We are going to Houston this weekend (last minute) We would like to stay at a nice hotel near Astrodome, where my husband and I can enjoy a romantic weekend. Also, any MUST places to eat??

Thanks

Romantic weekend in Houston? I don't think so. It's just a big, tacky city. No character. Nice mall if you like that kinda thing.

You nailed that one..My son lives in Houston, and we hate it so much, we meet in Dallas for weekends. Why would anyone want to go to Houston, unless it was a job?

Well I guess you have to be from this area to really appreciate the city! Yes, Houston is hot and humid and the air quality is not the best, but there are a lot of things to do and many great restaurants to eat at!! The Astrodome area is not the best (or safest) area in town, so if you can stay somewhere else I would recommend it! The Downtown area is going through some revitalization right now and it is pretty close to the Astrodome so I would stay in that area--maybe the Lancaster or the Four Seasons these are old hotels with a lot of character and first class service! (kind of expensive). The Galleria area is very nice too! There is great shopping all around and there is a Westin that is actually in the mall that is nice! My favorite hotel is the former Ritz-Carlton, now called The Luxury Collection. As far as must places to eat, Americas would have to be tops on my list! The decor is really unusual and the food and service are wonderful! It gives a South American flare to steaks, chicken, pork etc. The Churassco is the best! Also try the Vanilla custard if you go! Another favorite is Ruggles! Great continental food and desserts to-die-for! Both places expect to pay around $80-$100 for dinner and drinks for two. Both are kind of loud but the food and the atmosphere make up for the noise! Other's that get rave reviews are Brennen's and The Brownstone. I would check Zagat.com for those two. Romantic places would be The Rainbow Lodge or La Tour D'Argent. Both have great food and are a little quieter! Be prepared to pay over $100 for dinner and drinks for two! Hope this helps. Let me know if you need any other information! Houston is a great city with a lot of culture that most people don't know about because they don't really give it a chance!

Joy,

Thanks for the information, its greatly appreciated. Would you share your opinion of the Hilton Houston Plaza?!? Should we cancel and maybe stay at the Westin?? Thanks again!

The Hilton Houston Plaza is a nice hotel that is in the Medical Center. I don't know how familiar you are with the city, but the Med. Center is huge! It is pretty centrally located so it is close to many things but you will be surrounded primarily by hospitals. It just depends on what activities you plan to do while you are here. If you want to shop, I would say stay at the Westin Galleria if you can get a good rate. If you are more interested in cultural things or in spending the day at Six Flags (Fright Fest) you are probably in the right place. If you do stay at the Hilton, ask for a room with a view of Downtown (if they have one), the skyline is really beautiful on a clear night.

Camille,
Give us a trip report when you get back. I'd love to hear how it turns out. Maybe you'll like Houston far more than the rest of us. And I'd love to hear about whatever romantic hideaways exist there. Thanks.

I am a native Houstonian and enjoy the city for what it gives me at this time in my life. It has many activities and really great restaurants. First of all, do not stay near the Astrodome, for safety reasons, more than anything. I would suggest the Galleria area. Hotels in that area include the Westin Galleria, which is attached to the Mall, the Luxury Collection which is about a mile from the Mall and the Adam's Mark Hotel, which is about three miles from the Galleria Mall. There are other hotels in this area, but unfortunately I do not remember the names. Moderately priced, highly recommended restaruants include, in my opinion, Ruggles (Continental), La Griglia (Italian), La Strada (Continental), Cadillac Bar (Mexican), Carrabba's (Italian), Kim Son (Vietnamese), and Cheesecake Factory - in the Galleria Mall (Variety). Higher priced, highly recommended restaurants include, Cafe Annie's (Continental), Taste of Texas (Steaks) and Rainbow Lodge (Continental). Casual lower priced, highly recommended restaurants include, Beck's Prime - on Augusta St near the Galleria Mall (this location important) (Burgers), California Pizza Kitchen. For an excellent Sunday champagne brunch, priced at $25 per person, you can't beat the Adam's Mark Hotel. Now for other things to do in the city. The Italian Festival is going on this weekend. Lots of good food and entertainment. The Rice Village is fun to walk around. Full of unique shops and restaurants, not an indoor Mall setting, and great if you love people watching. The "Wings over Houston" airshow near NASA, south of Houston. Houston Symphony at Jones Hall. Good program this week. I believe it features show tunes. Anyway, there are lots of things to do in this big city. I know you won't be bored or lack for things to do and great restaurants to visit. Hope you enjoy yourself.

South of Houston is a neat little area called Kemah, with shops, cool restaurants and even a ferris wheel. It's all on the bay. We spent a day there. There's a hotel right in the area with the Restaurants. There's a restaurant called the Aquarium with great big aquariums all over inside. This area is probably a half hour south of the Astrodome, but I think it'd be worth the trip.

Kemah is a great little area to go to - be aware that traffic is *nuts* in that little area on weekend nights, and most all of the restaurants fill up with reservations fairly quickly...esp. the Aquarium.

To get there take NASA Rd 1 exit off of I-45 (you are heading south, toward Galveston on I-45), head east. Drive all the way, through construction, to FM ? (I can't remember the number - finding it on a map shouldn't be hard), and turn right. Go over the Kemah Bridge, and I believe the next light turn right. At the 4-way stop turn right again. Go straight..you can't miss it.

Anyway, if you go to Kemah, I'd suggest going early Saturday for lunch and not dinner. I really like the Aquarium restaurant, it is a little pricey, however. The place opens at 11, and I'd get there as close to 11am as possible, as the wait starts getting long not too much after that.

Going in the evening on a weekend is a pain, even for a local, due to the traffic.

Have traveled to Houston twice with my husband on business trips. Loved every minute. Drove around everywhere in the rental car alone while he was busy. One trip we stayed two weeks. never ran out of great shopping or restaurants to try!
Friendly people. would love to go back in a minute.. Have a ball.

News report on NPR yesterday that Houston has worst air quality in the country, worse than LA. Report said that whereas LA's poor air quality comes from smog, Houston's comes from all the oil refineries that have been "grandfathered" in before the Clean Air Act was enacted. So there's no end in sight to all the bad air.

Camille - I left the post concerning how to get to Kemah. *If* you decide to go, I realized I was quite wrong in the directions I gave. After the Kemah bridge, you turn LEFT at the light, and LEFT again at the stop sign. Sorry.

About the air - nothing pleasant about the way the air smells around here, much of the time. Maybe if everyone in this town wrote a letter to their represenative, we could do something about it besides complain. But this is a travel forum, and I think regardless of breathing in a weekend of bad air, you will have a great time, Camille. It's all about the attitude you go in with.

Thanks for all the information. I am sure it will be a great weekend, since
my husband and I look toward the positive aspect of things. Its seems Houston has lots to offer.

Thanks again

Let us know what you did and how you liked the city.

Houston?, Why would anyone wan't to got there?
Because there is great entertainment, Attractions and beaches. Have fun