Seven Days in Texas

Day : Mar 26 – April 2 2011

This Spring break, our family had a chance to visit some cities in Texas: Houston, Austin and San Antonio. We found that we missed Rodeo Show and Water Fun Park, which was not in the season. It did not mean that we only stay at the hotel and sit in front of our laptop or iPad!

From our experience from this trip, the following would be the guideline for new visitors in Texas to explore:

a) Houston:

If you spend more than one day, then you would be better off buying the Houston City Pass. You can search and find it in Google over the internet.

One would save & enjoy, while stay in Houston. You can also find it in the brochure in local hotel, where you stay.

The Houston City Pass include:

• Space Center Houston

We have experience that there were security check point, when you went to NASA Tram Tour.

• Downtown Aquarium

It was amazing to see the “BIG” fish than other Aquarium in the world.

• Houston Museum of Natural Science

• Houston Zoo

• The Health Museum

• Museum of Fine Arts, Houston

• The Children’s Museum of Houston :

Our kids learn & had much fun with their activities and spent more than half day there.

b) Austin:

• Austin Zoo

• Tour Austin and the Hill Country in 90 Minutes:

This tour will take you to see overall the city of Austin. It is not a hop on & off tour.

There is not much chance to see closely and take the photos; just sit & relax in the van.

• The Texas Capital Building

In this place you will see security officers around it, but you are allowed to go inside and take the photos.

• Bob Bullock Texas State History Museum

• Drive the car around Hill Country

We rented a car and drove around the hill country. We found that all the parks in Austin city, people who has dogs,go to the park and let their dogs to swim in the river.

• Sunset Bat Watching

It is romantic place. When we went there the weather was in a good condition, breezing. We enjoyed sunset viewing from the river side.
The highlight was when the boat sailing under the bridge, and waited to see the group of bats (thousands and thousands) came out as a stream.

c) San Antonio:

The Alamo Grand Trolley: It is hop-on & hop-off tour. The place you will visit,

• The Alamo

• River Walk, San Antonio River

• Tower of the America’s
• Hemispheric Park – Institute of Texas Cultures
• Mission San Jose
• Mission Concepcion
• King William Historic District
• Market Square
• San Fernando Cathedral

• Spanish Governor’s Palace
• La Villita

Local Restaurant & Food:

We have a chance to taste local food in Texas. Here were Garuna’s favorites:

• Pappasito’s Cantina

• Pappadeaux Seafood Kitchen

• Stuff’s Bar B Q

Shopping:

You will spend time all day here. : Round Rock Premium Outlets

It is a new experience that there is romantic place & nature and high mountain along with the historic places of Texas.

In addition, the major River & Lake–Lady Birth Lake, where people go boating and have water activity such as fishing, canoe, kayak etc.