Starting from Houston

This guide includes route planning and parking tips — save it for your trip! We started in Houston, then headed to Austin, followed by San Antonio, and finally returned to Houston. 📍 Houston Highlights: Toyota Center, Water Wall, The Galleria Mall, Rice University, and NASA 🗺️ Route Overview These three cities form a triangle: Houston → Austin / San Antonio: ~3 hours Austin → San Antonio: ~1.5 hours Perfect for a relaxed, scenic road trip through Texas! 🍖 Day 1 in Houston — BBQ First! We took it easy and started with the most important meal: Texas BBQ! Restaurant: The Pit Room Must-order: Brisket & Beef Ribs — mouthwateringly tender! (Menu in Fig. 4) Parking: We visited the location in northwest Houston — easy parking right outside. 🏀 Toyota Center Home of the Houston Rockets — a must-visit for basketball fans, with tributes to Yao Ming’s legacy. Parking: Street parking available; free on Sundays! 💦 Water Wall Absolutely stunning — don’t miss it! Parking: Check Fig. 9 for nearby parking suggestions. 🛍️ The Galleria Mall Huge shopping destination with plenty of free, secure parking inside. 🏛️ Rice University Beautiful campus — worth a stroll! Parking: Campus parking can be tricky (lots of permit-only zones). We parked near the library on the street — seemed to work for others, and it was fine for us too. 🍜 Dinner — Day 1 Tried a great spot called Little Lamb House — cozy and delicious! 🚀 Day 2 — NASA Space Center Set aside a full day for this — it’s located southeast of downtown (~30+ minutes drive). We booked the Mission Control Combo Ticket (~$45/person). Mission Control Tour: Included in the combo Two Free Tours: Must be reserved same-day at the front desk — one includes the Saturn V Rocket (Fig. 17), which is absolutely awe-inspiring! Pro tip: Book the free tours as soon as you arrive — they fill up fast! ✅ Quick Summary Rent a car — essential for getting around Texas Pack comfy shoes & a camera Book NASA tours early Come hungry — the food is unforgettable! Enjoy your Texas adventure — everything’s bigger, brasher, and bolder here! 🤠🌮🚀 #US #Texas #Houston