from $1,699
The largest city in Texas and the fourth largest in the
U.S.A., at first sight Houston seems imposing, but it’s all
an illusion. It may be a massive city, but on the ground,
Houston is welcoming and down to earth.
It’s the kind of city that you have to immerse yourself in.
Attend open-air festivals like Fiestas Patria, watch the
best BBQ chefs in the world compete at the World's
Championship Bar-B-Que Contest, or listen to Indie and dance
acts at the annual Free Press Summer Fest.
Dine on Tex-Mex or BBQ dishes in the Historic District, head
to Montrose to check out the bars and drain a few Texas
Sipper cocktails, or tap along to roots rock and roll at
McGonigel's Mucky Duck.
But Houston isn’t just about dining, drinking, music, and
parties. It’s also a city of culture, with award-winning
theatrical troupes like the Alley Theatre, an opera house,
classical music concerts, and museums for all the family.
All of this makes Houston a truly exceptional vacation
destination.
Houston was once responsible for sending people to the moon. Well, it certainly played a major role, hosting the NASA Space Center. Nowadays, tourists can see where the adventure was organized, along with actual space shuttles and other fascinating space-related exhibits.
Houston is Texas’ biggest retail center, and in The Galleria, it has one of America’s most impressive malls. Head there to stock up on branded fashion from the likes of Zara, Jimmy Choo, and Michael Kors.
Downtown Houston is a cultural hub, with an internationally respected symphony orchestra, an opera house, and an array of theatrical venues. Check out the Theater District, which is home to nine separate companies, including the Tony award-winning Alley Theatre.
Houston throws plenty of parties every year, from unique events like the Art Car Parade to massive street parties like September’s Fiestas Patrias and the Pride Parade in June. There are music festivals as well, including Houston Open Air in September, which attracts huge rock music acts every year.
Houston has major NFL and NBA teams (the Texans and the Rockets) along with a less-successful baseball franchise (the Astros), and a Major League Soccer team (the Dynamo). Whatever your sport (apart from NHL), there should be a game on to attend.
Public transit in Houston is a mixture of local buses and light rail, all of which are provided by METRO. The best way to ride METRO services is by getting hold of a Q Card from local supermarkets (just ask) or the METRO RideStore in Downtown Houston. This can then be recharged at stations or on buses. Fares on light rail and buses cost $1.25 per journey.
Taxis are a cost-effective way to get around Houston, and there are plenty of Downtown taxi ranks. The basic charge is $2.75 for the meter drop, then $2.20 per mile after that. Uber is active in the city and can allow you to make big savings. Their basic fare is $1, then $0.87 per mile (for the cheapest vehicles).
Houston is a city that seems to have been designed for motorists and renting a vehicle during your stay is advisable. Be aware that rush hour starts early (around 4:00 p.m.) and look out for traffic jams in north Houston at any time of day. There are also tolls on many expressways, most of which will be automatically added to your rental bill. However, cash tolls still apply on the Sam Houston and Hardy expressways, so have some change handy. It’s also worth noting that on-street parking is free after 6:00 p.m. every day (and completely free on Sundays).
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