Your Houston Travel Itinerary
As the 4th largest city in the United States, it is no wonder people come to see what we have to offer. Whether it be a business day in between traveling, a quick weekend trip, or a full week, there is a plethora of things to see and do. Houston is an economic hub which brings in a multitude of people from all over the world making it one of the most diverse cities in the country.
From the outside looking in, it is easy to judge Houston as a concrete jungle. After looking at the grid, it is easy to see why. The city is unique compared to other major cities as it is quite spread out, rather than everything being centrally located. In fact, Houston is made up of many neighborhoods all encompassing their own charm and appeal. The rich cultural pulls along with spirited entrepreneurs brings more life to the city than ever before. Because of all there is to offer, weโll stick to the logistics of the first Houston Itinerary.
When to Visit
Houston basically has two seasons: Hot and less hot. With the humid subtropical seasons, the average winter temperature is about 53 degrees and the average summer temperature is about 91 degrees. Keeping in mind the summer temperatures can easily rise to over 100. April to October is the warmest time of the year. The most popular time to visit is between February to April. September to October is also a great time weather-wise. Pro tip: Peak hurricane season is from August through October so weather can be unpredictable but pricing is more affordable for airfare and hotel stays.
Arriving into Houston
Depending on where you are coming from, you will most likely arrive to Houston by car, plane, or train.
Driving into the city from any side, there are lots of fields and country highways making for a peaceful ride in.
There are two major airports most people fly into. One north and one south.
George Bush Intercontinental Airport: 16 miles north of the city center. Ranked among the 50 busiest airports in the world.
William P. Hobby Airport: 11 miles southeast of the city center. Mostly services domestic flights.
If you arrive by train, the drop off station is in the heart of the city near downtown with many bus stops nearby.
How to Travel Around the City
Houston is made of more than 4,000 lane miles of highways – including 3 ring freeways circling the city making the city very spread out. Exploring your specific neighborhood by foot is easily favored. Traveling to other areas or neighborhoods though is better when using private and public transportation. Uber/Lyft is very easily accessible from any area in Houston.
If you would like a cheaper alternative, Houston does offer a bus and rail system called the METRO with single fares costing $1.25. The METRORail that travels to Downtown, Midtown, the Museum District, the Texas Medical Center, Moody Park, and up to the Northline Transit Center. The METRO local bus service runs mostly on city street streets, stopping at every other corner along its route.
The city also offers a bike-sharing service called Houston Bcycle. There are 102 stations throughout central Houston and you can easily pay with a credit card at the kiosk or rent through the app.
Where to Stay
Houston is very tourist friendly and there are many different types of options for lodging depending on your individual wants and needs. Your reason for visiting and specific interests will determine what neighborhood and areas youโll want to stay in. While all neighborhoods around the city offer hotels and homestays, there are specific areas that will have more options to choose from for each.
Hotel Friendly Neighborhoods: Downtown, Galleria/Uptown, Memorial City
Homestay Friendly Neighborhoods: The Heights, Midtown, Montrose, River Oaks/Upper Kirby
What to Bring
Houston is home to many professional sports teams – the Houston Astros baseball team, Texans football team, Rockets basketball team, Dynamo and Dash soccer team – over 150 museums and cultural institutions, the world famous Houston Rodeo, NASA Space Center, 65 local breweries, epic world-class dining, and lots of outdoor activities. Packing will ultimately be based off your plans.
Only the bare minimum basics were touched in this reading. There are so many well-known to hidden gems in this city that it might take years before indulging in everything Houston has to offer. If you find yourself bored in this city, that one is on you. One thing is for certain though, everything is bigger in Texas.
