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Started By
Message
TulaneLSU's Top 10 things to do in Houston, TX
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:23 pm
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:23 pm
Dear Friends,
Houston is America’s fourth largest city, behind only New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. It is a large city, one of which I knew very little until a recent trip with Uncle and Mother, for reasons detailed on the Food Board. A city of such size may have intimidated me in my youth, causing me to latibulate, but Mother bringing me to Chicago and New York in my teen years make these excursions a welcome adventure.
I have been to Houston but four times. Previously, I did not enjoy my time there. The first time, Uncle brought me to this mammoth indoor cave called Fame City where young minds were corrupted by video games and frivolity. I still believe such places were created by the Gambling Complex, whose goal is teaching children to insert coins into brightly lit machines with hopes that one day those children will become addicts of video poker and other devices of Satan. I think it little coincidence that the first video game generation is also the first generation in America to accept widespread sports gambling, lottery, and casino gambling. Gambling is an errand for Satan’s children.
For much of my adult life, I called Houston “How-stun” because that is how I was taught to pronounce the street in New York with which I have far more familiarity. Thankfully, on my last trip to the city seven years ago, our cab driver corrected me.
Its gargantuan, rapidly growing nature hardly endeared itself to me. Besides its dead downtown, much of the city feels like an unplanned and overgrown suburb. It is the least city-like of the four largest American cities. Still, I wanted to share with you some of the things I enjoyed doing in Houston.
TulaneLSU’s Top 10 things to do in Houston
10. Skate in and walk around The Galleria
On day one of our trip, after Mother and Uncle decided they did not want my company, I walked several miles around the Galleria. I came across a Jewish deli called Kenny and Ziggy’s. Their baked goods looked good, so I purchased this black and white cookie. It cost $6.99, and although it was prewrapped, the cashier asked me for a tip. The cookie was not as good as the ones I know in NY. It was dry and had too strong of a citrus flavor.
The Galleria is, unlike many malls in America, like the Jasper Mall in Alabama, appears financially healthy. The rich walk around and flaunt their wealth by shopping at many of the upscale stores here. It seemed nearly every store had its own armed guards.
I did not skate on my trip, due to some pains I was having with my ankle. In retrospect, I wish I had. Instead, I walked the length of the mall. From my long walk, I got the impression that the mall is in the shape of a large cross. Browsing several shoe stores, I dreamed about getting a pair of Jordan IVs, but I knew if I did, Mother would be very upset with me. Instead, I purchased a W. Kleinberg belt at Neiman. I considered eating in this Neiman’s Mariposa, but decided against it when I found out they were not serving the primary reason to eat at a Neiman restaurant – those fabulous popovers.
9. Museums in Museum District
There are quite the number of excellent museums in Houston’s Museum District. I was the last day of my trip, having eaten at 27 Mexican restaurants in two and a half days when I began having severe intestinal difficulties while browsing a beautiful collection of Byzantine crosses in the Menil Collection. I was unable to finish my tour, but I will be back.
8. Rothko Chapel
Just a block away from the Menil Collection is the Rothko Chapel. Spend an hour here and you may understand something you do not now. I would suggest bringing a 1928 copy of the Book of Common Prayer with you to inspire your meditation there.
7. Visit River Oaks Country Club
One of Uncle’s business friends invited us here 15 years ago. This club’s beauty even surpasses that of the best in New Orleans, Metairie, and even Chateau Estates in Kenner. I walked here alone on my last night in town, but, as I did not have an invitation nor membership, the security guard would not let me enter. I asked if they had a reciprocal agreement with any of Uncle’s memberships at several clubs and he then told me that if I did not leave he would have me escorted from the premises. I apologized and left. If you are able to gain entry, do enjoy. But remember no pictures are allowed in the club.
6. NASA
NASA and the military, and perhaps new roads, seem to be of the few government programs a majority of TD readers approve. Just southeast of Houston, NASA has an impressive museum dedicated to the space programs of the 1960s to 2000. They recently have included a SpaceX rocket, but the majority of the displays focus on the Apollo missions and the space shuttle. Entry is $30, which seemed steep for what is inside.
I happened to run into two TD.com posters who apparently were hoping I would show up that day. They were happy for me to take a picture of them wearing their favorite sweatshirts.
The cafeteria was better than one would expect from a science museum. I filled my plate with salad bar offerings and asked one of the employees where to pay. She informed me that the salad bar was free with purchase. When I told her that I had not purchased anything, she told me to buy something next time.
5. Admire the sky scrappers
Houston has a beautiful skyline. While it is not in the league of New York or Chicago, it certainly compares favorably to the skylines of New Orleans, New Orleans East, and Jefferson Parish.
At 902 feet, Williams Tower near The Galleria is America’s tallest building outside of a city’s central business district.
Houston is America’s fourth largest city, behind only New York, Los Angeles, and Chicago. It is a large city, one of which I knew very little until a recent trip with Uncle and Mother, for reasons detailed on the Food Board. A city of such size may have intimidated me in my youth, causing me to latibulate, but Mother bringing me to Chicago and New York in my teen years make these excursions a welcome adventure.
I have been to Houston but four times. Previously, I did not enjoy my time there. The first time, Uncle brought me to this mammoth indoor cave called Fame City where young minds were corrupted by video games and frivolity. I still believe such places were created by the Gambling Complex, whose goal is teaching children to insert coins into brightly lit machines with hopes that one day those children will become addicts of video poker and other devices of Satan. I think it little coincidence that the first video game generation is also the first generation in America to accept widespread sports gambling, lottery, and casino gambling. Gambling is an errand for Satan’s children.
For much of my adult life, I called Houston “How-stun” because that is how I was taught to pronounce the street in New York with which I have far more familiarity. Thankfully, on my last trip to the city seven years ago, our cab driver corrected me.
Its gargantuan, rapidly growing nature hardly endeared itself to me. Besides its dead downtown, much of the city feels like an unplanned and overgrown suburb. It is the least city-like of the four largest American cities. Still, I wanted to share with you some of the things I enjoyed doing in Houston.
TulaneLSU’s Top 10 things to do in Houston
10. Skate in and walk around The Galleria
On day one of our trip, after Mother and Uncle decided they did not want my company, I walked several miles around the Galleria. I came across a Jewish deli called Kenny and Ziggy’s. Their baked goods looked good, so I purchased this black and white cookie. It cost $6.99, and although it was prewrapped, the cashier asked me for a tip. The cookie was not as good as the ones I know in NY. It was dry and had too strong of a citrus flavor.
The Galleria is, unlike many malls in America, like the Jasper Mall in Alabama, appears financially healthy. The rich walk around and flaunt their wealth by shopping at many of the upscale stores here. It seemed nearly every store had its own armed guards.
I did not skate on my trip, due to some pains I was having with my ankle. In retrospect, I wish I had. Instead, I walked the length of the mall. From my long walk, I got the impression that the mall is in the shape of a large cross. Browsing several shoe stores, I dreamed about getting a pair of Jordan IVs, but I knew if I did, Mother would be very upset with me. Instead, I purchased a W. Kleinberg belt at Neiman. I considered eating in this Neiman’s Mariposa, but decided against it when I found out they were not serving the primary reason to eat at a Neiman restaurant – those fabulous popovers.
9. Museums in Museum District
There are quite the number of excellent museums in Houston’s Museum District. I was the last day of my trip, having eaten at 27 Mexican restaurants in two and a half days when I began having severe intestinal difficulties while browsing a beautiful collection of Byzantine crosses in the Menil Collection. I was unable to finish my tour, but I will be back.
8. Rothko Chapel
Just a block away from the Menil Collection is the Rothko Chapel. Spend an hour here and you may understand something you do not now. I would suggest bringing a 1928 copy of the Book of Common Prayer with you to inspire your meditation there.
7. Visit River Oaks Country Club
One of Uncle’s business friends invited us here 15 years ago. This club’s beauty even surpasses that of the best in New Orleans, Metairie, and even Chateau Estates in Kenner. I walked here alone on my last night in town, but, as I did not have an invitation nor membership, the security guard would not let me enter. I asked if they had a reciprocal agreement with any of Uncle’s memberships at several clubs and he then told me that if I did not leave he would have me escorted from the premises. I apologized and left. If you are able to gain entry, do enjoy. But remember no pictures are allowed in the club.
6. NASA
NASA and the military, and perhaps new roads, seem to be of the few government programs a majority of TD readers approve. Just southeast of Houston, NASA has an impressive museum dedicated to the space programs of the 1960s to 2000. They recently have included a SpaceX rocket, but the majority of the displays focus on the Apollo missions and the space shuttle. Entry is $30, which seemed steep for what is inside.
I happened to run into two TD.com posters who apparently were hoping I would show up that day. They were happy for me to take a picture of them wearing their favorite sweatshirts.
The cafeteria was better than one would expect from a science museum. I filled my plate with salad bar offerings and asked one of the employees where to pay. She informed me that the salad bar was free with purchase. When I told her that I had not purchased anything, she told me to buy something next time.
5. Admire the sky scrappers
Houston has a beautiful skyline. While it is not in the league of New York or Chicago, it certainly compares favorably to the skylines of New Orleans, New Orleans East, and Jefferson Parish.
At 902 feet, Williams Tower near The Galleria is America’s tallest building outside of a city’s central business district.
This post was edited on 5/2/23 at 5:32 pm
35
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:23 pm to TulaneLSU
4. Eat Mexican food
Every city pretends to be a food city today, and allegiant denizens will quibble this and that about how great its dining scene is. Houston is not a food city by any stretch of the imagination. The life of the city does not depend on its food. But I say this with one caveat: the Mexican food in Houston is essential to the city and its workforce. Most of it isn’t fancy, and often when it tries to get fancy, it fails. But for working class fare, there are few cities with as strong a food culture as Houston.
I ate at 30 of Houston’s best Mexican eateries in three days to bring you TulaneLSU's Top 10 Mexican eateries in Houston. It did not come without a substantial cost.
3. Drive its many streets
Houstonians love to drive. How else does one explain its 6200 miles of paved roads, which is rapidly increasing by the day? To put that number in perspective, Houston has just as many paved roads as NYC, despite NYC having nearly four times as many people.
There is simply no better way to get the authentic Houston experience than jumping in a car and driving until you get stuck in traffic. It won’t take long for traffic to find you.
I was not impressed by the skill of drivers in Houston. They were not as bad as Alabama drivers, who are unquestionably the worst drivers in America. But a driver did hit me while I walked around The Galleria. It caused my bad ankle to swell up, which was the reason I could not skate in The Galleria. The lady who hit me was driving a black Escalade and her windows were tinted. She yelled at me for walking in a crosswalk and said it was my fault for being hit. I apologized to her and asked her to forgive me, although I think, legally, she was in the wrong. Anyway, I am doing better now.
]
The intersection in question.
A helpful suggestion from the good people at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church near The Galleria.
2. Grocery shopping
Houston is America’s grocery shopping capital. Floridians will brag about the woefully inadequate and overpriced Publix. People in the Mid-Atlantic will tell you that Wegmann’s, a carbon copy of Whole Foods, is the greatest market in the world.Such people sound like those who claim Buccee’s is a great grocery store. The only city that can claim to have the best of the best grocery stores is Houston.
Fiesta, H-E-B, Central Market. These alone are a greater triad than any grocery consortium in America. Throw together Wegmann’s, Mariano’s of Chicago, and Publix and these combined regionals stores do not hold a candle. But Houston has even more than that.
Anyone who tells you to go to Houston and fails to mention you need to spend at least a day touring its grocery stores is deceiving you.
Fiesta’s Jello cake
Fiesta’s miraculous produce department. Onions were just 33 cents per pound. Had I not had seven miles to walk, I would have bought more.
Whole Foods extensive caviar selection.
Whole Foods Magazine St. in New Orleans is home to the city’s best burger, its smoked burger. Unfortunately, this Whole Foods in Houston did not have any smoked burgers on the day I visited. I thought it would be a good place to compare them, as the Metairie Whole Foods smoked burger is not as good as the Magazine St. location’s.
The creme de la creme is Central Market. I could do multiple top 10 lists here. For instance, I counted 30 different apple varieties, 15 different potatoes, 81 different chocolates, and 22 different tomatoes. Their scale system is right up my alley, and I loved how many there were. If you know me, you know I weigh everything at grocery stores, even if it means I have to walk across the store to find a scale. No such problem at Central Market.
Tiger prawn twice as large as lobster tails.
I purchased a beautiful assortment of flowers at Central Market, planning to make an arrangement for Mother. But as I walked back to the hotel, there were just too many wonderful people with whom I encountered. I gave them all away before I could get home, but I showed Mother this photo of the beautiful flowers and she seemed pleased.
Every city pretends to be a food city today, and allegiant denizens will quibble this and that about how great its dining scene is. Houston is not a food city by any stretch of the imagination. The life of the city does not depend on its food. But I say this with one caveat: the Mexican food in Houston is essential to the city and its workforce. Most of it isn’t fancy, and often when it tries to get fancy, it fails. But for working class fare, there are few cities with as strong a food culture as Houston.
I ate at 30 of Houston’s best Mexican eateries in three days to bring you TulaneLSU's Top 10 Mexican eateries in Houston. It did not come without a substantial cost.
3. Drive its many streets
Houstonians love to drive. How else does one explain its 6200 miles of paved roads, which is rapidly increasing by the day? To put that number in perspective, Houston has just as many paved roads as NYC, despite NYC having nearly four times as many people.
There is simply no better way to get the authentic Houston experience than jumping in a car and driving until you get stuck in traffic. It won’t take long for traffic to find you.
I was not impressed by the skill of drivers in Houston. They were not as bad as Alabama drivers, who are unquestionably the worst drivers in America. But a driver did hit me while I walked around The Galleria. It caused my bad ankle to swell up, which was the reason I could not skate in The Galleria. The lady who hit me was driving a black Escalade and her windows were tinted. She yelled at me for walking in a crosswalk and said it was my fault for being hit. I apologized to her and asked her to forgive me, although I think, legally, she was in the wrong. Anyway, I am doing better now.
]
The intersection in question.
A helpful suggestion from the good people at St. Michael the Archangel Catholic Church near The Galleria.
2. Grocery shopping
Houston is America’s grocery shopping capital. Floridians will brag about the woefully inadequate and overpriced Publix. People in the Mid-Atlantic will tell you that Wegmann’s, a carbon copy of Whole Foods, is the greatest market in the world.Such people sound like those who claim Buccee’s is a great grocery store. The only city that can claim to have the best of the best grocery stores is Houston.
Fiesta, H-E-B, Central Market. These alone are a greater triad than any grocery consortium in America. Throw together Wegmann’s, Mariano’s of Chicago, and Publix and these combined regionals stores do not hold a candle. But Houston has even more than that.
Anyone who tells you to go to Houston and fails to mention you need to spend at least a day touring its grocery stores is deceiving you.
Fiesta’s Jello cake
Fiesta’s miraculous produce department. Onions were just 33 cents per pound. Had I not had seven miles to walk, I would have bought more.
Whole Foods extensive caviar selection.
Whole Foods Magazine St. in New Orleans is home to the city’s best burger, its smoked burger. Unfortunately, this Whole Foods in Houston did not have any smoked burgers on the day I visited. I thought it would be a good place to compare them, as the Metairie Whole Foods smoked burger is not as good as the Magazine St. location’s.
The creme de la creme is Central Market. I could do multiple top 10 lists here. For instance, I counted 30 different apple varieties, 15 different potatoes, 81 different chocolates, and 22 different tomatoes. Their scale system is right up my alley, and I loved how many there were. If you know me, you know I weigh everything at grocery stores, even if it means I have to walk across the store to find a scale. No such problem at Central Market.
Tiger prawn twice as large as lobster tails.
I purchased a beautiful assortment of flowers at Central Market, planning to make an arrangement for Mother. But as I walked back to the hotel, there were just too many wonderful people with whom I encountered. I gave them all away before I could get home, but I showed Mother this photo of the beautiful flowers and she seemed pleased.
This post was edited on 5/2/23 at 5:28 pm
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:23 pm to TulaneLSU
1. Go to church
Houston is home to many beautiful churches and no visit to any city is a true visit unless you worship with the people of that city. I walked to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, partly due to its familiar name and partly due to its proximity. What a welcoming congregation! The music, architecture, liturgy, and people were simply beautiful. After the service, I showed my copy of the Book of Common Prayer to the priest and he was so jealous! He gave me a tour of the campus, which is simply stunning.
Friends, I hope all of you are well, as are your loved ones. May you find the beauty of life Christ has given us all.
Faith, Hope, and Love,
TulaneLSU
Houston is home to many beautiful churches and no visit to any city is a true visit unless you worship with the people of that city. I walked to St. Martin’s Episcopal Church, partly due to its familiar name and partly due to its proximity. What a welcoming congregation! The music, architecture, liturgy, and people were simply beautiful. After the service, I showed my copy of the Book of Common Prayer to the priest and he was so jealous! He gave me a tour of the campus, which is simply stunning.
Friends, I hope all of you are well, as are your loved ones. May you find the beauty of life Christ has given us all.
Faith, Hope, and Love,
TulaneLSU
This post was edited on 5/2/23 at 5:26 pm
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:24 pm to TulaneLSU
frick
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:24 pm to LegendInMyMind
I'd go to NASA. What about Six Flags?
This post was edited on 5/2/23 at 5:28 pm
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:24 pm to BeachDude022
quote:
frick
Quiet! He's showing us where he hid the bodies.*
*Allegedly
This post was edited on 5/2/23 at 7:38 pm
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:27 pm to TulaneLSU
TulaneLSU is back. All is good in the world.
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:27 pm to TulaneLSU
TulaneLSU once every 3 months
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:29 pm to TulaneLSU
I'm not reading all that but I do appreciate the effort. Welcome back.
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:29 pm to TulaneLSU
The GOAT is back 
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:30 pm to TulaneLSU
While you were prancing around Houston, I was showing Mother the Big D.
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:30 pm to TulaneLSU
void
This post was edited on 5/18/23 at 4:14 pm
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:30 pm to TulaneLSU
Very impressive. What I was not impressed with is that you apologized to a bitch in an Escalade after she hit you in a crosswork. Next time say "frick off"
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:31 pm to TulaneLSU
Having worked in Spring for 3 months back in 2019, I avoid it at all cost. Traffic for this rural kinda guy is horrifying.
You have to set your Garmin or Waze to avoid tolls unless you want to buy a toll pass.
Usually, I go northwest at Beaumont and go around it.
You have to set your Garmin or Waze to avoid tolls unless you want to buy a toll pass.
Usually, I go northwest at Beaumont and go around it.
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:31 pm to TulaneLSU
Another enjoyable read. Thanks, TulaneLSU! 
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:33 pm to TulaneLSU
He Has Risen
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:33 pm to TulaneLSU
Iconic
But, TulaneLSU, I am dismayed to report that your original post contains a number of typos, which seems below your station. I sincerely and with great respect suggest you have Mother read your riveting works before posting.
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:33 pm to TulaneLSU
quote:
But a driver did hit me while I walked around The Galleria. It caused my bad ankle to swell up, which was the reason I could not skate in The Galleria. The lady who hit me was driving a black Escalade and her windows were tinted. She yelled at me for walking in a crosswalk and said it was my fault for being hit. I apologized to her and asked her to forgive me, although I think, legally, she was in the wrong. Anyway, I am doing better now.
Hopefully enough people read this gem
Posted on 5/2/23 at 5:33 pm to TulaneLSU
quote:
by TulaneLSU
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