Tackling Texas travel can be a daunting task. Being the second largest state in the entire county gives one far too many options to even know where to begin. The only logical place to begin is to determine where you want to go. East Texas/Fort Worth offers the Sixth Floor Museum, a World Aquarium, two zoos, stockyards and the West End Historic District. Houston presents a more dynamic set of options with the Holocaust Museum, the Theater District (covering 17 blocks), the Museum District (including 15 institutions) and concerts at the Woodlands Pavilion.
Where to go has been decided--Houston. Now, what to do? Every city will have its key tourist spots, like those listed above, and they will also possess areas only known to the locals. Lesser known, but just as interesting, is a neighborhood called The Heights just northeast of Downtown. Streets lined with restored Victorian homes face a long stretch of green parks and gravel trails through the middle of the city. Montrose, as it is affectionately known to natives, just North of 59 and East of 45, is full of unique resale shops, antiques and the mixed-use neighborhoods.
Houston offers a variety of side-trips as well. Instead of the overly populated Galveston Island, veer slightly southeast and head to Surfside Beach on Freeport Island. The sand is warm and white, the water is blue and shades of green, and best of all, one can drive and park directly on the beach. No need to carry items from the car down the sloping sand; just park in front of the waves and set up shop. A little over an hour northeast of Houston, a visit to the Blue Bell Ice Cream Cannery is well worth the ride to get a small taste of "The Best Ice Cream in the Country," as their commercials brag.
A long day of sight-seeing leaves the stomach empty and the head swimming. From that point it is not a matter of where to eat when in Houston, it's a question of how many meals can one fit into one day. If Mexican food is on the menu, Mama Ninfa's and Mission Burrito offer some of the tastiest ingredients available in the greater South. No-frills seafood can be found at Sam's Boat, which is easily visible from any freeway, as it is in the shape of a giant boat. It is also listed as one of the top 100 most requested restaurants, per B4-U-Eat.com. Looking for a taste of the East Texas coast? Atchafalaya River Café will meet your every Creole-loving need. A trip to Texas without a taste of barbecue is almost sacrilegious. Try Goode Company, which carries beef brisket, pork tamales and barbecue slathered on almost anything left lying in the kitchen. Amy's Ice Cream or the House of Pies are your best bets for late night tasty treats.
The day is over, the belly is full and sleep is required. The Galleria area (Uptown), Downtown and Midtown (South of Downtown) are all acceptable areas to find lodgings for the night. Reduce your nightly rates by resting your head just outside the city in Sugarland, Katy or Spring.
Remember that tomorrow is another festive feast-filled day, go forth and stake your claim in the rich soil of East Texas.
