jfd (10/26/82)
Someone a while ago asked about things to do in Houston.... I went to school in Houston (Rice) and lived there for several years - a great town if you're working, expensive for a student. Air-fare: $250 is pretty good, I don't know of any cheaper. Places to go: If you've never been to Texas, you've GOT to go to Gilley's in Pasadena (a suburb southeast of Houston off Interstate 610 (The Loop) and Texas 225). It's "the biggest honkey-tonk in the world" and attracts lots of interesting people. "Urban Cowboy" was filmed there. The Johnson Space Center is in Clear Lake City (actually part of Houston, south on Interstate 45 (Gulf Freeway)). Take a tour of the Astrodome...or if the Oilers are in town, go to a game (call first, they may be sold out). Go to the Galleria shopping mall (off Post Oak Road and the West Loop) they have an indoor skating rink, and lots of expensive and interesting shops. Restaurants: Brennan's (expensive, reservations) especially for Sunday brunch. Gabby's (there are a couple, one's on South Main) for real barbeque. Harry's Kenya (downtown, expensive) haute cuisine. Las Casuelos (off North Main, in the barrio) a 24-hour Mexican restaurant, with great food, and tacky atmosphere including strolling guitar players (cheap and spicy!) Ninfa's a very good and moderately priced Mexican restaurant. More Mexican cuisine than regular food. There are several Ninfa's, but the best is the original one on Navigation St. east of downtown. Other Places in Texas: San Antonio is about 4 hours west of Houston by car. All the standard stuff, the Alamo, the Trinity River, a pretty town. Galveston is one hour south of Houston on I-45, the biggest attraction is the beach and some of the older homes (although most of Galveston was washed away in the hurricane of 1901). Have a good time! john dooley ho1b428 x5599 ...houxi!hocsb!hocsg!jfd