Houston Weekend with the Kids

9, 14

Astros game
Rockets game
NASA
Galleria

Astroworld…:RIP

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safe area somewhere

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If you're anywhere downtown (anything inside or near 610, a lot of stuff inside 8), you need garage parking, likely valet if you're inside 610. If you stay at the Marriott with the lazy river on the roof, you have plenty of restaurants to walk to. You could also stay in the Galleria. Overall, just assume you're going to be driving nearly everywhere. It'll be getting hot soon, and crossing a "local" road like Westheimer on foot means you're crossing six-eight lanes in most places.

I took my kids to Houston around that age several years ago, now keep in mind I had 2 boys so that makes a difference in what they like to do and looking at what Meow Wolf is, I don't think we like the same things but here you go.

NASA was fun, I enjoyed looking at the different static displays and you can walk through a replica space shuttle, you can take a tram ride around the property, there is a lot of things to look at if you're into space, rockets and astronauts.

We went to an Astro's game, they played the Rangers, great atmosphere and we had a good time.

Drove to Galveston and took the ferry across to the island. Ya'll would probably like Moody Gardens, we went to Schlitterbahn water park and to the Pier which had amusement rides.

There is a Museum District, we went to the Natural Science Museum which had dinosaur, ancient Egypt and African wildlife exhibits.

Like I said we had boys so the Galleria, museums with art and statues weren't going to hold their interest but the things we did to were fun and I enjoyed them. I'm sure there is a lot more things to do, Houston is the 5th largest city in the US.

Buy the City Pass.

I was pleasantly surprised with the Houston Zoo and would certainly go back.

Houston is also a food hub. Lots of great places to dine at. I like El Tiempo on Richmond Ave as well as Cyclone Anaya's.

If you have girls, they would enjoy the color factory.

Houston Space Center is a must.

Kemah boardwalk is cool but kinda run down. A few fun rides and nice wooden rollercoaster.

Hotel downtown is your best bet.

Stay away from the Galleria unless you absolutely HAVE to go…there is better shopping elsewhere (Rice Village, Highland Village, River Oaks District).

Museum of Natural Science, Health Museum, the Zoo all good picks.

For two boys 9 and 14…Cidercade would probably be a good spot for them…it’s kid friendly during daylight hours.

If you want restaurant recs, search my post history.

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The Houston Museum of Natural History is very good. Check the web to see if there are any activities for the kids the days you are there. That area has a large park.

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This, 100%! Our Museum of Natural Science is comparable to almost any. Our dinosaurs are as good or better than those at the NYC Museum of Natural History. It's right by Hermann Park and near a lot of hotels and restaurants because it's also right by the Medical Center.

The Museum District/Medical Center is a great area to stay in, because you are sort of central to all the things. You also could take the train to downtown to catch a Rockets or Astros game in April. You're sort of towards the south side to drive down to NASA and even Galveston. You won't have to drive through downtown to get there. You could drive over to the Galleria for shopping/ice skating at the mall, restaurants, etc., but there is constant massive traffic in the 610/Westheimer area...like only no traffic at 2 am or on Sunday morning early. Unless you have someone that wants to go to a big fancy mall with all the designer stores, I'd stay away from there.

Houston demographics


This may be too late, but if you stick to the blue areas of this map, you'll be fine.

If you already had your trip, hope you had fun, visited the Houston Rodeo, and ate some great food.

I think this guy isn't worried about property theft. My guess is he doesn't want to stay near gangs and homeless, probably in an aesthetically pleasing area. ie, the blue areas.