Houston at Christmas??

[Flabbibulin]

Anyone ever been to Houston around Christmas time? What is the weather typically like late December? What is there to see and do?

The wife and I essentially have a free trip if we want- parents want to buy us the flights as a gift and we would be able to stay at their place. They were originally supposed to be there as well, but guess not.

Not sure where in Houston their place is, but I will have a car so no big deal getting around. I am sure we will get in a couple rounds of golf, but don't know otherwise.

Not a prime vacation destination I know, but would be silly to turn this down

Thanks.

[Table 5]

I hear the overpasses are fantastic this time of the year.

[Yeah_Baby]

Is there a WWII museum?

[Flabbibulin]

Wow, tough crowd.

It has the potential to be 40 degrees warmer than here and I get to not spend Christmas with the mother in law... good enough for me.

[Erick Estrada]

Houston at Christmas should feel a like early July in Calgary but more humid so you will sweat more than you would here.

[bizaro86]

I had a flight get changed on me once leaving a 20 hour connection over night in Houston on my way to a Christmas vacation in Mexico. I booked a night at the airport Sheraton, spent the day in the pool and at the all-you-can-eat pizza buffet place across the street. (Side note: All they can eat in Houston is WAY more than I can eat). It was pleasant out, although the humidity made it feel hotter than it actually was. /cool story bro

If I had a free trip to Houston I'd take it vs spending time enjoying being cold, but that's just me. You could also go to the space centre if that interests you.

[Flabbibulin]

Looking for stuff on google and I dunno...Would likely become a golf and shopping trip. Go to the coast for a day.

this was originally supposed to be a christmas with my parents (first one in a while), but they ditched us for something better and are probably feeling a little bad about it.

The flight prices are half way to a good all-inclusive as well

[_Q_]

Was in Houston in 2004 on Boxing Day for 3 days. The weather is OK. It was cloudy, it rained a bit, but it was around 20 degrees. It felt like Calgary in early May. It definitely had a "winter" vibe to it though, so don't expect to be laying around on beaches or anything. I don't think I would spend my own money to go to Houston, whether it's summer or winter, but I would definitely be OK with going for free.

[Fobulous]

Originally Posted by fotze

In all seriousness, if the CP poster 'fobulous' does not happen upon this thread, pm him, he moved to Houston last year and would have good advice.

Just saw the thread and thought I would give you my 2 cents! As Fotze mentioned I moved down to Houston just over a year ago.

Weather
Be prepared for cold weather. Most people don't realize this, but December and January in Houston can get quite cold. Even though it may be 60degF (~16 degC) on any given day in Decemeber and January it may actually feel colder due to the humidity. Although it is more than comfortable weather to golf in you just have to be prepared to bring pants and maybe a light sweater vs. shorts and a tshirt.

With that being said, there is a very good possibility that the weather could be above 20degC so bring shorts/tshirts etc.

Things to do
1. NASA - We always take family and friends to check it out. May be worth your while if you are into this kind of stuff. It is also on your way down to Galveston so you can potentially do both in one day if you have time.

2. Galveston/Moody Gardens - Galveston has one nice section of beach. Depending on the weather you should check it out. Moody Gardens is also in Galveston and have quite a bit to do (xmas lights, etc.).

3. Golf - A ton of golf in the area. The courses are pretty hit or miss down here though. I really miss the golf up in Alberta but with that being said the courses down here are still quite nice. Just google courses around the section of the city you are staying in and you will find a number of courses to play. I find that all my favorite courses are up in the Woodlands (north Houston) so if you are able to make the trek up there let me know and I will recommend a few to check out.

4. Shopping - if your wife wants to shop there is a ton of it down here. Check out Houston Premium outlets in NW Houston (Cypress area) or Katy Mills Mall West of Houston (Katy area) for some really good deals. For higher end stuff check out the Galleria Mall.

5. CityCentre - One of my favorite spots in the city. It is an area called CityCentre (not the actual center of the city). It is right by the beltway 8 and I-10. It is an area of restaurants/bars/shopping. A pretty cool spot to check out in the evenings and weekends. They have a website, check it out. CityCentre. If you are in town for a Texans game go to a place called Texans Grill at CityCentre to watch the game. Really cool atmosphere. You have to get there early.

6. Sugarland Town Center - Same as #5 but better. If you are in SW Houston definitely check out this spot in the evenings and weekends.

7. Top Golf - They just opened this up at Highway 6 and I-10. It looks like a driving range but MUCH MUCH better. Check out there website. I have been and it is definitely a good time. Top Golf

8. Kemah Boardwalk - Throwing this out there in case you want to check it out. Not really something I enjoyed but my wife's family had a good time. Kemah

Restaurants

1. Mexican - A lot of good mexican food down here. Try Pappasito's (my favorite), Cyclone Anaya's (@ citycentre), Lupe Tortilla or Chuy's. Can go wrong with any of these.

2. Seafood - I am a vegetarian so I can't help you here; however, I know everyone loves the seafood down here. I am sure if you google it you will find a list of all the good seafood places down here.

3. BBQ - I have been told Spring Creek BBQ and Rudy's are the 2 best places to go for BBQ.

That is all the stuff I can think of right now. Will add to the list as I get time.

-FoB.

[tvp2003]

Vikings at Texans - December 23 (NFL)
Minnestoa at Texas Tech - December 28 (NCAA football - Meinicke Car Care Bowl)
Thunder at Rockets - December 29 (NBA)
Hawks at Rockets - December 31 (NBA)

http://www.tripadvisor.ca/Tourism-g5...Vacations.html

[Rudee]

Houston has good steak houses and good mexican food. The Galleria Mall on Westheimer rd is good for shopping. The rest of Houston is basically dollar stores and titty bars. Been there many times on business trips and it wasn't that exciting.

[Fobulous]

Originally Posted by Rudee

Houston has good steak houses and good mexican food. The Galleria Mall on Westheimer rd is good for shopping. The rest of Houston is basically dollar stores and titty bars. Been there many times on business trips and it wasn't that exciting.

Sounds like you are getting the wrong people to show you around the city. Or you are just hanging out at all the titty bars and dollar stores.

IMO, Houston is a great city with a lot to do. Just have to know where it is.

[Acey]

June in Calgary is a good comparison... 80 mm rain and 20 degree average high for June Calgary, 95 mm rain and 18 degree average high for December Houston.

[Rudee]

Originally Posted by Fobulous

Sounds like you are getting the wrong people to show you around the city. Or you are just hanging out at all the titty bars and dollar stores.

IMO, Houston is a great city with a lot to do. Just have to know where it is.

I've been all through Houston. Probably at least a dozen times. It's a City of seemingly endless strip malls. I did have the best steak I have eaten in Houston at Pappa Bros Steakhouse. Some beautiful homes in the more affluent neighborhoods. Great shopping. But the traffic and ongoing freeway construction there makes driving around a huge pain. And the flying tree roaches! Gross! Had one fly directly into my mouth one afternoon while walking from my hotel to a Whataburger restaurant a quarter mile away. I gagged on the thing. Was enormous. They're everywhere there!

[YYC in LAX]

I have a friend who lives in Magnolia County which is just outside "The Woodlands" community. Great golf courses out there. I believe I played at Fred Couple's golf course when I was there about 7 years ago.

So uhh yeah, if you're golfer, there's lots of places to play at reasonable prices.

[annasuave]

The NASA space museum, of course. Go on both rail tours, pick up some freeze dried ice cream at the gift shop.

It wasn't that hot when I was there - but the humidity! Oh the humidity!

[onetwo_threefour]

Originally Posted by Rudee

I've been all through Houston. Probably at least a dozen times. It's a City of seemingly endless strip malls. I did have the best steak I have eaten in Houston at Pappa Bros Steakhouse. Some beautiful homes in the more affluent neighborhoods. Great shopping. But the traffic and ongoing freeway construction there makes driving around a huge pain. And the flying tree roaches! Gross! Had one fly directly into my mouth one afternoon while walking from my hotel to a Whataburger restaurant a quarter mile away. I gagged on the thing. Was enormous. They're everywhere there!

Definitely not a post to skim-read...

[Rudee]

Originally Posted by onetwo_threefour

Definitely not a post to skim-read...

haha.

[dissentowner]

[Red Slinger]

Pappa Deauxs. Bring your appetite.