Web Extra: Houston Kids Getaway

Planning a Houston with Kids Getaway

My husband and I enjoy exploring different Texas destinations with our son and daughter-in-law and two grandsons. We usually plan at least one of these multigenerational getaways a year. Some general tips: We plan the trips so that arrival and departure do not fall in the middle of rush-hour traffic. Traveling with kids, we have learned to balance the types of events (only one museum a day, for example), to include some down time, and to make use of hotel swimming pools.

For our Houston visit, we opted for two one-night trips, centering one around the Space Center and Kemah Boardwalk, and the other around the Museum District (which also is near Hermann Park and the Houston Zoo.) We obtained discount tickets for some attractions online.

Where to Stay

A museum employee recommended we stay at Hotel ZaZa, and while I have been a happy guest there, it is too “boutique” for my little grandsons. My son chose Embassy Suites (2911 Sage Rd.), near the Galleria shopping area. Our $119 package included a complimentary full breakfast and happy hour, live swans in the lobby, a pool, and a hot tub. Call 713-626-5444; www.embassysuites.com.

The 52-room Boardwalk Inn at Kemah Boardwalk is 10 minutes away from the Space Center. We found a $109 online off-season deal. Call 281/334-9880; www.kemah.com.

Where to Eat

Pappas in Houston has a variety of restaurants, but for family outings, we can’t pass up the peppercorn ranch burger at Pappas Burger (5815 Westheimer Rd.). The $10 burger is so big that my husband and I usually split it. Call 713/975-6082.

James Coney Island, with 21 locations in the Houston area, is another local favorite. Its hotdog menu has expanded from The Original (mustard, chili sauce, and onions) to about nine different kinds of hotdogs, plus burgers. One of its locations (5745 Westheimer Rd.) is less than a block from Pappas Burger. Call 713/785-9333; www.jamesconeyisland.com.

GPS note: The address of the Johnson Space Center is 1601 NASA Parkway, but the GPS devices in both of our cars got confused on this road.

See the full article in the April 2010 issue.

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