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Houston Trip Report
Posted on 7/8/21 at 12:39 pm
Posted on 7/8/21 at 12:39 pm
Thought I would make a trip report on our recent trip to Houston for a few days. I know that area isn't as sexy as most of the places this board visits... but it's close for many people. I used to live there (hence my poster name) but it changes so much. Hopefully this will help some people. No pics... I'm not really much of a picture taker.
Friday - Drive Over, Hotel, Andretti Indoor Karting
Drive from NOLA was fairly uneventful. Stopped at lunch in Lafayette when I saw a sign for a Boston Market. I thought Boston Market had completely shut down. Used to like eating there so was excited. Got off exit and saw it was in a TA travel center. That should have stopped me... but I went on when I saw "now open" signs. Walked in (separate entrance, but also connects to the travel center), was VERY clean and new-looking. Ordered food. The chicken was pretty decent. All of the sides were extremely bland. Would not reccomend.
Made it to hotel - Comfort Suites by Katy Mills Mall. This is my third time staying at the hotel. First two were great. Room was nice size. But this hotel is starting to show age - which is concerning because it's still fairly new. Housekeeping was random about when they would come - some days got service, some days did not. Pool closed early one day for no reason - was locked up. Hot tub was broken the entire time. But the pathetic thing was the "breakfast". A place like Comfort Suites isn't going to have a fancy breakfast... but usually it's hot and edible. At check-in, they told us due to COVID restrictions, we could not eat in the breakfast room - it would all be food to go. OK... seems strange we are still worried about COVID but fine. The "breakfast" each morning was... coffee... a few packs of muffins...and a small fridge with pre-made, cold egg and cheese omelets, and egg burritos. That's it. No hot foods, no other pastries, no other drinks, no cereal, etc. That made me think that perhaps this was more of a cutback than a COVID issue... but if you are going to advertise breakfast, then have something decent.
I will not stay there again.
Dinner was at Antonia's Italian by Katy Mills, which was right behind the hotel, and reccomended by hotel staff. Was very good, well priced. All your typical Italian food options.
We then went to the Andretti Karting place. We had pre-purchased a weekday package which consisted of a kart ride, laser tag game, and $10 arcade package. Place was packed. It was a lot of fun! I was surprised at the number of adults there. There were a lot of teens there but they all appeared to be doing stuff - not just standing around.
Friday - Drive Over, Hotel, Andretti Indoor Karting
Drive from NOLA was fairly uneventful. Stopped at lunch in Lafayette when I saw a sign for a Boston Market. I thought Boston Market had completely shut down. Used to like eating there so was excited. Got off exit and saw it was in a TA travel center. That should have stopped me... but I went on when I saw "now open" signs. Walked in (separate entrance, but also connects to the travel center), was VERY clean and new-looking. Ordered food. The chicken was pretty decent. All of the sides were extremely bland. Would not reccomend.
Made it to hotel - Comfort Suites by Katy Mills Mall. This is my third time staying at the hotel. First two were great. Room was nice size. But this hotel is starting to show age - which is concerning because it's still fairly new. Housekeeping was random about when they would come - some days got service, some days did not. Pool closed early one day for no reason - was locked up. Hot tub was broken the entire time. But the pathetic thing was the "breakfast". A place like Comfort Suites isn't going to have a fancy breakfast... but usually it's hot and edible. At check-in, they told us due to COVID restrictions, we could not eat in the breakfast room - it would all be food to go. OK... seems strange we are still worried about COVID but fine. The "breakfast" each morning was... coffee... a few packs of muffins...and a small fridge with pre-made, cold egg and cheese omelets, and egg burritos. That's it. No hot foods, no other pastries, no other drinks, no cereal, etc. That made me think that perhaps this was more of a cutback than a COVID issue... but if you are going to advertise breakfast, then have something decent.
I will not stay there again.
Dinner was at Antonia's Italian by Katy Mills, which was right behind the hotel, and reccomended by hotel staff. Was very good, well priced. All your typical Italian food options.
We then went to the Andretti Karting place. We had pre-purchased a weekday package which consisted of a kart ride, laser tag game, and $10 arcade package. Place was packed. It was a lot of fun! I was surprised at the number of adults there. There were a lot of teens there but they all appeared to be doing stuff - not just standing around.
4
Posted on 7/8/21 at 12:39 pm to LSUFanHouston
Saturday - Woke up, found out about the terrible breakfast at the hotel as previously mentioned. Remembered there was a kolache factory near hotel, so went there and got kolaches. This would be a theme.
Drove to the George R Brown Convention Center to see the Dr. Seuss Exhibit. Parked at Discovery Green right across the street. The exhibit was interesting... basically 10 or so rooms, each of which was themed after a different Dr. Seuss book. Some of the rooms were pretty interactive, others were just basically look at stuff. There were also two character meet and greets - one with The Cat in the Hat, and the other with The Grinch. It was not very crowded but they have timed entry tickets. It took about an hour to do it all. It was much smaller than I thought it would be... but still very nicely done.
We then drove to the Houston Premium Outlets - stopping on 290 just before it at Buc-ees for some brisket sandwiches for lunch. Shopped for a while, then headed to Ritter's Custard - this is a nostalgic place as we went there a lot when we lived there. So good.
Dinner was another nostalgic place - El Rancho Mexican... a place we have probably eaten at over 200 times. Everyone in Houston has their favorite mexican place and they are all good.
Drove to the George R Brown Convention Center to see the Dr. Seuss Exhibit. Parked at Discovery Green right across the street. The exhibit was interesting... basically 10 or so rooms, each of which was themed after a different Dr. Seuss book. Some of the rooms were pretty interactive, others were just basically look at stuff. There were also two character meet and greets - one with The Cat in the Hat, and the other with The Grinch. It was not very crowded but they have timed entry tickets. It took about an hour to do it all. It was much smaller than I thought it would be... but still very nicely done.
We then drove to the Houston Premium Outlets - stopping on 290 just before it at Buc-ees for some brisket sandwiches for lunch. Shopped for a while, then headed to Ritter's Custard - this is a nostalgic place as we went there a lot when we lived there. So good.
Dinner was another nostalgic place - El Rancho Mexican... a place we have probably eaten at over 200 times. Everyone in Houston has their favorite mexican place and they are all good.
This post was edited on 7/8/21 at 12:46 pm
Posted on 7/8/21 at 12:39 pm to LSUFanHouston
Sunday was museum day. We got some more kolaches on the way out, then got to the Houston Museum of Natural Science for 9 am. Parked in the garage ($20 for all day) and spent about three hours or so in the museum. We got the Houston CityPass so this was one of the places on the pass. We added the butterfly exhibit which was nice - reminded me of the bird exhibit at the aquarium of the americas in New Orleans. Got to see a lot of different things that was neat.
We then walked to the Holocaust Museum - only about a 3 block walk. On the way we stopped at Bodegas Taco Shop. This might have been the best meal of the trip - and it was a great price! I got the pulled pork combo... came with tortillas, rice, and beans. It was outstanding. Was supposed to come with plantains but they were out, so I got yuca fritas instead.
Then we got to the Holocaust Museum. I had not been in many years and the kids have never been. It's very well done, and certainly gives you a lot to think about.
After that, we headed to Kirby to go to the Color Factory. We had some time to kill, so made a quick stop at House of Pies for some coconut cream pie. Their pies are always amazing and not a bad price at all.
Color Factory was an interesting place. It's an interactive set of exhibits based on colors. They give you what looks like a poker chip, and that controls cameras that you can use to have your picture taken in various rooms, and they e-mail you the pics when you are done. There is a room with a huge ball pit, a room with confetti falling you can play in, a room with various types of lights, etc. They also give you various color-themed snacks throughout the tour.
We then headed back to Katy, stopping for dinner at Spring Creek BBQ (another nostaglic favorite of mine), then went near Katy Mills to watch the July 4th firework show.
We then walked to the Holocaust Museum - only about a 3 block walk. On the way we stopped at Bodegas Taco Shop. This might have been the best meal of the trip - and it was a great price! I got the pulled pork combo... came with tortillas, rice, and beans. It was outstanding. Was supposed to come with plantains but they were out, so I got yuca fritas instead.
Then we got to the Holocaust Museum. I had not been in many years and the kids have never been. It's very well done, and certainly gives you a lot to think about.
After that, we headed to Kirby to go to the Color Factory. We had some time to kill, so made a quick stop at House of Pies for some coconut cream pie. Their pies are always amazing and not a bad price at all.
Color Factory was an interesting place. It's an interactive set of exhibits based on colors. They give you what looks like a poker chip, and that controls cameras that you can use to have your picture taken in various rooms, and they e-mail you the pics when you are done. There is a room with a huge ball pit, a room with confetti falling you can play in, a room with various types of lights, etc. They also give you various color-themed snacks throughout the tour.
We then headed back to Katy, stopping for dinner at Spring Creek BBQ (another nostaglic favorite of mine), then went near Katy Mills to watch the July 4th firework show.
This post was edited on 7/8/21 at 1:26 pm
Posted on 7/8/21 at 12:39 pm to LSUFanHouston
Monday we awoke, had you guessed it - kolaches for breakfast - then drove down to Space Center Houston. We picked Monday for this as it would be mid-trip, and because Monday was a government holiday, we thought the traffic would be lighter. Traffic getting down there was non-existent. Got there a little before 9 and it was not at all crowded. First thing we did when we got there was book a tram tour. There are two options - you can take a tram to Rocket Park, or you can take one that goes on a tour of the campus, takes you to the training center, and then goes to Rocket Park. We opted for the longer tour. You reserve a tour time on the app once you are in the facility. We did that and then looked at some of the exhibits before our tour began.
The tram tour was the only time on our entire trip were masks were MANDATORY. You don't have to wear them in the space center building, but you do have to wear them at all times on the tour tram - and they did make several comments about it - including asking my daughter to please wear hers covering her nose at one point (she likes to let it drop down). We headed to the training center. Got out and... it's dark. Like only the emergency lights were on. I was not really surprised, since it was a government holiday, I figured there would be no activity occurring. We get up to the second floor where you can lookout onto the massive training floor. Again... no one was working, so I was not surprised... but only the emergency lights were on. I could see decently enough to see all the large training mockups... which are impressive. But our tour guide apparently did not realize this would be happening... and this startled her. She ended up after a few minutes telling us we could not continue in the building, so we left.
We then headed over to Rocket Park to see the massive, massive rocket there... which is impressive. Then hopped back on a tram (at that point, you can get on the next one coming by) back to the space center, and we went and looked at the space shuttle and the carrier they have outside. These are so impressive to look at. Then went inside, had an overpriced lunch, and spent another couple of hours touring the rest of the inside exhibits. NASA admission was part of the City Pass.
Left about 230 and headed over to Kemah Boardwalk for an afternoon of carnival rides (an all you can ride pass is part of City Pass). My expectations for this were not much - being that it's a Tillman Fertitta property, I was expecting a whole lot of touristy stuff and not a lot of service. And that's what it was. Despite them having signs all over offering sign-up bonuses to work there... they were very much understaffed. It was hot, and the lines to get a drink, snack, etc were super long. We only lasted about 2 hours. Enough time to ride everything once that we wanted to ride. The crowd was also pretty sketchy, which I kind of expected as well.
Headed back, Waze told us to take 146 up to 225, and over to 610. This gave us a strong reminder about two very big parts of life in Houston.
1) Despite the traffic... there are always working to add new lanes, new roads, etc. There is a lot of work going on with 146 in and near Kemah.
2) Driving 225 was a reminder about just how much petrochemical business is in Houston. Just mile after mile after mile of massive plants, tank farms, etc.
Had dinner at a friend's house who lives on the West side of Houston between the beltway and highway 6.
The tram tour was the only time on our entire trip were masks were MANDATORY. You don't have to wear them in the space center building, but you do have to wear them at all times on the tour tram - and they did make several comments about it - including asking my daughter to please wear hers covering her nose at one point (she likes to let it drop down). We headed to the training center. Got out and... it's dark. Like only the emergency lights were on. I was not really surprised, since it was a government holiday, I figured there would be no activity occurring. We get up to the second floor where you can lookout onto the massive training floor. Again... no one was working, so I was not surprised... but only the emergency lights were on. I could see decently enough to see all the large training mockups... which are impressive. But our tour guide apparently did not realize this would be happening... and this startled her. She ended up after a few minutes telling us we could not continue in the building, so we left.
We then headed over to Rocket Park to see the massive, massive rocket there... which is impressive. Then hopped back on a tram (at that point, you can get on the next one coming by) back to the space center, and we went and looked at the space shuttle and the carrier they have outside. These are so impressive to look at. Then went inside, had an overpriced lunch, and spent another couple of hours touring the rest of the inside exhibits. NASA admission was part of the City Pass.
Left about 230 and headed over to Kemah Boardwalk for an afternoon of carnival rides (an all you can ride pass is part of City Pass). My expectations for this were not much - being that it's a Tillman Fertitta property, I was expecting a whole lot of touristy stuff and not a lot of service. And that's what it was. Despite them having signs all over offering sign-up bonuses to work there... they were very much understaffed. It was hot, and the lines to get a drink, snack, etc were super long. We only lasted about 2 hours. Enough time to ride everything once that we wanted to ride. The crowd was also pretty sketchy, which I kind of expected as well.
Headed back, Waze told us to take 146 up to 225, and over to 610. This gave us a strong reminder about two very big parts of life in Houston.
1) Despite the traffic... there are always working to add new lanes, new roads, etc. There is a lot of work going on with 146 in and near Kemah.
2) Driving 225 was a reminder about just how much petrochemical business is in Houston. Just mile after mile after mile of massive plants, tank farms, etc.
Had dinner at a friend's house who lives on the West side of Houston between the beltway and highway 6.
This post was edited on 7/8/21 at 1:44 pm
Posted on 7/8/21 at 12:40 pm to LSUFanHouston
Tuesday morning we took a break from the Kolaches and took a drive over to Buc-ee's to fill the gas tank and to get some brisket breakfast tacos... mmmmm....
We then headed to Typhoon Texas which we could see from our hotel. It's a water park... but I must say, I was very impressed. It was super, super clean, and spread out enough that it never really felt crowded at all. I don't think we stood in a single line for a slide, for more than 15 minutes. There is a TON of shade to sit and park your bag for the day. They were also a TON of employees working... lifeguards, people cleaning tables, people at the food locations, etc. We got a refillable drink bottle and there are little refill stations that you can use to get a refill, instead of having to stand in line somewhere (they give you a wristband you show the person at the refill station, supposedly the wristband changes day to day). My only complaint was that it was Pepsi products... how can a place that screams TEXAS like this place does... not have Coke products? For lunch, the bbq smelled amazing and I regret not getting any, but we decided to split a pizza. Yes, it was the price you would expect for a place like this (20-something for a large) but it was surprisingly good, and I only had to wait a minute or so for it). If we lived nearby, we would absolutely have an annual pass for it... it runs circles around the waterpark in Gulfport. Best part is... it was cloudy most of the day (so not terribly hot) but only rained for about 10 minutes, and no lightning!
We then headed back to the hotel, showered, and then drove to Minute Maid Park to see the Astros play the A's. Found easy parking about a 2 block walk from the stadium for $15. This year, minute maid is cards only, they don't take cash at any of the concession stands (they have a reverse ATM thing where you can buy a prepaid card if you have cash). We did a package where you got a view deck ticket (so, high, but still great seats), a drink, a hot dog, and a popcorn, for $20 plus the fees they add. A tremendous deal. And the seats were very good - we could easily see everything. It was also dollar hot dog night - so we got to eat dinner, see the game, and they won!
We then headed to Typhoon Texas which we could see from our hotel. It's a water park... but I must say, I was very impressed. It was super, super clean, and spread out enough that it never really felt crowded at all. I don't think we stood in a single line for a slide, for more than 15 minutes. There is a TON of shade to sit and park your bag for the day. They were also a TON of employees working... lifeguards, people cleaning tables, people at the food locations, etc. We got a refillable drink bottle and there are little refill stations that you can use to get a refill, instead of having to stand in line somewhere (they give you a wristband you show the person at the refill station, supposedly the wristband changes day to day). My only complaint was that it was Pepsi products... how can a place that screams TEXAS like this place does... not have Coke products? For lunch, the bbq smelled amazing and I regret not getting any, but we decided to split a pizza. Yes, it was the price you would expect for a place like this (20-something for a large) but it was surprisingly good, and I only had to wait a minute or so for it). If we lived nearby, we would absolutely have an annual pass for it... it runs circles around the waterpark in Gulfport. Best part is... it was cloudy most of the day (so not terribly hot) but only rained for about 10 minutes, and no lightning!
We then headed back to the hotel, showered, and then drove to Minute Maid Park to see the Astros play the A's. Found easy parking about a 2 block walk from the stadium for $15. This year, minute maid is cards only, they don't take cash at any of the concession stands (they have a reverse ATM thing where you can buy a prepaid card if you have cash). We did a package where you got a view deck ticket (so, high, but still great seats), a drink, a hot dog, and a popcorn, for $20 plus the fees they add. A tremendous deal. And the seats were very good - we could easily see everything. It was also dollar hot dog night - so we got to eat dinner, see the game, and they won!
This post was edited on 7/8/21 at 1:54 pm
Posted on 7/8/21 at 12:40 pm to LSUFanHouston
Wednesday was the day we headed home. Packed up and checked out of hotel, went and got some more kolaches (the kids love em), and went to H-E-B to stock up on some great items (man I wish we had an H-E-B here in Louisiana). Then stopped at the Baytown Buc-ees to top off the gas tank and get some snacks for the rest of the ride back.
Traffic was ok... except for 1) an accident in Orange right where there is construction and no shoulder and 2) your typical daily disaster traffic from Lobdell to College Drive.
Traffic was ok... except for 1) an accident in Orange right where there is construction and no shoulder and 2) your typical daily disaster traffic from Lobdell to College Drive.
This post was edited on 7/8/21 at 1:57 pm
Posted on 7/8/21 at 12:50 pm to LSUFanHouston
Damn, looks like you did even more driving once you got into Houston
Posted on 7/8/21 at 1:25 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
Katy Mills is way the hell out there.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 1:27 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
quote:
Damn, looks like you did even more driving once you got into Houston
We did a lot of driving. it just amazes me how big across the city/burbs are.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 1:29 pm to LSUFanHouston
Houston is indeed VERY spread out...and the burbs are growing every day.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 1:45 pm to HoustonGumbeauxGuy
quote:
Houston is indeed VERY spread out...and the burbs are growing every day.
Just in two years since we were last there... the growth to the west is still insane.
I used to tell friends that it felt like driving from Katy to say Clear Lake, was like driving from New Orleans to Baton Rouge.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 2:04 pm to LSUFanHouston
quote:
Houston Museum of Natural Science
The Energy Hall and the Texas Wildlife/Coastal Ecology Hall are awesome.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 2:44 pm to LSUFanHouston
why did you stay at the very western edge of the houston suburbs when most of the stuff you did was downtown or damn near galveston?
Posted on 7/8/21 at 3:07 pm to LSUFanHouston
quote:
Housekeeping was random about when they would come - some days got service, some days did not.
This is pretty standard policy with COVID. Housekeeping is not done every day. I think it's typically every 3 or so.
quote:
But the pathetic thing was the "breakfast". A place like Comfort Suites isn't going to have a fancy breakfast... but usually it's hot and edible. At check-in, they told us due to COVID restrictions, we could not eat in the breakfast room - it would all be food to go. OK... seems strange we are still worried about COVID but fine. The "breakfast" each morning was... coffee... a few packs of muffins...and a small fridge with pre-made, cold egg and cheese omelets, and egg burritos. That's it. No hot foods, no other pastries, no other drinks, no cereal, etc. That made me think that perhaps this was more of a cutback than a COVID issue... but if you are going to advertise breakfast, then have something decent.
This is also standard COVID operations. Everything has to be packaged for grab and go. No buffets of any sort allowed at hotels.
You must not have traveled during COVID. This was all really normal and not a hit on the hotel at all. What used to be a great hot buffet is now some gross muffins or a premade thing to be heated. New normal.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 3:15 pm to Hermit Crab
quote:
why did you stay at the very western edge of the houston suburbs when most of the stuff you did was downtown or damn near galveston?
That's what I was thinking the whole entire time I read this. And I guess it was nostalgic, but you really missed most of the good restaurants. I totally get the kolaches! Not many places away from here that they're available!
Posted on 7/8/21 at 3:16 pm to LSUFanHouston
I want to punch you for not getting good taqueria breakfast tacos.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 5:32 pm to LaLadyinTx
quote:
You must not have traveled during COVID. This was all really normal and not a hit on the hotel at all. What used to be a great hot buffet is now some gross muffins or a premade thing to be heated. New normal.
I have not traveled during COVID.
I would have thought every single restaurant in Houston is open with 100 percent capacity... they would have reverted back to standard.
I can also understand some limitations... why not at least have pre-packed milk, juice, additional packaged muffins, cereal bars, cereal cups, etc.
Also... I would have appreciated a heads up about this (and the housekeeping) at check-in. Especially since I had kids with me (so clearly I'm not on a business trip)_
Posted on 7/8/21 at 5:34 pm to LaLadyinTx
quote:
That's what I was thinking the whole entire time I read this. And I guess it was nostalgic, but you really missed most of the good restaurants. I totally get the kolaches! Not many places away from here that they're available!
I thought about staying closer to downtown... but I went with what I knew.
And I had kids with me... so wanted to stay in a more suburban place... and they are picky eaters so that limits our food choices.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 5:34 pm to theone
quote:
I want to punch you for not getting good taqueria breakfast tacos.
Ha! I probably should have done that one day instead of kolaches.
Posted on 7/8/21 at 7:13 pm to LSUFanHouston
Bodegas is great, any time we are in the area we try to get lunch there.
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