Houston Thanksgiving Trip

🌟Spent Thanksgiving in Houston visiting friends, and got a full dose of Texas’ unique vibe—worlds apart from Massachusetts! Vast lands, bold local culture, and mild winter weather make it the perfect winter getaway, with little details that reveal the city’s booming, unapologetically Texan character. 1. Mansions Everywhere – Affordable, Unique, and Sturdy Houston’s residential areas are dotted with stunning homes that feel luxe inside and out—and the prices are a shocker. A 3,000-square-foot lakeside mansion only costs around $700k, way cheaper than comparable homes in the Northeast. What’s even better? No cookie-cutter designs—each house has its own architectural flair and personality, from modern glass facades to classic ranch-style builds. The catch? Houses are packed close together (only 1-2 meters apart between neighbors), which locals say is a typhoon-resistant design choice. And unlike Massachusetts’ wooden homes, Houston’s houses are mostly brick—solid, durable, and built to handle the region’s weather. Another quirk: lawns are tiny (a nod to Texas’ drought-prone climate), a stark contrast to the sprawling green yards back in MA. 2. Abundant Sunlight, Zero Solar Panels – Oil’s Influence is Real Houston’s days are warm (20+°C even in late November) and sunny every single day—but you’ll barely spot a solar panel on any rooftop. It’s mind-boggling, especially when Massachusetts (where half the year is cold and gray) has solar panels on nearly every other house. The reason? Texas’ deep roots in oil and gas—petrochemical companies dominate the local economy, so solar energy takes a backseat. Even cars reflect this: electric vehicles are rare, and most folks drive gas-powered trucks or SUVs. The cherry on top? Gas is only $2+ per gallon—60 cents cheaper than in MA—making it easy to see why Texans stick to fossil fuels. 3. Free Fresh Fish – Catfish From Lake to Table in an Hour Fishing here is too easy—friends joked the lake fish are “dumb enough to bite empty hooks,” and they weren’t lying. We cast lines and reeled in catfish left and right, with zero effort. These catfish are a dream to cook: few bones, tender meat, no fishy aftertaste, and no scales (so cleaning them takes 5 minutes flat). The fastest turnaround? From pulling a fish out of the lake to serving it grilled on the table in one hour—the freshness was unbeatable, and we ate lake-caught dinners every night of the trip. 4. Garages = Man’s Cave – The Heart of Texan Social Life In Houston, garages aren’t just for parking cars—they’re full-blown entertainment hubs (locals call them “man’s caves”). Evening walks meant passing houses with garage doors wide open, revealing setups that felt like mini bars or game rooms: pool tables, big-screen TVs, comfy sofas, and even built-in bars. Some garages had four TVs streaming different sports games, with groups of friends cheering over beers while playing pool. Others had families huddled around a space heater, chatting and sipping coffee—cozy, casual, and totally Texan. 5. NASA’s Hometown – Patriotic Space Vibes Everywhere Houston is the birthplace of the Apollo moon landing, and the NASA energy is everywhere—from plane-themed murals downtown to rocket models in local shops. A trip to Space Center Houston felt like a masterclass in American space pride: exhibits showcase iconic rockets, moon rocks, and mission control rooms, with films that highlight the country’s pioneering aerospace tech. Some clips left us genuinely emotional, buzzing with excitement for humanity’s future in space. Pro tip: Don’t miss the Mission Tour—but book it 2-3 weeks in advance online (we learned the hard way and had to skip it!). #US #Texas #Houston