Howdy, Houston!

I ventured out to Houston, Texas for a few days to explore the Lone Star state. The trip was booked only two days in advance because a few other destinations were considered as well. I analyzed CheapTickets to compare prices among airlines and saw that Spirit Airlines had the most competitive pricing for that destination. I then went directly to Spirit’s website to book the flight which saved on paying the third party service and handling fees.

When traveling for a weekend getaway in the warm season, I do my best to save on baggage fees by putting all of my items in my large personal bag. I typically wear sundresses, jeans, and blouses which do not take up much room. I rotate between two or three pairs of comfortable sandals.

Arriving in Houston, the rental car was picked up and I passed time in the downtown area before checking in to the hotel. The 4-star Omni hotel was booked at around $70/night via Hotels.com. I delighted in feeding the Koi fish that swam around the lobby in the indoor lake that extended from the outdoor lake. The architecture was alluring.

I visited the Houston Museum of Natural Science and purchased two City Pass booklets for up to nine excursions. It was a great deal because the attractions would have been much more pricey a la carte. I visited the Houston Zoo before exploring the Museum of Natural Science since it made sense logistically to end the day there given that the car was already parked there at the full day’s rate. The Houston Zoo was stupefying. I especially enjoyed seeing the primates, lions, and a baby red panda.

Returning to the Houston Museum of Natural Science, I learned about various species of dinosaurs and prehistoric humans. The artifacts were well-preserved and intriguing. Throughout the trip, the other activities included visiting Lakewood Church. I went on a guided city tour on a double-decker bus. I toured the Houston Nasa Space Center which was interactive and enlightening. I visited the Houston Aquarium where I enjoyed a spooky train ride to visit the great white sharks.

I also self-navigated on foot downtown. I attempted to explore what is known as the Downtown Tunnel. It is an underground passageways of banks, boutiques, and other shops in the business district. I was not able to explore it though as they are only in operation on the weekdays. I admire that Houston is a large, family-friendly, and innovative city. It has a ton of manicured parks and playgrounds on top of that.