The Best of Houston, Texas

January 27th, 2012


With over 2 million people living here making it the largest city in Texas, Houston is very diverse and this is clearly reflected in the myriad of interesting things to see and do. There’s so much to do in fact that if you are coming to Houston for your holiday, you might find that you quickly run out of time. Here’s our top pick of attractions, restaurants, shopping and nightlife to ensure you get the best from your holiday in Houston.

Attractions

The Johnson Space Centre is the best of the rest and a truly unique attraction. This mammoth centre spans 1,620 acres and is the home of the NASA astronaut corps. Visitors to the centre can touch real moon rocks, see behind the scenes on the NASA Tram Tour, experience a zero gravity environment in the Living in Space exhibit and even experience a virtual rocket launch in the theatre plus much more. Everyone has a secret fascination with space and astronauts and what better way to uncover it than with a visit to the space centre; it will be sure to make your visit memorable.

Get an insight into the history of Texas with a visit to the George Ranch Historical Park. This 480 acre living-history park offers hands on experiences and costumed historical interpreters. Book up for an authentic meal to really complete the experience!

When it comes to museums, Houston doesn’t disappoint with two of the best including the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the John P McGoven Museum of Health & Medical Science. Both offer fascinating, fun and education exhibits and displays with hands on attractions too. The Science Museum even has an in-house IMAX theatre.

Restaurants and Nightlife

Bayou Place is widely regarded as the best place for both eateries and evening entertainment. Contained within one large complex in the heart of downtown’s Theatre District, Bayou Place offers a huge selection of restaurants such as the excellent Sambra Grille and the obligatory Hard Rock Café, not to mention the Blue Fish which is rated as one of the best sushi bars. Verizon Wireless Theatre has music of all styles covered whereas Sundance Cinemas delivers the very best in film.

Kemah Boardwalk is a similar type of establishment located on the waterfront, however it combines restaurants with a larger array of entertainment including fairground rides. Kemah Boardwalk is therefore a great choice for families.

Shopping

When it comes to retail therapy, the best regarded areas include the Galleria, Houston Heights and Westheimer and Dunlavy. Westheimer offers a range of big name brands whereas Galleria and Houston Heights offer a more sophisticated and upmarket approach.

Old Town Spring shopping village offers a different retail experience and boasts a huge selection of 1900’s Victorian style shops combined with restaurants, museums and art galleries. It certainly makes for an alternative approach to shopping but no less enjoyable by any means.

The Montrose Neighbourhood one the other hand is a vintage shoppers dream with its antique mall and live music venues. The tree lined boulevards make this area particularly pedestrian friendly and is highly enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.

What do you think are the best things to see and do in Houston? Share your thoughts!

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Get Off the Beaten Track in Los Angeles

January 26th, 2012

One of the most travelled to cities in the world and the home of both A-list celebrities and wannabe actors and actresses, Los Angeles holds certain connotations. With the likes of the Walk of Fame, Venice Beach and window shopping on Rodeo Drive featuring highly on most tourist’s itineraries, you might think you have LA all figured out. There is a surprising side to LA however so read on and get taken off the beaten tourist track in Los Angeles…

The Hollywood sign is an iconic symbol of LA so it seems odd to begin this post with mention of it; you’d think it would be swamped with visitors and hardly regarded as off the beaten track. The thing is though, most people only ever get a snapshot of themselves in front of the sign; very few ever actually reach it. Don’t believe us? Don your climbing gear, get started on the strenuous hike up the hill and you’ll see why few make it! If you have an active side to you, this climb is highly recommended.The panoramic views over the sprawling urban patchwork beneath you are second to none and the memories will be so much better than any photo with the sign in the background.

A huge appeal of Los Angeles is of course its connections with the film and television industry. Most never venture beyond Universal Studios however. Why not make your visit a bit more individual and head to Burbank instead? Here you will find five major production studios including the likes of NBC Television, Sony and Warner Brothers.Come to one of these and you’ll have a much higher chance of seeing some live filming than if you follow the masses and stick to Universal. In terms of watching movies, a unique experience would consist of a visit to the Silent Movie Theatre. There aren’t many around so relish the opportunity whilst you can.

Steer clear of the multitude of fancy shopping malls and instead take a trip to the original Los Angeles Farmers Market. Often overlooked by visitors, the idea of a farmers market in this fast paced city seems almost out of place but it will make for an individual twist to your visit. Head to the Miracle Mile area at the intersection of 3rd Street and Fairfax and you will find the market brimming with the colours of fresh fruit and veg, meat, nuts and sweet and gifts. There are also some great little restaurants to be found.

Spend some time visiting the selection of quirky museums around the city too. Rather than going straight to the Getty Museum or the Hollywood History Museum why not spend a few hours perusing some of the different options. For starters, try the Museum of Jurassic Technology in Venice Beach, regarded as the most unusual of the lot and providing a hands-on experience of life in the Jurassic. The Museum of Tolerance on the other hand is a very different type of museum focusing on the problems in society with regards to racism around the world. Another completely different option to consider is a walking tour of the many fantastic murals painted around the city. There are more than 1,000 so you won’t get to see them all but it’s certainly worth some of your time.

Like every big city, Los Angeles is known for particular things however there is a lot more to be discovered. Get off the beaten tourist track, open your eyes during your visit and you might just enjoy a whole different side to Los Angeles.

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5 Tips for Surviving Las Vegas

January 25th, 2012

Las Vegas is unanimously known as the entertainment capital of the world. With an endless supply of gambling, shopping, and fine dining there is no chance of boredom during a trip here. Sights and sounds engulf your senses and the whole experience can be quite overwhelming, in a good way of course! It’s all too easy to get wrapped up in the excitement, so here are five tips for surviving Las Vegas!

• Give serious gambling a wide berth unless you really know what you’re doing. We hate to sound like a killjoy, but you can easily blow your whole trip’s budget in just a few hours and that would really kill the joy! Stick to the slot machines and watch everyone else lose their cash at the blackjack and roulette tables. If you do want to give it a go, make sure you know your limits!

• Everyone knows that tipping is customary in the USA, but Vegas is pretty much tipping Kingdom so be ready to tip like you have never tipped before. Nearly all bartenders, casino dealers, slot machine attendants, hotel maids and waiters rely heavily on tips. If you don’t, you certainly won’t be in anyone’s good books and you should only expect poor service!

• Avoid the cheapest buffet in town – if it sounds too good to be true then it probably is, particularly when it comes to the quality of the food. Some excellent restaurants can be found in Las Vegas so make sure you choose right and don’t get sucked into the “Full Las Vegas Buffet for $10!” lines!

• Watch out for extra fees! Simple services such as ATM’s can be really expensive in Vegas. Avoid using the ATMs machines in the casinos at all costs. They can charge between $2 and $6 for the pleasure of getting your money, plus your bank back home is likely to add on additional fees. Be smart and head to a machine off of the Strip before you get started on the days entertainment. Equally however, be smart and ensure you don’t have a pocket full of money. Another cash saving tip to take note of is to avoid logging on to the internet in your hotel room. The cost of your hotel room may fool you into thinking it’s provided for free but in actual fact you can be charged as much as $12 for just a short period!

• Don’t expect to travel anywhere quickly along the Strip. Although it’s just one road, it can get clogged very easily at rush hour with both human traffic and vehicular. A normal bus is known to take almost two hours to travel from one end of the Strip to the other! Also, if you have arranged Las Vegas car rental, drive east or west of the Strip to buy fuel; it will save you a fortune!

Any visit to Las Vegas will be a whirlwind of lights and excitement but you might find these tips come in handy! Have you been to Las Vegas and have any tips of your own?

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8 Reasons to Visit San Francisco

January 24th, 2012

If you’ve ever considered a holiday to the USA, the first places that sprung to mind were probably New York, Los Angeles, Orlando and maybe even San Diego, but perhaps not San Francisco and that’s a shame.

By no means is San Francisco a bad place to go; in fact very much the opposite but a lot of people don’t really know anything about it. It’s most definitely a city worth considering, so here are 8 reasons to visit San Francisco.

1. It wouldn’t be right to start this list without stating the obvious. It’s a beautiful city and many who visit here quite simply fall in love with San Francisco. Located at the tip of a peninsular between the Bay and the Pacific Ocean and built on 43 hills, the views here are simply stunning.

2. The Golden Gate Bridge aptly follows as the second reason to visit. Perhaps the best known icon of the city with its huge towers and sweeping cables, it is acclaimed as one of the world’s most beautiful bridges. Consider hiring a bicycle to travel the length of it and when you’re cycling along with the wind in your hair, surrounded by stunning views, you won’t regret it! It’s the best way to experience the Golden Gate Bridge. For the best views of the bridge, head to Cavallo Point.

3. San Francisco is a culture and art lover’s dream and is renowned for its artsy feel. There is a huge selection of museums and art galleries to choose from, each of which will deliver an enjoyable afternoon. The nightlife doesn’t disappoint either with indie rock, latin music, jazz, blues or swing found all over the city, ensuring each and every taste is catered for.

4. With over 30 different neighbourhoods, San Francisco is nothing if not diverse. Spend hours exploring the perfectly unique neighbourhoods from ‘The Mission’ with its Mexican Taquerias to the gay district ‘Castro’. Each has a different feel and during your explorations you will see the biggest China Town in the world along with ‘Pacific Heights’ which is filled with luxurious mansions. Each district adds a different flavour to San Francisco yet each exist wonderfully together.


5. The mention of Mexican Taqueiras brings us nicely on the subject of food and food lovers will simply be in heaven here. In fact, there are at least 4,500 restaurants in a 7 square mile area. Whatever your favourite food, you will be aptly catered for, with countless options so you can try something new! What are you waiting for?

6. There are plenty of other attractions to visit and the infamous Alcatraz tops the list. Hop on the ferry to Alcatraz Island and take the tour. Once home to some of America’s most notorious criminals, the 104 year long history is certainly controversial but a visit here is nothing short of fascinating. Aside from the prison, the island is now home to rare flora and fauna.

7. Ride one of the iconic city cable cars. They’re great and provide a relatively cheap way to get about the city and quite frankly they are a mandatory part of the San Francisco experience. There are three different lines with the most popular being between Powell and Hyde Street. The cable cars are the oldest and longest running of its kind and make San Francisco all the more special.

8. Another allure to San Francisco is its proximity to natural beauty spots. The stunning Yosemite National Park is one of the best that America has to offer and it’s less than 3 hours away. Escape the city for a while and drink in the sights of the Yosemite Waterfall, Redwood forests and beautiful flora and fauna.

Have you ever holidayed in San Francisco or plan to go? What were your reasons for visiting?

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7 Different Things to Do in and Around Orlando

January 23rd, 2012

Orlando and Walt Disney go hand in hand and we’re led to believe that a holiday here must solely focus around the vast selection of theme parks. There’s no denying that plenty of fun can be had at each and every one, but don’t forget that there are hoards of other equally enjoyable things on offer to keep you occupied. Check out of some of our suggestions to get out of Disney!

Tipped as the only attraction where humans are kept caged and the animals run free, Monkey Jungle does pretty much what it says on the tin. Over 400 primates from 30 different species take charge of the park which spans over 30 acres. This is one of few protected habitats for endangered primates in the country and allows the monkeys to live as they would in the wild. They’re also fed at various times through the day which makes for a great sight! You’re free to explore the park as you please and it’s highly enjoyable, whether you have your own little monkeys or not!

Anyone remotely interested in the story of the Titanic should spend a day at the Titanic Experience. This mammoth interactive museum spans over 20,000sq ft. and is a lifelike replica of the real thing. Embark on a unique guided tour with actors dressed in period costumes to really complete this unmissable experience.

Take over the cockpit controls at Kissimmee Air Museum. Located on the outskirts of Orlando, it’s an air museum like no other. The aircrafts here are left un-roped, allowing you get up close and interact with aviation. View the educational exhibits, aircraft restoration and even partake in exciting training flights in WWII fighter-trainers! Not simulators, the real thing! Where else can you experience that?

For a bit of peace and serenity amongst all the hustle and bustle, Bok Tower Gardens is perfect. Voted the best gardens in Florida, these stunning landscaped gardens provide a wonderful setting for a walk. You can also see the 205ft high Singing Tower which is housed within the gardens as well as the historic Pinewood Estate. Enter the Mediterranean style mansion which dates to the 1930s for a guided tour.

Enjoy both a hands on and educational trip at the Orlando Science Centre. Covering four floors, the centre inspires the curious cats among us and is jam packed with things to see and do. Exhibits, movies displayed on giant screens and engaging live programming are just some of the things you can expect from a visit here. 2012 will even see a temporary Star Wars exhibition to complete the exciting range of permanent displays!

The Ancient Spanish Monastery is a rather unexpected treat, but worth visiting, regardless of your religious beliefs. Built in Spain in the 10th century, the monastery was dismantled and shipped to the US in 1925 thanks to a hefty sum paid by a newspaper tycoon, William Randolph Hearst. He suffered money problems however and the stones were sold at auction and were left in Brooklyn warehouse for 26 years. They were then bought for use as a tourist attraction and $1.5 million dollars later, this impressive building was reconstructed! Enjoy a guided tour, explore the onsite museum and relish your temporary escape from the fast paced world outside the gates.

The Everglades swallow a large proportion of the state of Florida and hundreds of alligators have made it their home. So, what better way to get up close and personal than with a thrilling Air Boat Ride through the swampy pastures? Get an insight into the non-commercialised, natural areas of Florida that are so easily forgotten and see some fascinating creatures in their natural habitats. Soak up the fantastic scenery and enjoy this unforgettable experience!

Have you been to any of these attractions? What are your suggestions for things to do in Florida without going to Disney?

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