My wife and I, along with our son and his fiance, are going to Houston for a quick visit the last weekend in February. We are all looking for something to do together Friday afternoon/evening and Saturday during the day. So far it looks like NASA and the Galleria Mall are a couple of possibilties but we are open to suggestions. If you have any great ideas please share them with us.

If you are headed to the area of NASA, then you should check out the Kemah Boardwalk. And, if you want to go even farther south, the Strand on Galveston Island is nice.

Have a good trip!

Or if you don't want to go south after NASA, you can go north and head to the San Jacinto Monument and Battleship Texas, next to the Houston Ship Channel.

In town, the Museum of Fine Arts, Menil Collection and the Rothko Chapel may interest you if you like arts.

Further to my post, it looks like there will be a Mardis Gras celebration at Kemah Boardwalk that weekend with live zydeco bands, as well as a boat parade. Here's a link for more info as to what is going on there....if you are intersted, that is.

http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/

I agree with rkkwan in that the Houston Museum District has a lot to offer. It's hard for us to make specific suggestions w/o knowing what your interests are.

Rkkwan...we are just going to have to meet one of these days. Especially since we both post on so many Houston threads, not to mention your wonderful help on my upcoming trip to Rome.

Like Statia, I am an ex-Houstonian and I return a few times each year to visit family and enjoy the city. Although it is a great idea when you have time, I think w/your limited time that you probably would not want to go to Kemah or Galveston, as there is much to keep you busy in Houston proper after you see Nasa (which takes a half day IMO, if you take the tram tour of the diff. bldgs, which is really great).

I love the museum district. Check it out on the web. It is a diverse group of museums, the Fine Arts Museum, The Contemporary Art museum, the Rothoko Chapel on the UST campus, on and on. A really great area for a morning or afternoon (actually you could spend an entire weekend doing just that IMO). And close by is Herman park, which I am partial to, as I love the Cockrell Butterfly Center in the Museum of Natural Science. This is a butterfly habitat where you can walk in and the butterflies land on you. It is amazing.

http://www.hmns.org/see_do/butterfly_center.asp

Galleria will keep you happy for shopping and dining (and watching the ice skaters) for a good period also.

Many other higns but you won't have time. Would you like a play or some other entertainment on Friday night? There is a lot of good live music in Houston - what do you all like? The Alley Theater and other venues are good for plays. I saw a murder mystery who-dun-it at the Alley on my last trip and it was good fun.

Are you looking for dining recs? Where are you staying?

An aside: Has anyone heard from BellaireGirl (Susan)? She seems to have dropped off/out of the forum...Every time one of these Houston posts comes up, I miss her.

rkkwan and Statia, one day hopefully we can all meet up.

>"I think w/your limited time that you probably would not want to go to Kemah or Galveston, as there is much to keep you busy in Houston proper after you see Nasa"

Houston resident here... While I agree that Galveston is too out of the way, if you're going to NASA, then Kemah Boardwalk is just another 5-10 minutes away and I'd recommend going there if you like the outdoors, or if you're interested in Mardi Gras festivities.
If you're not into being outdoors by the water then I agree that the Museum District/ Hermann Park area would be a good place to see. I wouldn't go to the Galleria; it's just another mall, unless you don't have a nice one where you live (you didn't say where that is).

spunki, mea culpa, I didn't realize that Kemah was that close to NASA. I need to get to Kemah on one of my trips. I used to go there in the 70s when there were just two good restaurants and a working (fishing boats)marina there. I know it is pretty cool now, but I thought it was further twoaards Galveston. Thanks for informing on that.

Just continue on NASA Road 1 east, at its end hang a right onto TX146. Cross the bridge and you're there.

Yes, emd, we'll have to have a GTG one day.

If you haven't been to Kemah since the 70's, you would be absolutely shocked at the new boardwalk area. I was in utter shock after not having been since the early 90's myself. You'd never know it is the same place.

It honestly depends on your likes and dislikes. NASA is very cool if you are space exploration. I would definitely skip Kemah and Galveston if Mardi Gras is that weekend. Besides I think those areas are way over-rated (and Kemah is mainly for families with small children since there is a kiddie amusement park there). The museums are great in Houston, and the shopping at the Galleria is unlimited. The best thing about Houston in my opinion (and I was born, raised and returned here after college) is the friendly people and the food!! I have traveled to many places in the U.S. and I've never found better food. The Tex-Mex is the best!! Try Molina's, Pappasito's or El Tiempo Cantina. Carraba's (on either Voss or Kirby) has superb italian. Churassco's has excellent South American food. Ruggles has great continental food and Star Pizza makes amazing pizza!! Just a few of my favorites that I would highly recommend. Hope the weather is nice for your trip. It's kind of muggy today!

I don't agree that Kemah Boardwalk is mainly for families with small children. I don't have children and I enjoy it. My sister lives nearby and goes for the restaurants, bars, and live bands/parties.

The boardwalk has plenty of entertainment for adults, IMO. Although I will admit to riding the carrousel at the amusement park once.

I'm in Houston but just found this post. I'll check back this afternoon when I have more time to write.

There is a great thread that has about 100 posts about Houston restaurants.

Isn't the rodeo on too?

Yes, Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo is currently on.

Is there a moderately priced decent hotel that is very convenient to the museum district? I've looked at some of the B&Bs, but none of them has king-sized beds. One was catastrophically expensive (more of a wedding venue).

I don't need a fancy hotel. A chain would do so long as its spiffy clean.

Think I could get a discount at the Warwick this thime of year, or is that hotel past its prime? (And does it have parking?)

Warwick is closed for renovations, I believe. But you can get anything in downtown or Texas Medical Center and just ride the train ($2 day pass).

Thanks. I've been looking at maps and the medical center area does look like a convenient place. Likeway Greenway Plaza, since I'll have a car.

With a car, and not too picky, I'd try using Priceline. You can often get 4* in Downtown or Medical Center/Greenway for $50-60.

The Warwick is closed. It is being renovated and converted to a Hotel Zaza. I concur about using priceline. You might check www.biddingfortravel.com on prices. You might also consider the Galleria area. I tlooks like there are reasonable prices at Priceline for the Sheraton Suites in the Galleria.