Visiting the Houston area... questions

When Bucee's is the highlight, Fly. Rent a car. You can bypass the tolls by staying on the frontage roads and it isn't too terrible. Driving in Houston is Meh. Do it in a rental.
If you go down I-25 to Raton and over, you can check out Capulin Volcano but refuel in Raton as their ain't crap until Amarillo.

 

Mt. Capulin is so cool. My parents have a place in Angel Fire, used to stop by Mt. Capulin alot when I was younger.

 

Fly. I love to drive but there ain’t much to see between the panhandle and Houston. I did the Grand Canyon to Houston drive in March and the last 10 hours from Amarillo to home were hell.

For BBQ, I like Roegel’s BBQ on Monday and Thursday for his smoked pastrami briskets. And his boudain is damn good, too. Pinkertons, Truth, and Corkscrew (in Spring) are all excellent as well. Get the brisket at all these places.

As others have said, Uchi is the spot for sushi. For steaks, I like Pappas Bros. B&B steakhouse is good, too. None of these are cheap.

Tex Mex is a must down here. I like El Tiempo and Goode Cantina (right across the highway from me and it shows on my waistline).

For some interesting food, try anything in the Underbelly family (Chris Shepard is the chef). The Korean goat dumplings at Hay Merchant are really damn good.

We aren’t really known for tourist hotspots but NASA is a must. Getting down to the coast can be fun too. Getting out on some fish is even better.

 

I just drove all through east Texas, and quite enjoyed it compared to AZ scenery!

 

Just looking at the less expensive ones on Turo. There is a new Supra in there, and I dig that car. Kinda don't wanna drive it as much as I do, because I am afraid I'll want one. I miss my WRX and just wanna get some time in a quicker car for a few days. I'd love to try out one of the Corvettes, but they are stupid expensive to rent on Turo.

 

https://youtu.be/ybZmYvaqwEg

 

So many good suggestions. Thank you all for your input! I should clarify a few things based on the info that I've been given.

• I enjoy both flying and driving, so it's a wash in that aspect.

• I don't drink, so breweries and booze based activities are wasted on me. Though I do know some breweries have killer food as well.

• The way my schedule at work goes, I will be using 80 hours of vacation time and that will get me the 11th of November through the first of December off. I don't intend to spend all of this time in TX as I still have other obligations at home, but it does give me flexibility.

• Flying - A quick bit of searching flights would make a flight out on the 11th and returning on the 18th or 19th the most cost effective. Plenty of time for a family visit, and the rental can be done for the whole time, or just a few days as budget allows. I will not fly with my dog, so not having her along for the trip is the only major downside to flying.

• Driving - Departing the 11th or 12th would be ideal, and I would be able to take my dog with me. This would take a minimum of two days each direction as I have no intention of driving while tired. That's just stupid.

• Best case scenario: If I can average 15 MPG at $2.50 per gallon then then the flight will save enough money to justify a 2-4 day rental car without an increased cost over driving. That is without counting hotel stays. If the average MPG drops or fuel price goes up, then the amount spent on a rental without costing more than the drive would increase. Adding in a minimum of 2 hotel stays with pet charges for the round trip and that bumps it to being a 4-7 day rental with no increase in cost over driving. Cost seems to be a wash, but I could skimp on the rental and come in a bit cheaper if I were to fly, where as driving down has no real options for reducing cost.

Driving my own vehicle will obviously increase flexibility for the trip because I can head home sooner or stay later if I choose. It also means I can take my dog. Bringing her has pros and cons. The drive with her along would be much more enjoyable and I generally sleep better with her snuggled up next to me. Obvious bonuses there, but bringing her also adds additional stress to the trip. I have to be on duty about making sure she doesn't get outside off leash. Not an issue if it is only me around, but the family members I am going to visit are.... less aware of their surroundings and live a in a more chaotic environment. It is not a stretch to think any of the MANY children would be in and out of the house throughout the day and every time the door opened it is an opportunity for my dog to get out unsupervised. She could easily be stolen or killed on the road, so while I adore her and love having her with me, there is an added element of being on duty at all times if she goes with me. There is also her happiness to account for, and she is generally ready to go home after a day or two on the road or at any given destination. This makes me lean toward flying down at this moment in time.

 

That's funny. Though, that is one of the older Supras. The one I saw on Turo was a 2020, but it had been lowered and had some engine mods according to the profile. I'd much prefer a stock one, but beggars can't be choosers. Renting one is likely the only way I'll ever get to drive one, so I cannot complain.

 

@Ericsopa brings up a very good point.
I live near Dallas and it doesn't snow that much.
But when it does, it melts a little during the day and turns into ice overnight.
Either that or we get flat out ice storms.

Drivers in Texas can't drive worth a sh!t on dry roads.
Ice, or even rain, makes it worse.

I'd fly, rent a car, and enjoy your stay here.
I'd hate for some idiot to plaster your truck with door dents from a parking lot.
People down here don't care about that stuff......

As others stated, the drive thru Texas will be BORING..

 

I got a Camaro SS from the National at the airport last time I was in Houston but that was a few years ago.

My wife and I admittedly love beer but it seems to us that the brewing companies have some of the best food too.

 

I'd love to snag a Challenger RT with a stick, but good luck finding something like that at a standard rental. At least with the Supra I know I'm not missing anything by getting the automatic.

 

I fly regularly for work. I just got back from a week in NYC. Before and during this mess I have always flown Delta.

Flying is actually very nice right now. Airports are minimally populated. All middle seats are open on planes. If you have platinum or diamond status are almost guaranteed a first class upgrade (I was SO CLOSE to hitting diamond last year, but platinum is working well for me.)

I would fly. Driving 20 hours is for the birds.

 

I'm a Delta guy. First time in several years that I won't make Diamond status. Usually only takes me 6 months but Covid happened.

 

I ride up and down it on my bicycle every time I go through there.

 

I only fly a few times a year but I'll pay extra to fly Delta. United and AA have left me stranded multiple times so I'm done with them.

Once ironically was in Houston and I'll agree to fly. My older brother lives in San Antonio and driving in Texas is boring, at least compared to PA, there isn't shit to look at besides ranches and open fields with one scraggly tree every 12 miles.

 

I also prefer Delta. United routes all their flights through Chicago, which seems to grind to a halt if it's raining a bit. However, my company prefers United and they're the only option to get to Houston direct from here.

 

I was a Continental guy when I started flying weekly back in 1999. They merged with United and things went to shit. Ran over to American and they finally ran me off because 9 out of 10 flights would be delayed. Mostly DFW->SHV. Delta has been pretty damn good so far.

 

So, sounds like Delta is the preferred airline.

 

Well, I bought my Delta tickets. No going back now. I even splurged for the Delta+ seating with a bit more leg room and first on/first off privileges. I think I might even be able to get by with nothing but a carry on if I just do some laundry while I'm down there.

Still researching the rental options. I might just be cheap and get a basic rental at the airport. Current events have me wanting to pinch pennies a bit more.

 

Dang man. I thought you were having kidney issues.

 

Kidney issues?

 

"Still researching the renal options."

Have fun in Houston. Should be nice and warm compared to Wyoming.

 

I guess I'm dumb, because I still don't get how kidney issues ties to renal research.

As for the weather, yesterday it was plenty warm. Today it's nice out as well. Saturday I think we will get more wintery weather. I think Texas is going to be hot by my standards, but I'm only going there to visit family anyway. I'll endure the weather.


EDIT: I see my typo now.

 

Corrected my typo. Not sure if it was an autocorrect issue, or if my brain was faster than my hands.

 

I havent made that drive since i was a student at Wyotech back in 1999!! Good times were had there! If you are looking for really good sushi, Houston has it. Im not going to name any places in particular, but will recommend you spend some time looking at reviews and online articles. There are sushi places for all types of budgets. I would recommend booking reservations in advance, esp if you are looking at the nice ones

 

I'm down to splurge on high quality sushi. I don't visit any coastal states with any kind of frequency, so I am hoping to capitalize on it.

 

Ask around to some family members for corporate discounts for car rental. Some of them will extend the discount to family. For instance I gave my brother our corporate code and it knocked almost $600 off a 2 week rental.

 

80s/60s this week. Rain next weekend. Being shorts!