverwalk is supposed to be the best. I've never been. If you like wine, Hotel Contessa, sitting outside is nice too.
Mar 17th, 2011, 02:06 PM
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Mar 17th, 2011, 05:31 PM
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Vic and Anthone's is next to the Inn at thre BallPark, if you like steak.
http://www.vicandanthonys.com/
http://www.vicandanthonys.com/
Mar 18th, 2011, 11:38 AM
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Not sure if these would be anything you would be interested in but I thought I would share them:
For hamburgers try Sparkle Burger in Houston. It is a little wood frame building where you eat outside on picnic tables. At this time of year it would be nice to do that. 1515 Dowling St, Houston, TX 77003,(713) 225-8044.
I also like Niko Nikos on Montrose, http://www.nikonikos.com. It is a fun place to go for Greek food and to people watch. There is also a patio for sitting outside.
For bar-b-cue I would recommend Goode Co. on Kirby:http://goodecompany.com/our-restaura...y-bar-b-q.html
I also think the Rice Village area has a lot to offer in both shopping and restuarants:http://www.ricevillageonline.com/
In Galveston you will have a lot of choices for seafood. I would ask where you are staying for recommendations. I also like The Spot for burgers and fish sandwiches on the Seawall:http://www.thespotgalveston.com/
If you have time stop in to Kemah on the way back from Galveston:http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/
I have to tell you though, you are missing out on good Mexican food while in the area too! Enjoy your visit to Houston!
For hamburgers try Sparkle Burger in Houston. It is a little wood frame building where you eat outside on picnic tables. At this time of year it would be nice to do that. 1515 Dowling St, Houston, TX 77003,(713) 225-8044.
I also like Niko Nikos on Montrose, http://www.nikonikos.com. It is a fun place to go for Greek food and to people watch. There is also a patio for sitting outside.
For bar-b-cue I would recommend Goode Co. on Kirby:http://goodecompany.com/our-restaura...y-bar-b-q.html
I also think the Rice Village area has a lot to offer in both shopping and restuarants:http://www.ricevillageonline.com/
In Galveston you will have a lot of choices for seafood. I would ask where you are staying for recommendations. I also like The Spot for burgers and fish sandwiches on the Seawall:http://www.thespotgalveston.com/
If you have time stop in to Kemah on the way back from Galveston:http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/
I have to tell you though, you are missing out on good Mexican food while in the area too! Enjoy your visit to Houston!
Mar 20th, 2011, 10:59 AM
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In San Antonio, you might try Paesano's for Italian. There is a Riverwalk location:
http://www.paesanosriverwalk.com/
Cappy's is sort of a local institution on Broadway not too far from downtown (probably 10-15 minutes):
http://www.cappysrestaurant.com/
Tip Tope Cafe is a diner that was featured on Food Network's Diners Dives and Drive-ins (or whatever it's called):
http://www.tiptopcafe.com/
http://www.paesanosriverwalk.com/
Cappy's is sort of a local institution on Broadway not too far from downtown (probably 10-15 minutes):
http://www.cappysrestaurant.com/
Tip Tope Cafe is a diner that was featured on Food Network's Diners Dives and Drive-ins (or whatever it's called):
http://www.tiptopcafe.com/
Mar 29th, 2011, 01:32 PM
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Ahhhh, the Galveston Bashers are out in force I see.
KathyK, let me set the record straight on Galveston's beaches. As usual, the condescending tones from TomFuller and AustinTraveler are typical of those who have been to Galveston once and have seen the water when the wind is out of the west and turns the water brown. It's an ocean, it changes daily.
I live on the beach in Galveston. I paid dearly for my house on the beach in Galveston... I could've bought anywhere in the U.S. I am an educated man and I've done very well for myself, do you honestly think I'd plunk down a small fortune on a beach house if I thought it was a terrible beach? Let me help you... "NO".
For the past 2.5 weeks (yes, through Spring Break) the water has been absolutely gorgeous. Pastel green all the way to the beach from a half mile out, deep cobalt blue from that point outward toward the open ocean.
No, Galveston does not have sugar-white sand like the beaches east of Mobile Bay, that's why I love it. The Texas coast is uniquely Texas. It is mostly undeveloped and still affordable.
We don't have scores of New Yorkers with gold necklaces and windblown hair plugs racing up and down our waterways in giant boats that they have no idea how to operate... see "Florida".
It's a shame that my fellow Texans don't have a clue what the beaches in Galveston can look like the VAST majority of the time. I do, I LIVE on it. Rather, they see it once when she's not at her best and spread the misguided hype.
However, Tom and AustinTraveler (by the way, don't go to Austin, the traffic is horrible and it has lost all of its charm and the homeless whackos will drive you crazy) please, keep telling everyone you see that our beaches are terrible... that way, I can enjoy my stretch of the beach a little longer during the spring and fall when it is absolutely stunning.
Oh, and yes, if you ever want photos for proof.... got plenty.
Come see us in Galveston!
KathyK, let me set the record straight on Galveston's beaches. As usual, the condescending tones from TomFuller and AustinTraveler are typical of those who have been to Galveston once and have seen the water when the wind is out of the west and turns the water brown. It's an ocean, it changes daily.
I live on the beach in Galveston. I paid dearly for my house on the beach in Galveston... I could've bought anywhere in the U.S. I am an educated man and I've done very well for myself, do you honestly think I'd plunk down a small fortune on a beach house if I thought it was a terrible beach? Let me help you... "NO".
For the past 2.5 weeks (yes, through Spring Break) the water has been absolutely gorgeous. Pastel green all the way to the beach from a half mile out, deep cobalt blue from that point outward toward the open ocean.
No, Galveston does not have sugar-white sand like the beaches east of Mobile Bay, that's why I love it. The Texas coast is uniquely Texas. It is mostly undeveloped and still affordable.
We don't have scores of New Yorkers with gold necklaces and windblown hair plugs racing up and down our waterways in giant boats that they have no idea how to operate... see "Florida".
It's a shame that my fellow Texans don't have a clue what the beaches in Galveston can look like the VAST majority of the time. I do, I LIVE on it. Rather, they see it once when she's not at her best and spread the misguided hype.
However, Tom and AustinTraveler (by the way, don't go to Austin, the traffic is horrible and it has lost all of its charm and the homeless whackos will drive you crazy) please, keep telling everyone you see that our beaches are terrible... that way, I can enjoy my stretch of the beach a little longer during the spring and fall when it is absolutely stunning.
Oh, and yes, if you ever want photos for proof.... got plenty.
Come see us in Galveston!
Mar 29th, 2011, 01:41 PM
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One more note, if you want SEAFOOD... as Gary Cartwright (Texas Monthly writer) noted in Galveston: A History of the Island, Gaido's is the best seafood in Texas... period.
They are celebrating their 100 year anniversary this year.
But hey, don't listen to me... I'm sure you can find better seafood in Austin.
Come see us in Galveston!
They are celebrating their 100 year anniversary this year.
But hey, don't listen to me... I'm sure you can find better seafood in Austin.
Come see us in Galveston!
Mar 29th, 2011, 04:50 PM
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I am back from my trip to Texas. I'm Sorry WestBayMan, but I have to agree with the others about the beach at Galveston. Granted, I was only there for two days, but the beach there could never compare to Florida beaches. I knew that going in, and went there for geographical reasons. We stayed at a very nice hotel, Hotel Galvez, and spent most of our time at the pool rather than the beach (I never do that).
For a mini trip report, we went to a very fun wedding in Houston, at a very unique venue, Minute Maid Field. Otherwise, Houston was not a very interesting city. The Inn at the Ball Park was a nice hotel, and certainly very convenient for those visiting the ball park. We very much enjoyed San Antonio and had a fantastic meal at Bohanans, which is a steakhouse. The Drury Inn on the Riverwalk was okay, mostly a family oriented hotel. In Galveston we did go to Gaido's for seafood and I agree, it was a very good meal.
For a mini trip report, we went to a very fun wedding in Houston, at a very unique venue, Minute Maid Field. Otherwise, Houston was not a very interesting city. The Inn at the Ball Park was a nice hotel, and certainly very convenient for those visiting the ball park. We very much enjoyed San Antonio and had a fantastic meal at Bohanans, which is a steakhouse. The Drury Inn on the Riverwalk was okay, mostly a family oriented hotel. In Galveston we did go to Gaido's for seafood and I agree, it was a very good meal.
May 31st, 2011, 11:06 AM
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I must say that if you didn't find Houston an interesting city, then you must have missed the museum district and Hermann Park area. We live in Oklahoma and drive there every year. It is an amazing place. Hermann Park is beautifully landscaped with a Japanese garden and fountains and so many different areas. It just goes on and on. I could spend an entire day there. At night they have concerts at the outdoor amphitheater. The museums are some of the best in the country.
