Houston Area Guide
Based on my last forum post, i've put together a quick guide to the Houston Area. You can access this through google drive and save it for easy access during your trip. Please note, i will update this as people have additional questions or ideas for me to add. I cannot cover everything in Houston myself, so i'll add anyone else's good ideas/suggestions that I see.
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tZz8Od5Z4qvzU3tXkBapTxCuM9xOLauJY0ZbrGPvLaU/edit?usp=sharing
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:37 AM ^
Nice work, 'Coffee_Addict'. I took a look, then made the link clickable here:
https://docs.google.com/document/d/1tZz8Od5Z4qvzU3tXkBapTxCuM9xOLauJY0ZbrGPvLaU/edit?usp=sharing
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:40 AM ^
Thanks rob! Sorry, I dont post quite often enough to manage the clickable links in my original post.
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:44 AM ^
No problem, the most important thing is the quality of the guide you worked to put together.
January 3rd, 2024 at 6:03 AM ^
Here are some CFP National Championship Weekend activities from the CFP organizers:
- Playoff Fan Central - three-day, family-friendly event that feature games, clinics, pep rallies, band performances, special guest appearances, autograph signings, and exhibits celebrating college football and its history
- AT&T Playoff Playlist Live! - free music performances serving as the official soundtrack for the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship
- Trophy Trot - a family-friendly run/walk in downtown Houston that offers both 5K and 10K distance
- Taste of the Championship - an opportunity to indulge in gourmet food and drink prepared by chefs local to Houston, all in one venue. It is organized by a James Beard award winning chef and proceeds benefit the CFP Foundation's Extra Yard for Teachers platform. Use the coupon code CFP2024 for $100 off.
- Allstate Championship Tailgate - open and free for all game ticket holders, will feature interactive games, sponsor activations, concessions, live ESPN broadcasts, and performances by each team’s marching band, along with country music artists Walker Hayes and Alli Walker.
For additional info click here.
See IGTBAMW's post below for AAUM sponsored activities.
January 3rd, 2024 at 6:29 AM ^
Here are some more fun things to do in Houston the weekend of January 5:
- Frostival and Green Mountain Energy Ice at Discovery Green
- Tina: The Tina Turner Musical
- Jared Freid from New York at the Houston Improv
- Houston Symphony - Sinatra’s best hits
- Houston Rockets vs Minnesota Timberwolves
- Japan Junction Oshogatsu Celebration
- New Year Fun Run
- 12th annual Choco Loco race
- Drunk Shakespeare - actors take five shots of whiskey before they perform a major role in a Shakespearean tragedy
- Adult Owl Prowl - a hike on nighttime trails
- Coffee and Cars - display of hundreds of luxury and exotic vehicles
- First Saturday Arts Market
- Art Car IPA 5K/ 10K
January 3rd, 2024 at 10:27 AM ^
Tina Turner? Not too soon??
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:06 PM ^
I copy and pasted this info
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:14 PM ^
drunk shakespeare for 400 alex.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:06 AM ^
Well done! I would add to the tailgate food - Spec's in Midtown is great for any beverages (huge selection) and has some limited fresh food sections as well.
And great call on Baileson! We were regulars there almost every week when we lived in Montrose. Great little neighborhood brewery, and they usually have a good food truck on site.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:03 PM ^
Good call on the Spec's in midtown. This place was a lifesaver during Hurricane Harvey as it remained open!
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:12 AM ^
is houston a better city and venue than Dallas? I have no idea.
San antonio and austin is my idea of possibly pleasant travel in TX.
Eyeing Seattle trip for the the rematch. thanks to those of you making the trip and let's fucking go!.
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:07 PM ^
My wife's family is from Houston. When I started visiting there 15 years or so ago, I didn't really care for it. Now I love it, and would consider living there if not for the horrible weather in the late spring-mid fall. As an outsider, it's felt like it has changed a lot over that time - more vibrant, younger, much bigger. I'd definitely give the city the nod over Dallas, which to me feels like surburbia writ large.
The venue, however, is better in Dallas (not that NRG is bad, but AT&T is just newer/shinier).
January 3rd, 2024 at 1:40 AM ^
Great list. I’ll add a few (caveat I lived in Houston for 17 years but moved in 2017)
coffee - Agora Coffee Shop
steaks - Perry’s or Brenners
Moon Tower Inn is awesome place for interesting hot dogs and sausages
Killens in Pearland (suburb) is the best bbq IMO
Under the Volcano was my favorite bar
Theres a ton of great Vietnamese and Indian restaurants as well
Boil House for crawfish
Get a Kolache somewhere :)
Cannot recommend Karbach enough. 2nd favorite to Bells
The heights neighborhood has lots and lots of great brunch spots
January 3rd, 2024 at 6:02 AM ^
I did some research this AM and thought I share to save everyone some time. Most of the details are coming from CFP Playbook - https://collegefootballplayoff.com/sports/2022/8/22/playbook-2024.aspx and Michigan Alumni Association - https://alumni.umich.edu/
In summary, Michigan will be hosting an event every day. The one Sunday seems to be a no brainer (since its a marginal cost). On gameday, there will be an ESPN Gameday + bands tailgate for free (with Ticket) called Allstate Championship Tailgate PLUS the Alumni Tailgate for ~$200 a person (with Ticket).
Who's attending each event? Is the alumni tailgate worth is? Or should you just tailgate yourself then attend Allstate Championship Tailgate?
Enjoy and go blue. Hopefully see some of you in Houston!
-----
Kickoff Bash (No game ticket needed; $125 members and $145 non members)
Saturday, Jan. 6, 6-9 p.m. CT | Space Center Houston (1601 E NASA Pkwy, Houston, TX 77058)
https://alumni.umich.edu/athletics/national-championship-kickoff-bash/
The Alumni Pep Rally (No game ticket needed; $10 members and $20 members)
Sunday, Jan. 7, afternoon (time TBD) | Tudor Fieldhouse (6100 Main St, Houston, TX 77005)
https://alumni.umich.edu/athletics/national-championship-pep-rally/
The Alumni Tailgate (Game ticket + $210 for members and $180 for non members...I think this is backwards)
Monday, Jan. 8, 3:30-5:30 p.m. CT | NRG Center (1 Fannin St, Houston, TX 77054)
https://alumni.umich.edu/athletics/national-championship-tailgate/
The General Allstate Championship Tailgate (free with game Ticket):
Allstate Championship Tailgate is the gathering place for fans who want to experience extreme tailgating leading up to the College Football Playoff National Championship. Open from 11 a.m. – 6 p.m. CT prior to kickoff, Allstate Championship Tailgate is free for all game ticket holders and will be held in Blue Lots 16-18 south of NRG Stadium. Fans will enjoy interactive games, sponsor activations, concessions, live ESPN broadcasts and live performances by each team’s marching band and award-winning musical acts on the Capital One Music Stage. A national championship game ticket is required for entry to Allstate Championship Tailgate and all NRG Stadium security measures will be in place, including the Clear Bag Policy and the no Re-Entry Policy.
The Michigan Section:
January 3rd, 2024 at 6:06 AM ^
I’m in a slightly different area (Montrose). Favorite spots that I'd recommend:
Coffee: Blacksmith for the best coffee.
Brasil for a great outside patio to hang out on.
Breakfast: Common Bond for crowded, overpriced, but excellent breakfast.
Guadalupana, peak Houston establishment. Tex-mex spot in a strip mall that's only open for brunch.
Dinner: Xochi (upscale Oaxacan spot I go to if work is paying).
Nobie's/Nancy's Hustle, modern American, middle pricey, small shared dishes.
Pizza: Gypsy Poet is the only pizza spot to go to in Houston.
January 3rd, 2024 at 7:44 AM ^
I'm quite a coffee addict myself. If I wanted to bring some fresh roasted beans home, do you have a favorite coffeehouse?
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:59 PM ^
I believe the "Boomtown" coffee spot would be the best for this as they roast their own coffee and sell this around town as well.
January 3rd, 2024 at 7:59 AM ^
It's my understanding that Houston has many gentlemen's clubs.
January 3rd, 2024 at 9:30 AM ^
Go get some Vietnamese food while there. Healthy population in Houston.
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:59 PM ^
I got a couple options in the light rail section that i mentioned, Pho Saigon and Mai's. There's also Simply Pho there that's very good.
January 3rd, 2024 at 10:49 AM ^
Thank you for the copious BBQ recs!
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:02 PM ^
I had an amazing Houston area BBQ experience at a gas station/convenience store/BBQ joint near Johnson Space Center. Grabbed a Lone Star from the ice chest, loaded up on a few different BBQ options, and immediately fell in love. Also battled heartburn for 3 days, but it was totally worth it.
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:46 PM ^
oohh! Was It Pappas Delta Blues Smokehouse? I went there and loved it. I will include this on my list.
January 3rd, 2024 at 2:11 PM ^
Honestly can't remember. But if it had lots of gas pumps, lone star in a huge ice box, and awesome BBQ, that's the one!
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:19 AM ^
Kolache Factory are all over and highly recommended, both for quality as well as variety.
Taste of Texas is always great and it is a living breathing Texas History Museum as well.
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:57 PM ^
I added a breakfast section and put Kolache Factory as an option. It's definitely a Houston thing.
January 3rd, 2024 at 11:59 AM ^
One of the many Pappadeux variations and Boudreaux for creole/cajun fare and seafood. Take streets to Reliant/NRG if you're staying near Westheimer (you should stay near Westheimer/Richmond corridor). Stay away from the 610 heading to NRG.
If you're looking for budget lodging without scratchy towels and whores in the lobby("Hoeston" is notorious), Westgate is a solid area. Especially just east of the loop. There's a very clean, cheap Quality Suites right next to the SW loop that I frequent.
A nice outdoorsy type mall is City centre near Memorial. And then there's obviously the world famous Galleria in the Westheimer corridor.
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:11 PM ^
Great Houston guide, Coffee_Addict. Thanks for putting this together.
I was pleasantly surprised to see the light rail as a viable mass transit option. I mean, every major city should have such an option to move people efficiently in and out of the city center. But I had wrongly assumed that Houston would scoff at such a notion given its prominence in the petro world. Very cool. My only major complaint - it looks like no connections to the major airports.
January 3rd, 2024 at 12:34 PM ^
Houston has a total of 3 light rail lines. All are intersecting with downtown to outlying areas within the 610 loop, but yes, nothing connecting the major airports to downtown. It's not like they've tried, but there's a lot of push back from businesses and the costs would be extraordinary for a city that loves driving.
January 3rd, 2024 at 8:22 PM ^
As a beer guy I'd change the list to this:
Lagers/Pilsers: Equal Parts (best brewery in the city), New Magnolia, Frost Town
IPAs: Spindle Tap, Urban South, Eureka Heights
Stouts: Great Heights, 11 Below (a bit further)
Sours: True Anomaly, Urban South has some smoothie styles
Traditional/Atmosphere: Saint Arnolds (my second favorite and best all around), 8th Wonder, Buffalo Bayou (beer isn't great, but view is best in the city), Karbach (AB-InBev owned)
Extra: Platypus, Baileson, Brash, Under the Radar
January 4th, 2024 at 3:41 PM ^
Hey blue nation! Just looked and it is supposed to basically pour rain with severe weather all day monday. Damnit. Anyway, what will be the tailgating situation most likely? Ponchos and parking lots or bar scene and get into the stadium as soon as it opens? Go blue!!!!!!!!!!!!