Who's in/near Houston?

[grk2012]

The little dude and I are tagging along with DH on a work trip, like we do, sometime this month. We'll be around for the better part of two weeks. Let me know if you want to meet up for a run, lunch, or kid-play, and I'll let you know when the dates and location are finalized. Looking at hotels in The Woodlands (?) now.

[grk2012]

There's also a hotel we could use near Willowbrook. Any input on which area is better for a runner with a(n almost) 5-year-old?

[katinthehat]

hiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii! Stay up in The Woodlands, much more stuff to do with the little and for you.

Will you have access to a car when he's at work?

[texassmith]

Hi!! I'm always up for a meetup!

The Woodlands, for sure. It's about 45 minutes from town, but nicer and more stuff to do than around Willowbrook. We can help you figure out stuff to do. The zoo is awesome and katinthehat and I have both have memberships and can get yall in for free.

[grk2012]

Thanks! Woodlands it will likely be. We'll have a car if we take him to work, which we've done in many (most) places we've traveled w/him. What can you tell me about the space center? My son looooves rockets and space-related stuff.

[texassmith]

Jun 9, 2013 21:33:22 GMT -5 grk2012 said:

Thanks! Woodlands it will likely be. We'll have a car if we take him to work, which we've done in many (most) places we've traveled w/him. What can you tell me about the space center? My son looooves rockets and space-related stuff.

I haven't been in forever, but the Space Center is really fun. You'll be 1.5-2 hours from it in The Woodlands, but its probably worth the drive if he loves that kind of stuff and you need to fill your days anyway.

[runaways]

Definitely agree re: the Woodlands. I really like the Market Street area, but it's probably not going to be so appealing for a boy. I also think the museum of natural history is good. I used to love going to the butterfly pavilion there when I was younger and we came into town.

[texassmith]

Oh, and the Museum of Natural Science has free admission on Thursday afternoons (2-5). They have an awesome paleontology hall with lots of dinosaurs. We just went last Thursday and it really wasn't too crowded, although school is out now, so there may be more traffic for the rest of the summer. There are also plenty of free splash pads in The Woodlands. My cousin lives up there and has a 6 year old, so I can ask her about kid activities in the area if you want. I'm not super familiar with TW, but can give you a huge list of stuff to do in town if you want to drive in

[grk2012]

Jun 10, 2013 6:29:00 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Jun 9, 2013 21:33:22 GMT -5 grk2012 said:

Thanks! Woodlands it will likely be. We'll have a car if we take him to work, which we've done in many (most) places we've traveled w/him. What can you tell me about the space center? My son looooves rockets and space-related stuff.

I haven't been in forever, but the Space Center is really fun. You'll be 1.5-2 hours from it in The Woodlands, but its probably worth the drive if he loves that kind of stuff and you need to fill your days anyway.

Good to know. Thanks! I'd love some other kid activity suggestions if you don't mind. I just looked at the forecast and it's about 20-30* higher than we've been used to the last few weeks, so that should be...fun.  

[texassmith]

Jun 10, 2013 8:41:38 GMT -5 grk2012 said:

Jun 10, 2013 6:29:00 GMT -5 texassmith said:

I haven't been in forever, but the Space Center is really fun. You'll be 1.5-2 hours from it in The Woodlands, but its probably worth the drive if he loves that kind of stuff and you need to fill your days anyway.

Good to know. Thanks! I'd love some other kid activity suggestions if you don't mind. I just looked at the forecast and it's about 20-30* higher than we've been used to the last few weeks, so that should be...fun.  

Yeah...lots of stuff indoors. Or water stuff outside. The zoo has a little splash pad that's fun (although you'll have a tough time convincing my younger DD of that).

[grk2012]

Jun 10, 2013 8:49:50 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Jun 10, 2013 8:41:38 GMT -5 grk2012 said:

Good to know. Thanks! I'd love some other kid activity suggestions if you don't mind. I just looked at the forecast and it's about 20-30* higher than we've been used to the last few weeks, so that should be...fun.  

Yeah...lots of stuff indoors. Or water stuff outside. The zoo has a little splash pad that's fun (although you'll have a tough time convincing my younger DD of that).

DS looooves splash pads. We're also hoping our hotel will have a pool; I haven't looked yet. 

[texassmith]

Jun 10, 2013 8:52:12 GMT -5 grk2012 said:

Jun 10, 2013 8:49:50 GMT -5 texassmith said:

Yeah...lots of stuff indoors. Or water stuff outside. The zoo has a little splash pad that's fun (although you'll have a tough time convincing my younger DD of that).

DS looooves splash pads. We're also hoping our hotel will have a pool; I haven't looked yet. 

OK, I'm going to email my cousin now. I'm sure she'll have some suggestions!

[katinthehat]

everywhere has pools! it's a necessity!

and if you want to do the space center, it would be nice to make a weekend of it and book a stay overnight in Galveston on the "beach"

[grk2012]

Jun 10, 2013 9:02:18 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

everywhere has pools! it's a necessity!

and if you want to do the space center, it would be nice to make a weekend of it and book a stay overnight in Galveston on the "beach"

DH wanted to day-trip to Galveston anyway, and DS was asking about a beach. I'll look into this, thanks!

[katandkevin]

I live super close to the space center. It is ok, but has a huge playground in it which is awesome. The only downside to it is that it is insanely expensive for what it is. Check to see if you can find discount tickets.

[grk2012]

Jun 10, 2013 9:45:59 GMT -5 katandkevin said:

I live super close to the space center. It is ok, but has a huge playground in it which is awesome. The only downside to it is that it is insanely expensive for what it is. Check to see if you can find discount tickets.

Good to know, thanks!

[runaways]

Jun 10, 2013 9:46:50 GMT -5 grk2012 said:

Jun 10, 2013 9:45:59 GMT -5 katandkevin said:

I live super close to the space center. It is ok, but has a huge playground in it which is awesome. The only downside to it is that it is insanely expensive for what it is. Check to see if you can find discount tickets.

Good to know, thanks!

I think you can get tickets like half price or something online. We thought about going fairly recently because my sister wanted to but never got around to it.

[taffy]

Also, The Houston Arboretum at Memorial Park is fun if you like nature. It's free too!!

[runaways]

This just got posted on my FB feed. I don't have kids but maybe it will be helpful for you and anyone else here!

365thingsinhouston.com/2013/06/10/free-summer-activities-for-kids-in-houston-texas-summer-2013/

[katinthehat]

And I don't know if you're flying or not, but I've got a spare single Bob Ironman stroller that you can borrow while you're in town if you don't want to bother with packing up yours!

[runclt]

We live in The Woodlands because it was so perfect for running! lol

[texassmith]

grk2012 will you post or PM me your email address? I will forward you what my cousin sent me. Lots of good stuff up there

[grk2012]

Jun 10, 2013 14:32:16 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

And I don't know if you're flying or not, but I've got a spare single Bob Ironman stroller that you can borrow while you're in town if you don't want to bother with packing up yours!

YES we are! You rock! I was just looking into renting one from Baby's Away but if you are ok with lending yours, that would be AWEsome. This just made my night. I'll be in touch closer to our arrival.

[oliviapope]

The Houston Children's museum is great too.

[katinthehat]

Jun 10, 2013 21:24:12 GMT -5 grk2012 said:

Jun 10, 2013 14:32:16 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

And I don't know if you're flying or not, but I've got a spare single Bob Ironman stroller that you can borrow while you're in town if you don't want to bother with packing up yours!

YES we are! You rock! I was just looking into renting one from Baby's Away but if you are ok with lending yours, that would be AWEsome. This just made my night. I'll be in touch closer to our arrival.

i am serious!  my girls are in MDO three days a week this summer so I'm either running solo or with them both.  So the single is yours!

[grk2012]

Jun 12, 2013 10:57:31 GMT -5 katinthehat said:

Jun 10, 2013 21:24:12 GMT -5 grk2012 said:

YES we are! You rock! I was just looking into renting one from Baby's Away but if you are ok with lending yours, that would be AWEsome. This just made my night. I'll be in touch closer to our arrival.

i am serious!  my girls are in MDO three days a week this summer so I'm either running solo or with them both.  So the single is yours!

Awesome. We did end up with The Woodlands hotel; I'll send you a message and we can figure out how to get it. We'll have a rental car, just not sure what it is yet.