Hi Joseph,

All three are good options. I would say if you want a concentration of activities of various types, you should head to Moody Gardens. There is a lot to do there and they even have a waterpark all their own called Palm Beach. There are also several interesting temporary exhibits at Moody Gardens in addition to their aquarium and rainforest pyramids. Click the calendar tab on the above listing for more info.

Let me know if you need anything else!

Veronica

Hi Lisa,

You know Houston clubs adjust their cover prices according to how busy they think they will be. I would say most places would probably charge at most a $10 or $15 cover on a busy weekend, with some "higher end" clubs perhaps charging $20.

Veronica

Angela,

I suggest Armadillo Palace! It's centrally located, and it has a Western theme.  If you have additional questions, let me know!

Veronica

Cecilia,

Unfortunately, the first Houston Texans game is August 11, so there won't be any football games happening while you're in town.

However, if you're interested in seeing American soccer, the Houston Dynamo is playing the New York Red Bulls on Aug. 3. 

I hope this helps!

Veronica

Hi Velky,

There is garage parking surrounding City Hall but the maximum height in this garage system is 6'8". If your van is smaller than that, you're set! There is also street parking with parking meters all around City Hall. There is a surface garage about a block and a half away from City Hall as well. Click Visitor Parking Map to download a PDF map of downtown parking.

Veronica

Vanessa,

Space Center is located about 45 minutes south of downtown.  If you want to take the students somewhere nearby, I suggest the Kemah Boardwalk.  It has rides, restaurants, midway games, shops--all overlooking Galveston Bay.

Will you have a bus? If so, I'd suggest coming into Houston so they can see the city a little.  Depending on how much time you have, you may want to purchase CityPASSes.  For $39, they'll have entry to the top attractions in the city, including Space Center Houston, Houston Zoo, Downtown Aquarium, Houston Museum of Natural Science, Museum of Fine Arts, Houston and more.  And, the museums and the zoo are all within walking distance of each other. 

Since they are university students, you may want to take them by Rice University.  It's a gorgeous campus, and nearby, Rice Village is a great place for them to shop, eat and explore. 

Let me know if you need anything else!
Veronica

Hi Lore,

Unfortunately the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo happens during Feb/March timeframe.  However, George Ranch is a 23,000 working ranch just south of Houston that is open to the public year around.

Also, here is our Events Calendar for July 10th to see what else is happening in the city.  

Please let me know if you have any other questions.

Best,

Veronica

Hi Chrys,

I assume you mean nightlife. I would check out the Washington Avenue and Midtown areas. There are some great bars in these areas that focus 20 and 30-somethings.

Here's a little more on each:

WASHINGTON AVENUE
A glittering, fresh-faced crowd swarms this eclectic mix of laid- back lounges, honky-tonk bars and see-and-be-seen clubs. With scarce parking, shuttle service transports a well-heeled crowd from pre-game cocktails at Soma Sushi to the velvet ropes marking slick, dance-driven nightclubs like Ei8ht or Roosevelt. Classic spots like Pearl Bar and Max's Wine Dive remain popular, as do newcomers like the east end-set Liberty Station and Sawyer Park.

MIDTOWN
Houston's central business district is booming, and the after-work energy spills into adjacent Midtown. Downtown, scenesters swivel on cowhide stools at Hotel Icon's Line & Lariat. Nearby, La Carafe offers romance in its historic locale, while energetic crowds swarm Houston Pavilions for nights at Pete's Dueling Piano Bar, House of Blues and Lucky Strike Lanes. In Midtown, party people flock to Howl at the Moon for rock 'n' roll piano shows and wallet-friendly wines at 13 Celsius.

I hope this helps!

Veronica

Hi Tere,

We're glad you're coming to Houston! A few places I would suggest are along the Houston light rail line, giving you access to restaurants, nightlife and so forth. Hotel Icon, the Four Seasons and Hilton Americas are all very nice Downtown. Hotel ZaZa is in the Museum District, right adjacent to the Museum of Fine Arts and Natural Science Museum.

Here's a rundown of all of the restaurants, nightlife and other things you can do along the rail line, which I think will help you plan things out. Also, here's a link to our Calendar of Events so you can see what's happening around town while you're here.

I will tell you, it's going to be hot while you're here. Definitely plan accordingly as far as what you pack and plan out things that are indoors, like our museums and performing arts.

I hope this helps!

Veronica

Hi Niki,

Happy to help! There is a company called A to Z Events that does weekend carriage rides in Downtown. They are only available on Friday, Saturday and Sunday evenings (and during the summer Tuesdays through Sundays). The carriages depart from 410 Bagby, by the Downtown Aquarium. Each ride is about 30 minutes and the cost is $50 + gratuity.

A to Z also does carriage rides for special events.

Veronica