What first comes to your mind at the mention of Houston - the Johnson Space Center of NASA - right? Well! That's not the only thing Houston has to offer.
There's much more than that. Known for its diversity, Houston, Texas's largest city, has almost everything one could ask for, from towering skyscrapers to attractive shopping centers, museums, aquariums, and much more.
If adventure is on your cards, Houston won’t disappoint you in this regard. Galveston Bay would be your choicest place with its magnificent beaches and fascinating water activities like swimming and kayaking.
Read more to get a sneak peek into all the exciting things you see and do in Houston to make your vacation memorable.
When is the Best Time to Visit Houston
The three things that most people consider while visiting a particular place are the weather, cost, and availability of activities. Summer is pretty hot in Houston, like most of Texas, with temperatures getting as high as 93°F. But, contrastingly, it is also the busiest time because of the numerous festivals and watersports that take place then.
So, visiting Houston in summer, between June and September, would surely be a costly affair, plus an uncomfortable experience.
Spring (March-May) and autumn (October - November) are the best times to visit Houston for a peaceful and splendid vacation. Winters (December - January) get chilly, with temperatures dropping to as much as 40°F at night.
However, if you’ve got a tight budget and at the same time are seeking a quiet vacation, winter would be the ideal time. However, you would have to focus more on indoor activities because of the low temperatures.
Festival Seasons in Houston
- February - Madri Gras, Lunar New Year
- March - Bayou Regatta (the largest kayak and canoe race in Texas)
- April - Art Car Parade
- May - June - Houston Dragon Boat Festival
How to Get to Houston
Houston is easily navigable, and there are ample options to get to the city. Read below to learn about the various ways you can reach the city.
By Flight
The city's major international airport is the George Bush International Airport, around 25 miles from Downtown Houston. The second option is the William P. Hobby Airport, about 7 miles from Downtown Houston.
By Bus
Houston has an advanced bus service, with the Megabus launched in 2012. This bus service will be ideal if you travel from Dallas, New Orleans, Galveston, Austin, and San Antonio.
The fares are cheap, as little as a dollar per person, especially if you book them in advance. In addition, you would get facilities like double-decker coaches, free Wi-fi, and panoramic windows.
By Train
The Amtrak Passenger train, Sunset Limited, runs from Louisiana’s New Orleans to California’s Los Angeles. The train stops in Houston on Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday while departing from California; and on Tuesday, Friday, and Sunday on its way to Louisiana.
To get around Houston, there are several ways to commute, like taxis, cars, trains, and buses. Taxis in the city charge around $2.75 for up to 1/11 miles. Then additional charges of $2.20 start adding with every mile. Riders aged 60 and above get a 5% discount on the rides.
Things to Do In Houston
When in Houston, you would never get bored, as there are a myriad of activities you have at hand. For a more detailed insight to know the in and out of Houston, check houstoning.com.
Let’s look at a few things you can do here to make your trip fun and joyful.
Downtown Aquarium
One of the amazing places in Houston, the Downtown Aquarium houses around 200 aquatic animals in aquariums with a total capacity of about 500,000 US gallons. For the convenience of visitors, the area even has a banquet, two restaurants, and a bar.
Houston Museum District
Do you know what the greatest cultural asset of the city is? It is the 19 museums housed in the Museum District. Exploring all the museums isn't a day's work; you would need around 2-3 days.
Some must-visit museums include the Museum of Fine Arts, the Health Museum, the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, and the Buffalo Soldiers National Museum.
The entry fees vary from one museum to the other. Some, like the Health Museum, Children's Museum, and Buffalo Soldiers National Museum, don't charge entry fees on Thursdays during the free hours (afternoon or evening).
Space Center
One of the treasures of Houston, the NASA Space Center is a sought-after destination. It has plenty to offer, like exhibits of space artifacts, space suit collections, moon rocks, and much more. Tourists could even get first-hand experience of astronauts training for a mission.
The science museum opens from 9 am to 5 pm. For adults, the ticket price is $30. Children aged 4-11 years are charged $25, while for seniors, it is $28.
This is not all. The list is endless, from the Houston zoo to the Gerald D. Hines Waterwall Park, the Houston Art Car Museum to the Buffalo Bayou Park - and still, more to follow. HAPPY VACATIONING! While going around the city, don’t miss exploring the mouth-watering platters Houston offers.
