What to do for a few hours in Houston? (Rice: hotel, price)

[ASB84]

I have to go on a one-day business trip to Houston in a few weeks and will have like 3 to 4 hours to kill before my plane leaves. I fly into Hobby and then have to go up to a meeting off Tidwell Rd. I basically have nothing to do from about 2 pm until 6 pm. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[br7or13]

Me, personally, I'd hit a strip club. But that's just me.

[ASB84]

Originally Posted by br7or13

Me, personally, I'd hit a strip club. But that's just me.

Not a bad idea. Usually the early afternoon staff isn't top tier, but I guess it's better than sitting around doing nothing.

[crono_clone]

Is this on a weekend or on a weekday?

[ASB84]

Originally Posted by crono_clone

Is this on a weekend or on a weekday?

Weekday

[Oildog]

Tidwell is north of the 610 Loop and south of BW8, not always cutting through the best areas. I'd do your meeting, then go downtown and have lunch at Irmas, maybe take a tour of Minute maid park, then drive south on 45 back to Hobby and have drinks at the airport. Traffic in Rush hour can be very bad here.

[bloodwings19]

Galleria, that is what Dwight Howard did.

[HookTheBrotherUp]

Just stay at the airport. 4 hours is nothing, if you mean from when you land to when your flight departs. It could rain when you are out, or there could be an accident, not to mention security clearance again. Any of those two situations would wreck (pun intended) your commute plans and possibly cause you miss your flight. I'd suggest you wonder about the airport and see how ridiculously priced everything is, it should keep you busy. Welcome to Houston, of only passing through.

Update: I did not catch the Hobby part.... in that case, just take a nap, Hobby sucks as far as having anything cool to see, or do, it only offers convenience and I'd hate to think of what things are like in any of the strip clubs in the area.... at least it would probably be cheap, 'might even get away with dropping coins instead of bills.

[ASB84]

Damn, houston kind of sounds like atlanta. How about recommendations for places to eat? Preferably southern food or BBQ.

[crono_clone]

You don't have a lot of time, so all I can suggest are places for you to lay back and hang out.

Try Minuti Coffee over in downtown. It's a beautiful space located in the lobby of the former Rice Hotel. You might even be able to take a quick tour of the lobby and the building, which is quite pretty and has lots of interesting history.

If you don't mind the heat, you can walk two blocks over to Market Square Park. They have overhead misting fans that make the heat a little more bearable, and plenty of chairs to sit on. There's also a Niko Niko's right in the park, which has great Greek food (order a cold milkshake though, or maybe a beer).

Across the street from the park is Treebeard's which is southern/cajun food, but they're only open for lunch so get there before 3 p.m. if you want to eat. Make sure to check out the "Houston" mural on the side of Treebeard's. It's huge and you can't miss it; also a great photo op.

If you still have time, check out Warren's Inn next door, which serves a mean martini. Might be just what you need for that long flight home.