<p>The Holiday Inn at the med center is also very comfortable. My parents were pleased when they stayed there. And anxiousmom is totally right about Shiva. It’s really tasty, and moderately priced ($11-13 for main dishes). It’s on Times Blvd. between Kelvin and Kirby. Some other great places to eat: Chuy’s (Tex-Mex on Westheimer), Goode Co. (Texas BBQ on Kirby), Pappasitos (Tex-Mex off Kirby), Thai Spice (in the Village on Kelvin… don’t go to Thai Village, Thai Spice is much better), and Swirll (frozen yogurt in the Village on University). If you want to check out places where Rice students go when we’re hungry at 2am, I’d recommend House of Pies and Taco Cabana. House of Pies, of course, has world-famous pies, along with some of the best breakfast and diner-like food you’ve ever had. Taco Cabana (colloquially called “TC”) is fast-food Mexican, but it’s WORLDS away from Taco Bell and the like. Both are very cheap and are open 24 hours. Both restaurants are on Kirby between Highway 59 and Westheimer.</p>
<p>Hermann Park is a great place to walk around and relax. I’ve never been to the zoo, but I’ve heard great things. You can also take the light rail northbound one stop and end up in the Museum District. The Houston Museum of Natural Science is pretty cool, and the Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, is one of the best in the country. There’s also the Menil Collection (Sul Ross St. in Montrose) which is free. The art is great–lot’s of avant-garde stuff along with some classics, but you’d need a car to get there. I’d also recommend the Holocaust Museum (one of the best in the country, 2nd only to the one in DC), but the tour is very heavy and emotional–not exactly suitable for getting excited about coming to Rice.</p>