Houston, TX

[ck1]

Hi all,
I will be going to Houston, TX next week. I will be staying in downtown Houston. I have never been there. So does anyone have any ideas on what to do and or great shopping? Hubby will be working, so I will be on my own, and I will not have a car. Also, any scrapbooking stores that I can go to?
Thanks for your help.
CK1

[ck1]

Is there anyone near or in Houston?? I will be going to Houston on Sunday and was wondering what to do while hubby works. Appreciate any help.
Thanks
CK1

[jan1]

Sorry, but no scrapbook stores anywhere near downtown. I would suggest you take a taxi to The Galleria for a day of shopping. You might also visit one of several art museums or go to the Houston Butterfly museum. Other suggestions would be to go to Discovery Green in downtown area or rent a car and take a day trip to NASA or Galveston(only an hour's drive). A trip to the Houston Museum of Natural Science would be great also. Enjoy your trip to Houston!
Oh, go to The Aquarium for dinner or lunch one day. It is in downtown area.

[klh54]

Hi
Sorry no one's mentioned anything yet. I'm from Houston but haven't lived there in almost ten years. I do drive in regularly to visit my kids though. As for activities let me see...
There aren't any scrapbook stores downtown but there are things to do. Light rail runs through town so you won't need a car. There's underground shopping as well as above ground. One of that more unique restaurants is The Aquarium. There are some historic homes in that bayou area that are great to go through. The Allen Parkway park is nice although it might be too cold for much outdoor stuff.
Well that's a start...I'll try to think of more!

[Glitter Gypsy]

Hi, I live in Katy, just west of Houston. I used to work downtown and it has an extensive underground tunnel system with shops and restaurants. There is also a mall downtown called The Shops at Houston Center. There is an easy to find light rail line that will take you to the museum district. The museum district is a few miles away but you wouldn't want to walk and the rail is quick, convenient and inexpensive. There are several museums and they are quite nice.

The Galleria is a large upscale shopping mall west of downtown. If you can arrange transportation, it is worth a trip for a shopping day. Check with your hotel because they may have shuttle transportation for guests. Houston is quite large and spread out so many of the hotels have free or low cost shuttle service, especially to hot spots like the Galleria. Please let me know if you need more information and I hope you enjoy your stay.

[mrslaird]

There is some shopping downtown, but I'm not really sure what. If you aren't too far from the museum district there are several art museums, the science museum (the gift shops are very nice, too), and the health museum. There are lots of restaurants, Discovery Green park, the zoo is nice, the Japanese gardens, and I can't really remember what else. Texas Art Supply is a great store for all kinds of art supplies including some scrapbook stuff. It's close to downtown, but not walking close. It's on Montrose and very near some great places to eat. Sorry I'm not more help! I live in the Houston area, but we really only go downtown for events or doctor appointments.

Here's the Downtown website. Downtown Houston And if you're interested in the museums check out a citypass for discounted tickets.

Hope you have a nice visit!

[ck1]

Thank you all so much for the info. on Downtown Houston. I will see where the rail will take me, maybe I will rent a car for a day or two.
Again, Thank you all so much.
CK1

[lindylou1220]

If you're going to stay downtown, I think you can get away without a car. For the light rail, which ran frequently, you either buy a "Q ticket" from a retail outlet (and recharge at the rail stops) or buy one way tix at the rail stops - cash or charge. I think those were $2/ride. More info here: METRO - Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County, Houston, Texas. We were told it was not a good idea to take the bus.

We just visited during Stampin' Up!'s leadership meeting and went to the Holocaust Museum - Holocaust Museum Houston. It was well worth it. Didn't make it to any of the other museums but there are many in the museum district.

We went to the Zoo; it was just okay. Lots of the animals were nowhere to be seen in the chilly weather the day we went.

A visit to Phoenicia (grocery store on steroids)/MKT BAR (on the other side of the store; they had great gelato) is also worthwhile - Phoenicia Specialty Foods. This was within walking distance from our hotel.

We probably didn't know where to go to look but found very little shopping where we were staying near the Convention Center. Perhaps it was more that we just didn't find anything we wanted. There was an outdoor craft fair in Discovery Green the Saturday we were there.

Enjoy your trip.

[ck1]

Thank you so much for the info. Grocery store on steroids is really interesting. Must go there. Thanks for the rail info.

CK!