Must do, see, and eat in Houston?

[Frenchsnowhite]

We will be spending 3 full days in Houston prior to our Carnival Magic cruise this August, any must do see & eat?

 

We have 3 kids, 12-12 & 16 ;)

 

thanks!!!!:D

[ssb]

We will be spending 3 full days in Houston prior to our Carnival Magic cruise this August, any must do see & eat?

 

We have 3 kids, 12-12 & 16 ;)

 

thanks!!!!:D

 

What dates in August?

Where are you staying?

 

Museum District

Theater District for a play

Galeria Mall/Shopping

Astro Game if you are in to sports

Texan Preseason Game if timing right and you are in to sports

Nasa/Kemah

Galveston (there is alot to do for the kids)

[Frenchsnowhite]

We have plan to arrive August 16th and we leave on the Magic on August 19th.

 

And yes an Astro game would be interesting since our oldest is a softball referee and our twin girls play softball;)

 

Was is Texan team? Football?

[ssb]

If you were to stay in Galveston

 

There is a lot to do for kids in Galveston

 

Main areas to stay

 

On the Gulf (beach 32 miles/seawall)(many motels and hotels)

On the Bay (Moody Gardens Hotel)

Downtown Old Town Historic District by Port – Only (Harbor House and Tremont)

On highway coming into town(few)

----------------------

see INTERNET maps for visual

of Greater Houston Metro

and to get bearings of island

galveston.com ....interact and discover.... maps

 

Houston Map PDF

Download Houston-area map in PDF Format:

Houston Metro

 

Galveston Island Map PDF

Download Galveston-area map in PDF Format (note: this is a large, 11' wide, print-quality map, so please be patient):

Galveston (B&W)

Galveston (Color Hi-Resolution)

 

----------------------------

In my opinion

San Luis, Hilton, Moody Gardens, Tremont, Galvez and Harbor House

are the better hotels.

Many other nice ones obviously!

 

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

 

With a couple of days only

There is plenty to do in Galveston/Kemah/Nasa area

There are special events in Galveston

area almost every weekend

See:

www.galveston.com (what to do)(calendar of events) your vacation calendar dates

Sign up on Galveston.com for email of weekly events

see also:

www.galvestonhistory.org ---Galveston Historical Foundation !!!!!!

www.moodygardens.com ------ just look at site !!!!!!

www.thegrand.com – 1894 Grand Opera House !!!!!!

www.pleasurepier.com

www.schlitterbahn.com/gal

 

Clearlake

Nasa Space Center

Kemah board walk – www.kemahboardwalk.com

Galveston:

Beaches Beaches Beaches

Old town Galveston *- Strand To Post Office Street

...... (lots of shopping, ice cream, old army surplus store, nautical)

.........Restaurants, Antiques, Shops, Bakery and Coffee shops

Wineries and wine festivals

Restaurants overlooking gulf and on port

Swimming in Gulf

Two first class convention centers

Many live theater venues

Many live music venues

ART WALK always fun

Free concert Saturday nites - old town Galveston *- on strand

Free film Saturday nights -old town Galveston *- on strand

Free band nights-“family/kids” -summer outdoor Tuesdays 24th & Sealy

1894 grand opera house*(a must see tour or performance many types)

Chess park

Artist festivals

Museums

Antique stores and art Galleries

Horse drawn carriage rides

Night scene

Galveston Historical Foundation properties* Wonderful

Many Historical and Victorian homes

Galveston has second largest preservation membership in United States

Wooden Carved Trees Tour (wonderful)

Bishops palace (wonderful)

Moody mansion(wonderful)

· Ashton villa (wonderful)

Moody gardens *(lots and lots and lots to do)

......(massive, fun and family oriented)

Schlitterbahn water park www.schlitterbahn.com/gal

Restored tall ship schooner Elisa www.tsm-elissa.org (wonderful)

1900 storm and pirate jean Laffite documentary films at port

Pirates Store and program - Old town Strand

Maritime museum- www.tsm-elissa.org

Airplane museum (Lone Star Flight Museum)- www.lsfm.org/

Railroad museum - http://www.galvestonrrmuseum.com

Oil drilling rig museum - www.oceanstaroec.com

Sea wolf park – WWII submarine and destroyer - www.cavalla.org

Large souvenir shop over gulf water - Murdochs

Dolphin watching and port water tours

Turtle rescue farm behind San Luis Resort

Carved damaged trees tour from storm

Free ferry ride and a short cruise to Bolivar

Duck tour (amphibious boat)

Walks and shelling on the beach

Cruise ships (RCCL, Carnival, Princess, Disney)

Fishing (piers, wadefishing and charters-offshore & inshore))

Golfing

Skateboard park - large

Kayaking trails

Surfing and children surf camps

Kite flying on beach

Marine life and children marine care educational camps at Moody Gardens

Marine life and children marine camps at Texas AM University - Sea Camp Programs

Various Running events with major Triathlon event

Sand castle building event

Shopping shopping shopping

Galveston.com/ interact and discover/cams

Many major weekly events and festivals not mentioned

as example :

Spring Break Events(Large)

Confederate Reenactment

Sanctioned and Fun Runs(some large)

Triathlon Events

Art Walk (every 5 or so weeks year around) LARGE

Dickens on Strand (Dec) ----LARGE - http://www.dickensonthestrand.com

Lone Star Motorcycle Rally (Nov) ---LARGE - www.lonestarrally.com

Mardi Gras Galveston (Feb) ----LARGE - www.mardigrasgalveston.com

October Fest

Beer Fests

Wine Events and Fests

Greek Fest

Epicurean Evening of all restaurants

Shrimp Fest

Yega’s Wild Game Cook Off large

County Fair - LARGE

Children’s Fest

Feather Fest - Large

Old Timey Bathing Beauty Fest

And many many more !!

Trauma 1 Emergency Hospital on Island – Univ. Texas Medical Branch/Sealy Hospital

 

[ssb]

We have plan to arrive August 16th and we leave on the Magic on August 19th.

 

And yes an Astro game would be interesting since our oldest is a softball referee and our twin girls play softball;)

 

Was is Texan team? Football?

 

Astros Minute Maid Park is beautiful!

 

NFL - Houston Texans

Need to check preseason dates for football

Reliant Stadium

[helicopter]

I would stay in Galveston, new Pleasure Pier, plenty to do...great for kids:)

[CGBCruiser]

What dates in August?

Where are you staying?

 

Museum District

Theater District for a play

Galeria Mall/Shopping

Astro Game if you are in to sports

Texan Preseason Game if timing right and you are in to sports

Nasa/Kemah

Galveston (there is alot to do for the kids)

 

The Museum District is also right next to the Houston Zoo which is def worth a visit. There is the Houston Museum of Natural Science. They are adding a huge dinosaur exhibit. You can check it out at www.hmns.org. There is also a Museum of Fine Arts, Holocaust Museum, Children's Museum...check it all out at www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org. It is all located very close to the Texas Medical Center in and around Hermann Park. There is also shopping not too far from the Museum District in Rice Village as well as the Galleria area. There are also some good restaurants in the Rice Village area as well. There are many good restaurants all over the Houston area.

 

Only thing about all this is that it's going to be HOT in August. So, plan to do some indoor activities as well as outdoors!

[ssb]

The Museum District is also right next to the Houston Zoo which is def worth a visit. There is the Houston Museum of Natural Science. They are adding a huge dinosaur exhibit. You can check it out at www.hmns.org. There is also a Museum of Fine Arts, Holocaust Museum, Children's Museum...check it all out at www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org. It is all located very close to the Texas Medical Center in and around Hermann Park. There is also shopping not too far from the Museum District in Rice Village as well as the Galleria area. There are also some good restaurants in the Rice Village area as well. There are many good restaurants all over the Houston area.

 

Only thing about all this is that it's going to be HOT in August. So, plan to do some indoor activities as well as outdoors!

 

CGBCruiser

Thanks for coming in with information about museum districk.

 

Guess it's really about interests Of the family.

Travelers Tell us your interests and we will try to inform you better destinations.

[Stevesan]

We will be spending 3 full days in Houston prior to our Carnival Magic cruise this August, any must do see & eat?

 

We have 3 kids, 12-12 & 16 ;)

 

thanks!!!!:D

 

I've lived in Houston 39 years. Trust me, you and your kids will have a much better time staying in Galveston. Reserve a half day for Moody Gardens. Also the Pleasure Pier and Schlitterbahn Water Park..

Stay at a beach hotel. Your kids will luvya for it.:)

http://www.galveston.com/default.asp

 

You might want to make a copy of ssb's post.

[Frenchsnowhite]

I've lived in Houston 39 years. Trust me, you and your kids will have a much better time staying in Galveston. Reserve a half day for Moody Gardens. Also the Pleasure Pier and Schlitterbahn Water Park..

Stay at a beach hotel. Your kids will luvya for it.:)

http://www.galveston.com/default.asp

 

You might want to make a copy of ssb's post.

 

Thanks, but the hotels in Galveston are triple the price of Houston:eek:

So for a 3 nights stay that counts!:o

But I've put Moody Gardens on my list.

 

Can you guys tell me more about that place? What should we do at MG?

 

Thanks;)

[ssb]

Thanks, but the hotels in Galveston are triple the price of Houston:eek:

So for a 3 nights stay that counts!:o

But I've put Moody Gardens on my list.

 

Can you guys tell me more about that place? What should we do at MG?

 

Thanks;)

 

STAY RIGHT Off Island in Texas City or Webster

or around Nasa half way

or on Island

 

 

There is much to do at

www.moodygardens.com ------ just look at site !!!!!!

http://www.galvestonhistory.org---Galveston Historical Foundation Properties

www.pleasurepier.com

www.schlitterbahn.com/gal

Kemah Boardwalk

Nasa

Try

Inn at Waterpark by Moody Gardens

Gaidos

Commodore

Travellodge

Best Western

Beachcomer

 

and others

 

Make Priceline Bid

 

What part of town in Houston would you be staying?

 

 

 

[megmno]

Hi FrenchSnowWhite,

 

We're also coming in a couple of days early for the 8/19 Carnival Magic.

We're arriving on Thursday night, renting a car and staying at the Marriott Town Place Suites near NASA. I found a two bedroom suite there for $99 a night (sleeps up to six). It's not elegant, but it looks acceptable and it's cheap!

 

My kids are science geeks, so we're doing a VIP tour of NASA called the Level 9 tour. It's a little bit pricy ($89 per person) but that includes the regular admission and lunch and a 4-5 hour tour behind the scenes. There are only 12 spots per tour and one or two tours per day.

 

On Saturday we're going to Moody Gardens. I think we'll probably hit the Kemah boardwalk at some point as well.

 

SSB, thanks for all of the other suggestions and links! Some of them look really fun!

[ssb]

Hi FrenchSnowWhite,

 

We're also coming in a couple of days early for the 8/19 Carnival Magic.

We're arriving on Thursday night, renting a car and staying at the Marriott Town Place Suites near NASA. I found a two bedroom suite there for $99 a night (sleeps up to six). It's not elegant, but it looks acceptable and it's cheap!

 

My kids are science geeks, so we're doing a VIP tour of NASA called the Level 9 tour. It's a little bit pricy ($89 per person) but that includes the regular admission and lunch and a 4-5 hour tour behind the scenes. There are only 12 spots per tour and one or two tours per day.

 

On Saturday we're going to Moody Gardens. I think we'll probably hit the Kemah boardwalk at some point as well.

 

SSB, thanks for all of the other suggestions and links! Some of them look really fun!

=========================================

 

 

Hi megmno,

 

Thanks for your help!

Good information!

More help the merrier!

 

You might even have a look at TEXAS A&M University Marine Specialties School

for any interests of your kids. Programs are extensive and varied.

There is even a large new ship the students study on while at sea whether in oil exploration, world shipping, or marine industries!

 

 

I grew up in Houston,

and can help her there with restuarants and things to do!

Thats why I asked about where they would be staying.

Assume they have rent car and their options are plentiful

between Houston, Clearlake(Nasa and Kemah) and Galveston!

They could easily drive to Galveston for the day and return!

 

 

Heck with them being from Canada,

it a shame they couldn't fly into San Antonio (a jewel on The Riverwalk),

then come thru Houston, Clearlake to Galveston!

 

I live in Galveston now and can certaily help here also!

 

To narrow down family things in addition to Nasa and Baseball Game:

 

see also:

Galveston.com

Galveston.com/ interact and discover/cams

Family Related things:

Kemah

Beaches Beaches Beaches

Old town Galveston *- Strand To Post Office Street

....(lots of shopping, ice cream parlors, wineries,

.................old army surplus store, nautical)

....(restaurants, Antiques, Shops, Bakery and Coffee shops)

……(clothing shopping)

Swimming in Gulf

Walks and shelling on the beach

Pleasure Pier on Gulf

Horse drawn carriage rides

Restaurants overlooking Gulf and on Port

Galveston Historical Foundation properties* - Wonderful www.galvestonhistory.org

Many Historical and Victorian homes

Galveston has second largest preservation membership in United States

Wooden Carved Trees Tour (wonderful)

Bishops palace (wonderful)

Moody mansion(wonderful)

Ashton villa (wonderful)

Moody gardens *(lots and lots and lots to do)

......(massive, fun and family oriented)

Schlitterbahn water park www.schlitterbahn.com/gal (a chrildren’s must)

Restored tall ship schooner Elisa www.tsm-elissa.org (wonderful)

1900 Storm, Pirate Jean Laffite and Galveston Immigration doc films at port

Pirates Store and Program - Old town Strand

Maritime museum- www.tsm-elissa.org

Airplane Museum (Lone Star Flight Museum)- www.lsfm.org/

Railroad Museum - www.galvestonrrmuseum.com

Oil drilling rig museum - www.oceanstaroec.com

Sea Wolf Park – WWII submarine and destroyer - www.cavalla.org

Large souvenir shop over gulf water - Murdochs

Dolphin watching and port water tours

Turtle rescue farm behind San Luis Resort and at TEXAS A&M University Marine Specialties

Free ferry ride with a short cruise to Bolivar

Duck tour (amphibious boat)

Free concert Saturday nites - old town Galveston *- on strand

Free film Saturday nites -old town Galveston *- on strand

Free band nights -“family/kids oriented” - Wonderful

…………..-summer outdoor Tuesdays 24th & Sealy

Chess park on Strand

 

[Stevesan]

Thanks, but the hotels in Galveston are triple the price of Houston:eek:

So for a 3 nights stay that counts!:o

But I've put Moody Gardens on my list.

 

Can you guys tell me more about that place? What should we do at MG?

 

Thanks;)

 

That's surprising. W/E rates are higher, but the first hotel I looked at is $170 week days and $250 Weekend. For three nites, an average of $197 p/nite. One third of $197 is $65 p/nite.

Trust me, you don't want to stay there!:p

 

http://www.galveston.com/bestwestern/

[Frenchsnowhite]

I'm paying 87$/night to stay at the Springhill Suites in Galveston because we booked 3 nights;) Hard to beat that price for a suite!!!!!:D

[ssb]

I'm paying 87$/night to stay at the Springhill Suites in Galveston because we booked 3 nights;) Hard to beat that price for a suite!!!!!:D

 

Great!

[wickedphonebook]

I've lived in Houston 39 years. Trust me, you and your kids will have a much better time staying in Galveston. Reserve a half day for Moody Gardens. Also the Pleasure Pier and Schlitterbahn Water Park..

Stay at a beach hotel. Your kids will luvya for it.:)

http://www.galveston.com/default.asp

 

You might want to make a copy of ssb's post.

 

 

I agree with Stevensan. We live in Houston too, and prefer Galveston --especially in August and for our visitors (we have many). Your stay isn't that long...we usually rent a beach house -- but you are better off with a hotel. Our "don't miss" is the Moody Mansion tour. The docents are excellent -- and the history is truly interesting.

[CGBCruiser]

I agree with Stevensan. We live in Houston too, and prefer Galveston --especially in August and for our visitors (we have many). Your stay isn't that long...we usually rent a beach house -- but you are better off with a hotel. Our "don't miss" is the Moody Mansion tour. The docents are excellent -- and the history is truly interesting.

 

I love the historic homes tour and always like to see Bishop's Palace and Ashton Villa too.

[jdyer09]

I have lived in Houston all my life, I would reccomend staying in Galveston or Kemah too. Seabrook is kemah pretty much and hotels a little ways away from the Kemah Boardwalk (definitely a must to go see!) Are usually cheaper. I would suggest spending two nights in Houston, check out an astrid game, or a rice owls baseball game (a local university), then tour the theatre district, museum district and surrounding areas. There are a few free Rt museums (the Menopause, the Contemporary Arts Museum which is directly across from the big art museum. The holocaust museum is free. On Thursdays, they should have Rock the Dock in Kemah (also free, but can get crowded!) Check out the houston city pass, I think it includes 4 or 5 attractions for about $50-60 a person and is good for 7 days. You can ice skate at the Galleria mall. There is soo much to do! Everything mentioned is just within few miles of each other and just in the museum/ arts district! Oh it will be hot and sticky but you could check out Miller Outdoor Theatre and Theatre under the Stars for performances and sometimes sitting in the lawn area is free and you can bring a picnic dinner! I would then spend Saturday night closer to Galveston and then drop your luggage off Sunday morning with a porter, ride the shuttle back to the terminal and walk across the street to explore the strand area of Galveston. Definitely worth a few hours. Just be sure to be back to the cruise area by 230 or so. Honestly we watch for the crew ti start heading back then we do the same. They are all typically in their white uniforms so they are easy to spot. If you are going to do this definitely either wake up in Galveston or somewhere close. Im assuming you will have a car, so don't feel the need to spend the money on a beachfront hotel for the night! You're about to have all the water and beach you can handle. Comfort Suites Seabrook is only a year or so old and was very very clean!

 

Ok sorry I rambled, but if you have any questions let me know. My kiddo (and her momma) loves Galveston so we are here a bunch!

 

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[jdyer09]

I just re-read my post (posted from my cell, sorry) and its the Menil museum, not the menopause ;) and Rt is art! dumb autocorrect! So excuse the rest of the imperfections and the one long paragraph. My cell is being spastic today!

 

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[Galveston Cruiser]

The baseball team is the "Astros"!

 

Where is the "Menopause Museum" - would definitely like to see it:rolleyes:

 

That is why I hate using my iPhone to post:D

[CGBCruiser]

The baseball team is the "Astros"!

 

Where is the "Menopause Museum" - would definitely like to see it:rolleyes:

 

That is why I hate using my iPhone to post:D

 

 

LOLOL!!! I hate autocorrect too! Somebody sent a pic to me that said "Ada at the beach." I'm thinking...who the heck is Ada??? It's "a day" at the beach! :rolleyes:

[jdyer09]

I didn't even notice the astros one! Lol!!!

 

I forgot you asked about dinner. Its hard to go wrong at most places in the Galleria area. What are your family's favorites? There is so much to choose from, that would help narrow it down some!

 

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