DebitNM

I am flying on Monday and will spend the week at MD Anderson.

I am trying to figure out what type of clothes to bring based on temperature etc.

Will it be short sleeves and capri weather during the day?

Can I wear jeans and a long sleeved shirt to restaurants? Too casual?

I have gotten so used to the casual way here in SW I am not sure what goes in Houston.

I saw that the weather forecasts calls for mid 70's with thunderstorms mid week. Umbrella?

Thanks,
Debi

Rich

It's nice right now . . temp in low 70's and as you said, forecasted to stay that way with rain possible starting Wednesday.

The forecast changes quickly here so keep following it.

All but the very expensive restaurants are very relaxed on dress code here . . you can pretty much wear what you are comfortable with.

Will you have a car? . . Houston is very spread out and MDA is a big complex. Where are you staying? . . Taxis are available and easy to get from the larger hotels and at MDA. Other public transportation is iffy . . depending on where you are and where you want to get to.

First time to Houston?

Rich

DebitNM

Thanks Rich! Yes, first time to Houston. I am staying at Holiday Inn Express on Main Street. It was really hard to get last minute room, as most were sold out due to rodeo.
I won't have a car and will use hotel shuttle to get to MD Anderson.

I will probably want to eat somewhere near the hotel. Any suggestions? Casual as it will be just myself. Thought if I had some free time{??} that I would go to museum, zoo or something taking the light rail.
Again, thanks.
Debi

Rich

Without a car, the light rail is a good way to get about, but it is kinda limited ( just runs South/North ) . . but there are plenty of options for eating. However, I am seldom in the area for dining so am not a good reference . . maybe someone else will come along with some thoughts.

The rail will take you to the zoo and the museum district. . . as well as downtown. If you have time, take the rail to downtown and back . . will give you a good orientation.

This week is the Houston LiveStock Show, so if you are interested, it is not too far away and on the rail line. . . but may congest the rail some.

Rich

Binthair

Definitely visit the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Unfortunately this area of Main street is a bit lacking in options other than fast food and is somewhat seedy. All I can think of off the top of my head is Marco's Mexican in a shopping center nearby. Across 610 near the Astrodome is a Pappadeux cajun restaurant. Neither of these is fine dining. In the medical center near M.D. Anderson the only decent dining option I can think of is Trevisio in the McGovern buiding. DO visit Hank's Ice Cream down the street from your hotel. The butter pecan is a favorite, but there are many others that are excellent.

rkkwan

The Holiday Inn Express is at 8080 South Main, at Kirby. It's not close to the light rail. Across the street there's an Olive Garden, and a Pappas BBQ. In the same strip center is, I believe, Macro's Mexican Restaurant (don't know if it's good or not).

Up Kirby, there's a place for Buffalo Wings. And other fast food places around there.

But you can ride bus #18 up Kirby to Rice Village. Bus is not frequent, but the ride is just a few minutes. Dozens of cool restaurants there.

DebitNM

"this area of Main street is a bit lacking in options other than fast food and is somewhat seedy. "

Should I be concerned about the area as I will be alone??

What makes area seedy? Will I be able to walk from hotel to nearby restaurant? Or to and from the bus stop mentioned "But you can ride bus #18 up Kirby to Rice Village. Bus is not frequent, but the ride is just a few minutes. Dozens of cool restaurants there." Is the bus fare exact change? How much per ride? Do I use cash or a "metro card"?

I really don't want to add stress to what is already a stressful situation.

Thanks,
Debi

rkkwan

That area is NOT seedy. There's a nice Super Target nearby, and a new strip center next to the hotel. Mainstreet has cleaned up quite a bit, and most of the old cheap motels are gone.

The restaurants I mentioned - Pappas, Olive Garden - are within walking distance, but across Main Street. [Main and Old Spanish Trail merged here, so you'll have to cross like 12 lanes of traffic to get there.]

Buses take cash. $1 a ride (good for 3 hours, but can't take same bus going the opposite direction), or $2 a day pass. Tell the driver you want a pass when you put your money in. Good for local buses and lightrail for 24 hours.

Options are indeed lacking within walking distance, but it's not that bad. I pass by Main Street every day going to work, but I usually don't pay too much attention. I can go look more carefully today.

DebitNM

Thanks rkkwan

rkkwan

We got nice weather today. I will try out my new Canon lens with some pictures for you!

maryanntex

Your motel is not in an area where I would ever want to be out walking or waiting for a bus after dark. I wonder if you can work out your schedule so that you can have your big meal around lunchtime in Rice Village (Miss Saigon, Nit Noi, Yum Yum Cha, Cafe Rabelais are all good) and just buy something to snack on in your hotel room for dinner.

rkkwan

I went about that area today. I don't think it'd be a problem walking back to the hotel from the bus stop at night. It's exactly 175 yards - I measured (on Google Earth, not a yard stick) - past a CVS and a apartment complex.

It's walking along Main St, which lots of traffic even in the evening. I don't think it's unsafe.

Now, having said that, while I was walking around the area today (2pm), I was asked by some bum for money. So I wouldn't suggest waiting for a bus in the evening, but walking back to the hotel is fine.

Debit - I'll post some pictures on my website later on. Will email you the link.

rkkwan

Pictures and description posted here:

rkkwan.zenfolio.com/p615137730/

Bus schedule for #18 Kirby Limited can be downloaded directly here:

ridemetro.org/pdf/routes/018-kirby.pdf

It's infrequent on weekdays, even worse on Saturday and no service on Sundays. No wonder it's called "limited".

rkkwan

This gallery of the Menil Collection, Rothko Chapel and University of St. Thomas. Haven't visited those areas for a while. Check out the new labyrinth at UST, which is copied from the one inside the Chartres Cathedral in France.

rkkwan.zenfolio.com/p973223998/

DebitNM

Thanks for the info all! The area is okay and I ate at Olive Garden tonight. Room is very quiet.
rkkwan - it was SO nice of you to take the pictures and check all of that out for me. There's nothing like a Fodor folk to help out!
Debi

Binthair

rkkwan: Thanks for the heads up on the labyrinth at UST. My family and I visited Chartres last August and my 5 year old daughter really enjoyed the labyrinth. We will have to visit the Houston version.

rkkwan

I also visited Chartres for the first time last September, so I was very excited about the one at UST. [I graduated there, but I'm not Catholic or even Christian.]

The nice thing is that you can actually walk this one. You can see from the photos that a couple was doing that while I visited. At Chartres, the labyrinth is blocked by the benches in the nave, so one can't see it clearly, and definitely can't walk it.

moldyhotelsaregross

Props to rkkwan. He really is a helpful guy.