Texas is a huge state with lots of interesting cities to visit. I’ve traveled to Houston, Texas a handful of times. As a kid, it was a usual stopping place for family vacations to the beach or to the cruise port in Galveston. As an adult, I visited Houston for work trips, a bachelorette party, and as a stopping place through town. I was excited to truly explore what Houston had to offer. Hopefully this Houston Travel Guide will help you plan your next trip!
WHY VISIT HOUSTON?
I would recommend Houston because it is BIG. There is no shortage of activities here, for all audiences. From sports teams, culinary adventures, to nightlife, it can satisfy most travel needs. It’s a burgeoning city for art, and I loved the little bit that we experienced. If you live in Texas, don’t count Houston out as a road trip option. A trip here will surprise you and leave you wanting more.
QUICK TIPS
- A few events you might travel to Houston for: Houston Rodeo in March, Free Press Summer Fest (music festival) at the beginning of summer and Houston International Jazz Festival.
- The official tourism organization is Visit Houston and you’ll find an abundance of information on their website.
WEATHER
Balmy. Humid. That’s what happens when you’re about 30 minutes away from the coast. As with a lot of Texas, it gets cool in October or November to February or March. Summers are blazing hot.
Painted Shipping Container at 8th Wonder Brewery
GETTING THERE
Houston is about a three-hour drive from Austin and three and a half hour drive from Dallas. George Bush International Airport is where you’ll fly in, and it’s approximately 20 minutes from downtown.
GETTING AROUND
Since Houston is so spread out, getting around depends on where you want to visit. Ride-sharing, including Uber and Lyft are available in Houston. We visited locations mostly in the downtown area, so no drive was more than 20 minutes.
WHERE TO STAY
If you’d like to stay in an Airbnb, average rates are around $100 to $140. You’ll have your pick of the usual chain hotels in Houston, and mid-range hotel rates are $100 to $200. If you’d like to stay at an independent hotel, check out: Hotel Sorella, The Houstonian, Magnolia Hotel, and the one I reviewed below.
The Lancaster Hotel
I loved The Lancaster Hotel! I enjoyed it so much that I would say it’s the best hotel I’ve stayed at in Texas. The service was 5-star, the hotel and room were luxurious, and the location can’t be beat for downtown accessibility. One of my favorite things was thoughtful décor with a color scheme of white, gray, marble, and gold. (See room photos here.) Thick doors and walls and a soft, luxurious bed made for ideal relaxation. I loved the oak fragrance bath products. Complimentary buffet breakfast had plenty of satisfying options, including bagel and lox. If you’re a Texas resident and staying on a Sunday night, ask for the special $90 rate, which is also listed on the website. Overnight valet will be $20.
WHERE TO EAT/DRINK
Hop on over to my best restaurants in Houston list to check out some good finds. Spoiler alert: it includes a lot of dessert options. My list includes this delish caramel, chocolate, pretzel cupcake:
WHERE TO PLAY
Houston has an abundance of art, museums, and murals. You’ll also find history and science sights. There are many activity options in Houston! Check out my things to do in Houston post for all the details.
INSTAGRAM
To find more inspiration on the web, check hashtags #houston360eats, #myhouston, #visithouston, #houstoneats, #ighouston, #houstongram, and #houstontx.
Have tips about visiting Houston? Post a comment below!
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