About Town: Houston
By Ceri Mobley, PGATOUR.COM Associate Site Producer
MORE ON HOUSTON: K.J. Choi's favorite things about living in Houston | K.J. at home in Houston 
It's a good thing that everything's bigger in Texas because no other state could handle the sports explosion that will take place there over the next week. As the PGA TOUR descends upon Houston -- Texas' biggest city -- the NCAA Final Four will unfold in San Antonio and then the Houston Astros will burst into 2008 with their home opener at Minute Maid Park. If you're on your way to the Lone Star State for the Shell Houston Open, then get ready for some Texas-sized fun.
SOMEWHERE TO SNOOZE
Houston, we have no problems: This week's tournament will take place in Humble, Texas, (pronounced "umble"), which is northeast of the city of Houston. While the downtown area has as many hotels as the fourth-largest city in the country should, they are unfortunately a little bit of a drive from the course. For a fun downtown experience in one of the city's best hotels, choose the Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa. A four-and-half-star hotel, the Houstonian might be in the heart of H-town, but you won't know it if you stay there. Built on 18 acres of wooded gardens with outdoor pools and waterfalls, the Houstonian gives you an inner-city retreat while still providing access to downtown restaurants and entertainment. If you're lucky and traffic-free, the drive to the course will take about 35 minutes, but plan for 45 just in case. Rates start at $200 a night.
Other options:
• Another great Houston hotel is the four-star Magnolia, a historic building that has been modernized without losing that Texas personality. It's close to most of the downtown attractions, has a roof-top pool and is about a 30-minute drive to the tournament (again, allow for traffic). Rates start at $130 a night.
• If you don't care that much about the downtown scene and would rather be close to the event, then book a room at the Best Western Atascocita Inn and Suites. About 15 minutes away from Redstone Golf Course, this two-and-half-star hotel is close to the airport and starts around $90 a night.
SOMETHING TO SNACK ON
If Houston does nothing else for you, it'll send you home with a happy stomach. Because of its location, Houston's restaurants have authentic food from several regions. The state's proximity to and entangled history with Mexico has left an indelible mark on the food industry, while Houston's position in the eastern part of the state makes finding quality Cajun food almost as easy as it is in Louisiana. Of course, you can't forget that the University of Texas chose the Longhorn as its mascot for a reason: This place loves beef. Whether you want a perfectly seared steak or a barbecued brisket, Houston can curb your cravings.
• For the best of barbecue, go to Mo's BBQ in Humble. It's a hole-in-the-wall type place, but if you order the three-meat combo with brisket, turkey and chicken, you'll be pleased. They don't have a Web site, but you can learn more about the place here.
• If you want a famous Texas steak, make a reservation downtown at Vic and Anthony's. It's Longhorn-licious.
• You fell in love with Cajun food last week in New Orleans and now you want some more? Houston has a chain of Pappas restaurants that serve different genres of food, and Pappadeaux is Pappa's answer to Cajun cuisine. While there are a few mom 'n' pop places around the city that might serve it a little more authentically, Pappadeaux is easy to find and knows how to use those Creole spices.
• If you have read any of these articles before, you'll know I love Mexican food, and you might even know I love Taco Cabana. Hardly a fast-food restaurant (though it falls into that field), this Texas-born-and-raised, fresh-everything Mexican joint is one of the biggest reasons I would move back to Texas. Try it. Love it.
SOMETHING TO TELL YOUR FRIENDS ABOUT
While Houston has a traditionally Texas air to it, it's also a growing city with a downtown area that has undergone much renovation and modernization. So if you want conventional Lone Star State fun, you can find it, but if you'd rather experience the big-city bonuses, you can do that, too. Here's a little spattering of both to keep you busy:
• Houston Theatre District: Most visitors to this oil-money city don't realize that after New York and Los Angeles, Houston has the biggest theatre district in the country. The play schedule always has plenty to choose from, so pack your fancy outfits and don't forget to turn your ringer off ... theatre etiquette please.
• Old Town Spring: Just up I-45 from the downtown area, an old railway town has been converted into a quaint little village of unique shops and restaurants. Take some time to wander around Old Town Spring and sample some of the stores that range from jewelry and knickknacks to clocks of all sizes and even one store with an entirely German inventory. You can easily waste an afternoon here, and if you get hungry, try Puffabelly's Old Depot Restaurant for some down-home Southern cooking.
• Galleria Shopping: What else does a big city afford its guests and residents if not fabulous shopping? If you want to frighten your wallet into hibernation -- or just do some good old-fashioned window shopping -- make a mental appointment with the Galleria Shopping Mall in the downtown area. From Armani to Yves Saint Laurent, the Galleria has the A to Z (or at least Y) for hot shops.
• Kemah Boardwalk: Just southeast of Downtown Houston, you start to run into the coastal towns on the Gulf of Mexico, including Kemah. A kitschy but cute attraction, Kemah has rides, music, shopping, food, boat access and more to keep you occupied -- you could probably even find some cotton candy if you so desired.
STICKING AROUND?
While you might think Texas' size gives a tourist plenty of options for travel and entertainment, the fact that it takes 12 hours to drive from east to west and 14 hours to drive from north to south makes it a difficult state to explore in one weekend. However, Houston's in a perfect location for getting as much out of a short trip as possible.
• Final Four in San Antonio: It's the most wonderful time of the year -- March Madness -- and this year, the madness takes on San Antonio, home of the Alamo (and while we're on the topic of basketball, four-time NBA champions, the San Antonio Spurs). This year marks the first time in NCAA history that the final four has consisted of all four No. 1 seeds. It's only three hours from Houston -- don't you want to see how that plays out?
• Houston Astros Home Opener: Despite the basketball frenzy, baseball season is finally upon us, and the greatest team (in my opinion -- yes, let the mocking begin) not to win a World Series has its home opener the day after the Shell Houston Open ends. The 'Stros welcome the St. Louis Cardinals in what is one of my all-time favorite matchups because, in these games, the Astros usually come out on top. If that isn't a reason to stick around in Houston for an extra night, then I don't know what is.
Get the best deals on the best equipment all at the SHOP.PGATOUR.COM.
Whirlwind Golf Club
Spectacular sights, unmatched instruction and a world-class resort -- plan your trip today.
Take off to Lisbon
No European capital offers visitors more, and it has 23 accessible world-class courses.
PGATOUR.com is part of the Turner Sports and Entertainment Digital Network