IAH777 From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 0 posts, RR: 5 Reply 1, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2335 times:
Before I begin, are you planning to rent a car? Where are you planning to stay?
Da man From United States of America, joined Sep 2001, 887 posts, RR: 13 Reply 3, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2325 times:
I'd recommend the Woodlands. It's north of Houston, about the same distance from IAH to the Galleria, but less traffic to get there.
Tom in NO From United States of America, joined Nov 1999, 7194 posts, RR: 40 Reply 4, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2314 times:
Quoting LGWspeedbird (Reply 2): we are planning to stay close to the galleria (unless you can recommend a better place to stay).
.....that's the best area to stay if you're going to spend most of your time at the Galleria. We've stayed at the Staybridge Suites-Galleria the last couple of trips to H-town...
NASA Space Center
Downtown Aquarium
Astros baseball (though now out of season-but a tour of Minute Maid Park would be cool, at least the one I went on was)
Stay away from Texans football (nice stadium, bad team)
1940's Terminal Museum at Hobby Airport
Tom at MSY
"The criminal ineptitude makes you furious"-Bruce Springsteen, after seeing firsthand the damage from Hurricane Katrina
Then you better plan on doing all your shopping at the Galleria or plan on hiring a driver since Houston is not walker friendly. My suggestion for shopping would include both the Galleria for the expensive stuff, and Katy Mills Mall for the discount and hard to find stuff. While out in Katy I would suggest a stop at the Forbidden Gardens.
If you can't make it to Beijing or Xiaun or the silk areas of China, then this is the next best thing, having been to both.
On the east side of town you could visit the San Jacinto Monument and the U.S.S. Texas, a WW1 battleship that is open to the public. There's a dog track on the south side of town that is good for an evening of enjoyment and of course Galveston although it's out of season now and a lot of things would be boarded up. Lots more to see and do in the museum district and around town than there is space to get into here.
IAH777 From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 0 posts, RR: 5 Reply 6, posted (6 years 7 months 2 weeks 1 day 8 hours ago) and read 2314 times:
Galleria is just fine. First, its a relatively safe area. I work that beat at night and have been bored to tears, of late. There is plenty within a few minutes' walk of the Galleria, itself.
Hotels - Within a few blocks, you have 2 Marriotts, a Hilton, Intercontinental, Sheraton Suites, Doubletree, Indigo, Derek and a bazillion little offshoots of Marriott, Holiday Inn and Hilton. There are two Westin hotels attached to the mall.
Shopping - The Galleria is just sick with the variety available. Dozens of restaurants from Taco Bell and McDonalds to what I consider world-class. Scattered around the Galleria are a number of strip centers to occupy your time. A moderate walk or very short bus ride east will take you to Highland Village, with many additional shops. Houston Camera Exchange (my crackhouse) isn't all that far on Richmond, but you'll want a taxi or shuttle.
Food - In the Galleria, as mentioned above, you can slum at fast food joints, if you wish. There is a Bennigan's, which is a Yank interpretation of what an Irish pub should be (OK food, blase atmosphere) and there's a Cheesecake Factory in Galleria I. FOX Sports Grill and a few bistro-type places are farther down in Galleria III. I'm not too familiar with the places in Galleria IV, as that's the new section. Across Westheimer (to the north) is the Grand Lux Cafe, which is owned by Cheesecake Factory, but focuses more on actual meals than desserts. In the same strip is Arcodoro (Italian), Morton's (steak) and Canyon Cafe (American southwestern fare). Catty-corner (to the northeast) is Maggiano's (Italian) and Kenny & Ziggy's (Kosher deli). The Sheraton has an Omaha Steaks restaurant. To the southwest is a new strip center with a Houlihan's sports pub and a sushi joint. Papparucho's (Mexican) is a few blocks south (of note: its across the street from where the two Animal Planet producers were hit by the drunk doctor in his Mercedes). Truluck's Steak & Stone Crabs is to the west a couple of blocks, as is the Capital Grille (steaks). Farther north are a high-end Chinese place, a good cafeteria, some Mexican places and a California Pizza Kitchen. To the east, there's a pricey Italian place called The Grotto and another named Piatto's. There's a Greek place - Yia Yia Mary's farther north and a great seafood place - Willie G's. Another cluster of high-end restaurants are in Uptown Park to the north. There are dozens of mid-range places along Westheimer to the west and east, but I'd recommend a taxi, unless you fancy a several mile hike.
Attractions - Not too many aside from the mall, itself, close by. More in another post, as I have to head out for a minute.
Sponsor Message: 
From United Kingdom, joined Nov 2005, 459 posts, 
From United States of America, joined Mar 2008, 0 posts, 
Printer friendly format 
