Houstonians...need ur help (Galveston, Katy: to rent, house, live)

[lifesprecious09]

I will be in Houston next week(so excited), and would like to know where are the best night clubs in Houston.

Can someone give me some suggestions on some really good clubs/lounges/nightclubs as well as restaurants?

Besides the Galleria, what are some other great attractions??

Also, I would like to know would it make sense to get on the rail or bus from the aiport, cuz I don't feel like paying 40+ bucks on a cab or shuttle. Can someone help me out? I would really apreciate it. Thanks!

[1dayatax]

I am from the East Coast, and the only club I have heard from here is the "Skybar". Never been to it, but heard it was good. As far as public transportation from the airport---the only choice is a cab--or a bus. No trains. Rail is not much of an option here ...only in downtown they have this small light rail service that takes you to straight to the museum district and back. And...once you hit Houston closer to Katy....no mass transit .....sorry. Galleria seems to be the place to hang out.....IMO....great city if you like to Shop and Eat.

[jfre81]

I'd go for a shuttle if there's a significant amount of luggage. There's the 102 bus from downtown to IAH but it makes stops in Greenspoint and is just a regular bus line. The METRO Airport Direct goes straight from downtown to IAH and it's $15 each way. Is $30 roundtrip better for you than $40? There is no rail to the airport, but from downtown you can use the rail or bus to get in any direction.

The Galleria is a giant shopping mall. Go there if that's your thing. Not familiar firsthand with many clubs. You might draw a box from Mid/Downtown, Washington Avenue, Montrose Boulevard and Westheimer and that area in and around that box would be the best nightlife/clubbing/bar area for a visitor without a car. The light rail and most of the bus routes serving these areas cover all the spots and are reasonably reliable.

The transit here is not on the level of Washington, NYC, Boston, Philly etc. so be prepared. It works as far as getting from point to point, but don't be in too much of a hurry to get from here to there.

[houstonfan]

Houston is not pedestrian or mass-transit friendly. I've lived in many large cities and never owned a car until I moved to TX!!
But I digress...
Do you know someone here to help show you around? If not, i would consider renting a car, that way, it'll save you money fr and to airport and then you can drive around having fun b/c the bus routes are not always close by or quick and you might be in a bad part of town. And bring or rent GPS! Parking is usu free or cheaper than in many other cities, unless you valet it, and gas is usu cheaper, ie, today was about $2.35/gal so renting car is a good option in houston.
I'm not expert on the club scene, but it would help if you listed what kind of music, ambience and crowd you'd want to hang out in so that others can help you.
Galleria area includes the shopping mall proper, lots of nice shops and restaurants around it. A few good swanky lounges and I think there's a new "it" club that opened up on Alabama...but I wouldn't know b/c never been. Drink Houston is a popular one near Galleria b/c it plays several types of music simultaneously so you can usu find a dance floor that you like, and I think there is a Karaoke room too (it's been yrs since i've been there so maybe i'm completely off, LOL...).
IF you're into museums, there's a good museum district. Other stuff further out like NASA, Galveston. House of Blues has many live venues. Tell us what interests you...
Check out www.houtondowntown.org for current events.
Welcome to our city!

[lifesprecious09]

awww thank yall soooo much, I really appreciate the feedback. I guess I will need to rent a car from the airport then. Thank Yall for the advice on that.

I will check into skybar and drink Houston, and will definitely check out the Galleria