[bimmette]

Update: No longer need advice. Thank you.


I have 12 hours to kill at the Houston (Bush) airport on an upcoming weekday. I've never been to Houston but there doesn't look like there is much to see and the airport is about an hour from downtown. The space centre looks interesting but that's a costly trip by taxi. I'm contemplating renting a car to get there but not sure if it's worth the trouble. I'm not a big art museum person and not interested in shopping during this trip. I will have a big backpack on me and will be dressed very informally so no nice restaurant recommendations needed.

Any ideas or should I just chill at the airport?

[Benstuck]

Originally Posted by bimmette

I have 12 hours to kill at the Houston (Bush) airport on an upcoming weekday. I've never been to Houston but there doesn't look like there is much to see and the airport is about an hour from downtown. The space centre looks interesting but that's a costly trip by taxi. I'm contemplating renting a car to get there but not sure if it's worth the trouble. I'm not a big art museum person and not interested in shopping during this trip. I will have a big backpack on me and will be dressed very informally so no nice restaurant recommendations needed.

Any ideas or should I just chill at the airport?

Chill at airport. I know that sounds bad but Houston doesn't have much to offer to tourists. Most go to Galveston for the beach but that's far. Houston is ghetto and has its ghetto parts that are trying to be "hipster." Downtown is boring, midtown is the whole hipster bar scene, and Uptown is rich white people shopping at The Galleria. You could come to try all the different food places if that's your thing, but do your research about the areas you visit. Houston is a melting pot, it's humid, pollution, and traffic everywhere. Only positive I know is that people are nice and friendly.

Best pizza in town: Star Pizza on shepherd, they have the best deep dish!

[bimmette]

Originally Posted by Skhmund

Chill at airport. I know that sounds bad but Houston doesn't have much to offer to tourists. Most go to Galveston for the beach but that's far. Houston is ghetto and has its ghetto parts that are trying to be "hipster." Downtown is boring, midtown is the whole hipster bar scene, and Uptown is rich white people shopping at The Galleria. You could come to try all the different food places if that's your thing, but do your research about the areas you visit. Houston is a melting pot, it's humid, pollution, and traffic everywhere. Only positive I know is that people are nice and friendly.

Best pizza in town: Star Pizza on shepherd, they have the best deep dish!

Yeah, this is what I figured but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out.
If someone came to Vancouver and said they would stay at the airport for 12 hours, I would think they're crazy for not going downtown.
Good to hear from a local. Thank you.
Any airport tips? Best value lounge I could pay for where I could nap?

[smrtypants44]

The space center has some cool stuff (NASA facility tour, rockets) but most of it is very kid oriented (think science museum type stuff), and its on the opposite side of the city from the airport. I know you said no art museums, but Houston has some world class museums, and the Houston museum of natural science has some awesome exhibits if you aren't into art. Most of the museums are in the museum district which includes the zoo and can be a cool place to go visit, its even right next to Rice university (the ivy league of the south) and the Texas Medical Center (worlds largest medical center).

Walking around downtown can be cool this time of year (depending on the weather), there's a bunch of restaurants and bars, and Discovery Green (downtown park) can be a cool place just to hang out.

Memorial Park is another good place to just hang out, although there isnt much to do around it (restaurant wise), it has a cool botanical gardens though.

I like Houston (my parents live there).

[BimmerRookie]

If the weather is good and you're traveling light, I would suggest getting an uber to go to the Waterway in the Woodlands. It's a nice walk around and plenty of restaurants if you get hungry. If you're looking for something more time consuming, you can take an uber to the museum district, however, be warned that each way would take 45 min to an hour.

When do you land/take off again?

[Josh (PA)]

http://ncartmuseum.org/exhibitions/a...LHWxoCnNjw_wcB

Temporary, but very awesome exhibit. Might be worth the ride.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by Josh (PA)

http://ncartmuseum.org/exhibitions/a...LHWxoCnNjw_wcB

Temporary, but very awesome exhibit. Might be worth the ride.

Um, OP has a lay over in Houston, Texas. While really cool, this exhibit is in Raleigh, North Carolina...

[Josh (PA)]

Originally Posted by kscarrol

Um, OP has a lay over in Houston, Texas. While really cool, this exhibit is in Raleigh, North Carolina...

My bad, the exhibit was in Houston earlier this year when I was there. I didn't pay enough attention to my google results: Left Houston end of May

https://www.mfah.org/exhibitions/scu...and-motorcycle

[kscarrol]

No worries! Wish I had known about this as I would have made the trip from N.O. to see it....

[bimmette]

Originally Posted by BimmerRookie

If the weather is good and you're traveling light, I would suggest getting an uber to go to the Waterway in the Woodlands. It's a nice walk around and plenty of restaurants if you get hungry. If you're looking for something more time consuming, you can take an uber to the museum district, however, be warned that each way would take 45 min to an hour.

When do you land/take off again?

Roughly 6am to 6pm.
I'm not sure about doing Uber. I've never done it before as it's not yet legal where I live.

[kscarrol]

Originally Posted by bimmette

Roughly 6am to 6pm.
I'm not sure about doing Uber. I've never done it before as it's not yet legal where I live.

Hmm... tough times to be driving around Houston. 6am and you'll be stuck in rush hour traffic heading into the city from Bush/IAH. Same problem coming back to catch your flight though if it's an intl flight you'll be earlier than the worst of rush hour getting back to Bush... Stay put.

As for lounges, it's been a while since I've travelled through IAH with a long layover so others will have to chime in. I used to get in the Continental/United lounge with my Amex but after the merger, United dropped that perk!

[PINeely]

Originally Posted by bimmette

Roughly 6am to 6pm.
I'm not sure about doing Uber. I've never done it before as it's not yet legal where I live.

Uber is great. If you're just going around the corner it's a couple of bucks, longer drives get expensive fast though.

[bimmette]

Originally Posted by PINeely

Uber is great. If you're just going around the corner it's a couple of bucks, longer drives get expensive fast though.

Yeah, it's pretty far to downtown and traffic will be bad so I won't be taking Uber. I think I'd prefer a shuttle bus of some sort or rent a car for the space centre.

[Aatish]

See if your airline has a lounge. See if you can purchase passes.

Alternatively, some credit cards grant lounge access.

[bimmette]

Originally Posted by Aatish

See if your airline has a lounge. See if you can purchase passes.

Alternatively, some credit cards grant lounge access.

Yeah I can do either but I'm wondering if anyone has personal experience with which one is best since there are many in the different terminals.

[Aatish]

Originally Posted by bimmette

Yeah I can do either but I'm wondering if anyone has personal experience with which one is best since there are many in the different terminals.

Personally, I like the Amex Centurion lounge. Haven't been to the one at IAH, but I frequent the one at LGA and LAS. Food is nice, and very comfortable. Don't mind killing time there.

IAH is also United's hub. Terminal E lounge is nice. Haven't been in the other one, but wouldn't expect too much difference.

[Benstuck]

Originally Posted by bimmette

Yeah, this is what I figured but wanted to make sure I wasn't missing out.
If someone came to Vancouver and said they would stay at the airport for 12 hours, I would think they're crazy for not going downtown.
Good to hear from a local. Thank you.
Any airport tips? Best value lounge I could pay for where I could nap?

Idk much about Bush. All I know is that compared to the other airports I've been to, it's lacking in terms of wow factor. It's just a lame airport IMO. However, I'm comparing it to Heathrow, Charles DeGaulle or the one in Frankfurt haha, so not the best comparison. It's just bland compared to the ones I've been to in the US as well.

[Benstuck]

Originally Posted by bimmette

I have 12 hours to kill at the Houston (Bush) airport on an upcoming weekday. I've never been to Houston but there doesn't look like there is much to see and the airport is about an hour from downtown. The space centre looks interesting but that's a costly trip by taxi. I'm contemplating renting a car to get there but not sure if it's worth the trouble. I'm not a big art museum person and not interested in shopping during this trip. I will have a big backpack on me and will be dressed very informally so no nice restaurant recommendations needed.

Any ideas or should I just chill at the airport?

FYI: pack deo. It's humid here and it's 11/1/16. I don't expect cold cold weather to get here until thanksgiving unfortunately

The world has changed. When I was in my teens, it would be jacket cold here on Halloween, yet I was sweating at work today. I wish I could say Winter is Coming but oh well.

[bimmette]

Originally Posted by Skhmund

FYI: pack deo. It's humid here and it's 11/1/16. I don't expect cold cold weather to get here until thanksgiving unfortunately

The world has changed. When I was in my teens, it would be jacket cold here on Halloween, yet I was sweating at work today. I wish I could say Winter is Coming but oh well.

Ugh that's another reason why I don't really want to go out. I'm going to be dressed for a cooler destination.

[Mr Tonka]

I hope you don't get zika or ebola during your layover.

[bimmette]

Originally Posted by Mr Tonka

I hope you don't get zika or ebola during your layover.

If I do, I'll detour to Tampa and pay you a visit.

[Mr Tonka]

Originally Posted by bimmette

If I do, I'll detour to Tampa and pay you a visit.

Come at me, Brotatchip!