Sam Houston Boat Tour — Local services in Houston

This is an informative and fun tour and what's more it won't cost you anything which is pretty amazing since the city of Houston is involved!

I went with 7 friends, you enter at Gate 8 off of Clinton Drive, just tell the security guard you are there for the tour. There is a nice plaza to wait at right next to the boats. The parking lot is safe; let's face it, the only folks getting in have to pass security!

A bit before 10 am one of the employees came out to check everyone in and handed out bottles of cold water which was great as it was almost 90 degrees outside in full sunlight. We boarded and were asked to sit inside while they got underway. One of the shipmates gave a safety talk and then we were free to go outside. The boat moves along at a pretty good pace, every now and then it slows for tug boat traffic. You get to see the industries that are along the ship channel. There are lots of big ships and also small ones. Some are loading or unloading, others are being repaired or a clean coat of paint.

The shipmates serve coffee for the adults on the way and after turning around after about 45 minutes they offer cold water and soft drinks. There are so many photo opportunities so take lots of pictures. You are asked to go inside while they secure to the dock, the air conditioning feels great. Then you are on your way. The entire crew was so nice, they were helpful and friendly and could answer questions.

Please, if you plan to take children, keep them under control. While not dangerous, there are things to watch for so you don't trip and the doors for the cabin are very heavy and hard to open and shut quickly so a child could easily get hurt.

I took a mix of infrared and visible...

Free! That is what you should know upfront. The entire experience is free. I am always interested in different aspects of the areas I visit and thought this would be an interesting way to spend an afternoon.

Everyone associated with the Sam Houston Boat Tour was exceptionally nice and knowledgeable. The boat was clean and comfortable, including the restrooms located on the lower deck. The inside cabin area was well air conditioned for those who needed out of the warm afternoon sun.

We boarded on time, and after a brief safety talk, were allowed to move around the boat. We chose the position ourselves at the front of the boat (Titanic style) and then moved a bit away so others could recreate the scene. This was the best place to view the surroundings, which are heavy industrial. There were a lot of different ships at port and some where unloading, loading, hanging out and we were able to watch one get tugged into the Bayou.

The boat ride comes with free coffee and water or soda on the return. Like I said - free!

Really, the only negative was that the sound system for the audio portion of the tour was not working. We heard snippets, but not all of the information. That, for me, was unfortunate. I was looking forward to learning a bit more about the history, etc. We did make up our own soundtrack, and while entertaining, was not historically accurate.

Overall, it was worth the trip and I will probably do it again the next time I am in Houston to hear the...

I assume that not many people are aware of this free tour of the Port. I coincidentally learned about it through a Houston Public Media documentary on the history of the port. It's an enjoyable experience for anyone in the family.

The tour takes an hour to navigate and viewers are allowed on the deck to catch a breeze and witness the daily operations that are instrumental to Houston's economic activity. From petroleum refineries to car imports, the port contains a wide variety of industrial services and consumer goods. With that being said, expect to experience various odors as you sail passed these companies.

The boat accomodates what seemed to be approximately 30 people with the ability to seat about 20. The staff is very friendly, informative and welcoming. They even offer a free beverage while on the tour. There is a restroom on deck for those who may need one and they do allow photos and videos. Large bags are not allowed on the boat. Refer to the website for more details regarding restrictions.

If planning to use public transportation to the site, just know that you will be required to have a vehicle escort you from the gate to the tour site. They don't allow visitors to freely...