Regardless of where you travel, it is helpful to find an insider with excellent travel tips and recommendations for your stay. When I was planning my various stays in Houston this year, I asked my peer travel writer, Matthew Stewart, to share his top five things to do while in Houston.
Take it away Matthew with How to Enjoy Houston, Texas!
If you’re thinking of heading off to Houston, Texas, then you’re going to want some insider insight into the best things to do whilst you’re there as this city packs a huge punch in terms of its potential to cater for almost all tourist tastes whilst remaining true to itself as an authentic place real people live, work and play - rather than a tourist town akin to Las Vegas.
The first thing you’ll want to do is book a good hotel in Houston, Texas before you arrive, as this is a popular place for both leisure and business travellers, meaning you’ll want to make sure you have a reservation ahead of time.
With regard to getting around, as with most places, a car is often more the most convenient way to get around yet public transport is pretty good and Houston isn’t such a large city you absolutely need a car. That said, it’s not like New York where it’s so congested it can feel intimidating to drive through.
The other thing to keep in mind is the climate, as Houston benefits from a pretty warm climate most the year, so don’t forget to pack your sunscreen.
HOUSTON SPACE CENTER
One of the most well-known phrases throughout the world, “Houston we have a problem” originates from… well, Houston! The space centre is one of the city’s most popular attractions, home to more than 400 artifacts relating to space flight programs. It’s got something to offer all the family, and as the home of NASA Mission Control, there’s something quite electric about the atmosphere here.
DOWNTOWN AQUARIUM
If you’re intent on ticking off the “must-sees” then the downtown aquarium is probably next up on your list; with six acres of dining and entertainment on offer - including the redevelopment of the Central Waterworks Building and Fire Station No.1. This aquarium houses 500,000 gallons of water and is home to 200 species of residents from around the world.
TEXAS ROCK GYM
If you’re looking for something a little more active, whilst still being fun, then head to Texas Rock Gym that offers over 14,000 square feet of climbable surface. In addition to climbing, you’ll find holistic classes such as Yoga and Tai Chi in addition to some Kung Fu classes.
MILLER OUTDOOR THEATRE
This pretty cool outdoor theatre offers a number of free plays, concerts and dance shows throughout the warmer months from March to November. It’s situated on 7.5 acres of land, within Hermann Park, and you can bring your own chair, food, and drinks (even alcohol) or you can purchase seating when you arrive, or simply lay out on the grass. It’s a warm and friendly atmosphere for all the family.
INDOOR SKYDIVING
If you’re wanting something a bit different, then iFly Indoor Skydiving could be right up your street; it offers the feeling of freefall within the safety of a vertical wind tunnel, meaning you can experience the feeling of skydiving without getting in a plane. This is great preparation for those that want to do a proper skydive but are unsure of what to expect and might feel a little nervous, or just as a fun activity to try out.
**Post contributed by Matthew Stewart, a travel writer from the U.K., but based in the Lone Star State.**
