Houston - Need ideas & help
 

We are going to Houston but know nothing about restaurants (other than cajun and tex-mex), sights, museums and special things to do and see in Houston that you cannot get someplace else. What makes the city great and what do people get the most pleasure out of doing? We'll be there only 4-5 days. Also, would it make sense to fly to New Orleans and then drive roundtrip to Houston? Anything to see along the way? This is an adults-only trip. And money is not an issue. We just want to have a great time doing quality stuff. What do you recommend (I looked in some guidebooks, and was shocked at the lack of useful, reliable, classy information)? Really could use your ideas and help. Many thanks.

Be sure to have a car--mass transit is an unknown in Houston. Visiting NASA (about 30 min. south of downtown off I-45 at NASA Road 1) is great even if you are not a big space fan. Galveston is about 30 min. south of NASA off I-45. You can go the beach, walk the Strand (shops), ride the ferry, eat at Guido's (across from the beach) or Clary's (on Teichlemann Rd. behind Galveston Daily News after you cross the causeway), or see the restored homes. <BR>In Houston go to the Alley Theater, and visit the San Jacinto Monument & Battleship Texas. It has been a while since I lived near NASA so can't help on the restaurants in Houston.

For an absolutely wonderful hotel stay try the (formerly Ritz Carlton) Luxury Collection of the Sheraton chain. The club floor is wonderful. Houston also has lots of fabulous restaurants--find the most recent copy of Zagat's Guide for reliable recommendations. Have enjoyed Cafe Annie, Tony Mandola's, Americas, Mark's....to name but a few. Houston is a great restaurant city!

<BR>I live in Houston, and there are many things to do, one of our favorite things is to drive down to Kemah (between Houston and Galveston)have drinks and dinner and watch the boats come in at the end of the day. There are LOTS of resturants and sights to see in that area. <BR>Regarding flying to New Orleans and driving to Houston--I love the drive(about 5-6 hours). Not too much to see on the drive, but if you want to see New Orleans this would be a perfect time to do so. If you have questions, please feel free to email me.

Definitely NASA is worth going to. There's a terrific museum and tour. The Aquarium in Kemah is a must (be prepared to wait) but it's wonderful. Stay at the Houstonian (that's where George Bush lived while in Houston). They have incredible grounds, a world class fitness facility, also a spa and it's in a great location. Try Mark's, Willie G's (for Cajun), Americas (eclectic South American gotta have their mango margaritas) and for the best Mexican food in town try Pico's on Bellaire (fantastic margaritas).

one can eat very well in houston: <BR>mexican/south american - original ninfa's on navigation, doneraki, churrasco's, america's <BR>cajun/new orleans - floyd's, ragin cajun, zydeco's, brennan's <BR>italian - grotto, grilia, anthony's, la mora, damian's <BR>vietnamese - mo mong, mai's, van loc <BR>trendy - ruggles, tila's, anywhere downtown <BR>expensive, but great - tony's, cafe annie, mark's <BR>in between downtown & the medical center /rice u is the museum district & many of the above mentioned restaurants, neat area - menil museum is my favorite & its free (modern, private collection) <BR>nasa is worth the drive & a tour. <BR>for the shopper, go to the galleria, there is air conditioning & too many shops. <BR>hotels - luxury collection & houstonian are close to the galleria, la colombe dor (old mansion B & B)& the lancaster are smaller hotels near the med center & downtown. <BR>new orleans is wonderful, but with only 4-5 days, you will cheat both cities, if you have to do it, fly, the drive is long & dull.

Joe, <BR> <BR>Nothing makes this city great. If I was you, I'd go somewhere else. I have been here most of my life mostly due to the cost of living and plan to move out of state hopefully by 2 years. What brings you to the armpit of the state?