Texas is one of the largest and most colorful regions of the USA. Although Houston is not the capital, the state’s largest city attracts crowds of tourists. People come here to see the NASA center, relax on the Gulf of Mexico and try local cuisine.
Houston: where is it and how to get there
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Texas is located in the south of the country, bordering Mexico and the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma and New Mexico. The city itself is located 260 km from the capital of the region, Austin, 510 km to New Orleans, about 500 km to the border with Mexico.
Currently there are no direct flights from Russia to Houston. The best option is to make a transfer in New York, Amsterdam or Istanbul. A flight from Moscow will take from 15 hours and will cost you about 40,000 round trip.
Get to the center from Houston Intercontinental Airport. George Bush can be reached by public transport. A bus leaves from Terminal C. To find it, you need to exit through passage D105 or D106, and find stop 102 on the street. Transport runs every 30 minutes.
Where to stay
For those flying to Houston specifically, we recommend staying in the central areas of the city. The most affordable options are hostels. For example:
- Wanderstay Houston Hostel – from 2,500 rubles per bed in a shared room*.
There are also many popular chain hotels in the center:
- AC Hotel by Marriott Houston Downtown – from 7,800 rubles per night*
- Homewood Suites by Hilton Houston Downtown – from 9,900 rubles per night*
If you are traveling in the US by car, stay in motels. They are far from the center, but it will take you no more than 20 minutes to get to Downtown.
Here are the most popular options:
- Scott Inn & Suites — Downtown Houston – from RUB 4,700 per night*
- Palace Inn Gulf Freeway – from 6,000 rubles per night*
7 days in Houston: ideas for every day
What to do in the city if you only have a week? This metropolis is rich in entertainment and attractions. In addition, you can always go to the bay and enjoy the Texas nature.
Day 1. Museum District
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There are 19 museums in total, 11 of them are free. If you think museums are boring, get ready to change your mind. Many of them have valuable collections and are rich in interactive entertainment.
All year round you can visit, for example, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the Lawndale Art Center, the Texas Asia Society Center, and the Menil Collection. Moreover, they are all within walking distance of each other, and a little further away there is another attraction – Rothko Chapel, the interior of which is a work of modern art. On the walls are paintings by the author – Marco Rothko.
Please note that on Thursday the Children’s Museum, Houston Museum of Natural Sciences, Museum of Fine Arts are also open for free on Thursday arts and a number of other institutions. On other days, the entrance ticket will cost $10-25. You can find out more on the official website of the district.
By the way, we definitely recommend purchasing a Houston CityPass. In addition to the Museum of Natural Sciences, it will include your choice of the Houston Zoo or the Museum of Fine Arts for free. The card costs $64, and will save you about $58 in total, as the price also includes a number of other attractions: NASA Space Center, Downtown Aquarium, Museum of Natural Sciences and Kemah Boardwalk.
In the Museum District itself there are many cafes and restaurants, you can find cuisine for every taste. For example, try Tex-Mex dishes in Bodegas Taco Shop. Be sure to order a hearty taco combo for $10.
Day 2. Hermann Park and Houston Zoo
On the second day we will explore the stunning Hermann Park, which is in no way inferior to the famous Central Park of New York. It is located in the southern part of the Museum District, but this place is so large that it is better to devote a whole day to it.
Houston Zoo is its key attraction. Here you can admire carnivorous animals, rare birds, and representatives of the underwater world. All you can expect more than 6,000 inhabitants. Admission for adults is $27.95.
Also in the park there is Miller’s Open Theater; in the warm season, film screenings and outdoor concerts are held here. Be sure to check out the Japanese Garden, take a photo at the Mekom Fountain, and when you get tired, you can have a picnic right in the park by the lake.
Afterwards, take a stroll around Rice University, which has a library, bookstore, and student cafes.
Day 3. NASA Space Center
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NASA Linden Johnson Space Center is the most important attraction not only in Houston, but throughout Texas. The center is a 30-minute drive from the city. The best way to get there is by car (renting for a day on OneTwoTrip in Houston costs from 4,200 rubles). The trip will cost $30-50 one way. It is important to arrive exactly at the opening – at 10:00.
The entrance ticket costs $30, it is better to buy online on the official website, the price is higher at the box office. This price includes visits to the Space Museum and a tour of the NASA center on a tram. Tourists have the opportunity to see, for example, the FALCON 9 rocket of the famous SpaceX; Starship Gallery, one of the exhibits of which is the command module of the Apollo 17 spacecraft – it was on it that people last flew to the Moon]; “Gallery of Astronauts”; exhibition “Mission to Mars”.
The most educational option would be to purchase a “Level 9 Tour” for $180. For this price you will receive two-day access to Space Center Houston and an exclusive one-day VIP NASA tour with lunch. The tour is limited to 12 people and is not available on weekends. You can book tickets online on the website. Please note that during the pandemic the VIP tour is not available, please check the official website for information.
The regular tram tour is available, but offers a modified route to choose from – Rocket Park or Spacecraft Mock-Up Center.
Entrance tickets are sold only for a specific time: new visiting rules apply in the center.
Day 4. Downtown
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In the morning, go explore the city center. Start with Downtown Aquarium. The entertainment and dining complex will delight you with shops, a restaurant, a bar, and exhibitions. A full day pass costs $23. This price includes attractions, exhibitions and a visit to the aquarium. From Monday to Thursday the price will be $19.99. The complex will be fun for all family members, and when you get tired, have lunch right there. The menu includes seafood dishes: tilapia, shrimp, lobster and other delicacies. Happy Hour menu is available from Monday to Friday from 15:00 to 17:00.
After the aquarium, head to Theater District. Here you can see the Grand Opera and the city hall. Finish the day with a climb to the 60th floor of the tower Jp Morgan Chase. The lobby of this high-rise is not officially an observation deck, so security guards may ask where you are going. But entry is free. The lobby is open until 17:00.
Day 5. Shopping
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For the best shopping, head to The Galleria. The huge area of the shopping center contains stores of both the most famous and local brands. When you get bored with shopping, just take a walk in this area. Not far from the mall there is Williams Tower and Waterfall Park with a very interesting horseshoe-shaped fountain.
Day 6. Going to the Gulf of Mexico
Locals often spend weekends at the bay, because it’s only an hour’s drive away. The best place for this is Galveston. You can get here by rented car, or order a transfer ($30) or by taxi ($40-50). Amtrak buses also operate, costing from $18 one way.
Best Beaches in Galveston – R.A. Apffel East Beach Park, Stewart Beach, Jamaica Beach.
On Seawall Boulevard you will find many cafes and restaurants. End the day at Pleasure Pier, home to a variety of attractions and dining at the famous Bubba Gump Restaurant, made famous by the movie Forrest Gump. They serve shrimp in various combinations, and the entire establishment is stylized as a movie. After dinner, head back to Houston.
Day 7. Rest
Spend your last day relaxing by exploring Buffalo Bayou Park. Here you can have a picnic, and activity lovers can rent a bicycle or a boat. The cost of an hour’s ride on a bike starts from $12; there are special cycling tours in the park. The boat costs from $30.
End your week in Houston with a trip to a local restaurant. The best places that serve Tex-Mex cuisine are Taste of Texas, El Tiempo. If you want to try traditional American food, give preference to chain establishments – Ihop, Waterburger, Denny’s.
So you’ve had a great week in Houston. This city is underrated, and Texas wouldn’t be as great without it.
* Price valid at time of publication
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