For Those Traveling to Houston...
For anyone traveling to Houston, I've been living here for the past 11 years and would be more than willing to help provide some good advice/information regarding the area for those who are coming. Please let me know what you need help with or looking to know and i can put together a nice map/info PDF for your travels. I'll sift through the comments tonight and hope to have something up for everyone tomorrow evening.
I'm planning to be at the fan experience event in the convention center on Saturday for anyone else who'll be there. Can't afford tickets, but i'll be here to help!
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:51 PM ^
I'll ask the important question ... it's Houston, which strip club would you recommend?
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:52 PM ^
You must be from Dallas.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:31 PM ^
SA originally.
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:56 PM ^
Bucks Wild - actually is BYOB for some licensing reason, definitely makes evening more cost effective. Beautiful and voluptuous Cuban dancers frequent here.
Closer to downtown, might recommend PoleKatz. Had a great time there.
Very good strip clubs in Houston!
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:39 PM ^
I recommend reading this post in the voice of Mike Damone.
January 2nd, 2024 at 9:08 PM ^
Uhhh PoleKatz, corner of Westheimer and Winrock is atleast a 20 minute drive from downtown, on a regular day.
Guarantee you can add extra time, especially when Houston will be flooded with extra people.
Your definition of "closer" to downtown isn't really helping people that are looking for legitimate advice prior to traveling.
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:56 PM ^
The first one you see at the intersection.
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:52 PM ^
Where is the best coffee?
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:52 PM ^
Great caffeinated minds.
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:57 PM ^
Blacksmith on westheimer
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:06 PM ^
Agreed,
- Blacksmith on Westheimer (Montrose / near Downtown and Midtown)
- Catalina on Washington (near downtown)
- TenFold off Yale in the Heights (15 mins from downtown)
- Retrospec Coffee near Houston Community College in Midtown / Museum District
- The Coffee House at West end is a good build out, part of a church
- Decent coffee at a truck at the Houston Farmers market off Airline if you also want to check out a Hispanic market. Bonus: there is a Crawfish and Noodles there for Viet-Cajun food.
All great places. All can get busy. There is good coffee downtown in some of the food halls but they may not be open on weekends.
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:19 PM ^
I'd add Boomtown (also in the Heights) to the list. They also have a really solid breakfast "taco," though it's more of a knife and fork style because it has a fried egg.
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:52 PM ^
Where would one find the best coffee? I’m counting on your username to check out.
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:53 PM ^
How's the parking near the stadium?
I'm (probably?) flying to England from IAH the next day so I plan on staying nearish the airport and renting a car versus trying to stay near the stadium (haven't looked at hotels yet, but I'm assuming that will be way cheaper) and just curious if you have parking tips. I parked for free at the Rose Bowl with a 45 minute walk to the car (and no traffic whatsoever leaving) so if you know a place that's guaranteed free that's less than 45 minutes away by foot I'm fine with that (also happy to pay for parking if it's reasonable but I would rather walk a long way than sit in traffic for a long time).
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:57 PM ^
Take an Uber to the game. Parking could take longer than the game itself.
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:59 PM ^
Getting an Uber out is likely to be a huge nightmare though? It's also 30 miles to IAH each way so 60 miles in an Uber is likely to be substantially more expensive than parking and collecting an Uber leaving will likely take forever and also have to fight the same traffic I would be fighting in a car.
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:54 PM ^
Yes, it will not be cheap. However, the goal was to save time. As someone pointed out, there's a light rail station, right next door. Or you can walk out a block or so to avoid the main rush.
I have typically rode the light rail from downtown, as I park there. So my recommendation is clouded by that experience. Apologies.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:37 PM ^
Light rail sounds like good option. Is there a station with cheap parking that's somewhere between the airport and stadium (or does the rail go all the way to the airport?). How late does the light rail run?
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:13 PM ^
Also trying to figure the parking situation out. I originally booked the yellow lot but I'm hearing it's kind of gridlock in/out. I'm planning to be there a couple hours before the game.
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:25 PM ^
The light rail has a stop at NRG. When I used to live in Houston, I would uber/lyft to a light rail stop and take that in for the Rodeo/Texans games. Leave the car at the hotel. If you can't, there are commuter lots a stop or two south of NRG that should have easy parking available. Market Square is a great pregame spot and has a light rail stop nearby. Just make sure you pay for the light rail. Fare enforcement is usually out in force for big events.
January 2nd, 2024 at 7:53 PM ^
And leave after the 3rd quarter
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:56 PM ^
I would like to know a good steak restaurant for Sat or Sun nite -- and do I need to make reservations... Thanks
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:17 PM ^
https://georgiajamessteak.com/
It's not exactly your traditional steakhouse, but it is excellent. Make reservations on Resy
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:22 PM ^
I haven't been to Georgia James but all of Chris Shephard's spots are excellent. B&B Butchers on Washington - I haven't been for dinner but a couple work lunches in the past, and it was really solid. Pricey as well.
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:44 PM ^
Taste of Texas comes to mind
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:56 PM ^
There are some churrascaria -> https://fogodechao.com/location/houston/ or https://www.avebrazil.com/ that you can try.
January 2nd, 2024 at 7:55 PM ^
Texas Roadhouse
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:58 PM ^
Best place to stay that's close to stadium? Prefer nice hotel. Doesn't have to be the Ritz, but if it's ~$350/night, thats fine. Hoping I can just stay Sun/Mon nights. Not fully locked in yet, but wife said ok so will need to decide in next 24 hours or so.
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:13 PM ^
My only criteria for hotel was be within walking distance and I got a room at Wyndham at NRG for $399/night.
January 2nd, 2024 at 3:58 PM ^
Thanks a ton for offering this up OP!
How easy is the airport to navigate?
Anything we should be mindful of in terms of driving around/getting around the city?
Looking for a tasty but not too expensive dinner spot for Sunday and was thinking Pappasitos. Heard very good things, what are your thoughts?
What's the best grocery store to get tailgate food at?
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:02 PM ^
Hobby or Bush?
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:35 PM ^
There are two major airports in Houston. Hobby (HOU) is 12 miles from NRG Stadium and Intercontinental (IAH) is 29 miles from NRG. Hobby is easier to get in/out of but Intercontinental has more flights.
When driving around Houston, avoid doing anything that pisses off other drivers. Gun toting (Texas is open carry), road rage drivers are not uncommon.
The Pappas restaurants are good and known for their huge portions. You will leave a Pappas restaurant stuffed or with lots of leftovers. Checkout https://www.houstoniamag.com/eat-and-drink and https://houston.eater.com/ for other suggestions.
Kroger at 7747 Kirby and Fiesta Mart at 8130 Kirby have wide selections and are reasonably priced. Both are within 1 mile & are on the same street as NRG Stadium.
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:45 PM ^
I’ve heard people ignore speed limits in Texas
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:12 PM ^
There are speed limits in Texas?
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:42 PM ^
I lived in Houston for 17 years and recently moved away for reasons you will all experience this weekend:
Hobby - recently renovated and very easy to Navigate
Bush - a lot of construction recently and massive, we used to call it Bush "Intergalactic"
Houston is a very big city, and the usual big city precautions should apply (don't leave things visible in your car etc.). Stay in the "inner loop" I-610 or you will have at least 30 min+ maybe 1 hr + of driving to the game. The Woodlands and Clear Lake (NASA) are 45 min to an hour driving without traffic. Staying downtown might be the best value for the weekend as it has quick access to the light rail and more things to do than by NRG.
There are better quality places for the same price as Pappasitos. It is a big chain now and quality can vary place to place. My favorite was Ninfas on Navigation but everyone will have a different opinion.
Grocery store: H-E-B without question. Grab some snickernut cookie coffee to take home.
January 2nd, 2024 at 8:13 PM ^
Also get fresh warm tortillas while at HEB. Best grocery store ever.
January 2nd, 2024 at 9:58 PM ^
Lived in Houston for 5 years. I’d recommend checking out the barbecue scene. Goode Company Barbecue on Kirby was my favorite near downtown. Smoked brisket and turkey would be my recommendation there. If you want to venture further out, Central Texas Barbecue in Pearland was also a favorite. Haven’t been there in 15 years, but generally the more the building looked like it was about to collapse, the better the barbecue. Central Texas was definitely on the verge of collapsing.
January 3rd, 2024 at 8:29 PM ^
Pappasitos is in right off the south 610 loop right by NRG and has pretty good Tex Mex.
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:01 PM ^
Best BBQ spot? I'm sure they'll all be slammed, but I'd love to experience your local opinion.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:52 PM ^
I wouldn't call it the best, but the Pit Room is high quality and off the beaten path. Might be best bet for avoiding the crowds and still getting good bbq.
January 2nd, 2024 at 10:00 PM ^
Near downtown: Goode Company on Kirby.
January 2nd, 2024 at 11:55 PM ^
My brother lives in Houston (yay for free lodging!!) and I’ve visited him twice in the last year. Went to Truth for bbq both trips. Amazing. Stacks up with the quality I’ve had in DFW and Austin.
January 3rd, 2024 at 8:35 PM ^
Agree 100% on Truth, best BBQ in HTown in my opinion.
Here's the problem, if you're trying to go the day of the game, Monday, they are closed.
If you're in town earlier in the day on Sunday, by all means go to Truth. Keep in mind they are only open until 4pm, I'm pretty sure.
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:05 PM ^
Parking - any suggestions?
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:21 PM ^
There is a Metro rail option if you are willing to ride a toy train from the stadium to a park and ride lot
The parking would be $3 and then the train tickets are $1.25 each way.
https://www.ridemetro.org/riding-metro/transit-services/metrorail#red-line-metrorail
https://collegefootballplayoff.com/sports/2017/12/1/parking.aspx
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:07 PM ^
I have rooms booked at 3 different spots, but going to cancel 2 of them, obvs. I want to be "in the action", close to stadium, (safe) walking distance for me and the boy, close to restaurants and convention center, etc. Flying into Houston (Hobby). Which would you choose?
- Hilton Houston Plaza/Medical Center - 6633 Travis St
- Hilton Garden Inn Houston Hobby Airport - 8001 Monroe Road
- Hilton Americas - 1600 Lamar St
Appreciate you and... GO BLUE!
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:46 PM ^
The Medical Center Hilton right by Rice University and Rice Village. Plenty of good restaurants within about a mile. The Med Center Light Rail Stop is about halfway between downtown and NRG so you can access either pretty quickly without driving. If not there, the Hilton Americas downtown is right in the middle of everything, but a little further away from the stadium.
January 2nd, 2024 at 5:19 PM ^
Isn't Hilton Americas the team hotel? If by chance you don't want it and are willing to transfer it I suspect there would be takers here.
January 2nd, 2024 at 4:12 PM ^
What's the Michigan tailgating situation? There's an alumni association one that's not open yet. But anything else? Any other area where there's "tailgating" whether its bars and then shuttling to the game or anything like that?