Houston is a traditionally working-class city. For all the talk of "Houston Proud", it doesn't have much of a defining culture. For the most part, people are here to work a job and live their life.
That said, it has certain obvious characteristics. It's hot and humid in the summer. It's flat. It has virtually no respect for historic architecture; at a couple of points in its history, every single city council seat was occupied by someone in the real estate/development business. Certain parts of the city aren't what I'd call reassuringly safe. The homeless problem is worse than it should be but not nearly as bad as some other places.
But those things are true about almost all big cities.
And just like all big cities, it has things about it that are wonderful. Within easy access from a central hotel you can find the med center, the zoo, a couple of big parks, the museum district, major sports venues, concert halls, varied nightlife, plenty of things to see and do. The key to being a tourist in the city is researching how to use the rail system in advance. If your hotel is on a train station, just the things within walking distance from a rail stop are more than enough to fill a long vacation. That includes the park where the Astros play that's about a 3-block walk from the nearest station.
Rent a car or bring your own and you have NASA, amazing shopping, many unique small neighborhoods, more cultural oddities than you shake a stick at, and more.
The food scene, by itself, would need a huge article to just scratch the surface.
Houston is what you make of it. It doesn't have big, iconic things (other than NASA) that are recognized world-wide as must-see attractions. There's no Statue of Liberty equivalent. I don't think that's a big downside.
In sum, for the people who believe all big cities are cancer and would never go near one it is, of course, a hell-hole. But for the people who don't possess that prejudice, can keep some common sense in their head, and are willing to do a little research before visiting, it's a great place with many wonderful constituent parts that reward the curious.
Ben summed it up well. The weather is superb right now so it is definitely a good time to visit.
Drivers here are aggressive and insane so if you drive here, do so defensively. Having driven in all of the major cities in California, I can say that it's worse here. If someone wants in another lane, they're coming over so you better just make room for them. Red light running is a sport here. LA and Bay Area drivers are sedate in comparison.
If you want a certain type of cuisine, you can probably find it. Take a drive down Chimney Rock to see million dollar homes nestled next to convenience stores and strip malls.
Downtown itself isn't necessarily a top destination IMO. East Downtown (EaDo) is up and coming. There are several breweries in that area if that is you thing, including 8th Wonder.
Unless you want to stay right around where you are staying, plan on driving or taking Uber/Lyft.
There's a ton more information on the Houston subreddit and is a good place to find things to do. www.houstononthecheap.com has a bunch of cheap things also.
Edit: Also, if you're out here before the end of the year, you can still go see Battleship Texas and the San Jacinto (prounounced Jaw-sinto by the locals) monument. You can't actually go on the Battleship as they've closed it for repairs but it's still there.
The Lonestar Flight Museum at Ellington Field is worth seeing too.
Guys, remember this is a Californian - you need to do some translations for him.
"Million dollar home" to a CA res is equiv. to ~150k home in Houston after all.
Not much of a city guy, but the best cities I've ever been to have been Nashville, TN and Montgomery, AL. So I think Texas has to have at least one good big city, hoping Houston is that one.
I might just take an Uber. And was thinking about getting an Air bnb. Wouldn't mind a decent hotel though.
Btw, anyone know the best BBQ in Houston?
Are you trying to start an argument?Btw, anyone know the best BBQ in Houston?
Houston is probably the worst city in Texas.
Are you trying to start an argument?
No love for the light rail?Unless you want to stay right around where you are staying, plan on driving or taking Uber/Lyft.
Uber is going to be hella expensive - Houston is BIG. "Across town" can be 50 miles, since 'town' extends to the whole metro area.I might just take an Uber. And was thinking about getting an Air bnb. Wouldn't mind a decent hotel though.
Btw, anyone know the best BBQ in Houston?
No love for the light rail?
Racism and intolerance may exist, but you pretty much have to want to find it.