<p>That’s pretty much what I’d say about Dallas, too. Ag54, thanks for stepping up to the plate for Houston. As adults, what becomes very important to many of us is where can I live where I can find a good job, affordable housing, and good schools. Great Houston and Dallas have all of that…we also happen to have hot weather, bad traffic and little scenery. Some of the priceless Texas experiences - like going to a high school football game - are things that the majority of visitors would never know to do.</p>
<p>LOL!!! That is just something you HAVE to experience…preferably with someone you know connected to one of the teams (band member, cheerleader, player). I have 2 friends who have just moved here and they can’t wait for their first “experience!”</p>
<p>I remember last fall when my son went to his first game (as a junior and a member of the band)…he came home with that classic “deer in the headlights” look. He just couldn’t believe it. Two games later and he was hooked!</p>
<p>High school football! If the OP is in Houston on Sept 4th, state champs the Katy Tigers take on the Woodlands - should be a great game! The next week they host Bellevue High (yes, all the way from the Seattle suburb… I’d like to sit in the away stands and listen to the parents at that one!)</p>
<p>haha - no lie about Texas Highschool Football!!</p>
<p>My middle son played varsity for 3 years and was recruited by some D3 schools to play. He went on some recruiting visits, a couple of which included attending a game. One game in particular that he went to was to win the division championship which would move the team on to the D3 national championship bracket. There were fewer people at that game than attended his weekly games! He was also kind of underwhelmed at the fact that there was no drill team or band and definitley no hooplah, like he was used to. He was spoiled rotten having played 5A football for years!!</p>
<p>It is a wonderful experience!! The games are a trip! And you’re right, attending with someone involved is crazy, the emotions are scary - I get so nervous watching my boys play that sometimes I can’t watch!! Now, my youngest is the center, so I’m going to have to worry about every snap!! (it’s going to be a LONG season!)</p>
<p>Dragonmom, we played Katy last year in the playoffs (and lost, obvioulsy) and the KATY experience is a WHOLE other story!! They put us ALL to shame!</p>
<p>My daughter (Rice '07) liked Houston a lot and preferred it to Dallas, where she grew up. She absolutely was not even considering college in Texas and was pretty much forced into visiting Rice (by her voice teacher- not her parents). The rest is history. She and her (now) husband both thought Houston had a lot to offer in the way of cultural events as well as great restaurants (cheap, ethnic, unusual). The Rice and Med Center students really enjoy Houston. My impression of it (pre-Rice connection) was not good as far as going for business and athletic events.</p>
That’s ridiculous! I live in Austin, which most people say is such a terrific city… Well, yes, parts of it are. Barton Springs is great, parts of the downtown area are okay, the music scene is good… But there are decaying bits, and huge suburbs and mega-mall sprawl all attached to Austin. In fact, proportionately, most of Austin is not so nice! (though I love it here :)). Parts of Houston are, in fact, lovely, and there are lovely funky hip bits, too. And the area around Rice is great, with fantastic museums, and restaurants, Herman park, the zoo, a walkable shopping area with lots of little shops and restaurants, the medical center with lots of different hospitals and clinics right across the street, the light rail… not to mention lots of internship and job offers since Houston is a HUGE city (not a town, Xiggi).<br>
And as a student, what more would you need? I have been visiting Houston for 6 years now, and I am more impressed with it, the more I visit!</p>
<p>The Downtown Aquarium if you have free time during the day.</p>
<p>If you have a late afternoon free, Dave and Buster’s. Gets a little sketchy after dark, though, but very well patrolled.</p>
<p>The Museum of Natural History is first choice, though, if you’re near Rice and have never been. They have some amazing traveling exhibits come through. Caught a Faberge exhibit once, not eggs, but ashtrays, etc. And caught the Diana Gown exhibit while a Katrina refugee. Now, that was something truly special.</p>
<p>If you have a few days, I would definitely drive down to see Galveston. The Gulf is beautiful, and if you are into birding, you can’t beat it there. Drive down to Galveston Island State Park and walk the trail through the marsh. You’ll see roseate spoonbills, which are just amazing. </p>
<p>Have a great visit! But watch out for the drivers. They make left hand turns from the far right lane!</p>
<p>Anxiousmom, didn’t we both start our “essays” with an attention-grabbing salvo, but then offered a more-balanced view? As everything in life, we share our opinions about things we experience. We also look at different things through biased lenses. </p>
<p>For the record, I could not agree more about your description of Austin. It’s a very interesting place, but not worthy of the reputation granted by … people who have rarely visited. </p>
<p>As far as Houston goes, I maintain that the people and the spirit of Texas make Houston attractive. As far as being a horrible city --if you don’t like the town description-- that’s due to its lack of zoning, whimsical development patterns, and the often nauseating smells and humidity. Something that the Galleria or the stately area around Rice cannot make any visitor forget. Further, there is no doubt that life in the Houston suburbs offers a different experience. Visitors, however, do not tend to drive around to discover the merits of the Woodlands or other enclaves of high-middle classes bliss. Most come to attend business, to shop till you drop, or try to find a remedy to a debilitating illness. I am not sure how many would LOVE to stay as soon as their primary objective is met. </p>
<p>However, in a forum such as this, we discuss colleges and towns. I happen to think that you will find few people who decided to attend Rice BECAUSE of the attraction of Houston, and hordes who did IN SPITE of the city. And that was my point.</p>
<p>I don’t like the humidity of Houston, but I do love the restaurants. BBQ, Tex-Mex,
Cajun, just to name a few choices…When I was in Houston last year, someone took me to a restaurant that served some fabulous plaintains! I think Houston places high on the list of cities where there are a lot of obese people…</p>
<p>If you’re asking about the Rice area, then you will find a number of Asian restaurants along Kirby Drive, anything from sushi to Thai to your basic Chinese. There are a number of grocery stores nearby, but south of campus, they vary from your basic store to the fancy pants deluxe versions, and they will all have an Asian section as well as a Mexican food section.</p>
<p>But, if you’re looking for the REAL Asian restaurants and stores, venture over to Bellaire Blvd and head west. You will find your self in the area where the street signs are in English and Chinese, this is where you’ll find the traditional Chinese restaurants (where there are ducks hanging in the window :)). There is an extremely vibrant Asian community in Houston, and you can find just about anything food wise that you could possible imagine.</p>
<p>As for drivers - we practice Offensive Driving vrs Defensive, which is for sissies!! If you aren’t comfortable going about 80+ on the freeway, then stay off of them. 65 is just a suggested starting point. ;)</p>
<p>Plantains are served mostly at South American restaurants like Americas near the Galleria or the Amazon Grills, really any of the Cordua Family restaurants - my favorite is Artista, which is located at The Hobby Theatre, downtown. A great night is Broadway show tickets with dinner at Artista (plantains are served as an appetizer with 3 dipping sauces, just like you’d get chips at a Mexican place - YUM).</p>
<p>Yeah, there are a lot of fat people here. Oh well, at least we’ll die with a smile on our face!! haha :)</p>
<p>To be honest - I try to avoid Cajun food in Houston. As a New Orleans gal - it just isn’t the same. And don’t even get my DH and sons started on how the restaurants here cook crawfish!!! It’s a sin!</p>
<p>University of St. Thomas and Houston Baptist University are also in Houston. St Thomas would be closer to Rice’s level if you want to visit other colleges.</p>
<p>Eat Tex-Mex every day (no chains please), Jade Village for chinese, Goode Company for bbq, Papadeaux and Papasitos for seafood and tex-mex. Yum-Oh!</p>
<p>To be honest - I try to avoid Cajun food in Houston. As a New Orleans gal - it just isn’t the same. And don’t even get my DH and sons started on how the restaurants here cook crawfish!!! It’s a sin!</p>
<p>A number of years ago I was in Houston for business and went to see Bayou Bend. If you have any interest in American decorative arts, go to Bayou Bend, the home of Ima Hogg (that’s really her name). She was a philanthropist and a collector who put together a superb collection of furniture and art, much of it focusing on American artisans. There are beautiful formal gardens, too. I loved my visit there–it was a great way to spend a free afternoon before getting on a plane to go back home.</p>