How To Spend a Weekend in Houston

Houston, Texas -the city I currently call home- is more than just a layover on your way to South America. A little more than one year after Hurricane Harvey, Houston has not just recovered; it’s thriving.

Fast Facts

• Language: English / Spanish
• Currency: US Dollar
• Climate: year-round humidity; mild winters and hot summers

Houston is perfect for 

• Foodies; Houston has multiple James Beard award winning chefs and ethnic neighborhoods that combine for delicious and diverse food.
• Science Geeks; nearby NASA is a bucket-list goal for many. Don’t overlook the Houston Museum of Natural Science which attracts more than 2 million visitors every year.
• Art Lovers; the Houston Museum of Fine Arts and the (free!!) Menil Collection feature famous works of art and rotating special exhibitions.

How To Get There

Air: Houston is home to two international airports – George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and Houston Hobby (HOU). Hobby is primarily used by Southwest but it has limited routes offered on Jet Blue (BOS, JFK), Delta (ATL), and American Eagle (DFW).

Rail: The Sunset Limited Amtrak route, which runs from New Orleans to Los Angeles, also stops in Houston with 3 weekly round trips.

Road: If you’re driving, Houston is a short distance from New Orleans (5 hours), Dallas-Ft. Worth (4 hours), San Antonio (3 hours), or Austin (2.5 hours). Megabus, Vonlane, and Grayhound offer bus transportation.

When to go

I think the best time to visit Houston is November through March to avoid the heat. However, there’s plenty to see and do no matter when you visit!

For a true Texan experience, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is a three week event held every Spring.

Houston Restaurant Weeks is an annual event every August supporting the Houston Food Bank. For 4 weeks, restaurants all across the city offer fixed price menus ($20 brunch and lunch, $30/$45 dinner). A portion of every plate purchased ($4 for lunch/brunch, $7 for dinner) is donated directly to the food bank.

Where To Stay

Downtown: Downtown Houston offers many top-ranked hotels including the Marriot Marquis Houston (famous for it’s Texas-shaped lazy river) and the luxurious Lancaster Hotel.

Montrose & The Heights: for eclectic Airbnbs and hostels, you’ll have the best luck in these two neighborhoods located between Downtown and The Galleria. These neighborhoods are dotted with historic craftsman homes, and tree-lined streets, and some of the city’s best nightlife.

Galleria: The iconic Houstonian Hotel & Spa served as the official residence of George HW Bush while he was in office. The Galleria neighborhood has Houston’s largest mall (also called The Galleria) and many f high-end restaurants.