HotelTonight – Book Your Hotel in Houston HOU
I haven't had many opportunities to explore Texas over the years, so when I recently had the chance to visit Houston, I jumped at it immediately. After all, Houston is a sprawling, diverse city that really embodies the heart and soul of Texas. It's a mix of country and metropolitan, thus it boasts a culture you can't find anywhere else. Even though I only had a day to really explore Houston, I was able to get a great feel for the city's character and atmosphere, and I was so glad I decided to extend my Houston layover into a Houston mini getaway.
Since I had to take a very early flight out of HOU the next morning, I chose to book my Houston hotel near the airport. It worked out perfectly, because I was able to drop off my bags at the hotel before exploring the city, and then I only had a short journey to the airport the next morning. To book my Houston hotel, I simply relied on the HotelTonight app on my phone. HotelTonight has become my go-to resource for booking great hotels at a moment's notice, and it has resulted some of my favorite spontaneous trips in recent years.
Third Ward
Just a stone's throw from the airport is the Third Ward, one of six historic districts in Houston. This historically African American neighborhood is rich in culture and history, and today this dynamic neighborhood is experiencing a renaissance. I decided to make the Third Ward my first stop on my Houston adventure, and I felt like I really understood the lifestyle and culture in the Third Ward just by walking its streets. My favorite part of the neighborhood was the Project Row Houses, a group of old shotgun houses that have been transformed into local artists' studios.
Downtown
After exploring the Third Ward, I hopped back in my car and made the short drive into the heart of downtown. This is without a doubt the epicenter for excitement and activity in Houston. The streets of downtown are packed with great restaurants, shops, bars and clubs, and entertainment venues. This downtown area has everything from great performing arts theaters to upscale dining options, so I could have easily spent all day and night exploring the downtown scene. Unfortunately, I didn't have unlimited time in Houston, so I just spent a few hours shopping, meandering through the historic streets and tasting some of the delicious Texas cuisine before heading off to another area of the city.
Buffalo Bayou Park
Whenever I visit a new city, I like to explore the best parks in the area, as I believe that a city's quality of life can be determined by its green, public spaces. After wandering through Buffalo Bayou Park, I can confidently say that Houston offers a pretty great quality of life. This beautiful urban park sits along the Buffalo Bayou, the 52-mile waterway that attracted Houston's original settlers. This park is a hotspot for locals to enjoy outdoor recreation, and as I walked through the park I came across locals running, biking, rollerblading and picnicking. If you're in Houston on a nice day, you should definitely visit Buffalo Bayou Park.
Kemah Boardwalk
Kemah Boardwalk sits on Galveston Bay, and it's one of the most popular places in Houston for family outings. This fun boardwalk features amusement park rides, fun restaurants and plenty of live entertainment, and I was glad I had the chance to experience it in person while I was there. I could definitely see why so many locals love visiting Kemah Boardwalk – you can never have a boring day here.
Space Center Houston
I didn't want to leave Houston without visiting Space Center Houston. This NASA Johnson Space Center visitor center and museum is a must-visit for anyone interested in space travel, and there's definitely a good reason why this is one of the hottest attractions in the city. I feel like I could have spent all day wandering through the various exhibits, which feature over 400 space artifacts. Even though I only had a short amount of time in Houston, I was so glad I was able to make time to visit the Space Center Houston, which was certainly one of the highlights of my stay.
HotelTonight – Last-Minute Hotels Near Houston Airport
While I wish I had more time to really explore all that Houston has to offer, I was grateful that I had even a short stay to get acquainted with the city. I wouldn't have been able to make this last-minute stopover possible if it weren't for HotelTonight, which makes it simple for me to book great hotels at a moment's notice. HotelTonight offers a great selection of hotels near the Houston airport, so it helped me plan the perfect mini trip to Houston, Texas.
