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You're out of luck there. Houston is one giant 24/7 traffic jam.
I'm finally going to visit Houston, TX. It's one of the few places in Texas I've never visited in my lifetime. I'm heading there this Saturday to see the Cubs play the Astros. I live in North Texas so the drive is probably gonna be between 4 and a half to 5 hours depending on traffic. My brother is going with me. Any tips on tackling Houston? Like what parts to avoid and what to see? And what parts of the city are considered dangerous and ghetto? I want to get a hotel room because I don't want to drive after right after the baseball game. My brother thinks we should just drive back when the game is over. I want to stay the night there because I don't want to be in a car most of the day and besides I've never seen Houston.
You're out of luck there. Houston is one giant 24/7 traffic jam.
I've only been to Houston a handful of times but the place to "be" is Westheimer for one. Last time I was there (which was a few years back visiting friends) it rained a majority of the time so all we did was drink, eat junk food and watch movies. I've done the tourist thing of downtown, the Galleria and the Waterwall and it was okay.
You just have to look around to find things. It helps if you have someone who lives there helping you out. But as for the traffic, terrible. If possible, take a damn toll road. You might not be driving above 40 during rush hour, but at least it moves, unlike all the others highways.
Don't listen to these guys... Houston is great! The area where the ballpark is now USED to be a horrible part of town. Now, it's actually really nice. There are a few hotels right there around Minute Maid. Just south of there is the Chinese warehouse district, where you can find some pretty authentic Chinese restaurants and stores. Westheimer is cool. Follow it East and you will end up at the Galleria. Lot's of good cafe's shops, galleries, etc. on westheimer.
My condolences...
Washington Ave.
You can stay downtown near Minute Maid Park or the Toyota Center - nice enough, places to eat and such, but pricey.
Traffic won't be so bad on the weekend. You can also stay easily down at the Galleria and there is another big attraction.
One of the issues in Houston is that zoning laws are a bit . . . different. There isn't necessarily one bad area of town - there are great old historical and restored areas and the next block is totally run down ghetto. Running down Westheimer does indeed give you a good taste of many aspects of the city.
Enjoy the humidity
3rd Ward is the place to be.
Go eat at Kenny and Ziggys off of Post Oak and Westheimer. Best place to eat in all of Houston.
Petrol Station
Yes, the humidity is pretty awful. But we're supposed to have more rain this week which may help some. . .
lived in houston for a little over one year working for the natural museum of science. it had a lot of nice things about it. but the pollution, overcrowded freeways and constant humidity were draining. i do miss the museums and some of the restaurants there.
galveston, by the way, was a real dump !
Oh be fair, the humidity is practically non-existent from November to January.
The pollution can be bad though and the smell in various parts of town can be . . . overwhelming.
i lived between pasadena and clear lake (off alameda-genoa) and the smell could get awful at times. a strong sulfuric smell that just took away the enjoyment of a morning.
still, can't say i did not have my fair share of good times in h-town.
Last edited by rjv; 06-01-2010 at 09:59 AM.
Ew. Yeah, that wouldn't be my first choice.
We live on the SW side. Much friendlier in terms of air quality. Traffic leaves a good deal to be desired, and when it floods, we tend to get trapped in, but I like our area.
For the longest time when I would drive to school (UH), I would hit a certain spot on I-45 and start thinking my car was acting up because of a funny smell. Later I realized it was just the awful stench of the Maxwell House plant.
That said, after 10+ years of living here, there is a lot I like about the city. Great restaurants, lots of entertainment and cultural opportunities.
During my first visit to UH for a weekend I found myself constantly asking my brother if he had just farted. Turns out coffee and swamp rot combine to smell a lot like farts.
no one hangs out at UH though - Washington is cool, as is Rice village and West U. Go eat at Onion Creek in the Heights - Just north of I-!0 whatever you get, have the potato salad as a side. If you end up deciding to go get some drinks try the belvedere at Uptown Park or if you like coffee houses go to Agora on Westheimer - sometimes they have belly dancers there - fun stuff.
Visiting the original Spec's on Smith is worthwhile, imo.
Agora is good, but I like Brazil as well. And Te House of Tea.
kim son near dowtown is great !
^ Truth.
My favorite thing about Houston is the "City Limits" sign on 290 heading west ... meaning Austin's only about 3 hours away.
It's my favorite too. Means I've got three hours of road between me and the damn dirty hippies.My favorite thing about Houston is the "City Limits" sign on 290 heading west ... meaning Austin's only about 3 hours away.
Love that place. I also miss the museums. I had little money at the time but saw Shakespeare performances, the Ballet, and the Symphony for free in the Park.
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