Nothing to do with cars but I wonder if anyone could help me I've got to work in Houston for 3 weeks in August and the company have said I can take the whole family over (kids are 8,8 and 5). They are putting us up at the Houstonian Hotel but I was wondering if anyone can suggest any good thing I should do with the kids in the evenings/weekends (other than the Space center which I've already got marked down). In particular I was wondering if there were any "ranches" I could take the kids ridding at during a weekend thanks
Drive to New Braunfels and take them to Schlitterbahn. The best water park anywhere. Stay for the weekend. There's also a Schlitterbahn in Galveston that's closer to Houston, but I can't imagine that it can be better than the original. The Galveston park is better than none though, do at least one of them. http://www.schlitterbahn.com/nb/
The only thing I can think of is the Houston Zoo & the Art Car Museum., I'm sure Bg Tex can throw in some ideas.
In August? Stay inside ITS HOTTTTT!!!!!!! HAHAHA Galveston can be pretty fun and like mentioned before if you don't want to get in the sand, there is the water park. Mountasia(spell) is a place where kids (and adults) can ride go karts, play put put golf, arcades etc.
I can certainly get the horse riding handled, out at Big Brother's Ranch.... Children's Museum Zoo, as already mentioned Natural Science Museum, mega expensive but well air conditioned. Moody Gardens, same as above..penguin exhibit is nice to hang out with!!! Come borrow some surfboards and head for the beach, no oil here...... Joe and Lee Jamail Skateboard Park, free and again come by, to borrow my equipment. Sky view, overlooking downtown in the Chase Tower. Nature walk in Mercer Arboretum, Memorial Park Beer Can House, don't worry they are all empty!!! Saint Arnold's Brewery Tour, sneaky way to get something in for Mom and Dad...take a pizza, and they can have free Root Beer! One pound of natural suger per gallon, administer and STAND BACK!!!!! Doing the Brewery Tour and the Beer Can house all in on Saturday has a nice symmetry.. Armand Bayou Nature Preserve, down by NASA..maybe combine with Space Center. If I keep thinking, I can fill three weeks........no problemo!!
The Houstonian is right next to the Galleria with an Ice Rink....... I'll keep thinking.......... Realistically, it may be well above 100 degrees F, so awareness of heat stress and avoiding peak temps mid day is critical.......
That's like......3.5 hours from Houston....each way. If you have that long, I'd rather see some Texas Music at Gruene Hall and jump in the actual River at Rainbow Lodge. Gruene Mansion has excellent accomodations, right next to the Dance Hall, one of the oldest in Texas.. There is water in the river this year, and you rent an inner tube from a truck tire and float 2 - 4 hours down river, it IS a nice time. Schliterbahn is rather 'canned", compared to the actual river...I have a classmate there (New Bransfels) and could enlist his (20 year old) daughter to over see them if needed.... Simpson Racing has a HQ there, if you need a suit or helment!!
They have also reopened Senglemenn Hall in Fredericksburg..... Tolerant of children I think.....similar to Greune Hall in entertainment offerings, much closer to Houston....the local old Hotel is HAUNTED!!!! I stay in the new Best Western, as I'm intolerant of chains clanking about, all night long.... No ghosts there, as far as I know.....
Which is why I suggested he spend the weekend. You must drive slow, it's only 200 miles. Not sure his two 8 year olds and the 5 year old would be interested in the Gruene dance hall. And based on my experience with my kid, they'd much rather do Schlitterbahn than float the river. The river is hours of boredom with a few minutes of excitement thrown in. Great if you're looking for a excuse to drink a lot of beer, not so fun for entertaining young kids. And I just did it in May and the river was rolling.
Isn't there a Schlitterbahn in Galveston now? Moody Gardens is always cool and indoors, I second the childrens museum.
Take them to see the ONLY surviving battleship from WW1...the USS Texas. It is right next to the San Jacinto monument. Lots of cool dioramas and uniforms and artifacts from the San Jacinto battlefield...plus you can take the elevator to the top and see out of the top of the monument (IIRC the tallest monument). Take 225 East to Battleground Rd, then go North and you'll run right into it. I grew up right down the road from it... That is something unique and something they can't see anywhere else Frank
Welcome to our side of the pond +1 on Nasa. Your kids will love it. Do the full tour. Visit Kema while you are on that side of town. Battleship Texas and San Jacinto monument are not too far from there either, battleship may be closed for renovation. Also: Ferrari of Houston Lambo Houston
If you do make it to Galveston,the Ocean Star Oil Drilling Museum is worth checking out. Its on an old oil rig in an inlet of the Galveston Bay. Also,you should go on a fishing trip in the bay. We went on ours at this place near Ocean Star. They have those party boats where you can go with alot of other people. Its fun,and we caught alot of different things. The one I was on had a mini concession stand in the cabin and a few tables. Theres also the Galveston Railroad Museum. Thats all I can think of for now. Its been about a year since I was down there. Im sure I can think of more.
If yoiu go to Galveston, take your kids to a waterpark called Schlitterbahn - lots of fun, water, and thrill slides ! Here is the link: http://www.schlitterbahn.com/gal/
Well, what's the point of that, unless they're wanting to add a new wing?? I can donate some effort to that cause!! (I'm a giver that way....charity, and all that...)
Lone star flight museum in Galveston. Havent been in a long time but if you want to spend the cash you can go up in a B25 or B17. Just the museum is cool too though... http://www.lsfm.org/
Good points about tubing being "slow", although now I think it may be "too fast"!!! I drive the Speed Limit on public highways, so I don't have to put my beer down, to speak to D.P.S...... OTOH, Lady Valeria's Turbo S Beetle has no problem seeing 132MPH....actual.
Once the Orange Show Foundation purchased it, the University of Houston School of Architecture was involved in a extensive restoration.. A nationwide appeal for VINTAGE beer cans went out, to match the ones used in the original construction.. Many of the original details involved the imaginitive use of the old style 'pull tabs' as well as lids, so these were required to maintain authenticity. Can you tell I voulnteer there as a Tour Guide?? Occaissionally some hot Euro babe will drop in and we take a ride in the Ferrari Art Car!!! I like to sit in the swing chair on the Front Porch, and watch the sunset and listen to the lid streamers 'clink' in the Gulf breezes.....
