Travelling to Houston, Texas - any advice welcome!

[albireo]

Dear all

I will be travelling to Houston TX end of the year for work.

It will be my second visit to the US (first time I was in Long Island + Manhattan) and it will be a pretty busy week, but I was hoping to escape a little if/when possible and make sure I get to know some of the highlights of the city.

I was hoping to have a film camera with me and some film - so of course my first question would be - assuming they have the new CT film scanners at George Bush airport (they do right?), is a hand check usually allowed in your experience?

Next it would be nice to know what to prioritise in my visit. Any recommendations on museums, exhibitions etc with a focus on photography, archeology, architecture and astronomy would be great.

I was of course planning to visit the Houston Space Center, but apart from that I haven't made any plans yet. I will be staying in downtown Houston.

I am planning on packing some very simple kit: either an SLR with a 40mm pancake and 5 rolls of Trix, or a Rolleicord with 5 rolls of HP5+. I might throw in a cable release and a Manfrotto mini tripod.

Any recommendations on things to see, and places to go for dinner or live music (would love to try local steak or BBQ places and I'm a big blues and jazz fan) greatly appreciated!

 

[jeffreyg]

There are very good museums and a private photography gallery but the name escapes me. The science museum is worth while and if you happen to be travelling with children the children’s museum is worth a visit. The zoo is first class. If you care for deli food Kenny and Ziggy’s is the place to go. It may sound strange but a trip to the Central Market supermarket is worth it. Since you plan on the Space Center stop at Bucees gas station and also consider the air museum near there. If the state fair happens to be on while you are there it can be worthwhile. There’s something for everyone so do some research and I’m sure others will add to the list.
Be sure to hand check film the last time I was there about a year ago my film got fogged although it could also have been from here in Miami as well.

 

[Nicholas Lindan]

For a restaurant, try Faud's on Westheimer. I confess, I haven't been there in quite a while.

 

[pentaxuser]

Don't we need our expert, Sirius, on this question?

pentaxuser

 

[Peter Schrager]

Catherine Couturier Gallery is a good one..shows good work

 

[jeffreyg]

Peter yes the Catherine Couturier Gallery is the name I forgot

 

[loccdor]

I've never been denied a hand-check in the USA. Sometimes you might wait an extra 30 minutes for it though so budget the time accordingly.

Try the hole-in-the-wall barbecue places. It's hard to go wrong with that.

 

[drkhalsa]

The Menil Collection is free of charge, closed Monday and Tuesday. The whole Menil neighborhood is a pleasant place to be and has other neighboring art collections, the Cy Twombly Gallery and the Drawing Institute. There is a water color gallery a block away from the Menil, too. The Rothko Chapel. There is a restaurant on the campus, too, Menil Bistro. The Museum of Fine Arts Houston is not far from there along with the Cullen Sculpture Garden across the street from MFAH.

It's a large, car oriented, city. There's tons of eating places to discover.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

There are an almost endless number of cultural, art, music, food, and sport activities you can do in Houston. (Well, not mountain climbing.) End of the year means, I hope, October, November, or December. The weather will be decent. I think Houston is a fascinating place for urban photography.

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2023/08/another-look-at-fifth-ward-houston-tx-12.html

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2023/07/another-look-at-tower-26-houston-tx-11.html

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2023/05/revisiting-wards-houston-tx-10.html

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2023/04/from-archives-washington-avenue-houston.html

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2023/04/downtown-houston-in-november-2022-tx-08.html

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2023/03/checking-out-commercial-houston-tx-04.html

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2023/03/wandering-fifth-and-third-wards-of.html

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2023/03/railroad-crossing-at-tower-26-houston.html

https://worldofdecay.blogspot.com/2014/04/resting-in-peace-old-city-cemetery.html


Beware that some parts of Houston are a bit rough, but just be careful of your surroundings.

Some more ideas:

1. Underground tour downtown
2. Port of Houston boat tour
3. Bicycle along the bayous and rail trails
4. Bridge over Buffalo Bayou where the bats emerge at dusk
5. Excellent restaurants in Rice Village
6. Extravagant architecture (and extravagant wealth) in Old Braeswood, River Oaks, and West University Place
7. Houston Center for Photography.

If you like Greek cuisine: Nico Nico's on Montrose Blvd.!!

Enjoy your visit.

 

[albireo]

Ah fantastic- I wish I could like all these posts , all noted+bookmarked thank you.

Sounds like I'll be using Uber heavily. I don't think I will go far by just walking based on google maps and distance suggestions. This city is absolutely huge and spread out!.

One question about film. I'm considering buying film once I get there to avoid messy checks at least on the way there, and also to avoid getting that Kodak film to travel to Europe only to then go back home

Are there any drug store chains selling those three packs Fuji or Gold or Ultramax boxes? Failing that, any good local shop still selling film?

Another option of course is to order from B&H and have them deliver to my hotel. Riskier though.

 

[loccdor]

Are there any drug store chains selling those three packs Fuji or Gold or Ultramax boxes? Failing that, any good local shop still selling film?

Walmarts often have them in larger cities. A year ago, the Walmart by my father in rural Appalachia only had instant film and disposable cameras, no 35mm by itself. You can check the Houston location through their website. A city as big as that will also have at least a couple of dedicated photography shops as well. Walgreens/CVS and other drug stores have stopped carrying it at most locations.

 

[Kodachromeguy]

Houston Camera Exchange at 5900 Richmond has film. But the location is plagued with awful traffic congestion. I suggest film delivery to your hotel from B&H or Adorama.