Quick Getaway Trip to Houston Texas

Hey Yall!  I'm back from another one of my traveling adventures, this time, my family I visited Texas on Valentine's Day weekend.



Last year for Valentine's Day, Mr. M and I went to Miami, but this year we wanted to do something different, go to a place people wouldn't think of to spend their Valentine's.  We thought about going to either New York or Chicago, but both of those places we didn't want to take the risk of being stuck in a snow storm, so Houston Texas was the clear winner.



We went to Houston during our road trip back in 2014, and we wanted to take a visit back but never had the chance.



And I want to let you all know a secret.....my family, and I have been in the talks about moving to Houston or Austin.  We feel that Texas would be a better option for us than staying in Georgia for the rest of our lives.  I moved to Georgia from California back in 2006, and Georgia is okay but hasn't felt like home, a place for us to grow old at, this may be the reason we're always traveling out of Georgia.  I don't have many friends here in Georgia or family.   I feel a bit lonely out here.



In Texas, I love peoples' southern hospitality, the food is incredible, great culture, a lot of things to do and see, better job opportunities, the cost of living is reasonable, a lot of well-known cities within driving distance from each other, the list can go on and on.   And it's true what they say, everything is bigger and better in Texas.



Even though Valentine's Day is about adults going out on romantic dates minus the kids, we took the girls to Texas with us.  I want them to experience Texas as well to see what their thoughts are about moving there.



Since this was a very short trip, we flew to Houston instead of driving.  I did a package deal on Priceline that included our flights and hotel.  But since it was a three-day holiday weekend and we did our booking kind of last minute we paid in total $1200 and some change.  Ouch!

And guess what airlines we were placed in?  You guessed it, the ghetto Spirit Airlines!!!  I hate their airlines, fees for this and fees for that.  Seating is super cramped and needs a wash down.



But we stayed in a beautiful hotel that we got to choose, the Hilton Americas.  Hilton is one of my favorite hotel brands, and I had a pleasure working with them in the past when we stayed in Orlando.



I have another complaint about Spirit airlines!!!!  When it comes to Spirit, it's better that you check-in online to avoid the $10 per person check-in fee when you check-in at the airport, and pay for your bags online to avoid paying additional fees, I did all that since I learned from my mistake last year.



I got to the Atlanta airport and the lady at the ticketing booth told me that my suitcase was overweight (over 50 lbs), and I had to pay another $25 for the weight fee.  Oh heck no my suitcase isn't overweight!  We are only traveling to Houston for a day and a half, that's just two outfits from all four of us.  But I had no time to argue before we miss our flight.   Spirit was almost 30 minutes late taking off to our destination.  I have no clue why the lateness.  Do they realize that people may have connecting flights they might miss due to Spirit's tardiness?  Spirit Airlines are the complete worst!  Oh, and it gets better, stay tuned.



I arrived at Houston's airport late, picked up our suitcase, and caught the shuttle to the rental car center.



If you remembered last year's post about my Miami trip, Hertz ran out of cars and had people waiting for hours stranded at the airport.  I complained on Twitter to Hertz, and they gave me a $50 off coupon for our next rental.



I wanted to use the coupon for this trip.  I went to Hertz and showed it to one of the attendants at the counter, and they told me that I had to give it to them when I return the car rental.  Now that doesn't sound right.  Then they said their credit card machine was down for updating, and I had to use their kiosks to speak to a live person to rent a car.



I went to the kiosk, and a girl came on the screen and already trying to upgrade me to an expensive SUV.  "No, give me what I reserved, a small SUV!"



Then she was trying to put me in yet another high priced SUV.  "Look, lady, I don't want it!  Give me what I reserved!"



Finally, she started working on putting me in what I wanted, and then I showed her my coupon.  She said she couldn't honor it because the people behind the counter have to apply it right away.  "But the people behind the counter is telling me I can't use my coupon until I return the vehicle," I said irritably.



I had one of the people behind the counter talk to her, and within minutes, her screen turned off.  I guess she told the attendant you better apply the coupon now our she's telling management.



The attendant used my $50 coupon towards my rental and got us in a small SUV just like I asked.  What happen to the credit card machine updating?  Were you just too lazy to help us?  Hertz, another company I don't like.  Avoid them!  Use Avis or Enterprise, they are the two best rental car companies I like to use when I travel when I don't have a review car dropped off to me.




We were off to our hotel to drop off our suitcase.

Hilton Americas is in downtown Houston, conveniently located next to George R. Brown Convention Center, and steps away from Discovery Green Park, Toyota Center, BBVA Compass Stadium, and Minute Maid Park.

The Hilton Americas was elegant with a touch of southern charm.  We stayed in the executive room located on the top floor overlooking downtown Houston.  When staying in the executive room, it includes one king-sized bed or two queen-sized beds, bathrobes, continental breakfast and evening hors d'oeuvres. Other room amenities include a seating area with a chair and an ottoman, a large work desk, a mini-refrigerator, complimentary WiFi, two phones with voice mail, an in-room safe, and a refreshment center with bottled water.

Our room to me seemed like a standard room with a contemporary design.  Our bathroom was larger than regular rooms, which is a plus for me.

We loved our beds, 250 thread sheets, plush pillows, weighted soft blankets for a relaxing and peaceful sleep.

To my surprise, when I turned on the tv the screen welcomed me, what an excellent gesture to acknowledge my visit.  I also liked that the tv in the room was a 48" Smart TV with all the channels.

We put our belongings down and went driving around looking for a place to have dinner.  Found a spot called Chuy's in the Midtown district and ate Tex-Mex.  Can't go to Texas without eating Tex-Mex!

Our meals were enormous, and we couldn't eat it all.  I'm telling ya', eating food in Texas will have you gaining weight fast, I can eat on my meal for days!

We took to-go boxes and headed back to the hotel to go to bed.



2/14

We woke up early and grab a bite to eat at the Executive's Lounge.  The food wasn't much, just oatmeal, eggs, pastries, and yogurt with juices and coffee.   But what I like about this lounge is the impressive views of all of downtown Houston.

After breakfast, my family and I went to NASA Space Center.  Fun and educational place my whole family and I enjoyed.  A lot of hands on stuff inside, learning about space, and about astronauts the way they live, eat, clean, and their missions.  Just so much to absorb and take all in.  The Space Center is a place you need to go several times to experience everything.

The highlight of the Space Center was walking into a real space shuttle; we got a feel for how astronauts worked and lived in space.

If you're ever in Houston, make sure to visit the Space Center, on Fridays you can meet astronauts in-person.

We heard there was a beach in Galveston about 45 minutes away, so we took a trip there.

Pleasure Pier at Galveston Island is filled with stores and carnival rides.  We didn't go on the pier since just to walk the pier cost money and the girls didn't want to go on any rides, and that cost too.  So we just opted to drive up and down the coast to site-see.



We saw people riding four-seater bikes, children flying kites, couples holding hands along the beach, restaurants packed with people, and cruise ships were sailing off.

Next we drove to another pier that was about 30 minutes away called Kemah Boardwalk.  A much better Boardwalk with a lot of things to do, plus walking inside was free.  A lot of different carnival rides, restaurants, boat rides, bands playing, shops, even a hotel overlooking the pier and water.

We walked around, people watched, and the girls enjoyed their Dippin Dots ice cream.

We had our Valentine's Day dinner at Saltgrass Steakhouse; it was recommended to us by one of the locals.

The food was good, but my steak sandwich had a bit too much sauce on it.  I couldn't eat it all.  The girls loved their steaks and Mr. M said his steak would've been good without the butter on top.



After dinner, we were so tired and called it a night.




2/15

Time for us to pack our belongings and go to the airport, but first we need breakfast, some real breakfast, not at the Executive's Lounge.

Mr. M did a Google search and seen high ratings for the breakfast klub, located in Midtown Houston.  The line was out the door, and I was telling Mr. M that we may miss our flight waiting in line.  The lady monitoring the line and passing out menus told us to get out the car and get in line, the line goes fast.  She was right, the line was fast, and the lady was filled with great personality.  We told her we had a plane to catch, and she made sure to let the employees know we were in a hurry.

The wait was well worth it!   The best southern breakfast cafe I've ever eaten!  No wonder the breakfast klub has been recognized as one of the “best breakfast restaurants in the nation” by Good Morning America, USA Today, Esquire and Forbes Magazines.  With their signature dishes, grits & wings, and wings & waffles, it gives Glady's Knight Chicken and Waffles restaurant a run for their money.



Our bellies are happy and full, time to go to the airport.  We checked in our bag and guess what, it wasn't overweight, just 38 lbs, the lady from Spirit in Atlanta lied to us!   I complained to the Spirit ticketing lady in Houston, and she refunded my $25.



Spirit Airlines are a bunch of crooks, avoid them if you can, they rip people off!

What are your thoughts about my family and I thinking of moving to Texas, should we do it?

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