Hubby has an appointment at MD Anderson next month and we were told to expect a stay of 3-5 days while there (tests, doctor visits, etc). We will likely be there for a weekend and wondering if there is anything there in Houston or the surrounding area that we shouldn’t miss while there?
Will you be at the location in the medical center? That’s close to the museums, zoo and Rice University, it’s a really lovely area. Hopefully you’ll have a car so you can check out NASA. I’ve only lived in the Houston area for 2 years, so hopefully you’ll get some more suggestions.
I hope your husbands tests all come back with good results!
MDAnderson is adjacent to Hermann Park and the museum district. They are walking distance from the hospital. My favorite is the museum of natural science. Wonderful gem and mineral exhibit and everything else! If you need a wheelchair they have them available.
Hermann park is great for strolling around (Japanese Garden!) or just sitting quietly on a bench and watching people.
Are you staying at the Rotary House? They have shuttles to lots of nearby attractions.
Regardless, it’s just a short drive to the university village for dinner or shopping. Restaurants http://www.houstonpress.com/restaurants/top-10-restaurants-in-rice-village-641255
For a weekend there’s Houston’s NASA facility or the beach at Galveston.
Hoping for the best for you. If you end up staying longer, PM
Plus since it’s CC, do the tour at Rice. Beautiful campus.
Thank you both so much! We would love to visit museums and the zoo. Haven’t decided yet about the Rotary House. They’ve just started renovations there and we’re not sure we want to be in a place that is under construction. Hubby in pretty good shape, but recently diagnosed with a rare type of kidney cancer, so we’re visiting MDA to see a doctor who specializes in that area.
First, best wishes for a good outcome for your husband.
At the Museum of Natural History, there is a fantastic butterfly center that requires separate admission but is well worth it.
If you are interested in taking in some art, the Museum of Fine Arts is very near the Museum of Natural Science:
http://www.mfah.org/art/100-highlights/
Houston is also home to The Menil Collection, which is quite fantastic:
The Rothko Chapel is nearby:
http://www.rothkochapel.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=3&Itemid=6
It’s been a long time since we lived in Houston, but we used to love Pappadeaux and Pappasito’s!! We also liked Houston’s (the spinach dip and club salad were fantastic…we’d split them for lunch). Oh how I miss the food in Texas!!
Sending positive thoughts for your husband!!
@MomofWildChild might have some suggestions!
The Rotary House is very convenient. However, we quit staying there. So many people there look so sick, and one time DH went to use the laundry facility and there was a woman in there sobbing. The place became a downer for him, and not worth the convenience. YMMV. I personally liked the place, but I wasn’t the one in treatment, so I didn’t try to get a vote.
We were just in Houston for a few days back at spring break with DS13. I agree 100% with Herrmann Park, which has the zoo and the museums. Just watch out for flying golf balls because there’s a golf course in there too!
And for those of us “of a certain age” who remember the Apollo program just starting up, a trip to NASA is a must (if you have a car available). My favorite thing at NASA was doing the tram tours, where you drive around the NASA “campus” and you get to visit the control room and other notable places. There are four tram tours and you can do all four, if you want.
There are so many good local and ethnic restaurants. I agree that the area around Rice is lovely. We always stayed at the Marriott right across from Rice, which is basically in the medical center complex.
Best of luck for favorable results and a treatment plan.
Fadi’s is my favorite restaurant in Houston.
I haven’t been to Houston but I’ve heard of a place called Spec’s that is supposed to have a fabulous beer selection. A friend of mine went to Houston just to shop there and bring his kid to some dinosaur exhibit. He dragged my H along who loved it!
Houston is a great town. Here are some of my favorite things to do:
Stop by at one of the many mexican Taquerias for authentic tex-mex. My favorite is Taqueria Tapatia in Montrose
Learn how to do the Two-Step: there are lots of places in Houston
Definitely go to Space Center Houston
Lots of ethnic cuisine: try the fabulous Vietnamese Pho and mediterrean (Fadi’s)
Thanks, all, for the great suggestions! Hubby is very involved in the craft beer scene so I’ll have to mention Spec’s to him.
FYI: Spec’s is a chain (albeit a good one, I guess…)
Spec’s is nothing special, a chain liquor/ gourmet food / fancy beer super center . There are more good craft beers in Texas than you might imagine. My favorite local guys are Rahr and sons in downtown Fort Worth.
We have spent waaaaay too many weeks at the Rotary House. I’m excited that they are renovating but I would book there anyway. Is your husband’s treatment likely to require quiet after hours? Call and ask them what’s happening. The advantage is that you have indoor sky bridge access from the hotel to the hospitals to all clinics 24/7. They can also do most blood work right there in the hotel the night before your spot.
Most local hotels have shuttles with limited hours. We tried that and found it pretty limiting.
As outpatients your experience may be different. At the rotary house I could come and go to DH’s room (even ICU) without ever leaving the sky bridge complex. 24/7 acces to my husband was the only way I survived his critical care experience - I knew I could safely come and go at all hours.
Both restaurants are no longer Houston exclusive, in fact, Pappadeauxs can be found all over the country now. For Tex-Mex, I’d recommend a place that is unique to Houston - there are so many excellent ones such as El Tiempo Cantina or Escalante’s. Same with seafood - find a place that is Houston exclusive… if you were to go down to NASA, you could easily head over to Kemah and find some good seafood there (but not necessarily on the boardwalk where again, you’re going to find chain restaurants).
I would also highly recommend a good BBQ place - Texas BBQ is different than what I’ve experienced around the rest of the country, and I prefer it much more over the other kinds.
If you’re looking for history (sort of Houston’s version of The Alamo), you can check out the San Jacinto Monument:
http://www.sanjacinto-museum.org
Houston is as flat as can be… nary a hill to be found, so we Texans get excited when we can get a nice panoramic view such as is afforded from the San Jacinto Monument.
The good news about going in October is that, chances are, the weather will be likely be great - the heat of summer will mostly be gone!