Visiting Texas

Welcome to Texas. The state which is synonymous with Trump voters, guns, cowboys and a bit of the wild Wild West. It was my first time ever stepping out of George W Busch airport (IAH) and it was boiling hot. Two days to spend in the fourth largest city in the US so what to do?

The NASA experience

First and foremost my goal with the visit to Texas was to explore NASA Johnson center. I been to the space center in Florida 20+ years ago and I loved it. Can still remember the bus ride to the control room, seeing the ramp from where space shuttles takes off and the exhibitions. That was back then and security have changed so I expected a less openminded tour in Texas but no. Some things you needed to pre book weeks in advance like the training center (which I would have loved to visit but weeks ago I had zero plans visiting Texas) and also the control room tour. But I got to see the rockets as a special tour. And wow, they were huge.

The exhibition center was big and interesting also. But what fascinated me the most was a B747 which was used to fly space shuttles between the NASA bases. What a thing. Apart from regular museum items there were also movie theaters showing interesting short 30 minute movies. It was a place well worth the visit and 30 USD for entrance fee was well worth it. Could have paid the double.

Downtown Houston

Downtown Houston was my fear it would be nothing to write home about but it is. After office hours it was completely quiet but they made it good. What you probably don’t know is that under ground there is a network of tunnels connecting the whole city and skyscrapers. Perfect the 40+ degree warm days and when it is raining.

The city is home to several nice rooftop bars also, a baseball arena, soccer stadium where Copa America games soon will be played, huge convention center, the to be amazing Marriott hotel with a huge pool looking like Texas state map which I came to think about when I already had booked my stay at another hotel, a nice city park and loads of creative streetart.

And some nice places to eat. I had fantastic tacos one evening. Best outside Mexico.

The city is huge though and probably more things to explore but I feel no need to see every little piece everywhere I go so this was enough for me. Had a good time and enjoyed my days and can absolutely recommend a stop during a US roadtrip. Texas state has a lot to see and I would really also recommend a visit to San Antonio. That was really a gem. Have you any Texas must sees and does? you never been or never wanna go?

/ Pernilla traveling the US and A