Reliant Stadium Area OR Help with a quick trip

The wife and are a going to be in town for the weekend of 5/22. Is the reliant stadium area OK (ie. safe) or could someone recommend another area. We were looking at Reliant area due to some great prices but we are open to any area because we don%26#39;t have any activities planned yet. We don%26#39;t drink so nightclubs aren%26#39;t our thing. Thanks

Reliant Stadium Area OR Help with a quick trip

Unfortunately the reliant stadium area is a mistake alot of first time Houston travelers make. If you dont have children with you I dont suggest that area. The primary attraction there is Astroworld, so unless you will be spending at least a day on roller coasters do not base yourself there. The area is run down, high traffic and not safe for tourists. As a native Houstonian I want you to see the beauty of our city. I would suggest moving your focus a little more the the northeast, near Hermann Park.

If you stay within walking distance of the park you stand to see many of the favorites of the area, including the walking trails within the park itself, the Museum of Natural Science (my personal favorite), the Japanese gardens, the Rose Gardens, The Houston Zoo, and a few historical items of interest as well...such as the famous statue of Sam Houston. Only a little farther north and northwest of Herman Park you will find many museums that we treasure including The Holocaust Museum, The Museum of Fine Arts, The Museum of Modern Art and within a small drive you can find the Menil Collection, the Rothko Chapel and the Byzantine Fresco Museum.

I make these suggestions from the bottom of my heart - as I have been visiting all these places myself, for my entire life.

If it is museums you like....visit this website.

www.houstonmuseumdistrict.org/default.asp鈥?/a>

Enjoy Houston!

Reliant Stadium Area OR Help with a quick trip

Yeah, Reliant area isn%26#39;t a great place to stay unless you%26#39;re attending an event there. I%26#39;m surprised as a Native Houstonian that RojoDisco did not know that Astroworld has been closed for a while now and none of the former rides are there rotting away.

If it is just you and your wife, then take RD%26#39;s suggestion to check out the Museum District. The main hotel there is Hotel Zaza, a rather new boutique hotel. It%26#39;s next to the Museum of Fine Arts and easy walking distance to the Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Medical Health, Museum of Contemporary Art, Holocaust Museum and Hermann Park/Miller Outdoor Theater.

If you%26#39;re driving or will have a car, another suggestions would be to check out the hotels in the Galleria. This is the main shopping area of Houston, and a nice refuge from the heat and humidity, especially in this current climate.

Downtown is OK, moreso catered to the business clientele. A few can drop you off and pick you up if you are watching a show in the Theater District.

Hope that helps!

One suggestion would be to stay Downtown near the rail line (Courtyard by Marriott Downtown is most convenient in that is right on the rail line) and ride it to the Museum District. Hotel Zaza is in the heart of the Museum District; however unless money is no object, this is a VERY expensive hotel. You can drive to The Galleria mall and stop by the ice skating rink. Parking (free) can be challenging there, but there is both paid parking and valet parking on the Cheesecake Factory street entrance (side closest to the ice skating rink) near the corner of Post Oak and Westheimer. There is valet parking in other areas of the mall as well.

From a central spot in downtown, you can also head south on I-45 (expect some traffic) towards FM 518 to take you to the Kemah Boardwalk, a strip with several restaurants that face the water. It is a distance away from the city but it could be something different for you to see in this area.

Nu_Mex - it might help us make more suggestions if you give us an idea of your likes and dislikes (in terms of activities) and what brings you to Houston. There%26#39;s so much to do and see, that there can be multiple suggestions for you.

I%26#39;m a relocated New Mexican (born and raised in Albuquerque) and I%26#39;m still finding great new places to eat and relax. Its not nearly as laid back as New Mexico, but Houston does have its own charm.

I would agree that the immediate area around Reliant Stadium leaves much room for improvement - thus the cheaper prices I suspect!

Well we are just coming for a getaway. (Cheap Plane tickets.) We mostly just want to enjoy what the city has to offer. We aren%26#39;t into night life, but the theaters sound interesting. We have heard that the traffic is horrendous in Houston so we would like to have a centrally located semi-luxury hotel. We would like to see the beauty of the city,

We will have a rental car, but we do like walking to take in some sights. And maybe a romantic dinner

Here%26#39;s the website for the Theater District and what%26#39;s playing for May.

http://www.houstontheaterdistrict.org/

The Houston Astros will be home playing inter-League and intrastate rivals Texas Rangers during the weekend. If you like baseball, you could watch the game and then head to Vic %26amp; Anthony%26#39;s Steakhouse and stay at the Inn at the Ballpark all within a stones throw from each other.

Galleria does have a number of nice restaurants, especially inside the mall. Cheesecake Factory, Del Friscos, Oceanaire, Kona Grill, and Gigi%26#39;s Asian Bistro and Dumpling Bar.

Nu Mex, the Greenway Plaza area (Kirby Drive north and just barely south of U.S. 59 - not far south to the Med Ctr area) is convenient to both The Galleria area and downtown. There%26#39;s a Holiday Inn Express, La Quinta and other reasonably priced hotels in the area. Kirby Drive driving north is a beautiful drive. Kirby becomes Allen Parkway as it heads east towards downtown. I recommend this drive. There are places where you can park and go for a walk along the paths on Allen Parkway. Best to do this in the morning for best weather. Pretty area. You could also go west on Memorial Drive towards Memorial Park. The Edwards Greenway movie theater is close by should you stay in the Greenway Plaza area. The Houston Theater District downtown (an area with several theaters next to each other) is worth visiting for a romantic evening. Here%26#39;s the link for their calendar www.houstontx.gov/worthamcenter/2009may.pdf

Some folks here (and perhaps elsewhere in this forum) can recommend romantic restaurants in the area that are easy to get to for someone new to the city. You can%26#39;t miss by stopping by the Galleria. There%26#39;s Americas off Post Oak Blvd (between San Felipe and Westheimer Rd) which has a nice atmosphere. Very nice place serving South American food (Churrascos/steak, great chicken dishes as well).

Did a quick check on rates quoted for 5/22-23 at hotels.com and found a number of Galleria area hotels that are 3 and 4 star quality for about $30 or so more than the top of the line in Reliant area which are mainly 2 or weak 3 stars.

Intercontinetal Hotel (4*) on 610 West Loop, $104/night + 15% tax and fee;

Sheraton Suites (3.5*) on 610 West Loop (2 blocks north of Intercontinetal) $100 + 15%;

Both fit the luxury specs, and they may have similar deals offered directly. However, check parking add on, which can tack on $15/night unless waived.

South/Southwest of the Gallera Mall is a pack of suite hotels, Homewood, Staybridge, and Hotel Indigo to name a few, all built in the last 2-4 years. These are also on hotels.com as well as other discounters, generally for $90 to $115 before the 15%, and are popular with many on this site.

If you%26#39;re Museum fans, check the Menil%26#39;s web page for exhibits and hours. It%26#39;s free and a good antidote after shopping and lunching. If you%26#39;re in the area looking for lunch, try Niko Niko%26#39;s or Little Big vicinity of Westheimer Road and Montrose Blvd for good food and a pleasant mix of local Houston nationals. A great walk, especially early in the AM, is to circle the Rice University Campus, and get your coffee %26amp;/or food refueling at the nearby Rice Village (just 2 blocks west of the west side of Rice University Stadium Parking lot).

Thnsks to everybody for all the advice. I think Ive got the hotel figured out(thanks Jackta), but keep the other tips coming!