Houston
Distance: 360mi, ~3h 45m drive
Why Houston?
- Easy drive
- Tons to do - big city
- Close to beach
- Decent urban core - perhaps won’t have to drive
- Visit some of our Houston friends!
- Influencer opportunities
- True crime hotspots
- Underground food courts
- Diverse food
Why NOT Houston?
- Super humid - armpit of Texas
- Traffic will be miserable (but won’t it be bad everywhere?)
- Lack of really unique experiences - why not just go to Dallas for the “big city” experience?
Getting Around
Houston is notorious for its massive highways, so we will undoubtedly be in the car often.
That said, staying in a hotel downtown and choosing activities nearby could allow us to ditch the car a couple of the days.
Houston does have public transit. The bus routes go pretty much everywhere, but the rail lines are very limited, only going to the museum district.
Hotels
Marriott Marquis
This hotel is right downtown and has the fancy lazy river on its roof.
Price: $481/room/night x 5 nights x 2 rooms = $4,810
Hampton Inn
Downtown, but much cheaper.
Price: $238/room/night x 5 nights x 2 rooms = $2,380
Crowne Plaza
Even cheaper, but not downtown. It’s near the intersection of I-10 (Katy Freeway) and I-610.
Price: $136/room/night x 5 nights x 2 rooms = $1,360
Attractions
Astros game
While we aren’t baseball fans, this would be a fun outing that the kids would likely enjoy, just for the food and atmosphere.
Location: Minute Maid Park, Northwest downtown
Buffalo Bayou Park
It’s a park on the Buffalo Bayou (a kind of river?). Nothing that seems extraordinary about the park, but it’s a nice one.
Location: 2.5 miles west of downtown
Memorial Park
Another park, but it’s huge. There is a conservation group that seems to promote and preserve its natural beauty. Biking, skating, all the typical park activities.
Location: 5.4 miles west of downtown
Discovery Green
Downtown park (southeast end). Has a small lake and does kayaking.
Hines Waterfall Park
Yet another urban park, but this time a big waterfall.
Houston Arboretum
Lots of children’s programs.
Location: 5.5 miles west of downtown, right next to Memorial Park
Marriott Marquis Lazy River
On top of the Marriott Marquis building in downtown Houston. Can buy day passes Monday-Thursday, but only available to hotel guests otherwise.
Houston Museum District
20 museums, 4 walkable zones, including a children’s museum. Very close to the zoo.
Location: 3.5 miles southwest of downtown
Houston Zoo
Location: 4 miles southwest of downtown
Galveston
We all know and love Galveston beaches, but we haven’t done much in the city. There are likely lots of things to do in Galveston itelsef, at least enough to make it a day trip.
Space Center Houston
Popular attraction for kids, though a bit expensive.
Price: $25/kid (4-11), $30/adult, $28/senior. Total: $138 + tax
Location: 30 min from downtown Houston. About halfway between downtown and Galveston.
Kemah Boardwalk
This is the boardwark at Galveston beach. There are a bunch of rides for kids and adults, priced at $6.50 per person per ride. Also a bunch of resaurants, a playground and an arcade.
Bayou Bend Collection and Gardens
This is a small museum for American decorative arts and paintings.