Houston, Texas?

[Febs]

Hi all,

I've got a weekend by myself in Dallas this weekend, and I'm considering making the drive to Houston for 1 day/1 night. Just wondering if anyone's been and can recommend anything to do there? I've had a look at a few sites and things like the Space Center and Galleria seem like must-do's, but it's always good to get the opinion of fellow AFFers.

What's the nightlife like? Decent bars?

Also, can anyone recommend an SPG property? I need the nights to re-qualify for Plat. Judging by the website, it seems most are at least a few miles from Downtown. The Aloft looks good (I stayed in one recently and loved it) - about 5mi from town and quite cheap.

I've been to Austin before (and I'm no longer single) so I'll skip that this time. Appreciate any advice.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Mal]

Have been to the space centre and galleria.

I really wasn't that impressed with the space centre. Sure it's "mission control", but I thought the entire visitor experience was lacking.

The area that Nasa is in though is actually quite a nice area with the coast and lake etc.

Galleria was a good couple of hours wandering and looking, although I don't recall buying anything there.

I only had limited time in Houston on that trip, so didn't really get out too much.

 

[Wannabee]

If you don't mind a beer, then try here:

The Flying Saucer
The Flying Saucer Draught Emporium - www.beerknurd.com

 

[Dee Thom]

Febs, if you like a bit of history, a short drive south of Dallas is the town of Waco, the home of the original Texas Rangers. There is a great Museum that covers all their history, and the various theaters of opporations. I spent nearly a full day there a few years ago on a trip to Oklahoma City, which is also an easy drive from Dallas, to visit the Cowboys Hall of Fame and Heritage centre.

Cheers Dee

 

[Febs]

Galleria was a good couple of hours wandering and looking, although I don't recall buying anything there.

I only had limited time in Houston on that trip, so didn't really get out too much.

Thanks. I can usually kill a few hours wandering around big US shopping centres, even if I don't buy anything.

If you don't mind a beer

You could say that. Cheers.

Febs, if you like a bit of history, a short drive south of Dallas is the town of Waco, the home of the original Texas Rangers. There is a great Museum that covers all their history, and the various theaters of opporations. I spent nearly a full day there a few years ago on a trip to Oklahoma City, which is also an easy drive from Dallas, to visit the Cowboys Hall of Fame and Heritage centre.

Cheers Dee

Hmm, Oklahoma would allow me to tick off my 27th US state...but it does strike me as a place that sounds a bit dull. Not really a fan of NFL (having said that I'd love to see a game, but the Cowboys are playing away this weekend). Hmm, need to have a think.

I also found out Kiss are playing Houston this Saturday night! I'm a big fan of classic old Rock that's before my time.

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[Moody]

Personally I would never go to Houston for pleasure.

What about San Antonio? It is about the same distance from Dallas and has a lot more character. You can find out what a pissant little skirmish the Alamo was!

That would route you via Austin which I don't believe you have to be single to appreciate, and wood be the obvious overnight spot.

 

[Febs]

What about San Antonio? It is about the same distance from Dallas and has a lot more character. You can find out what a pissant little skirmish the Alamo was!

That would route you via Austin which I don't believe you have to be single to appreciate, and wood be the obvious overnight spot.

Stopped via San Antonio (and toured the Alamo etc..) en route to Austin (and then Nuevo Laredo - funny story*) with a mate last year.

Sure you don't need to be single to appreciate Austin, but with awesome nightlife and southern girls, it helps.

*After a big night out in Austin on a Saturday, my mate and I got back to the hotel and planned out our Sunday:

"Let's go to Mexico!"
"Yeah! That sounds like a good idea! We'll find the nearest border town! It'll be near the US so it can't be that dodgy!"



We drove the 3.5hrs to Nuevo Laredo, realised that yes, it was very, very dodgy, we had no insurance on the rental (I knew that before we left), and it was getting dark. So we grabbed a few Corona's, I picked up a bottle of Mexican Bacardi which I'd tried and really liked, and headed back for the border after about 45 minutes. The US boarder guard was very friendly when he saw my Aussie passport, until we told him we'd spent about 45min in Mexico. Then he searched the whole car, inside out.

A week later I was telling some friends from Chicago about our day trip, and the unanimous response was "YOU WENT WHERE? YOU'RE AN IDIOT!"

A story that won't soon be forgotten though. Oh, and it was also 118degF! :shock:

 

[Lonely Flyer]

Hmm, Oklahoma would allow me to tick off my 27th US state...but it does strike me as a place that sounds a bit dull. Not really a fan of NFL (having said that I'd love to see a game, but the Cowboys are playing away this weekend). Hmm, need to have a think.

I also found out Kiss are playing Houston this Saturday night! I'm a big fan of classic old Rock that's before my time.

Cheers,
- Febs.

I think the reference was not to the football team

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

 

[Febs]

I think the reference was not to the football team

National Cowboy & Western Heritage Museum

Oh, of course.

I've settled on Houston. Going to drive down Saturday morning, check out the Galleria, see the Kiss concert at night, check out a few bars, then head to the Johnson Space Centre on Sunday morning and drive back Sunday arvo. Booked the Houston Aloft which is apparently quite new, and less than a mile from the Galleria.

Thanks for the advice and help.

Cheers,
- Febs.

Edit: Looking like I'll be spending the following weekend in Boston too (it was a toss-up between Boston and Miami, though I've been to MIA before and we'd barely have 24hrs there). Any recommendations? Probably staying at the W. Southwest had some cheap fares, but now they seem to be gone. American now have the best deal, funnily enough!

 

[Amberlower]

Boston is easy..get the hop-on hop-off tram which covers everything and then go back and see what grabs you, in more detail. At night, the Italian district is very buzzy and jumping. Waterfont lobster restaurants were a BIG, expensive disappointment.
As far as trips from Dallas, I think the best city in Tx by far is San Antonio, particularly if you have a female friend with you. The river walk is unique for strolling and eating with wandering Mariachis adding a strong Mexican flavour; the Alamo, right next door is also worth a visit. Curiously, a few years ago there was an Australiana shop across from the Alamo; think it is probably still there.
Another option, which we did from Dallas, is Shreveport La. and stayed on a riverboat casino. Spanish moss laden trees and bayous are all close by.

 

[Febs]

The river walk is unique for strolling and eating with wandering Mariachis adding a strong Mexican flavour

Ah yes, the riverwalk was great. There's a similar setup in Monterrey Mexico - barely a few years old and still feels very "new", but equally nice. It actually runs for a few miles and is a great running track too - runs all the way out to a park which used to be an old steelworks. I love Monterrey.

and stayed on a riverboat casino

That sounds pretty interesting!

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[pblackm]

I agree totally. Houston tends to be hot and humid (perhaps not at the moment), is big, and flat, and for me, boring.

San Antonio has the river , great accomm, restaurants (including lots of great BBQ), and a laid back vibe. It wins hands down.

Personally I would never go to Houston for pleasure.

What about San Antonio? It is about the same distance from Dallas and has a lot more character. You can find out what a pissant little skirmish the Alamo was!

That would route you via Austin which I don't believe you have to be single to appreciate, and wood be the obvious overnight spot.

 

[Febs]

I agree totally. Houston tends to be hot and humid (perhaps not at the moment), is big, and flat, and for me, boring.

San Antonio has the river , great accomm, restaurants (including lots of great BBQ), and a laid back vibe. It wins hands down.

I'll probably agree with you on Sunday night, but for now - Houston is somewhere I haven't been, and San Antonio is somewhere I have. Houston also has a Kiss concert which San Antonio doesn't. (Although I'm now thinking I might leave it until they're in Kansas City next week, where I'll be...)

Cheers,
- Febs.

 

[pblackm]

Oh - that makes a difference then!

I'll probably agree with you on Sunday night, but for now - Houston is somewhere I haven't been, and San Antonio is somewhere I have. Houston also has a Kiss concert which San Antonio doesn't. (Although I'm now thinking I might leave it until they're in Kansas City next week, where I'll be...)

Cheers,
- Febs.