Possible long weekend in Houston... what to do?
May 9th, 2007, 02:23 PM
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Possible long weekend in Houston... what to do?
Here's the deal. I have a free hotel for 2 nights in downtown Houston. It's a great hotel and although I would not typically visit Houston, I thought it might be a decent 3 day getaway for us.
I have lived in Texas all my life and have never personally driven to Houston. I have always preferred jumping on a plane and renting a car.
I-45 is such a pit of a highway, but I am thinking it may be easier to just drive.
My questions:
1. Is there anything at all to see on the way down? We like stopping in cute towns and are game for just about any attraction.
We are even game for alternate routes. Getting to Houston fast is not the objective. We could spend all day getting there and back and that would be fine.
2. What to do in/near Houston on Saturday? Not museums or galleries.
I think I will take my dog on this trip. She is a 60 pound Australian Shepherd, so we are mostly interested in pet friendly ideas, small town squares, historic sites, etc...
Any help out there?
I have lived in Texas all my life and have never personally driven to Houston. I have always preferred jumping on a plane and renting a car.
I-45 is such a pit of a highway, but I am thinking it may be easier to just drive.
My questions:
1. Is there anything at all to see on the way down? We like stopping in cute towns and are game for just about any attraction.
We are even game for alternate routes. Getting to Houston fast is not the objective. We could spend all day getting there and back and that would be fine.
2. What to do in/near Houston on Saturday? Not museums or galleries.
I think I will take my dog on this trip. She is a 60 pound Australian Shepherd, so we are mostly interested in pet friendly ideas, small town squares, historic sites, etc...
Any help out there?
May 9th, 2007, 02:59 PM
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Well, duh... so sorry I overlooked that detail!
Coming from Sachse, NE of Dallas.
Not sure of the weekend. Possibly June 1-3.
I'll spend much of the 1st driving down, stopping here and there. Once we get to the hotel, we are not leaving.
The 2nd will be the day we stay within a 50 mile radius of the hotel. We will head out around 9am and return to the hotel by 9pm.
Sunday the 3rd we will leave the hotel around 9am and head north. I want to be home by 6pm, so we will be somewhat limited in how far we can go off course.
Thanks!!!!
Coming from Sachse, NE of Dallas.
Not sure of the weekend. Possibly June 1-3.
I'll spend much of the 1st driving down, stopping here and there. Once we get to the hotel, we are not leaving.
The 2nd will be the day we stay within a 50 mile radius of the hotel. We will head out around 9am and return to the hotel by 9pm.
Sunday the 3rd we will leave the hotel around 9am and head north. I want to be home by 6pm, so we will be somewhat limited in how far we can go off course.
Thanks!!!!
May 9th, 2007, 03:15 PM
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Much as I love Houston, I can't recommend very many outside activities in June, and since you've nixed the possibilities of museums, it's hard to come up with very many suggestions.
The Astros are at home that weekend and playing the Cardinals. The stadium is downtown--going to a game would be fun--and cool.
www.artshound.com has all the performances and shows that are going on in the area--the June schedule is available.
You can take your dog to eat on the patio at Barnaby's--it's dog friendly--check it and other restaurants out here www.b4-u-eat.com
And here's the dog park url:http://www.houstondogpark.org/
The Astros are at home that weekend and playing the Cardinals. The stadium is downtown--going to a game would be fun--and cool.
www.artshound.com has all the performances and shows that are going on in the area--the June schedule is available.
You can take your dog to eat on the patio at Barnaby's--it's dog friendly--check it and other restaurants out here www.b4-u-eat.com
And here's the dog park url:http://www.houstondogpark.org/
May 9th, 2007, 03:18 PM
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Hi TxTravelPro,
I live in Houston and I can suggest perhaps going to the Kemah boardwalk on your 2nd day. It's an easy drive (sorry, on i-45 south) to clear lake area. Here's a link of the boardwalk.
http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/flash_...h_content.html
May I ask what the age range of the people travelling? I can recommend better if I know that and if you can mention what your interests are.
Not alot of events going on according to citysearch when you're here but if you follow footy (or soccer), Dallas is playing Houston on the 3rd at Robert Stadium.
I can recommend restaurants too if you let me know what you like. There's a great place to hang out for lunch/brunch called Empire Cafe and dogs are welcome.
I live in Houston and I can suggest perhaps going to the Kemah boardwalk on your 2nd day. It's an easy drive (sorry, on i-45 south) to clear lake area. Here's a link of the boardwalk.
http://www.kemahboardwalk.com/flash_...h_content.html
May I ask what the age range of the people travelling? I can recommend better if I know that and if you can mention what your interests are.
Not alot of events going on according to citysearch when you're here but if you follow footy (or soccer), Dallas is playing Houston on the 3rd at Robert Stadium.
I can recommend restaurants too if you let me know what you like. There's a great place to hang out for lunch/brunch called Empire Cafe and dogs are welcome.
May 9th, 2007, 04:14 PM
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45-55 yrs old. Big hairy Dog.
Is Galveston not worth a visit?
Kemah looks interesting.
We are not really into food or eating out when we take drives. Whataburger is good enough.
Last week we went to Canton and a couple of art shows. A few weeks ago we went to Downtown McKinney. We like Glenrose, Fredericksburg, Jefferson.
Historic places where we can walk around and read about historic stuff.
Is Galveston not worth a visit?
Kemah looks interesting.
We are not really into food or eating out when we take drives. Whataburger is good enough.
Last week we went to Canton and a couple of art shows. A few weeks ago we went to Downtown McKinney. We like Glenrose, Fredericksburg, Jefferson.
Historic places where we can walk around and read about historic stuff.
May 9th, 2007, 04:20 PM
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TTP - as a new visitor to Houston, I have this to offer. {And as I got my new life in Houston, I am guess I have adopted it as my second birth plase}
Not sure they will allow, but Niko Niko's has an outdoor patio where you might be able to have pooch sit on the outside of fence with you at a table just on the other side [or maybe even with you]. There food is spectacular Greek!http://www.nikonikos.com/
Hermann Park will be close by and very pooch friendly.
http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/
Go to Rice Village -- lots of neat shops and places to eat, that might work too.
Hope this helps...
Debi
Not sure they will allow, but Niko Niko's has an outdoor patio where you might be able to have pooch sit on the outside of fence with you at a table just on the other side [or maybe even with you]. There food is spectacular Greek!http://www.nikonikos.com/
Hermann Park will be close by and very pooch friendly.
http://www.houstontx.gov/parks/
Go to Rice Village -- lots of neat shops and places to eat, that might work too.
Hope this helps...
Debi
May 9th, 2007, 05:57 PM
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The places that DebitNM are indeed great places.(and debitnm, welcome as a houstonite too! I wish I can call NM my second home...)
Galveston is worth a visit if you've never been before. The strand area is inland and is more historical but there are also naval warships that are anchored on the coast - sorry can't remember where you turn off exactly -and you can board to look at (it's been a long time since I've done that) and there's the sea wall too that you can walk up and down in and there are shops on the more south easternly end.
I too like Fredericksburg but to say anything near Houston is LIKE that, I can't say. There's old town spring that you pass on I-45 on the way in to town but it's not really much activity (I would guess)unless there's a festival. I only go there for the crawfish festival, for example. Let me ask some friends and get back to you.
I was trying to see if there was anything going on at miller outdoor theater which is cool to hang out and have some food and wine as a picnic but most of the good stuff like the opera or ballet is happing these next 2 weeks.
Galveston is worth a visit if you've never been before. The strand area is inland and is more historical but there are also naval warships that are anchored on the coast - sorry can't remember where you turn off exactly -and you can board to look at (it's been a long time since I've done that) and there's the sea wall too that you can walk up and down in and there are shops on the more south easternly end.
I too like Fredericksburg but to say anything near Houston is LIKE that, I can't say. There's old town spring that you pass on I-45 on the way in to town but it's not really much activity (I would guess)unless there's a festival. I only go there for the crawfish festival, for example. Let me ask some friends and get back to you.
I was trying to see if there was anything going on at miller outdoor theater which is cool to hang out and have some food and wine as a picnic but most of the good stuff like the opera or ballet is happing these next 2 weeks.
May 9th, 2007, 05:59 PM
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oh and forgot to mention that if you do go to kemah, nasa space center may be a good stop. That can be put together with a galveston afternoon.
In downtown, you'll be able to walk the dog at allen parkway which is really close by.
In downtown, you'll be able to walk the dog at allen parkway which is really close by.
May 9th, 2007, 09:06 PM
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Many years ago I went to Houston and there is one place that really stands out in my mind. That place is Johnson Space center.
I know you said that you didn't want museums but this is different. I was only there for about an hour but it is something I will never forget.
Out on the lawn are 3 rockets; a Minute Man rocket, a Gemini rocket (?) and a Saturn V rocket. I am 5'8" but I could easily stand inside one of the Saturn V's 5 exhaust jets with my arms stretched out over my head and still not touch the top.
I have always wanted to go back there. It probably does not fit your criteria because it is a museum and probably not dog friendly. But when I think of Houston that is what I think about.
I know you said that you didn't want museums but this is different. I was only there for about an hour but it is something I will never forget.
Out on the lawn are 3 rockets; a Minute Man rocket, a Gemini rocket (?) and a Saturn V rocket. I am 5'8" but I could easily stand inside one of the Saturn V's 5 exhaust jets with my arms stretched out over my head and still not touch the top.
I have always wanted to go back there. It probably does not fit your criteria because it is a museum and probably not dog friendly. But when I think of Houston that is what I think about.
